Skip to main content

A Special Interest Group of the American Psychological Association's Division 32, Humanistic Psychology

Always fighting apathy!

Confluence is an undergraduate humanistic psychology alliance that offers a place for multiplicity and diversity of thought, community, friendship and pro-action/activist outreach. It is open to all majors – all those interested in the psychological life of fiction, film, dance, politics, music, philosophy and everything else under the sun. Confluence members are unapologetic about their intellectual pursuits and unabashedly passionate!

Confluence is not a club, but a student alliance with the Department of Psychology's distinctive orientation and faculty. It is funded by the department and has its own office in the Department of Psychology. 

Confluence embraces the belief in interparticipatory and interdisciplinary experiences and exchanges. Confluence imagines all students as themselves points of confluence – drawn to learn, engage, relate and change. 

@pointparku What do our students 💚 about studying psychology at Point Park University? Members of the Confluence Psychology Alliance share their thoughts 📣 #PointParkU #PointParkUniversity #psychologymajor #psychmajor #psychologydegree #psychologydepartment ♬ original sound - Point Park Univ.

About Us

Pictured is Robert McInerney. Submitted photo. Robert McInerney, Ph.D.

Faculty Advisor

Robert G. McInerney, Ph.D., joined the Point Park University faculty in 2006 and is a professor of psychology. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Duquesne University and did both his pre- and post-doctoral training as a psychotherapist at Carnegie Mellon Counseling and Psychological Services. McInerney received certification in human science research from the Center for Interpretive and Qualitative Research at Duquesne University in 2008. His interests are in hermeneutic phenomenology, social constructionism, critical and liberation social psychology, community psychology and feminist epistemology.

Pictured is Anastasia Ellis. Submitted photo.Anastasia Ellis

Director of Media and Communication

"I am a forensic psychology major, and I have a minor in criminal justice. I am currently in my junior year and plan to attend law school after finishing my bachelor's degree here at Point Park. I was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. I enjoy reading, painting and horror movies. I oversee the social media accounts for Confluence, so any posts or pictures – that’s all me. I cannot wait to work with everyone this year to make Confluence a great community."

Pictured is Kay Karlie. Submitted photo.Kay Karlie

Chairperson
(Any) 

"I am a senior psychology major with a clinical concentration. I joined Confluence as a sophomore, and my favorite part is the community that I have found in my fellow members. As a chairperson, I hope to create a welcoming atmosphere that offers a sense of support and belonging. Furthermore, I want to allow everyone a space to share their ideas for community building and community problem-solving. I enjoy sewing, crocheting and watching horror movies in my free time."

Pictured is Vivian Kinter. Submitted photo.Vivian Kinter

Chairperson
(She/Her)

"I am a junior clinical psychology major with hopes of entering the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program. I am from a small town about four hours away called Wellsboro. I have been involved in a practicum with the Abolitionist Law Center observing and critiquing the mental health court in the Allegheny Courthouse. I enjoy writing, sewing, watching horror movies and studying historical fashion. I hope to have a great year with Confluence!"

Pictured is Kiara Laws. Submitted photo.Kiara Laws

Chairperson
(She/Her)

"I am a senior general psychology major from a small town called Normalville, which is located about an hour away from Pittsburgh. I enjoy fantasy novels, matcha lattes and making clay earrings! I’m passionate about empowering young people toward positive development in educational and community settings. On that note, I’m currently working at Shady Side Academy as an after-school activity coordinator. As a Confluence chairperson, I am ecstatic to collaborate with everyone to strengthen our community at Point Park!"

Pictured is Darian Lees. Submitted photo.

Darian Lees

Chairperson
(
She/Her)

"I am a junior forensic psychology major from Pittsburgh. After earning my bachelor's degree, I intend to pursue a master's degree in clinical psychology and a Ph.D. in hopes of becoming a psychologist in a legal or private setting. I completed an internship with the Abolitionist Law Center, participating in the court watch program to observe the mental health court in the Allegheny Courthouse in Downtown Pittsburgh. I play on the University's women's golf team. I'm very excited to be a part of Confluence and do incredible work alongside my fellow classmates."

Pictured is Marley Smartnick. Submitted photo. Marley Smartnick

Chairperson
(They/Them)


"Before transferring to Point Park, I completed an Associate of the Arts in Psychology at Westmoreland County Community College. I hope to complete the 4+1 Community Psychology B.A./M.A. program, and my ultimate goal is to earn a Ph.D. in Critical Psychology. I spent my life in the small town of Derry, Pennsylvania, about an hour away from Pittsburgh. My experience in my small town inspired me to go into the field of psychology, but it wasn’t until I reached Point Park that I decided to pursue the community focus. Confluence is an opportunity to get involved with the University and Pittsburgh communities, which I am thrilled to do. I cannot wait to see what Confluence achieves with all our amazing minds working together!" 


Important Confluence Links:

Criteria for Membership*

1. We ask that members give their student ID numbers (for record purposes).

2. We ask that members exhibit an active participation by responding to Confluence communication (i.e. the Confluence Psychology Alliance Facebook page, Confluence e-mails, Postings on Orgsync.com etc.).

3. We ask that members exhibit an active participation by making an attempt to be involved in, and attend, most activities and meetings.

*Membership criteria is decided upon by the students of Confluence.

Interested in being a member of Confluence?

Contact Faculty Advisor Robert McInerney, Ph.D., at rmcinerney@pointpark.edu.

* Point Park University is located in Downtown Pittsburgh near the confluence of three rivers (Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers). Confluence means "with flow" or "streaming together" and describes both a place as well as continuous change. As streams come together they are momentarily both individual and undivided; they are never static, never simply one or many. The interstice of self with other within the University is the point of confluence. And so, we imagine all students as temporary points of confluence drawn to learn, engage, relate and change.

Oh yeah, and join Confluence to get a button:
button.con.1button.con.2