Most students in the Assessment and Measurement Doctoral program have assistantships through the Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARS). Through these assistantships, students gain valuable real-world experience in various aspects of assessment design and measurement techniques.
Please take time to review student testimonials.
Kayla Bryant
Education:
B.S. Psychology and Child and Learning Development (double major), University of Texas at Dallas, 2016
M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of North Texas at Dallas, 2019
Research interests:
Treatment of trauma bonds, effectiveness of experiential modalities in treating clients, attachment, and improving counselor education.
Post-doctoral "goal for the future":
I would like to become an educator, either as a professor or in continuing education. I am passionate about the treatment of trauma, so I envision always working directly with clients, but would also like to expand my contribution through research.
Favorite self-care activity:
Spending time with my family (including my dogs), birdwatching, and going for walks.
Albrina Burger
Education:
Temple University (B.A in English and Philosophy, Cum Laude, 2007
M.Ed in Secondary Education-English, 2008)
Albany State University (M. Ed in School Counseling, 2022)
Research interests:
Inclusive and equitable learning for underrepresented students in P-12 settings, advocacy skills for black females in school and work settings.
Post-doctoral "goal for the future":
To train aspiring school counselors at the Master's and Doctoral level, while continuing to work as a school counselor
Favorite self-care activity:
Walking, cooking and vacationing
Cannie Campbell
Education:
JMU BS in Health Sciences 1995
University of Oklahoma – Masters of Public Health, 1998
JMU M/EdS in clinical mental health counseling
Current PhD student counseling and supervision at JMU
Research Interests:
Mental health care in an Emergency department setting; LGBTQ+ and mental health; women's mental health, trauma informed leadership; the psychology of women's giving
Favorite self-care activity:
traveling, gardening, walking
Katie Dolieslager
Education:
M.A., Eastern Mennonite University, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
B.S., James Madison University, Communication Studies with a concentration in Interpersonal Communication, 2019. Minor in Religious Studies.
Research Interests:
The impact of nature and exercise on mental wellness, attachment theory ranging from childhood to adulthood, the impacts of social media on adolescents' mental health, impacts of religion and spirituality on overall individual well-being, creativity and play in counseling, and leadership.
Goals or hopes for the future (when you complete your PhD):
My goal is to become a professor and counselor educator through teaching, supervision, and giving presentations to the public regarding specific mental health topics. I love the work that is done with individual clients as well and plan to continue seeing clients. I currently work for a community based non-profit and desire to make positive impacts in the communities I live and work in.
Favorite self-care activity:
I love spending time in nature with my husband and dog. You can often find us backpacking on the Appalachian Trail or Shenandoah River. I also love exercising my body and my mind through strength training and being in a book club with my friends. Lastly, being in community with family and friends is another major source of self-care for me.
Ellen Dotas
Education:
BA from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (music education)
MEd from McGill University (counseling psychology)
Research Interests:
Developing valid risk assessment tools for clinicians and training clinicians to better assess clients in crisis, pandemic related stress, suicide
Favorite self-care activity:
Getting outside, spending time with friends
Goals or hope for the future (when you complete your PhD):
I am an LPC and work in a clinical position now and see myself continuing in that area. I would like to apply what I have learned to developing better ways of assessing and working with people in crisis. I also am thinking about possibly teaching some if I have the opportunity to do so.
Thoughts about the program:
This program is great for people who are working and couldn't leave their job to return to school. Everyone has been so supportive and it is great to get to know this cohort. We have a great mixture of different backgrounds, educational degrees, ages, and goals. Even though we started from different points, we have all arrived here and our diversity combines to make this a truly wonderful educational experience!
Anne Erickson
Education:
I grew up in Graham, North Carolina and earned my B.A. in psychology from Duke University (‘99), and M.A. in counseling from Wake Forest University (‘05). I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Certified Imago Relationship Therapist. My private practice, New Garden Counseling, is located in Greensboro, NC, where I see individuals and couples. I work primarily from a person-centered, psychodynamic perspective.
Research Interests:
Alternative treatments for depression; how counselors discuss suicidal ideation with clients; the impact of diagnosis on client self-regard; counselors' attitudes towards the diagnostic paradigm; counselors' experiences with state licensing boards; and the integration of polyvagal theory into couples counseling.
Goals or hope for the future (when you complete your PhD):
At this point, I’m not sure what the future will bring professionally after I earn my doctorate. I’m keeping an open mind and am thoroughly enjoying how this intellectual journey is complementing my work with clients.
Favorite self-care activity:
I live in Greensboro with my husband, two daughters, and three cats. My favorite ways to unwind include reading one of my many magazine subscriptions (some favorites include The Atlantic, The New Yorker, and Mother Jones), listening to Depeche Mode-ish eighties music, car dancing/lip-synching, watching old SNL episodes with my family, meeting friends for coffee, browsing independent bookstores, and hanging out with my incredible, caring, hilarious, intellectual, amazing cohort!
Kim Hall
Education:
BA, Biology, SUNY Geneseo, 2012
MA, EdS, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, James Madison University, 2018
Research interests:
Counselor education in paraphilias and paraphilic disorders, diagnosis and case conceptualization, and workplace success
Post-doctoral "goal for the future":
Teaching, consultation, supervision, and community advocacy and education
Favorite self-care activity:
Taking care of my three cats and dozens of houseplants
Kylie Hathaway
Education:
MA Social Work, University of Alabama, 2020
MA Marriage and Family Therapy, University of San Diego, 2016
BA Psychology; Minors in Criminal Justice & Conflict Analysis Communication, James Madison University, 2010
Research Interests:
I am interested in evaluating the treatment of PTSD in first responders, preventing vicarious trauma in counselors, and how to better prepare counselors to testify in court.
Post-doctoral goal for the future:
I currently own a group private practice located in Alabama, that specializes in trauma and working with first responders and veterans. I hope to continue my work as the clinical director at my private practice providing therapy, advocacy, and supervision to future counselors. I also hope to serve as a counselor educator faculty member at an accredited university.
Favorite self-care activity:
I am an avid reader; I love to take road-trips and travel when I can and enjoy watching college football. I am also a mom to twin toddlers and find so much joy in the time I spend with my kids, watching them learn and grow.
Stephanie Hutchison
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southeastern Louisiana University, 2017;
Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University, 2020;
Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia, 2022
Favorite self-care activity:
My self-care activities include running, spending time with family, being outdoors, reading, cooking, baking, and being at the beach as much as I can.
Post-doctoral "goal for the future":
My goals for the future include teaching future counselors and providing support and supervision throughout their education. I would like to be a part in transforming the way graduate counseling students are supported in their development. I enjoy the client facing role and would like to continue to practice in some capacity.
Research interests:
My research interests include burnout prevention in graduate students, trauma informed care, and the impact of nutrition on mental health.
Akyla Joseph
Education:
B.S. Psychology, James Madison University, 2016
M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, William James College, 2018
Favorite self-care activity:
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and watching sunrises/sunsets.
Post-doctoral “goal for the future”:
My post-doctoral goal is to become a faculty member where I can support students navigating clinical settings, offer them effective and supportive supervision, and help them with the transition into the work field after graduating. I also hope to conduct research for underserved populations that could help influence more effective resources for clinical settings.
Research interests:
Immigrant and military communities, approaches to clinical supervision, qualitative methodology
Janice Lewis
Education:
B.A. Psychology, James Madison University
M.A. & Ed.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, James Madison University
Favorite self-care activity:
Running around with my dogs or getting lost in a great book.
Post-doctoral goal for the future:
I look forward to continuing my roles as a clinical supervisor, clinician, advocate, and educator.
Research Interests:
Best practices for supporting the self-efficacy of counseling residents and early career clinicians. Use of structured risk assessment tools in enhancing the risk assessment skills of early career clinicians. Intentional design of counseling spaces to support the develop the therapeutic relationship. And, creative interventions to enhance counseling education, supervision, and clinical practice.
Cassidi Long
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of NC at Wilmington (2010) and Master of Science Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from NC A&T State University (2013)
Favorite self-care activities:
Some of my favorite self-care activities include reading, camping, taking naps and baking.
Post-doctoral goals:
I hope to work as a director for a college/university counseling center. I would also love to teach and work in counselor education and supervision.
Research interests:
My research interests include body image and disordered eating; the educational experiences of BIPOC students; the treatment of depression, anxiety and trauma in Black women.
Carl Mojta
Education:
MS: Virginia Tech / Human Development: Marriage & Family Therapy Program
MS: Syracuse University: S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications / Public Relations
MA: New York University/French Studies
BA: The Pennsylvania State University/French Language & Culture
Research Interests:
Multiculturalism, international counseling, veteran’s mental health care, masculinity/men’s mental health, sexual health and Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Goals and Hopes for the future (when you complete your PhD):
After almost 10 years with the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Vet Center and now working full-time in private practice in the Washington, DC area, I am eager to embrace this doctoral opportunity to engage in research and advocacy work. I’m also excited to see where this journey leads me professionally as I combine my background as a licensed marriage and family therapist with my new professional identity as a counselor educator and supervisor.
Favorite Self-Care Activity:
Travelling, exercise (whenever and however I can) and walking in DC with my wife.
Taylor Nolan
Education:
BS Psychology from Drexel University
MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fairleigh Dickinson University
Favorite self-care activity:
Reading! I love fantasy, romance, historical fiction and thriller novels. Extra self-care points if I can do this outside on a nice sunny day.
Post-doctoral "goal for the future":
I want to support and train future counselors as well as increase my engagement in advocacy and leadership. Teaching is my ultimate goal after completing my PhD.
Research interests:
Stigma reduction in specialized populations, developing training and education for risk-management/harm-reduction for counselors-in-training.
Tyler Puryear
Education:
M.P.H. Social and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2021
M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Johns Hopkins University, 2019
B.S. Elementary Education, Towson University, 2017
Research Interests:
Behavioral medicine, accessibility to substance use treatment, harm reduction, intersection of mental and physical health, LGBTG+ mental health, sexual health, and implications of mental health on HIV treatment/prevention.
Goals or hope for the future (when you complete your PhD):
I hope to serve as a faculty member of a university mental health counseling program, conducting research and teaching future counselors about the role of mental health counseling in behavioral medicine. I also would like to work towards establishing a CACREP-accredited doctoral program in my home region of New England!
Favorite self-care activity:
Listening to music, reading/learning about interior design, and watching reality television!
Kyle Rose
Education:
M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University (2020)
M.L.A. (2012) and B.S. in Education (2010) from Lock Haven University
Research Interests:
Theoretical orientation development, liberation and advocacy in counseling/psychotherapy sessions, emerging/ young adult development, therapeutic relationships and meaning-making
Goals or hope for the future (when you complete your PhD):
I hope to continue serving in a clinical role while branching into supervision after graduation. I'm not sure of the balance between them or context/setting, but I also hope to engage with research, teaching, and advocacy work.
Favorite self-care activity:
Traveling with my spouse and intentionally idle mornings with coffee
Tiffany Snow
Education:
B.A. in Psychology from Lee University in 2007
M.Ed. in Counselor Education, concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Augusta University in 2018
Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia since 2022
National Certified Counselor since 2018
Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner since 2017
Research Interests:
I am interested in counselor education and training related to preparing counselors for Integrated Care settings. I am also interested in enhancing quality of life and community integration for people with serious and persistent mental health conditions.
Post-doctoral "goal for the future":
I hope to be a professor in a CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. I am also interested in serving in leadership roles within mental health treatment organizations and agencies.
Favorite self-care activity
I enjoy spending time with my husband and dogs outdoors - enjoying nature, hiking, camping, a day at the beach, or simply a trip to the dog park.
Jaclyn Sovocool-Sharkey
Education:
West Chester University, B.A., 2019
Immaculata University M.A., 2021
(NCC) Nationally Certified Counselor
Research Interests:
mental health care in inpatient psychatrict settings, LGBTQ+ and mental health; women's mental health, trauma informed leadership; substance use and co-occurring disorders
Goals or hope for the future (when you complete your PhD):
I currently work inpatient at a psychiatric hospital outside of Philadelphia, PA. I work on a co-occurring unit with clients suffering with substance misuse, psychosis and mental impairment. While my job is challenging, it is also very rewarding. When I am not working or studying, I enjoy long distance running, my golden retriever, baking and spending time with my family.
Favorite self-care activity:
Traveling, running, cooking, spending time outdoors
Jennifer 'Jay' Zegan-Lister
Education:
Prescott College, BA in Psychology and Human Development with a concentration in Counseling, 2018
Prescott College, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in addictions counseling, 2020
Research interests:
My research interests are the intersection of the LGBTQIA community, complex trauma, and substance use disorders. I want to utilize this research to create best practices in treatment options for queer folks.
Post-doctoral "goal for the future":
My post-doctoral goals are to continue engaging in research, continuing my clinical practice as a trauma specialist, and teaching graduate level courses.
Favorite self-care activity:
My favorite self-care activities are spending time with friends and family, being at the beach, spending time with my dogs, reading, and baking
