Barbara Mullens Rockwell

Barbara Nelson Mullens Rockwell was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and grew up in Laramie where she attended the University of Wyoming primary and secondary schools and then the University, except for one year at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Elmer and Alice Nelson. In addition to her B.S. at the University of Wyoming and being admitted into Pi Beta Kappa, she held an M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and an M.A. from Virginia Theological Seminary.

In 1969, Dr. Rockwell founded the Orizon Institute in Washington, D.C., where she maintained a practice in clinical psychology, and later in Williamsburg, Virginia. She organized seminars and marathon groups in psychology. Barbara published widely in professional journals and was an Associate Professor at the Eastern Virginia Medical School. She consulted at the Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center in Hampton, served as staff psychologist at the Washington, D.C. Mental Health Clinic and later at American University. She consulted at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and led workshops in England and the United States. She was also author of Sarah’s Gold, a biography of her pioneer great-grandmother.

In the 1980s, Barbara began her study of Hindu philosophy with Swami Chinmayananda, which she incorporated into her work and her life. She wrote a book about this entitled Honest Hindu Honest Christian, The Same. She described herself as a seeker who loved and learned.

Since living in Williamsburg, Rockwell has served on the board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the Spiritual Life Committee of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and was a founding member of the Christopher Wren Association in Williamsburg where she taught several courses. She died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Williamsburg.

She is survived by three daughters, Sherry Mullens of Tubac, AZ, Joan Hart of Adamstown, MD, and Vilasini Balakrishnan of St Augustine, FL. All three of her daughters are psychotherapists. Her sons-in-law are Daniel Anderson, Robert Jensen and Suresh Balakrishnan. She is also survived by four grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Rockwell, of Williamsburg. She will be missed by all who loved her and knew her.

Services will be held at St. Martins Episcopal Church.