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Share thisMeet the PsyD Graduating Class of 2022
“My time at Roberts far exceeded my expectations. Even though it was a rigorous program, I have no regrets ... I was offered a job before I even graduated.” -David Keiling’22 (PsyD)
Roberts Wesleyan College’s innovative Doctorate of School/Clinical Psychology produces equally innovative students. Meet the five (out of seven) graduating students who were able to share their story of why they love psychology, details about their dissertation, and what they think about Roberts.
Cariann K. Coward
Utilizing Sand Tray to Assess the Effects of Racial Tensions in Black Mental Health Therapists: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Approach
“I moved here from New York City just for this program! I loved the duality of this degree, and I truly fell in love with the professors here.
“For example, Dr. Repass personally hosted me and my mother for Thanksgiving because I didn’t have anywhere else to do. I also met my mentor, Professor Bascoe, through this program.
“My passion is to serve children and adolescents who are often overlooked. I want to help children heal from their trauma. I’ve accepted a job offer at Upstate Medical Center where I can do just that. In my dissertation, I sought to better understand the mental health professionals who serve children and their families.
“If you’re considering this program, just do it! From the very first to the very last interaction I had with my professors, they’ve been consistently warm and caring. You’ll feel the love and investment, even in the interview phase.”
Steven Fedchak
Decreasing Food Selectivity: A Case Study for Structured Physical Exercise Interventions to Help Treat Feeding Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
“My two kids are my biggest motivation and inspiration for continuing my education and work to help others. I felt this program would provide me with the best opportunities. It was absolutely worth it.
"My dissertation was focused on providing a structured physical exercise for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder who also have concerns related to eating.
“I hope to continue supporting and advocating alongside people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. My goal would be to collaborate to run an all-inclusive clinic that provides assessment and treatment for all people that have a need in the community, and education for those in supporting roles.
“[After interviewing for the program], I had a sense of welcoming and acceptance that I did not get from other programs or colleges. I never felt like I was alone in any part of my training.”
Grace Flairine Joseph
Examining the Benefits of Implementing Restorative Practices and DBT STEP-A in High School
“I entered this degree program because my calling is to be a practitioner (I want to wear the hat of a healer) yet I also wanted the benefits of studying both school and clinical psychology.
“My first-of-a-kind study is designed to reconnect at-risk students back to their school’s community, interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline, and equip students with life-long coping skills. The student that successfully completed the entire study had very promising results - a complete transformation!
“I love Roberts. The spiritual nature here catapulted me into a journey of self-discovery. In this cohort, I felt like part of a family. We were all very close and supportive without an underlying tone of competition.”
David Keiling
Integrating Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Music in Schools: A Pilot Study
“I’ve loved psychology since high school. I want to help people in a meaningful way.
"My study integrated music as a healthy coping mechanism for high schoolers, replacing traditional worksheets with more engaging activities. We saw a decrease in unhealthy coping mechanisms and an increase in emotional clarity.
“My time at Roberts far exceeded my expectations. Even though it was a rigorous program, I have no regrets and the doctorate gave me a fierce competitive edge in my job interviews.
"I was offered a job before I even graduated!”
Alexandra V. Popa
The Effects of Combining Therapy Dog Use with Dialectical Behavior Therapy to Impact Emotional Regulation and Eating Attitudes Within the Eating Disorder Population
“I chose Roberts because I wanted the combination of school and clinical experience. I knew my master’s degree wouldn’t allow me to access every work opportunity I wanted, so that’s why I earned my doctorate!
"My favorite part of earning this degree was the clinical practicum experience, as that helped me decide on my dissertation topic. Now that I have my doctorate, I look forward to the potential of opening up a private practice.”
The following students were not available for the interview. However, we proudly share their names and dissertation titles.
Kaitlyn Mary O’Malley
V.A. Provider Perceptions of Pandemic Motivated Telemental Health: A SWOT Analysis
Kristy Kelley
Telehealth and Mindfulness-based Interventions (MBIs) in the Era of Covid-19
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