Publications & Presentations

Listed is a sampling of research done by faculty and students. Each semester the department hosts a Graduate Brown Bag Lunch Discussion for students. This is an opportunity for students to gather and discuss dissertation topics, research, and current issues around psychology.

Published Dissertations 

“Get Grit at the Warrior Factory: An Innovative Program for Youth” Alayna Davison, Psy.D.

“My life’s been good. It changed, it’s been good.” The Use of Sandtray Therapy with Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Comorbid Mental Illness." Vanessa Komarek, Psy.D.

"The Effectiveness and Comparison of Tier 2 Interventions on Improving Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Outcomes in Elementary School"  Rebecca Draper, Psy.D.

"A Paradigm Shift toward Trauma-Informed Practices in Education: A Program Evaluation" Alysa MacMillen, Psy.D.

“The Implementation of Psychosocial Interventions to Child Survivors of Online Sexual Exploitation in the Philippines” Dr. Rebecca Draper and Dr. Keri Bassett 

"Program Evaluation of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Western New York School District" Joseph Constanza, Psy.D.

"Contextualizing the Concept of Refugee Mental Health in Education: A Phenomenological Study of Educators' Perceptions on Refugee Mental Health Needs" Brianna Diaz, Psy.D.

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Fall 2021 Lunch Discussion Schedule

October 22—Critical Race Theory: What It Is, What It's Not, and Why It Matters for Schools
Co-Speaker - Dr. Benjamin Espinoza
Associate Vice President for Online Education
Assistant Professor of Practical Theology

Co-Speaker-Shane Wiegand
Shane is the co-lead of the PathStone Foundation's Antiracist Curriculum Project and a Grade 4 teacher in Rush Henrietta. He serves on the boards of Connected Communities and City Roots Community Land Trust. He is an adjunct faculty instructor in the URMC Department of Neurology, where he lectures, leads workshops on anti-racism and equity. He and his wife live in the Beechwood neighborhood of Rochester.

November 19—Addressing the Clinical Needs of the LGBTQ+Community
Dr. Carson Fuhrman, guest speaker

Roberts Alum; PsyD, Regent University
After graduating from Roberts Carson took a year off and worked as a tech in one of the Strong psychiatric inpatient units. Working for U of R was a great experience, but after a year of that he was ready to go back to school. He is a current graduate of Regent University, Psy.D.program.