Dr. Willingham is a native of Summerville, GA, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Cognitive Science and Psychology from the University of Evansville in Evansville, IN (Go Aces!). He completed his doctoral degree at the University of Missouri – St. Louis College of Optometry where he engaged in multiple clinical rotations focused on vision therapy and earned special honors in the area of vision therapy at graduation. Finally, Dr. Willingham completed his training at the State University of New York College of Optometry’s prestigious Irwin B. Suchoff Residency in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation in New York City, where he earned the special recognition of the Dr. Martin Birmbaum Memorial Award for Behavioral Optometry.

Dr. Willingham first learned about vision therapy when he went to optometry school. After a lifetime of slow reading, headaches, and falling asleep while studying, he learned he had a vision coordination problem in optometry school, and was prescribed vision therapy and special glasses to address the problem. Dr. Willingham has since been passionate about sharing this help with any other children whose eyes might be getting in the way of their success. From working with children to get their vision working more efficiently to helping individuals who have suffered from traumatic brain injury get back to a better pace of life, Dr. Willingham believes in the power of vision therapy to change the lives of those who need it.