Five graduate students, studying marriage and family therapy (MFT) in the Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling (HPC) at Appalachian State University’s Reich College of Education (RCOE), have been accepted into Ph.D. programs starting this fall. These students make up 35% of this year's graduating cohort and 100% of MFT students who applied to Ph.D. programs for the fall.
These five students (pictured left to right) and where they will be pursuing their Ph.D.'s are:
- Deneisha Poe, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Tatjana Farley, Florida State University
- Stephanie Cooke, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Lorin Kelly, Kansas State University
- Chélynn Randolph, Florida State University
We asked them what they feel like their time at Appalachian had done to prepare them for their future programs.
What has Appalachian done to prepare you for your new program?
- EVERYTHING! Every professor has given me guidance and advice on my journey to my Ph.D. They took time out of their extremely busy schedules to meet with me and help me present my ideas for interviews. Also, this program is amazing and being in it has changed my life. Every class, I am learning something new to better myself and my clients. I cannot thank them enough for everything that they have done for me. -Lorin Kelly
- I really loved the emphasis on the self of the therapist. They’ve [the faculty] helped me become more aware of my presence in the therapy room by challenging my ideas in ways that help me expand and grow as a therapist. I believe this will serve me well in my Ph.D. program. -Stephanie Cooke
- Appalachian has helped shape me into the therapist that I have and will become. Each faculty member has had a hand in my journey; answering endless questions, providing support, and providing guidance when needed. I will forever cherish the time that I have spent in this program! -Deneisha Poe
- The faculty and program at Appalachian have challenged and supported me in all aspects of my development. I have grown personally and professionally more in the last two years than I was anticipating entering the program. The faculty have been available for endless feedback and tears in the last two years. I will forever be grateful for the impact each faculty member has had on my life and development in this program! -Tatjana Farley
- They [the faculty] have been extremely helpful to me during this process. From giving me the confidence to even apply for different programs to helping me practice for interviews. They were with me every step of the way and I am eternally grateful for the support and extra time they spent with us. They also set us up for success with the education and educational opportunities they provided us. -Chélynn Randolph
What will you miss most about the Appalachian MFT program?
- I will miss the faculty and my cohort members. We became so close in these two years. -Lorin Kelly
- I really enjoyed working with the faculty. They’ve been a constant source of support. -Stephanie Cooke
- I will miss the atmosphere that is created by the program, the faculty, and my lovely cohort members. -Deneisha Poe
- I will miss my faculty and cohort members the most. This program has become a backbone of personal growth and a second family to me and I will miss them dearly. -Tatjana Farley
- I will miss my cohort and faculty the most. We became a family over the last 2 years and there’s nothing that could come close to the experience I’ve gotten here. -Chélynn Randolph
What are you most excited for at your new program?
- I’m excited to work with the innovators of our field. I am going to be teaching an undergraduate course in family violence and working with Dr. Sandra Stith on her Air Force grant. Dr. Stith is one of the leading researchers on Domestic Violence. -Lorin Kelly
- I’m mostly looking forward to the research and teaching opportunities. At Virginia Tech, I’ll be teaching an undergraduate course. Also, there are a few professors I’m interested in working with who study LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, which aligns with my research interests. -Stephanie Cooke
- I am excited about being able to actually do the work that I have been wanting to do for years. I am going to be working with caregivers of a family member with Alzheimer’s Disease. -Deneisha Poe
- I am excited to work with people that are passionate about making a change in the field in a similar way that I am. I am excited to expand my experiences and learn from amazing contributors in the field. -Tatjana Farley
- I am the most excited for diving deeper into the literature of the field and creating my own literature and research opportunities. -Chélynn Randolph
What are your current research interests that you would like to develop in your Doctoral program?
- I want to research Intimate Partner Violence with an emphasis on African American women and systemic factors that contribute to the prevalence in this community. -Lorin Kelly
- My research interest is LGBTQ+ people of color, specifically bisexual therapists of color and their experience professionally and personally. -Stephanie Cooke
- My current research interest is caregiving, particularly with individuals providing care for a family member who has Alzheimer’s disease. -Deneisha Poe
- My current research interests involve improving the aftercare system of children re-entering the home after residential treatment stay. I would like to focus on children and families from marginalized populations and with a trauma-informed lens. -Tatjana Farley
- My research interests are parenting in families of color and parenting with LGBTQ+ identified parents. -Chélynn Randolph
According to Dr. Laura Gambrel, assistant professor in HPC and MFT Internship Coordinator:
Appalachian’s MFT program focuses on clinical training and preparing students to be therapists who can work with a variety of populations. However, the program does provide support and mentorship to students who are interested in continuing their education in doctoral programs.
She added that the program consistently receives feedback from both employers and faculty members at doctoral programs that our students are highly skilled clinically and have a strong understanding of social justice and inclusion. Through the program, faculty provide research opportunities for students who are interested in gaining experience to strengthen their preparation for a doctoral program. These opportunities include joining a research team led by a faculty member, presenting at national professional conferences, co-authoring manuscripts with faculty, and completing an optional research-based thesis. In addition, faculty meet with students to assist them with the application process to doctoral programs, providing feedback on their application materials and resources to support success at doctoral interviews.
Contributed by Hunter Adams, Stephanie Cooke, Tatjana Farley, Lorin Kelly, Deneisha Poe and Chélynn Randolph
MFT students
