society.

"The social infrastructure is wonderfully robust down here,'' said clinical psychologist Dr. Ann Dell Duncan. "People care for each other and the caring shows.

"It is dramatically different than St. Louis which was the murder capital of the US two years ago. The community support structure is different here, it's a great strength.'' "I didn't come with pre-conceived ideas. I came with a set of skills and I am ready to contribute to Bermuda any way I can.'' Dr. Duncan arrived in Bermuda on November 1 from St. Louis, Missouri, to become the sixth psychologist at Ashton Associates.

Ashton Associates, located on Church Street in Hamilton, is made up of a group of doctors who all specialise in different areas of psychology.

"Some specialise in kids, some adults, I bridge the two,'' she said.

During the last two months, Dr. Duncan and her husband, Dr. Wells Hively, who is also a highly-trained psychologist, have been adjusting to the Bermudian way of life.

"I love it here,'' she said. "It's been made quite easy by the gentleness of the people we've been interacting with.

"We feel accepted and welcomed. Everyone has been wonderful.'' And the mother of three and grandmother of two has already started getting her feet wet in her chosen field of expertise -- trauma, transition, mediation and counselling.

"My specialty is transitional and trauma, for example kids with learning problems and adults that may have been traumatised.'' "My mediation skills are the ones that seem to be drawn on the most so far.'' But Dr. Duncan, who also has a doctorate in law, also possesses impressive credentials in forensic psychology.

"I worked in England with a forensic unity and I worked with the criminally insane,'' she said. "Now, I'm more interested in working with the victim rather than the perpetrator. Helping the victim deal with the trauma.'' Dr. Duncan, who has been in practice for some 30 years, stressed that the length of treatment differs with each case -- no two are the same.

"It all depends on the level of pain,'' she explained. "If a kid has a head injury, it's not hard to help them. But each case is very unique and special'' And she was not the least bit worried about keeping a busy work schedule in laid-back Bermuda.

"From my understanding of the traffic statistic, I will be busy dealing with quite a few traumas,'' she noted. "I'd say there's a substantial need for my skills.'' Dr. Duncan will also occasionally donate her services to the Inter-Agency Committee, Family Services and the Courts.

"They'll just call me up when they need my services,'' she explained.

"Family Services and the courts may send people over if they want a social inquiry.

"Sometimes other doctors will refer someone to me if they think I can be of use.'' Individuals interested in speaking to Dr. Duncan can simply dial her office for an appointment.

EXPERIENCE Dr. Duncan's vast experience Dr. Duncan is a highly qualified clinical and forensic psychologist with more than 30 years experience.

Here is a brief glance at her professional background: Chair of Ethics Committee of the Missouri Psychological Association for five years; Senior Fellow at University of Missouri-Columbia, Department of Student Counselling Services; Former Associate Professor, Department of Paediatric Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School with joint appointment in Department of Psychology and Psychiatry; A trained mediator, specialising in divorce and custody disputes; and Law degree -- specialising in work that is at the intersection between law and psychology, especially trauma, violence, risk assessment and child abuse.