Students in the News

CPS Students Present at NASP

2011-04-22T09:02:00.001-07:00

More than 20 Center for Psychological Studies doctoral and specialist students presented at the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) annual convention that took place recently in San Francisco, California.

CPS Well Represented at FASP

2011-04-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

More than 20 Center for Psychological Studies doctoral and specialist students gave presentations at the recent Florida Association of School Psychologists Annual (FASP) convention. The students’ work represented more than two-thirds of the convention’s presentations and posters.

CPS Student Receives Women in Leadership Award

2011-04-08T08:29:00.003-07:00

Jessica Mackelprang, M.S., a fifth year clinical psychology student, has been awarded a 2010 Women in Leadership Edith Kaplan Scholarship by the National Academy of Neuropsychology. One of four recipients, Ms. Mackelprang is currently completing a pre-doctoral internship at the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

CPS Student Volunteers in Russian Hospital

2011-04-08T08:29:00.001-07:00

Kristie Brandt, M.S., a second year doctoral student at the Center for Psychological Studies, recently traveled to Yaroslavl, Russia for three weeks where she worked as a volunteer in mental health hospitals for women and children, interacting with the patients making crafts and listening to their stories.

CPS Students Assist with Children’s Service Fund Auction

2011-04-08T08:26:00.001-07:00

Twenty Center for Psychological Studies students, representing the center’s school psychology and clinical psychology programs, facilitated the success of the Children’s Services Fund, Inc. auction which raised over $8,000 to assist needy children and their families throughout the state. The students also collected school supplies across the NSU campus and at the Student Education Centers for Coconut Palm K-8 Academy in Miami-Dade, Florida. The Children’s Services Fund, Inc. is the sister organization of the Florida Association of School Psychologists.

CPS Student Receives Women in Leadership Award

2011-02-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

CPS Student Authors Chapter

2011-02-25T08:57:00.001-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies doctoral student Ginger V. Armas authored a chapter, Cultural competence in the trauma treatment of Thai survivors of human trafficking: The relevance of Buddhist mindfulness practices and healing rituals to transform shame and guilt of sexual slavery for Mass trauma and emotional healing around the world: Rituals and practices for resilience, edited by A. Kalayjian and D. Eugene Greenwood Publishing, Santa Barbara, CA.

CPS Student Recipient of VA Research Award

2011-02-25T08:56:00.002-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies doctoral student Greta Bujaker was awarded Second Place in the category of Clinical/Health Services at the Miami VA Research Awareness Day that took place recently. Ms. Bujaker ‘s presentation, the Effect of PTSD on weight and metabolic factors among an overweight and obese veteran population, was based on her dissertation research project.

CPS Students Present at National Conference

2011-02-25T08:56:00.001-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies doctoral students Heather Crabtree and Heather-Ayn Indelecato recently gave a presentation on their research into coping with long term mental illness at the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association conference.

CPS Students Present at National Conferences

2011-02-25T08:55:00.000-08:00

Recently five Center for Psychological Studies doctoral students presented on their research at two national conferences. Gillian Cohen, Shannon Worton, Shane Lutchman, Reeva Ramcharan, and Ashley Simmons, under the mentorship of assistant professor Shannon Ray, Ph.D. and adjunct professor Craig Marker, Ph.D., presented on their work on predisposing factors of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) at the Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention and the World Congress of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. Their work was funded by a 2009-2010 President’s Grant.

CPS Students Present at National Conferences

2010-08-25T16:18:00.001-07:00

Recently five Center for Psychological Studies doctoral students presented on their research at two national conferences. Gillian Cohen, Shannon Worton, Shane Lutchman, Reeva Ramcharan, and Ashley Simmons, under the mentorship of assistant professor Shannon Ray, Ph.D. and adjunct professor Craig Marker, Ph.D., presented on their work on predisposing factors of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) at the 22nd Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention and the 6th World Congress of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies: Translating Science into Practice. Their work was funded by a 2009-2010 President’s Grant.

CPS Students Present On Their Research

2010-07-29T11:14:00.001-07:00

CPS doctoral candidates Andrea Brockman, Sam Browning, and Micol Levi-Minzi, along with professor Vincent Van Hasselt, Ph.D. recently presented three research posters, “A Manualized Approach for Role Players in Crisis Response,” “Development of the Correctional Officer Stress Survey,” and “Efficacy of Crisis Intervention Teams” at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual conference in San Diego.

CPS Student Receives Military Scholarship

2010-07-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

Center for Psychological Studies doctoral student Andrea Wharton, M.S. received one of the eight National Health Professions Scholarships (HPSP) in Psychology. Ms. Wharton was commissioned at Patrick Air Force Base as a 2nd Lieutenant.

CPS Students Present Their Research

2010-04-28T08:44:00.001-07:00

Center for Psychological Studies doctoral candidates Andrea Brockman, Sam Browning, and Micol Levi-Minzi, along with CPS professor Vincent Van Hasselt, Ph.D., recently presented three research posters, “A Manualized Approach for Role Players in Crisis Response,” “Development of the Correctional Officer Stress Survey,” and “Efficacy of Crisis Intervention Teams” at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual conference in San Diego.

CPS Professor and Students Present at National Conventions

2010-03-15T17:14:00.001-07:00

Center for Psychological Studies Professor Jan Faust, Ph.D. and doctoral students Lindsay Stewart, Sara Salter, Micah Brosbe and Katie Hoefling co-presented a research paper, Differential symptom presentation in sexually abused children: PTSD v. ADHD, at the annual meeting of the Institute of Traumatic Stress Studies in Atlanta, Georgia

Dr. Faust and the students co-authored a research paper, “Resolution in Family Mediation: Parental predictor variables and child adjustment,” for presentation at the annual meeting of the Association for Cogitative and Behavioral Therapy that took place recently in New York.

Professor, Alumna, and Student Co-Author Article

2010-03-15T17:05:00.001-07:00

Professor Wiley Mittenberg, alumna Lori Miller and doctoral students Allison Myers and Lena Prinzi co-authored “Changes in intellectual functioning associated with normal aging,” for Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology

CPS Professor and Students Collaborate on Journal Article

2010-03-03T12:31:00.001-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies Assistant Professor Kevin Glavin and CPS master’s (mental health counseling) students Pial Smal and Nicole Vandermeeren co-authored an article on “Integrating Career Counseling and Technology" for the Career Planning and Adult Development Journal.

CPS Students Co-Author Chapter with Professor Van Hasselt

2010-02-10T09:26:00.002-08:00

CPS doctoral candidates Micol Levi-Minzi and Sam Browning, along with Vincent Van Hasselt, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, have co-authored a chapter entitled, “Role Playing as a Measure of Program Effectiveness.” This chapter will appear in the “Encyclopedia of Peace Psychology” edited by D.J. Christie and C. Montiel, and published by Wiley-Blackwell.

CPS Orlando Students Celebrate Final Projects

2010-02-10T09:26:00.001-08:00

Masters’ students from CPS assistant professor Shannon Ray’s, Ph.D., Orlando Community Mental Health class celebrated completion of their final projects – one which focused on Domestic Violence and the other whose focus was on Male Empowerment. The students are enrolled in the CPS Mental Health Counseling field-based program and are completing their coursework at the NSU Orlando Student Education Center.

CPS Professor and Students Present Workshop

2010-02-04T09:38:00.001-08:00

CPS Professor Steven Gold presented a workshop entitled “Managing the pull to undo progress in complex trauma clients,” at the annual meeting of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation in Washington, DC. CPS Doctoral students Yenas Castillo, Jessie Morrow, Gina Joy-Reyes, and Professor Gold also presented “Attachment, dissociation and symptom reporting in outpatient survivors of childhood abuse” and “Dissociation and sexual addiction and compulsivity in outpatient survivors of childhood sexual abuse.”

Students and Alumni Author Journal Article

2010-02-04T09:37:00.001-08:00

Doctoral student Amy Angleman, along with NSU alumni Brandi Booth (CPS, Ph.D. 2009), Emmanuel Finney (CPS, Ph.D., 2008), Gregg Vecchi (SHSS, Ph.D., 2006), and Professor Vincent Van Hasselt, Ph.D. shared in the authorship of “Captive-taking in the context of domestic violence: A descriptive analysis,” for the journal Victims and Offenders.

FBI Unit Chief Presents to CPS Students

2009-12-03T07:58:00.001-08:00

Gregory M. Vecchi, Ph.D., a unit chief of the Behavioral Science Unit (BSU) at the Federal Bureau of Investigation and graduate of NSU's Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, gave a lunchtime presentation on "Current Research Projects at the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit" at NSU's Center for Psychological Studies on Oct. 20.

The special presentation provided an opportunity for CPS students to learn more about research, training, and consultation activities in behaviorally-based conflict analysis and resolution, crisis management, crisis communication, and global hostage-taking.

CPS Students Present Research on Mental Health at Conferences

2009-11-25T07:17:00.001-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies doctoral students Jessica Karle, Leah Langsam, Yalemni Luna, Tracey Chisholm and Michelle Warnock recently attended the International Council of Psychologists 67th Annual Convention in Mexico City, Mexico where they presented "Social Support and Burnout in Mental Health Providers: A Moderating Effect." The poster presentation was prepared under the supervision of CPS professor William Dorfman, Ph.D., ABPP.

Karle and Dorfman, along with CPS professors Christian DeLucia, Ph.D., and Stacey Lambert, Psy.D., also presented a poster "Exploring Burnout in Mental Health Providers of Chronic Clients" at the recent annual meeting of the American Psychological Association.

At the same APA meeting, CPS doctoral students Angela Taveira-Dick and Nicole Swaggerty-Valdes collaborated with Dorfman and CPS professor Ed Simco to present "The Influence of Race and Social class on Psychiatric Clinician Diagnosis."

Karle, Taveira-Dick and Swaggerty-Valdes are all enrolled in the clinical psychology program's Long Term Mental Illness (LTMI) concentration. The psychology of LTMI is an emerging area of specialization in psychology that studies the treatment and evaluation of severely and persistently mentally ill adults and children and their families. The area focuses on specialized assessment techniques, psychosocial rehabilitation and public policy.

Students Celebrate Complete Final Projects

2009-11-23T09:53:00.001-08:00

Students from Dr. Shannon Ray’s Orlando Community Mental Health class celebrate completion of their final projects, one which focused on Domestic Violence and the other whose focus was Male Empowerment. The students are enrolled in the CPS Mental Health Counseling field-based program and are completing their coursework at the NSU Orlando Student Education Center.

CPS Students Present Research at APA

2009-11-19T11:10:00.001-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies doctoral student Jessica Karle, along with CPS professors William Dorfman, Ph.D., Christian DeLucia, Ph.D., and Stacey Lambert, Psy.D. presented a poster “Exploring Burnout in Mental Health Providers of Chronic Clients” at the recent Annual meeting of the American Psychological Association.

Doctoral students Angela Taveira-Dick and Nicole Swaggerty-Valdes collaborated with Professors William Dorfman and Ed Simco to present “The Influence of Race and Social class on Psychiatric Clinician Diagnosis” at the convention.

All three students are enrolled in the clinical psychology program’s Long Term Mental Illness (LTMI) Concentration. The psychology of LTMI is an emerging area of specialization in psychology that studies the treatment and evaluation of severely and persistently mentally ill adults and children and their families. The area focuses on specialized assessment techniques, psychosocial rehabilitation and public policy.

Students and Professor Co-Author Chapter

2009-11-11T10:16:00.001-08:00

CPS Doctoral candidates Micol Levi-Minzi and Sam Browning, along with Dr. Vincent Van Hasselt, Professor of Psychology, have co-authored a chapter entitled, “Role Playing as a Measure of Program Effectiveness.” This chapter will appear in the “Encyclopedia of Peace Psychology” edited by D.J. Christie and C. Montiel, and published by Wiley-Blackwell.

CPS Students Make Significant Presentations at APA Convention

2009-09-09T06:23:00.000-07:00

During the 117th APA Convention held recently in Toronto, Canada, many CPS students conducted inspiring and informative presentations. It certainly appeared that CPS students had the largest showing of any single university in attendance during the conference. The American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the U.S., and is the world’s largest association of psychologists.

CPS students Dalea Alawar, B.A., Laura Kupperman, B.A, Karen Findon, B.A., with CPS professor John Lewis, Ph.D., presented their findings on research entitled “ARAB-AMERICAN MENTAL HEALTH: INFLUENCE OF PARENTING, RELIGIOSITY, AND ACCULTURATION.” Their study focused on the need to increase knowledge about mental health care of Arab-American clients for current practitioners.

CPS students Jessica L. Mackelprang, M.S., Daniel J. Heyanka, M.A., Jessica Karle, M.S. and CPS assistant professor Craig D. Marker, Ph.D., presented research on “Executive Control is Associated with Mathematical Ability and Reading Comprehension.”

Presentations were also made by CPS professor Charles J. Golden, Ph.D., ABPP/ABCN and the following CPS students:

Students Sarah West, B.A., Jamie Rice, B.A., Lena Prinzi, B.A., and Jessica Holster, B.A., “Evidence that ADHD is Normal but Delayed Cortical Development.”

Students Kynan Metoyer, B.A., Daniel J. Heyanka, M.A., and Bryan T. Reuther, B.A., “Spatial and Digit Span: Memory or Attention in Low IQ?”

Students Jessica Holster, B.A., and Sarah West, B.A., “Influence of Mathematics Disorder on Executive Functioning in Learning Disabilities.”

Students Jessica Holster, B.A., and Sarah West, B.A., “Differences in Memory Patterns in ADHD Based on Subtypes.”

Students Jamie Rice, B.A., Sarah West, B.A., Ryan Boddy, B.A., and Josie Bolanos, B.A., “Simultaneous and Sequential Processing in Children with ADHD.”

Students Sarah West, B.A., David Scarisbrick, B.A., Christine Corsun-Ascher, Psy.D., and Jessie Robbins, M.S., “Extending Testing Time: Sufficient Accommodations for Adults with Reading Disorders?”

Students Anthony P. Odland, B.A., Daniel J. Heyanka, M.A., and David Scarisbrick, B.A., “Effects of Education, Gender, Handedness, and Age on Memory Performance.”

Students Daniel J. Heyanka, M.A., Jessica Mackelprang, M.S., and David Scarisbrick, B.A., “Is Picture Completion More Correlated with Crystallized than Fluid Tasks?”

Students Stephanie L. Renfrow, M.S., and Daniel Frisch, B.A., “Can MMPI-II Depression Factor Scales Differentiate Clinical and Organic Depression?”

Students Miriam J. Rodriguez, B.A., Daniel J. Heyanka, M.A., Allison M. Myers, M.S., and Luz Restrepo, B.A., “Memory Performance in Adults with Anxiety and Depression.”

Students Ryan Boddy, B.A., David Scarisbrick, B.A., Isaac Tourgeman, B.A., and Jamie Rice, B.A., “Relationship of Cognitive Flexibility to the Performance Intelligence Quotient.”

Students Daniel J. Heyanka, M.A., David Scarisbrick, B.A., and Anthony P. Odland, B.A., “Memory in Parkinson’s Dementia Compared to Cortical and Subcortical Dementias.”

Students Jessie Morrow, B.A., Miriam J. Rodriguez, B.A., and Daniel Frisch, B.A., “Cognitive and Historical Factors Affecting Performance on a Driving Simulator.”

Students Jessie Morrow, B.A., Miriam J. Rodriguez, B.A., and Daniel Frisch, B.A., “Visual Performance on Simulated Driving and Cognitive Assessments.”

Students Julio Gurrea, B.A., Isaac Tourgeman, B.A., Michelle Stack, M.A., with Yvonne Demsky, Ph.D., “Impact of Acculturation on Neuropsychological Test Performance.”

CPS Faculty and Students Edit Encyclopedia

2009-07-23T09:23:00.001-07:00

Sixty-five chapters have been completed for the Encyclopedia of Neuropsychology, all of which will be co-authored by Center for Psychological Studies faculty and students. This is the largest number for this volume from any single university.

CPS Faculty, Alumni & Students Co-Author Journal Article

2009-06-08T06:44:00.000-07:00

Professors Linda and Mark Sobell, Professor Ed Simco and CPS alumni Monica Roy, Ph.D. (2007), Ramona Palmerio-Roberts, Psy.D. (2007), and doctoral students Miriam Dum and Heather Manor co-authored “Comparison of the Quick Drinking Screen and the Alcohol Timeline Followback with outpatient alcohol abusers,” for the journal Substance Use and Misuse.

Professor and Students Present Project

2009-05-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

Recently Associate professor Gene Cash, Ph.D. and CPS doctoral students Erin Johns and Lindsay Lennertz presented to Nova Southeastern’s Quality of Life Council (QOL) on the results of their project, Suicide Prevention among Adolescents: Research and Evaluation. The project that was awarded the 2007Applied Community Research Grant was funded by the Broward County Children’s Services Council. Cash and the students partnered with the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention (FISP). Johns extended this work to a dissertation. She will begin her internship in the Army this summer.

CPS Professor and Student Co-Author Paper

2009-05-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

Assistant professor Craig Marker and doctoral student Gillian Cohen co-authored “Disgust and Its Disorder: Theory, Assessment and Treatment Implications,” for PsychCRITIQUES .

CPS Doctoral Students Receive Army Commission

2009-05-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

CPS doctoral students in clinical psychology - Matthew Mascitelli and Christopher Carbo - were recently commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants in the United States Army Reserve. Mr. Mascitelli and Mr. Carbo recently applied for and received the Army Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) which is a unique opportunity for clinical psychology students, as well as other healthcare professions. Matthew and Chris will be doing an Army internship at one of their five sites approved by the American Psychological Association and will serve for three years active duty upon the completion of internship. The HPSP is a very competitive national scholarship. Mr.. Carbo was commissioned by Capt. Jones, who will become the Physician’s Assistant to President Obama and Vice-President Biden on April 18th.

Matthew and Chris are the president and vice president, respectively, of the new Student Organization, Students United for Returning Veterans (SURV). SURV has been working with faculty, alumni and the community, such as the Vet Center of Fort Lauderdale, to foster research, community service and education related to the needs of returning veterans.

Any student interested should contact Julie Hamrick, the Secretary of SURV, at hamrick@nova.edu.

SURV meets every Tuesday @ Noon in Room 2045 and interested students should feel free to attend.

CPS Doctoral Student Presents at the American Association for Suicidology Conference

2009-05-20T09:25:00.001-07:00

Doctoral student Delphene Barrett presented a paper on the 42nd American Association for Suicidology Conference that took place in April 2009 in San Francisco, CA. Ms. Barrett co-presented “Preventing bullying: A key to suicide prevention,” with CPS Associate Professor A. Scott Poland, Ed.D. Dr. Poland is the coordinator for the NSU Suicide and Violence Prevention Program.

Professor, Student, and Alumnus Share Authorship

2009-03-03T17:15:00.000-08:00

Dr. Vincent Van Hasselt, doctoral student Brandi Booth, alumnus Emmanual Finney (Ph.D, 2008) and others shared in the authorship of “Captive-taking incidents in the context of workplace violence: Descriptive analysis and case examples,” for the journal Victims and Offenders.

Students, Alumni, and Professors Share Authorship

2009-02-26T13:33:00.000-08:00

CPS doctoral students Brandi Booth and Amy Angleman, along with NSU alumni Emmanuel Finney (CPS, Ph.D., 2008), Gregg Vecchi (SHSS, Ph.D., 2006)), and CPS faculty Craig Marker, Ph.D. and Vincent VanHasselt, Ph.D. shared in the authorship of “Captive-taking in the context of domestic violence: A descriptive analysis,” for the journal Victims and Offenders.

Professor and Student Co-Author Article

2009-02-06T10:36:00.001-08:00

Doctoral student Cathy Shearer and assistant professor Craig Marker co-authored an article for Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice entitled, “The Use of the Number Needed to Treat (NNT) in Randomized Clinical Trials in Psychological Treatment.” The article is based on Ms. Shearer’s Directed Study, a scholarly paper based on her program research. Dr. Marker co-authored a second article, “Automatic associations and panic disorder: Trajectories of change over the course of treatment,” for the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

CPS Students Present at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation

2009-01-29T09:14:00.000-08:00

Professor Steven Gold along with doctoral students Yenys Castillo, Jessie Morrow, Ruhama Hendel and Matthew Mascitelli presented on their research at the annual meetings of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation held during November 2008.

Professor Vincent Van Hasselt and doctoral students Ruhama Hendel, Jessie Morrow, Yenys Castillo, Brandi Booth presented, “Relationship between childhood abuse, self-esteem, and adult sexuality in cases of domestic violence,” at the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation held in November 2008.

Professors, Student, and Alumna Co-Author Chapter

2009-01-15T08:33:00.001-08:00

CPS doctoral student Julie Snyder and associate professors Ralph “Gene” Cash and Sarah Valley-Gray along with CPS alumna Kristin Cunningham co-authored a chapter, “Continuing Education: Contemporary School Psychology Training: University/Field Collaboration for Fostering Life Long Learning, Vol 2.

Professor and Student Co-Author Article

2009-01-15T08:32:00.001-08:00

Doctoral student Mary Beth Bailar-Heath and associate professor Sarah Valley-Gray co-authored an article on accident prevention for Current Issues in Pediatrics in the Schools.

CPS Student Wins IPOD in Gallup Survey

2008-10-24T13:04:00.000-07:00

The first Gallup survey snapshot is complete and faculty and staff of the center will be dialoging with students about results.

As part of NSU’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), the Gallup survey was conducted in last fall as part of the “NSU is You” campaign, Jolene Steves of CPS won an IPOD and Belen Ramos, a senior psychology major in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, won a free round trip ticket to anywhere in North America.

Q.E.P. stands for Quality Enhancement Plan. In an attempt to enhance the quality of education at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), the Quality Enhancement Plan has been developed and implemented as an initiative to enhance and increase academic student engagement university-wide. Although NSU has implemented a university Quality Enhancement Plan, each school, college, and center has developed a more specific Quality Enhancement Plan with detailed plans of action on how to increase student engagement within their academic programs.
The Quality Enhancement Plan is part of NSU’s essential priorities and ongoing initiatives to build the quality of its academic, service, and scholarship programs.

NSU is looking to enhance academic student engagement in three categories: (1) scholarship and research, (2) academic dialogue and exchange, and (3) clinical or practical experiences. The center’s plan, under the direction of Dr. Ana Fins will specifically focus on the third, enhancing preparation for practicum. Students from all programs will be invited to a summer institute at the end of May for targeted sessions that will help develop skills for practicum.

The next survey will be conducted in October.

CPS Student Recognized Nationally

2008-10-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

Nicole Swaggerty-Valdez, M.S., an advanced doctoral student in clinical psychology, was awarded Best Student Authored Research Poster by APA Division 18 (Psychologists in Public Service) a the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA. Angela

Taviera-Dick, M.A., a 2nd year doctoral student, assisted Swaggerty-Valdez as her research assistant. Professor William Dorfman assisted as faculty advisor for the project.

CPS Doctoral Student Receives Appointment

2008-10-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Erin Elizabeth Hughes, a doctoral student at the Center for Psychological Studies, has been appointed Florida Psychological Association Graduate Student (FPAGS) Chair for the Florida Psychological Association (FPA) Hughes will be coordinating FPA Legislative Day and will attend FPA board meetings. Hughes FPAGS position is concurrent with another position that she holds which is State Advocacy Coordinator for the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) Advocacy Coordinating Team (ACT). As Advocacy Coordinator, Hughes oversees the 14 APAGS-ACT campus representatives in Florida.

CPS Student Reaches Out to Adolescent Cancer Patients

2008-10-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

Lauren Mikula, M.S., a fourth-year doctoral student, recently received funding to develop an innovative peer mentoring program for adolescents being treated for cancer at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

Mikula, along with Dr. Lissette Perez-Lima from Joe DiMaggio and CPS professor Jan Faust, Ph.D., will be creating a unique program in which cancer survivors between the ages of 18-22 will serve as peer mentors for adolescents undergoing treatment for cancer. According to Mikula, “the mentors will be trained with a specific curriculum that includes active listening, empathy, self-disclosure, boundaries, confidentiality issues, and resources for crisis management.” The study has received funding from Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation, Pediatric Oncology Fund and from the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

“Though some programs exist across the country, we are the first to measure the outcome variables with adolescents/young adults,” Mikula notes. Both mentors and mentees will complete objective measures of anxiety, depression, and overall quality of life, as well as subjective measures to evaluate their experience in the program. “Peer mentoring programs have been shown to be effective in school, community, and breast cancer populations. Our goal is to examine similar programs within the adolescent/young adult population. This is imperative, because of the unique developmental and social demands of adolescence and young adulthood, which are further complicated by the disease of cancer and its treatment.”

The study, which has the potential to improve the quality of life for many young cancer survivors – including those participating as mentors and as mentees – is expected to begin enrolling participants in November 2008.

Chris Carbo joins the Office of Residential Life and Housing

2008-10-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

Chris Carbo, a doctoral student at the Center for Psychological Studies, has joined the Office of Residential Life and Housing in conjunction with the NSU Counseling Center as 2008-2009 Counselor in Residence. In this position Chris will be available to residential students through structured office hours.

Chris is interested in Clinical Health Psychology with future plans for working as a pediatric psychologist in a children’s hospital, in addition to opening a private practice through which he will assist couples, families and athletes.

Nathan Azrin and students co-author journal article

2008-10-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

Professor Nathan Azrin, Ph.D., CPS alumnus Jeanne Brooks, Psy.D., and doctoral student Michael Kellen co-authored “Relationship between rate of eating and degree of satiation” for the Journal of Child and Family Behavior Therapy.

Jeffrey Kibler and students co-author book chapter

2008-10-13T11:49:00.002-07:00

Associate Professor Jeffrey Kibler and doctoral students Kavita Joshi and Erin Hughes co-authored a book chapter, “Cognitive and behavioral reactions to stress among adults with PTSD: Implications for immunity and health” for the book, Inflammation, Mental Health and Chronic Illness: The Surprising Link between Negative Mental States, Immune Dysfunction and Chronic Disease. Publisher: American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.

CPS STUDENTS AND FACULTY CO-AUTHOR PAPER

2008-10-13T11:49:00.001-07:00

CPS Doctoral candidates Brandi Booth, Amy Angleman, Emmanuel Finney, and Professors Craig Marker and Vincent Van Hasselt, are co-authors on a paper recently accepted by the journal, “Victims and Offenders.” The article, “Captive-Taking in the Context of Domestic Violence: A Descriptive Analysis”, examined demographic, situational, and outcome variables characterizing cases of hostage-taking during violent domestic events in the home. Data were obtained from the FBI’s Hostage/Barricade Database System. Supervisory Special Agent Gregory Vecchi, Ph.D., of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, and Mr. Stephen Romano, retired Chief of the Bureau’s Crisis Negotiation Unit, are also co-authors on the study.

CPS Student Organizes Online Publication

2008-10-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

CPS doctoral student Blake Bazel is the founder and Executive Editor of the on-line publication, da ek-sistence. Senior Editors are doctoral students Heather-Ayn Indelicato and Django T. Rogers. Editors include CPS students Marisol Blanco, Madelyn Cabrera, Melissa Nemith, Jose Miranda, and Michael Uvanile. Gene May, Ph.D. is the Consultant. Dr. May is a long standing part-time core faculty at CPS.

The publication is devoted to celebrating the importance of psychology to the arts, creativity, and meaningful living. The staff and contributors to the publication aspire to enrich the lives of its readers through the inclusion of articles that explores books, plays, film, and dance relevant to Existential and Dynamic themes. The publication’s first issue contained submissions from noteworthy individuals such as Irvin Yalom, Ph.D., world renowned existential psychologist and actor Julie Harris.

Mr. Bazel is also the Executive Editor and co-founder of the on-line publication Inspire.

CPS Student Receives Prestigious APA Award

2008-10-13T11:46:00.002-07:00

Jessica Ruiz, a doctoral student at the Center for Psychological Studies, has been awarded the 2008 Society of Clinical Psychology Student Award for Distinguished Student Practice in Clinical Psychology. The American Psychological Association’s Education & Training Committee was particularly impressed with Ms. Ruiz’s work in the area of smoking cessation.

As a recipient of the award which will be presented at the 2008 APA Convention in Boston this summer, Ms. Ruiz will receive a Plaque as well as an honorarium contributed jointly by the APA Division of Clinical Psychology and the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

CPS Student Appointed APA Executive Director for Professional Practice

2008-10-13T11:46:00.001-07:00

Katherine C. Nordal, Ph.D., a first year student in the CPS clinical psychopharmacology program, has been appointed as the new American Psychological Association (APA) Executive Director for Professional Practice. Dr. Nordal is experienced in working in the public policy arena and within APA and state association governance. She has worked in the office of Congressman Mike Espy and with the House Select Committee on Hunger as an APA Congressional Fellow. Most recently Dr. Nordal has served as Chair of the APA Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice. In addition, she is a former Legislative Chair and is a past-president of the Mississippi Psychological Association. Dr. Nordal was selected after a national search which included an extraordinary pool of candidates.

Jan Faust and students co-author book chapter

2008-10-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

CPS Professor Jan Faust, Ph.D. and CPS doctoral students Sarah Chapman and Lindsay M. Stewart co-authored a book chapter, “Neglected, Physically Abused, and Sexually Abused Children, for the Handbook of Psychological Assessment, Case Conceptualization, and Treatment: Volume 2 Children and Adolescents.

Nathan Azrin and students co-author journal article

2008-10-13T11:44:00.004-07:00

CPS Professor Nathan Azrin, Ph.D. and doctoral students Veronica Vinas and Christopher Ehle co-authored “Physical Activity as Reinforcement for Classroom Calmness of ADHD Children for the journal, Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 29.

Team CPS dominates Shark Shuffle

2008-10-13T11:44:00.003-07:00

The 2nd annual Shark Shuffle was a hit and Team CPS lead they way. Almost 100 CPS students, faculty, staff and friends participated. Several CPS students swam away with over $500.00 student grants. Congratulations to Colleen McMillan, Haana Ali, Veronica Tilden, Anne Jones, and Whitney Friedel who were among the student grant winners. Thanks to all who participated in the Shark Shuffle and congratulations on swimming through the finish line.

CPS, Miami Dolphins, and Broward Schools Collaborate to Prevent Bullying

2008-10-13T11:44:00.001-07:00

The Center for Psychological Studies (CPS), in collaboration with the Miami Dolphins and the Broward County Public Schools, are conducting” Bullying Prevention Awareness” presentations at the 11 schools in the Boyd Anderson Innovation Zone. These presentations consist of an introductory motivational talk about the importance of education, physical fitness, and positive choices by Twan Russell, a former Dolphins linebacker and the current Director of Youth and Community Programs for the Dolphins organization, followed by skits which illustrate problems with physical and psychological bullying. Actors in the skits include graduate students from CPS, office personnel from the Dolphins, and students from the schools in which the presentations take place. When the skits have been stopped at a critical moment, usually just prior to an incident of violence, Drs. Mercedes ter Maat and Gene Cash of CPS assist Twan Russell and the cast lead a group discussion about what could have been done differently to prevent teasing and negative comments from escalating into violence and other forms of bullying. The presentations have reached over 4,000 public school students so far, and more awareness programs have been scheduled. The presentations have been designed collaboratively with school personnel so they fit into the district's overall bullying prevention plan.

Angela Kuemmel named Student Representative to the Executive Board of the APA

2008-10-10T13:44:00.001-07:00

Angela Kuemmel (doctoral student) was named Student Representative to the Executive Board of the American Psychological Association (APA) Division for Rehabilitation Psychology, is the recent recipient of several prestigious awards. Ms. Kuemmel was presented with the Florida Coalition for Domestic Violence CA Padgett Award – given to an individual who has overcome obstacles and working to break down barriers of domestic violence in society; the 2007 Easter Seals Wisconsin Personal Achievement Award; the APA Division for Rehabilitation Psychology 2007 Women in Rehabilitation Research Award – given to best poster furthering knowledge of Women in Rehabilitation; and the 2007 Ethel Louis Armstrong Scholarship, a top honor given to women with disabilities in graduate school.

CPS School Guidance and Counseling Students Make a Difference

2008-10-10T13:40:00.000-07:00

Students and faculty from the School Guidance and Counseling Program have been busy this academic year spending thousands of hours working in the schools of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. It paid off. Fall and winter graduates of the school guidance and counseling program obtained raving evaluations from their site supervisors and job offers! Congratulations to these recent graduates on their new position as professional school counselors.

Kavita Joshi Recognized with Meritorious Student Award

2008-10-10T13:39:00.002-07:00

At a recent meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, CPS Doctoral student Kavita Joshi was recognized with a Meritorious Student Award for a presentation based on her research, a Pilot Study of Posttraumatic Stress and Cardiovascular Risk among Young Adults. Joshi collaborated with CPS Associate Professor Jeff Kibler, Ph.D., on the project which highlighted preliminary evidence that young adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience more cardiovascular risk factors than adults of similar age, race, and gender, who do not experience mental health difficulties.

Matthew Tolman and Professor Lane co-author article

2008-10-10T13:39:00.001-07:00

CPS doctoral student Matthew Tolman and Professor Robert Lane co-authoredthe article, The Role of the Mother in Restricting Anorexia, forPsychoanalytic Review.