Meet our Psy.D. Students

Elli Chew

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, Shippensburg University

Clinical and Research Interests: diversity, equity, and inclusion in mental health and the justice system; mental health disparities; intersectionality; personality disorders; psychological assessment; and ethical considerations in clinical and forensic practice; psychopathy and serial offending; victimology; psychology and the legal system; eyewitness memory and testimony; expert psychological testimony in court proceedings; psychological effects of military service and combat exposure among veterans; trauma, PTSD, and resilience; trauma-informed psychotherapy; forensic psychology; violent and criminal behavior.

Career Goals: Forensic psychologist; psychotherapist; researcher; educator; expert witness; advocate for veterans and trauma survivors; contributing to trauma-informed mental health services; conducting research at the intersection of psychology, trauma, and criminal justice; and using psychological research to inform legal practice, policy, and equitable access to mental health care.

Emma Ditzler

Prior Education: B.S. in Psychology, B.S. in Law, Criminal Justice and Society, University of Pittsburgh

Clinical and Research Interests: Humanistic approaches to clinical and therapeutic interventions; hermeneutic phenomenology; Merton’s strain theory; the influence of systemic barriers on behavior and mental health, especially in children and adolescents; reform of the juvenile justice system; community-focused interventions; interpersonal relationships’ and family dynamics’ impact on behavior and psychological well-being; children’s and adolescents’ understanding of social hierarchy and structural inequality.

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, program developer and evaluator, community advocate, private practice owner

Trevor Eulau

Prior Education: B. M. in Jazz Studies, University of Washington

Clinical and Research Interests: Reification, child and play therapy, non-dual awareness as embodied in the therapeutic relationship, spirituality, compassion and authenticity, post- traumatic growth, music therapy.

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, writer, psychotherapist, teacher, children’s advocate, musician and composer, meditation teacher.

Monjeana Henderson

Prior Education: B.S. Psychology, Penn State University

Clinical and Research Interests: My clinical and research interests focus on race-based trauma, PTSD/C-PTSD, and supporting adolescents navigating neurodivergence (ADHD and Autism) and mood disorders (anxiety, depression, and Bipolar I and II). Theoretically, I approach therapy through a humanistic and psychoanalytic lens, utilizing psychoeducation to help clients deeply understand their thoughts and feelings. Through this understanding, I aim to guide clients toward self-acceptance, radical acceptance, and self-actualization. Additionally, I am interested in integrating clients' personal faith— such as Christianity—into the therapeutic process to support holistic healing.

Career Goals: To practice in community care settings and private practice, as well as contribute to higher education.

Isabella Hill

Prior Education: B.A. in Philosophy, Grove City College

Clinical and Research Interests: The intersection and integration of ancient and medieval virtue ethics with modern psychological approaches; humanistic, phenomenological, and philosophical approaches to psychology and clinical practice; the utilization of beauty in the search for truth and goodness (the transcendentals) as a response to the problem of suffering; self-determination in response to an understanding of teleology.

Career Goals: Clinical Psychologist, Community Health Advocate

Julia Stutzman

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, Point Park University

Clinical and Research Interests: Modern treatment of Psychosis Spectrum Disorder: schizophrenia, schizoaffective, drug-induced psychosis, etc. Psychological impact of religion: transcendence, self-actualization, evolution of religion in society, etc. Autism spectrum disorder, trauma, drugs and alcohol, family-centered treatment: generational trauma, adolescent development. Collaborative vs. legislative process of divorce: psychological impact on family units. Existential, humanistic, and person-centered approaches to psychotherapy.

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, undergraduate and postgraduate educator, research fellow, and private practice clinician.

Shelly Volosin

Prior Education: B.S. in Business Management, Marketing, and Accounting, Pennsylvania State University; M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Pennsylvania Western University

Clinical and Research Interests: Humanistic, existential, and person-centered approaches to psychotherapy; the therapeutic relationship, empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard; reality therapy, choice theory, personal responsibility, and self-determination; depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, and stress-related concerns; trauma, resilience, and post-traumatic growth; psychopharmacology and the relationship between biological and psychological approaches to mental health treatment; holistic and integrative approaches to psychological well-being; spirituality, faith, and meaning-making in psychotherapy; developmental experiences and family dynamics; neurodivergence and the experiences of individuals and families navigating special needs; multicultural counseling, advocacy, and equitable access to mental health services; psychological assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and ethical clinical practice; mental health, burnout prevention, and wellness among healthcare professionals and other helping professionals.

Career Goals: Licensed clinical psychologist; psychotherapist specializing in adults experiencing depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, and related mental health concerns; private practice owner; pursuit of a master's degree in psychopharmacology to expand knowledge of medication and its role in comprehensive mental health treatment; advocate for individuals and families navigating mental health and developmental challenges; providing psychological services and support to helping professionals, including counselors, psychologists, healthcare workers, and others experiencing occupational stress, compassion fatigue, or burnout; integrating evidence-based psychological interventions with a holistic understanding of emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being; continued professional development and contributions to clinical research and the field of psychology.

Rhianna Vranka

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, Duquesne University

Clinical and Research Interests: Children and adolescents; men’s mental health; depression; homelessness and mental health; anxiety; suicidal ideation; the impact of childhood trauma on individuals in adulthood; self-stigma and public stigma; personality disorders; holistic psychology; early therapeutic intervention for anxiety disorders.

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, educator, writer, community advocate.

Ansel Bloom

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, Drew University

Clinical and Research Interests: Existential, humanistic, and person-centered approaches to psychotherapy; meaning-making in grief and at the end of life; relationships with nature and approaches to depression and anxiety in the face of the climate crisis; factors affecting the therapeutic relationship.

Career Goals: Clinical Psychologist

Alyssa Durocher

Prior Education: B. A. in Psychology, Kent State

Clinical and Research Interests: Existential psychotherapy; humanistic and phenomenological therapeutic approaches; integrating hermeneutics within psychotherapy; psychoanalysis; substance use; crisis intervention; intersectionality with emphasis on socioeconomic status as key axis; personality disorders; participatory action/social justice research; ethics across cultures and generations.

Career Goals: Psychotherapist; educator; researcher; community advocate; providing mental health services to individuals experiencing homelessness; supporting individuals who are incarcerated or experiencing the reentry process; contribute to meaningful policy reform through research and mental health activism.

Caleb E. Herrin

Prior Education: B. A. in Psychology and B.A. in Political Science, Lycoming College

Clinical and Research Interests: The psychological and environmental etiology and mechanisms underlying the spectrum of psychosis and schizophrenia, with particular interest in how these states relate to or contrast with positively valenced flow states; the phenomenology and prognosis of psychological disorder, purpose, and well-being; and the role of social capital in shaping individual and community mental health.

Career Goals: Educator, research fellow, private practice clinician, community advocate.

Vivian Kinter

Prior Education: B. A. in Psychology, Point Park University

Clinical and Research Interests: Existential philosophy, humanistic approaches, hermeneutic phenomenology, critical psychology, post-humanism, discourse analysis, Deleuze and Guattari, meaning-making therapy, post-traumatic growth, wonder, love and resilience.

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, community mental health advocate, researcher, writer.

Melissa Malaspino

Prior Education: B. A. and M.A. in Psychology, University of West Georgia

Clinical and Research Interests: Ecopsychology, humanistic and existential approaches to psychotherapy, child therapy, Gestalt therapy, group processes, qualitative research methods, contemplative spirituality, the interplay of physiological and environmental factors and psychological suffering or thriving.

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, supervisor, educator, researcher, work in applied ecopsychology.

Yehudah Polter

Prior Education: B. A. in Psychology, Saint Peter's University

Clinical and Research Interests: Holistic psychology; somatic and humanistic therapy; spirituality as it relates to emotional wellbeing; religious trauma; nutritional psychology; mindfulness-based interventions and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, writer, advocate, program director.

Dean Robbins

Prior Education: B. A. in Psychology and B.A. in Business, The Catholic University of America

Clinical and Research Interests: Psychological humanities, phenomenology, spirituality, schizophrenia, anomalous experience, aesthetics especially in cinema, literature and virtual spaces, media ecology, advertising and cultural therapeutics.

Career Goals: Psychotherapist, private practice owner, writer, teacher.

Christi Bennardi

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, Gettysburg College

Clinical and Research Interests: Existential, humanistic, feminist, and mindfulness-based approaches; self-compassion, empathy and resiliency, specifically in the context of post-traumatic growth

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, therapist and educator

Morgan Bunning

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology and B.A. in Dance, Muhlenberg College

Clinical and Research Interests: Children and adolescents, play therapy, dance/movement therapy, c-PTSD, intergenerational trauma, family dynamics, animal-assisted psychotherapy, substance/medication-induced mood and psychotic disorders

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, educator, potentially private practice owner

Anh Mai Dinh

Prior Education: B.A. in Political Science, Georgia State University; M.A. in Counseling Psychology, University of West Florida

Clinical and Research Interests: Internal family systems (IFS) and humanistic approaches to psychotherapy & psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist and clinical training director

Nisrine Fettah

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology 

Clinical and Research Interests: Cultural identity formation; mental health in immigrant/minority populations; acculturation stress and its impact on somatic symptoms across generations; somatization and language barriers in immigrant/minority healthcare; racial and ethnic disparities in mental health diagnosis and treatment; trauma in refugee populations; intersectionality of race, gender and mental health; the role of intergenerational trauma and somatization 

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, educator, mentor, researcher, advocate for mental health equity by improving culturally competent care and raising awareness about mental health issues within underserved communities, particularly among minorities and immigrants 

Kay Holler

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

Clinical and Research Interests: Humanistic and Existential approaches to psychotherapy; development across the life span; aging; quality of life and connection in older individuals; long-term, person-centered relational therapy

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist

Sam Merhaut

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, Point Park University; M.A. in Clinical Community Psychology, Point Park University

Clinical and Research Interests: Post-structuralism, psychoanalysis, Marxism, neoliberal subjectivity, homelessness, substance use and harm reduction, hermeneutics, psychosis

Career Goals: Clinician, researcher, educator

Marley Parker

Prior Education: B.A in General Psychology, Point Park University 

Clinical and Research Interests: Applying psychological and social justice theory for institutional/ structural change; preventative, community-based mental health programs and treatment; policy reform; social identity and self-esteem development within adolescence; music and art’s impact on self-esteem; interpersonal relationships; implementing feminist, critical race and queer theory within couple, marriage and family therapy; meaning making through identity politics; social movements in relation to psychology and interpersonal relationships; the psychology of social change; activism with psychology; the effect of culture and media on mental health; humanistic and existentialist approach to understanding of political violence and political extremism

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, couple and family psychologist, community advocate, program director, educator 

Sammy Stevwing

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, Duquesne University 

Clinical Research Interests: Applying humanistic approaches to understand the influence of culture and environment, such as the influence of misogyny, racism, or being part of a lower socioeconomic status. Additionally, focusing on the mind-body connection when in recovery from various disorders, for all age groups. 

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist at a private practice 

Derek Robert Franco

Prior Education: B.S. in Psychology, Utica University 

Clinical and Research Interests: Psychodynamic, humanistic and existential psychotherapy approaches; using existential philosophy as a framework to better understand the human condition and mental health issues; understanding the role and importance of both individualized and community-based interventions in the treatment of mental health issues; anxiety and trauma-related disorders in adult populations

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, educator and community mental health advocate working alongside community leaders in order to create effective public policy measures that adequately meet the treatment needs of at-risk populations

Brigid Haugh

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology and B.A. in Sociology, Duquesne University 

Clinical and Research Interests: Humanistic and transpersonal approaches, criminal justice, personality disorders, gender roles and norms, feminism, holistic approach to treatment, psychedelic-assisted therapy options and intersectionality  

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, therapist and advocate for prisoners; researcher and starter of out-patient facility that incorporates holistic and animal approaches to treatment

Lauren Hirshorn

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, James Madison University 

Clinical and Research Interests: Impact of sexual and relational trauma on attachment security; intergenerational trauma; early attachment; human sexuality, relationships and intimacy; effects of movement in therapeutic practice as part of a holistic perspective; feminism and empowerment; navigating the complexities of self-identity and meaning-making 

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, educator

Amilee Miller

Prior Education: B.S. in Psychology, Keystone College

Clinical and Research Interests: Bringing a holistic combination of existential and humanistic approaches to therapy, meaning-making, friendship, implications of adolescent identity development, play therapy, utilizing the appreciation and creation of art, as well as movement, in the treatment of complex disorders  

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist and qualitative researcher

Tally Moss

Prior Education: B.F.A. in Music Composition & Technology, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee; B.M. in Music Therapy, Alverno College

Clinical and Research Interests: Existential and Hermeneutic psychotherapy approaches; Identity development in adolescents and emerging adults, including how personal and artistic identities interact and impact meaning-making; neurodiversity and empowerment

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist and private practice owner

Sasha Nebrat

Prior Education: B. S. in Psychology, University of Pittsburgh

Clinical and Research Interests: Crisis intervention in acute psychosis; non-pharmaceutical and alternative approaches to managing psychotic symptoms; maximizing function and quality of life while living with schizoaffective, mood and personality disorders through person-centered humanistic, evolutionary and applied psychological approaches 

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist and program director in inpatient and intensive outpatient settings, advocate and mediator for mental health awareness in law enforcement and community crisis intervention

Shelby Wyant

Prior Education: B.S. Ed. in Integrated Language Arts, Kent State University; M. Ed. In Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, Kent State University

Clinical and Research Interests: Rehabilitation psychology, disability justice, anti-ableism, forensic psychology, prison reform and alternatives to imprisonment, media psychology, use of creative arts in psychotherapy and feminist approach to psychotherapy 

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, forensic psychologist, disability advocate 

Jenna Armstrong

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, Duquesne University

Clinical and Research Interests: Marriage and family dynamics, parenting, interpersonal relationships, conformity and obedience, self-esteem and narcissism 

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist working mostly with families and relationships, forensic psychologist and possibly educator

Rachel Cox

Prior Education: B.S. in Bio-Medical Science, University of Guelph; B.S. in Nursing, McMaster University 

Clinical and Research Interests: Humanistic and psychodynamic approaches to psychotherapy, c-PTSD and post-traumatic growth, holistic health psychology, mindfulness-based practices, entheogenic therapy, self-transcendence and transpersonal psychology 

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, educator and mental health advocate

Alexandra D'Ercole

Prior Education: B.A and M.A. in Community Psychology, Point Park University

Clinical and Research Interests: Adolescents and teens; social justice; psychotherapy; multicultural; feminist theory and post-traumatic growth 

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, Community advocate for social justice, program development in increasing accessibility to mental health resources, particularly in schools

Allison Green

Prior Education: B.S. in Psychology, Grand Valley State University; M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Georgia State University

Clinical and Research Interests: Children and adolescents, suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression, self-harm, homicidal ideation, substance use disorder and  developmentally appropriate counseling theories and interventions for children and adolescents

Career Goals: Research and application of developmentally appropriate practices for working with children and adolescents, clinical psychologist in a private practice setting

Alyssa Laughner

Prior Education: B.S. in Neuroscience and Biology, Baldwin Wallace University

Clinical and Research Interests: Gender-related nuances in mental health treatment and diagnosis frequency, such as in ADHD, ASD, and BPD; neurodiversity and trauma and physical manifestations of c-PTSD

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist

Kylie Sullivan

Prior Education: B.S. in Psychology, Utica University

Clinical and Research Interests: Feminist approaches in psychotherapy, psychodynamic and emotion-focused psychotherapy, advocacy and resources for young mothers, perinatal and postpartum, women’s mental health and gender roles in westernized societies

Career Goals: Qualitative research, private practice therapy, and teaching.

Anastasia Sfakis

Prior Education: B.A. Psychology, Point Park University

Clinical and Research Interests: Existential-Integrative psychotherapy; depth psychology; eco-psychology and nature-based practices; trauma-informed care; cultural attitudes toward grief and bereavement; experiences of awe and post-traumatic growth.

Career Goals: Clinical Psychologist, Grief Educator, Organizational Consultant

Sarah Varley

Prior Education: B.Ph. in Psychology, University of Pittsburgh

Clinical and Research Interests: Ipseity-disturbance model of psychosis; humanistic approaches to SPMI; psychosis onset; racial disparities in treatment qualities/outcomes & antiracist alternatives; acute crisis response and police involvement (911 to incarceration/social-services monitoring pipeline); community-based task-sharing models; impacts of neoliberal individualism on suicidality.

Career Goals: Program director on an acute, inpatient unit; Outpatient early-intervention in psychosis; Development of early-SPMI psychoeducation programs for schools/teachers; Advise/consult/train police services on involvement in crisis response; Help to carry mental health care into street medicine (alternative counseling approaches). 

Eliza Watson

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, Point Park University

Clinical and Research Interests: Phenomenology and Hermeneutics, existentialism, feminism, a holistic approach to adolescent care and treatment, intersectionality and social justice advocacy with a focus on adolescent populations

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, program director, educator, designing and collaborating on community-based interventions for adolescents and young adults  

Theresa Buczek

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, Allegheny College; M.A. in Applied Clinical Psychology, Penn State Behrend

Clinical and Research Interests: Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), rape culture, parent-child relationships, toxic masculinity, bystander intervention/prevention of sexual assault on college campuses, domestic violence and feminist psychology

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist with a focus in PCIT and trauma, teach part-time at an educational institution and conduct research

Joe Huang

Prior Education: B.S. in Psychology, University of Mary Washington; M.A. in Psychology, University of West Georgia

Clinical and Research Interests: Psychosis, dynamic nominalism and the various effects of pathology and psychological categorization, psychiatry and power, alternative (crisis) intervention systems, process-oriented psychologies, psychosocial development and community building as an alternative to individualist neoliberal identity formation

Career Goals: Clinician, ideally in community setting

Lia Dana Yahalomi

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Clinical and Research Interests: Rogerian and psychodynamic psychotherapy, suicidality, depression, anxiety, family and relationship issues, personality disorders, identity development, multicultural concerns, international students, grief and loss.

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, mental health advocator and educator, private practice

Charles Russell

Clinical and Research Interests: Relational psychoanalysis, existential and humanistic approaches to psychotherapy and sex and sexuality coinciding with alternative sexual practices

Career Goals: Clinical psychologist, Kink-friendly therapist and possible educator

Brendan Donovan

Prior Education: B.A. in Psychology, Point Park University

Clinical and Research Interests: Psychosis, schizophrenia, altered states of consciousness and psychedelic psychotherapy

Career Goals: To be able to assist people through altered states of consciousness without the use of neuroleptic drugs