Over the course of twelve years, 1986-1998, Rev. Dr. Puffer earned two master's degrees, theological and psychological, and one doctorate in counseling. He functions, at the present time, as a professor to psychology undergraduates and master-level students in counseling. One day a week, he serves as a therapist in his private practice. Moreover, he is licensed as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) by the state of Indiana.

INTERESTS

Research areas of interest along with publications include:

• Family influences in undergraduates' career development
• The church as an agent of help battling life depression
• Biblical assumptions of human nature for Christian mental health professionals
• Religious doubt and adolescent identity formation
• Emotional intelligence and undergraduates career development
• The schizophrenic experiences of an adult woman
• Religious doubt and social personality traits
• Adaptive negative emotions in career development
• Heart of Wisdom (Ps 90) – numbering the days of our life for authentic coping in life
• Educating for emotional literacy among college students
• Edward A. Pace – a 19th-century role model for 21^st  century psychologically trained professionals and undergraduates.