Graduate and undergraduate students in the Psychotherapy Process and Outcome Research Lab have been highly successful in publishing in top academic journals, presenting at national and international conferences, being recognized with prestigious awards, and securing grant funding for research. They also go on to very successful careers in the field. The following are a selection of awards and grants received by graduate students in the lab:
- Jeffrey E. Barnett Research Award, APA Division 29
- Kenneth I. Howard Research Award, Society for Psychotherapy Research
- Donald K. Freedheim Student Research Award, APA Division 29
- Small Research Grant, Society for Psychotherapy Research
- Charles Gelso Psychotherapy Research Grant, APA Division 29
- Graduate Student Research Grant, National Collegiate Athletic Association
- Outstanding Clinical Researcher, Department of Psychology, Idaho State University
- Outstanding Undergraduate Student, Department of Psychology, Idaho State University
- Kenneth I. Howard Research Award, Society for Psychotherapy Research
- Donald K. Freedheim Student Research Award, APA Division 29
- Small Research Grant, Society for Psychotherapy Research
- Charles Gelso Psychotherapy Research Grant, APA Division 29
- Graduate Student Research Grant, National Collegiate Athletic Association
- Outstanding Clinical Researcher, Department of Psychology, Idaho State University
- Outstanding Undergraduate Student, Department of Psychology, Idaho State University
Current Graduate Students
Elie Penix
Doctoral Candidate, 5th Year Clinical Student Elie's primary research focus is optimizing therapy processes and outcomes, with a specific interest in military populations, trauma, and individuals identifying as LGBTQ+. In her free time, she enjoys going for running and hiking adventures here in Idaho, coming up with new puns on the fly, trying new food, spending time with her family and friends, and cuddling her two cats. |
Wilson Trusty
Doctoral Candidate, 5th Year Clinical Student Wilson's research focuses on factors related to psychological help-seeking (e.g., stigma, attitudes, and behavioral models) and psychotherapy processes and outcomes. In his free time, he enjoys being outdoors, spending time with his family, and baking. |
Katie Roth
Doctoral Candidate, 4th Year Clinical Student Katie's research focuses on what improves therapy for the client and prevents client drop out. In her free time, she enjoys doing whatever outdoor activities she can (running, hiking, climbing, camping, etc.), baking and cooking, and caring for her numerous plants. |
Rhett Mullins
Doctoral Candidate, 4th Year Clinical Student Rhett's research interests are pretty broad. Generally speaking, he is interested in client and therapist factors that impact the outcomes of therapy. More personally, he loves the outdoors. He is married with a son and a black lab and he feels that anytime they can spend doing something outside is time well spent. |
Eliana Claps 1st Year Clinical Student Eliana's research interests are primarily in how sociocultural factors affect psychotherapy processes and outcomes. In her free time, she likes to do anything outdoorsy (hiking, climbing, taking day trips to National Parks, playing with her dog [when she's visiting home], etc.), reading and listening to true crime podcasts, painting, and making Canva posts for the BengalPsychology Instagram. |
Former Graduate Students
Julie Spencer, Ph.D., Idaho State University (2020) - currently employed as a clinical psychologist at Boise State University's Unversity Health Services, Boise, Idaho. Dissertation: An empirical test of LDS clients' preferences for religious self-disclosure by therapists.
Jonathan Goode, Ph.D., Idaho State University (2020) - currently completing a post-doc with the Trauma Recovery Services Unit at the Sepulveda VA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. Dissertation: Addressing psychotherapy attitudes and stigma experienced by Military Service Members and Veterans.
Kelley Russell, Ph.D., University of Alaska Anchorage (2019) - currently employed as a clinical psychologist on the Primary Care Mental Health Integration Team, Alaska VA Healthcare System, Anchorage, Alaska. Dissertation: A comparison of Mechanical Turk with traditional recruitment settings for conducting psychotherapy research.
Amanda Zold, Ph.D., University of Alaska Anchorage (2018) - currently employed as a clinical psychologist with the Schizophrenia Rehabilitation Program, Institute of Living, Hartford Healthcare, Hartford, Connecticut. Dissertation: An experimental test of attitudes of faculty members in APA accredited doctoral programs in professional psychology toward potential students with a depression or psychotherapy use history.
Rachel Wahto, Ph.D., University of Alaska Anchorage (2017) - currently a clinical psychologist in Anchorage, Alaska. Dissertation: Predictors of therapists' attitudes, outcome expectations, and preferences for therapy.
Mariana Ivanovic, Ph.D., University of Alaska Anchorage (2016) - currently employed as a clinical psychologist at Medical Park Family Care, Anchorage, Alaska. Dissertation: The effects of clients and therapists practicing mindfulness together on session outcomes.
Jonathan Goode, Ph.D., Idaho State University (2020) - currently completing a post-doc with the Trauma Recovery Services Unit at the Sepulveda VA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. Dissertation: Addressing psychotherapy attitudes and stigma experienced by Military Service Members and Veterans.
Kelley Russell, Ph.D., University of Alaska Anchorage (2019) - currently employed as a clinical psychologist on the Primary Care Mental Health Integration Team, Alaska VA Healthcare System, Anchorage, Alaska. Dissertation: A comparison of Mechanical Turk with traditional recruitment settings for conducting psychotherapy research.
Amanda Zold, Ph.D., University of Alaska Anchorage (2018) - currently employed as a clinical psychologist with the Schizophrenia Rehabilitation Program, Institute of Living, Hartford Healthcare, Hartford, Connecticut. Dissertation: An experimental test of attitudes of faculty members in APA accredited doctoral programs in professional psychology toward potential students with a depression or psychotherapy use history.
Rachel Wahto, Ph.D., University of Alaska Anchorage (2017) - currently a clinical psychologist in Anchorage, Alaska. Dissertation: Predictors of therapists' attitudes, outcome expectations, and preferences for therapy.
Mariana Ivanovic, Ph.D., University of Alaska Anchorage (2016) - currently employed as a clinical psychologist at Medical Park Family Care, Anchorage, Alaska. Dissertation: The effects of clients and therapists practicing mindfulness together on session outcomes.