Current Students Profiles
Click on each students name to view a brief bio.
Saumya Arora
I entered the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program in Fall 2019. Prior to this, I was at the University of Minnesota, where I earned my B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. I’m originally from California, and I love getting the opportunity to experience life in different states!
During my time at the University of Minnesota, I worked on-campus at the Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life, where I obtained a lot of my passion for social justice and advocacy. In my role there, I managed a group for LBGTQIA+ people of color, and also developed a training for staff and faculty on creating more equitable environments for LGBTQIA+ students.
My advisor is Dr. Kirsten Gonzalez, and my research interests lie in the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ people of color. I hope to use an intersectional lens to determine this group’s needs when seeking therapy, and work towards evaluating individual and systemic solutions. In the future, I would love to be in academia, as well as have a private practice in order to continue serving the needs of this population.
In my free time, I enjoy trying new restaurants, watching horror movies, and wearing bright eyeshadow! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at sarora3@vols.utk.edu.
Chris Boyd
I entered the Counseling Psychology program here at UTK in 2022! Before I moved to Knoxville, I completed my Master of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport Psychology at the University of North Texas and my Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Go Niners!!). Generally, my research interest is understanding mental health related to athletes and performers. More specifically, I am interested in understanding adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism, performance anxiety, and identity foreclosure in performance populations. As a former athlete, I am especially interested in understanding the experiences of minority athletes, particularly at predominantly white institutions. I am still relatively new to Knoxville so I like to spend my time exploring Knoxville and East Tennessee. Most of my free time is spent playing video games, watching sports, and exploring trails with my pup!
Katie Cook
I entered the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Tennessee in 2019. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at the University of Tennessee in 2018 with a double minor in Sociology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality (WGS). As an undergraduate, I volunteered with Contact Care Line, an organization that answers crisis calls through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. I also worked with Dr. Erin Hardin and Dr. Melinda Gibbons on the Possibilities in Postsecondary Education and Science (PIPES; pipes.utk.edu) grant, which is funded through the National Institutes of Health. This project allows us to provide career education to high school students in rural Appalachia.
At the graduate level, I am excited to have the opportunity to continue my studies under the guidance of Dr. Hardin. My main research interests are in career development and academic achievement in underserved populations. I am continuing to work with PIPES as a graduate research assistant, and I am also working for the ASPIRE program (aspire.utk.edu), in which I provide academic mentorship to college students from Appalachia. In my spare time, I enjoy being with friends and family, traveling, and cooking. Please feel free to reach out: kcook28@vols.utk.edu.
Sam DeHart
Hello! My name is Sam and I entered the Counseling program in the fall of 2023. Originally from Virginia, I received by B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Music from Virginia Commonwealth University. After becoming involved in trauma research in my undergraduate studies, I earned my M.S. in Psychological Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign under the mentorship of Dr. Howard Berenbaum. Currently, I work with Dr. Gina Owens here at the University of Tennessee! My primary research interests involve the experience of moral injury and the impact of traumatic stress on resilience, coping, and psychopathology. Currently, I am working on a project examining moral injury in healthcare workers. In my free time, you can often find me playing viola or guitar, hanging out with friends, relaxing with my rabbit (Benji), or taking a walk around downtown!
Sajana Dissanayake
I entered the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Tennessee in 2023. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at Midwestern State University, Texas, in 2019. After graduation I worked as a Registered Behavior Technician in Washington State. I completed my Master’s of Arts in Clinical Psychology at the same institution and graduated in Spring 2023. My advisor is Dr. Joe Miles but I also work with Dr. Erin Hardin and Dr. Melinda Gibbons on the Possibilities in Postsecondary Education and Science (PIPES; pipes.utk.edu) grant, which is funded through the National Institutes of Health. This project aims at providing career education mentoring to high school students in rural Appalachia.
During my time at UTK, I am excited to work with Dr. Miles and my fellow lab mates in studying under-representation of ethnic minorities in academia and mental health, and effectiveness of intergroup dialogue. I plan on completing a certificate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality studies concurrently with my degree.
In my spare time, I love hiking, going out with friends, and painting. Knoxville has pleasantly been a warm and fun place to explore. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at sdissan2@vols.utk.edu
Vardaan Dua
I entered the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program in Fall 2021. I am originally from New Delhi, India, and moved to Maryland in 2017, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park.
My advisor is Dr. Dawn Szymanski, and my research focuses on individual, interpersonal, and institutional factors that shape identity development and psychological well-being for multiple minority individuals. Most of my research work has been centered around the experiences of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or immigrants/international students. I hope to utilize my research to inform systemic change and structural support for minority individuals.
Outside of research, I find deep meaning in the therapeutic work I get to do with my clients. Through my practicum experiences at UTK, I have been able to provide individual therapy, facilitate identity-based support groups, and participate in outreach and community interventions. In the therapy room, I enjoy working with social identity-related concerns, relationship issues, family-of-origin dynamics, cultural adjustment, trauma, depression, anxiety, and grief.
In my free time, you can catch me spending time with my two cats (Gossip and Mischief), trying TikTok recipes, exploring local coffee shops/restaurants, streaming Taylor Swift, and planning regular trips to Target/Trader Joe’s.
Ally Esielionis
I entered the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program in Fall 2022 as a member of Dr. Levy’s team. Before starting at UT, I was at PennWest California where I earned my MS in Exercise Science with a dual concentration in Sport Psychology and Performance Enhancement/Injury Prevention. I received my BA in Psychology from Salve Regina University. My research interests are broadly focused on student-athlete wellbeing and the relationship between athletic identity, career transition, injury, and retirement from sport. Long-term, I hope to work in a clinical setting with performance populations as a licensed psychologist.
In my spare time, I love exploring the hiking and walking trails around Knoxville, catching a sporting event on campus, and trying new restaurants around the city. Feel free to reach out with any questions aesielio@vols.utk.edu.
Déja Fitzgerald
Déja Fitzgerald (she/her/hers) joined the ReSIsT Lab in 2021. Originally from North Carolina, she completed her Bachelor of Science at Appalachian State University and her Master of Education in Student Affairs Administration at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Déja’s research explores intercultural development, oppression, sense of belonging, coping, and wellness for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities through a lens of liberation and intersectionality. Her work explores these concepts in a variety of settings: organizations, community groups, couples, and intrapersonal. Outside of classes and research, you can find her playing video games, producing music, hanging out with one of her many pets, or passionately commenting on decor decisions while watching HGTV with her wife. If you would like to connect with Déja, you can contact her directly at: dfitzge8@vols.utk.edu.
JD Goates
I joined the counseling psych program here at UT in 2020 after completing a master’s of education in Bilingual Mental Health Counseling from Teachers College. At UT, I work Dr. Dawn Szymanski and my research focuses on minority stress theory, internalized oppression, and objectification in fat and LGBTQ communities.
Classically trained in vocal performance and a child from the Rocky Mountains, you can usually find me spending my free time singing, exploring local hiking trails, or a combination of the two.
Greta Hacker
I entered the Counseling Psychology program in Fall 2024. I did my bachelor’s in public administration and my master’s in mental health counseling at the University of Central Arkansas. I am a member of Dr. Dawn Szymanski’s lab. My research and social justice interests center around assisting cisgender women in having fulfilling and healthy dating and relationship experiences with cisgender men. I am especially interested in how gender role socialization, as well as other aspects of cultural identity (namely race and ethnicity) can impact women’s romantic relationships. During my master’s degree, I worked as a clinician in private group practice and university counseling center settings, mostly with adults presenting with social anxiety, depression, relationship distress, and anger. I primarily like to utilize person-centered, interpersonal process, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches in therapy. I most enjoy working with college students and hope to continue working in a college counseling center setting. Outside of my academic life, I play classical and jazz piano, go Latin dancing most weeks, cook, bake, listen to music, and play Minecraft. I also have a 2 year old calico cat (Callie) who is way too cute for her own good. I am happy to talk to prospective students about UT or grad school – my email is mhacker2@vols.utk.edu!
Grace Haring
I am so grateful to have arrived at UT in Fall 2022 to begin my PhD in Counseling Psychology. I attended Miami University for my B.A. with a double major in Psychology and Women’s Studies. While there, I also completed an Honors Thesis on grit and college women’s fear of sexual assault under the guidance of my mentor, Dr. Vrinda Kalia. I was a member of Dr. Kalia’s TLC lab for 3 years while at Miami. Outside of my undergraduate research activities, I was an active and executive member of Alpha Omicron Pi, a peer health educator, and a volunteer crisis counselor. After graduating from Miami in 2020, I went on to the University of Kentucky to earn my M.S. in Counseling Psychology. During that time I was a member of the HAMMER lab under Dr. Joe Hammer, and also completed a practicum experience in career counseling with UK Alumni Career Services. The support of many wonderful peers and faculty has brought me to UT, where I am advised by Dr. Dawn Szymanski. My research interests include sexual violence, trauma, sexual wellness, LGBT issues, and women’s issues. I highly value access and multicultural frameworks in research, and strive to make psychology a more equitable place to reside. My clinical interests currently focus on adults and survivors of sexual assault, although I remain very open to other groups and experiences. I also currently serve as a student representative within the counseling department, and enjoy advocacy work in many different realms. Outside of school I love to cook and eat good food, read, go thrifting, see live music (especially punk and rock shows), hang out with my friends’ dogs, and explore the beautiful nature that Knoxville has to offer. I’m originally from Ohio, and despite my continued moves further South I remain a Midwestern girl at heart. Feel free to reach out!
Lynsey Hinnenkamp
I entered the Counseling Psychology program at UT in August of 2020. I earned a BS in Psychology at Tulane University, and double minored in Public Health and Gender and Sexuality Studies. After finishing college, I attended Loyola University, New Orleans and received my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I worked at a community mental health organization during my master’s program, and that’s where I learned that I was interested in working with a trauma population! After completing my master’s degree, I worked with teens and their families who were involved in the justice system, and then went on to work at a local high school. I became a licensed therapist in 2019, and continued to be interested in working with individuals who have experienced trauma, which led me to apply to UT to work with Dr. Gina Owens!
My work with Dr. Owens broadly focuses on individuals who have experienced sexual violence so as to increase understanding as to what factors within intimate relationships are related to wellbeing and relationship satisfaction among sexual violence survivors. In addition, I hope to examine the relationship between perceptions of power and rape myth acceptance for my dissertation. In my spare time, I enjoy making bread, being with family and friends, pottery, and soccer. Please feel free to reach out to me at lhinnenk@vols.utk.edu.
Tori Huggins
I entered the UTK Counseling Psychology program in Fall 2024 to work with Dr. Jacob Levy on the Sport Performance Optimization Research Team (SPORT). Originally from Winston Salem, North Carolina, I attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and earned a bachelor’s degree as a double major in psychology and sociology. I was also a student-athlete for the women’s basketball program under Coach Misha Jackson. My honors thesis examined the gendered inequities of collegiate sport media and the consequential implications for female athletes. After graduating from Emory, I moved to Manhattan and earned an M.Ed. in clinical mental health counseling from Teachers College of Columbia University. During my two years in New York, I worked in the Stigma, Identity and Intersectionality (SII) Lab under Dr. Brandon Velez and in Seton Hall University’s Athletic Department as a sport psychology clinical intern. Additionally, I spent two years as the Assistant Director of Basketball Operations for the Columbia University women’s basketball program during their first two Ivy League championship seasons capped by a first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. My broad research interests focus on student-athlete well-being and systemic barriers within the collegiate athletics environment that harm student-athletes’ sense of belonging, safety, identity and autonomy. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, watching sports and finding new scenic places in Knoxville to run and hike. Please feel free to reach out with any questions! (vhuggins@vols.utk.edu)
Kriti Jain
I entered the Counseling Psychology Doctoral program at UT in the fall of 2023. I earned my BA in Psychology (with a minor in Philosophy) from Ashoka University, India, after which I received an MA in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, where I specialized in Spirituality and Research Methods. My advisor is Dr. Kirsten Gonzalez and my research interests are in the areas of QTBIPOC well-being and positive psychology. Through my research, clinical, and advocacy work, I want to be able to support the well-being of individuals with intersecting marginalized identities using a holistic and strengths-based approach. In my free time, I love travelling, trying out new restaurants, spending time with family and friends, and being outdoors!
Jasmine Koech
I entered the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program in Fall 2019. Prior to this, I completed my master’s degree at the College of William and Mary in Experimental Psychology and a bachelor’s degree at West Virginia University in Psychology and Latin American Studies.
While enrolled at West Virginia University I participated in the McNair Scholars Program, a program for underrepresented students on campus planning to pursue a PhD, where I received extensive mentorship and guidance as I navigated my introduction to research and was provided resources to assist in applying to graduate school. In my master’s program I was able to provide mentorship to underrepresented, often first-generation, undergraduate students as they became affiliated with research projects, navigated academia, and fostered a supportive, safe environment for them to vent about negative experiences on the predominantly White campus. I continue my advocacy work in Knoxville working with Centro Hispano as a mentor for students from various backgrounds with various career/education goals.
I work with Dr. Kirsten Gonzalez in the Research on Social Intersections at Tennessee (ReSIsT) Lab. My research interests include Latinx identity and positive experiences related to this identity, barriers to mental health care access for Latinx individuals, advocacy and social justice. In the future I would like to work in academia in a professor position offering the opportunity to diversify universities as well as serve as a mentor for underrepresented students, especially students of color. I also would like to have a private practice aimed at servicing the Latinx population in a way that removes barriers traditionally associated with mental health treatment (e.g., language barriers, finances, etc) for this group. Finally, I will continue my advocacy and social justice work to help alleviate oppressive systems affecting students of color and those with marginalized identities on the interpersonal, and hopefully institutional, levels.
If you have any questions or would like to chat, feel free to reach out to me at jkoech@vols.utk.edu.
Shari Linares
I entered the Counseling Psychology program in Fall 2024. I am a first-generation bicultural Latina who was born and raised in Logan Utah, with roots in Ecuador and Guatemala. I am currently a part of the THRIVE (Targeting Health Disparities Through Research Innovation, and Equity) lab that focuses on improving access to mental health services, understanding mechanisms of resilience after trauma exposure, and leveraging community strengths to promote the well-being of marginalized youths and families. I graduated with my bachelors of Honors in Psychology in 2023 with minors in Sociology and Mental Health Advocacy and Awareness at Utah State University. I was previously a part of the Culture and Mental Health lab with Dr. Melanie Domenech Rodríguez at my previous institution that focused on parenting, cultural values, microaggressions, and evidence-based interventions. My main body of research focuses on the experiences people of color face and making space for these conversations, racial trauma and its effects, resiliency in people of color and advocating for these populations in academic and clinical spaces. In my research, I specifically enjoy interventions that research and promote how to create resiliency when facing racism and discrimination, and fostering tools to help heal from these adverse experiences. I am also involved in creating equitable spaces and practices for diverse populations and both researching and implementing culturally competent work into clinical practice for clinicians and clients alike. Outside of my academic life, I love to be out in the sun whether that be swimming, going to the market, skiing, or discovering new places, cooking, frequenting coffee shops, or dancing in Zumba. Spending quality time with family and friends is very important to me. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at slinares@vols.utk.edu!
Tristan Mattwig
I entered the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program in Fall 2023. I am originally from Georgia and attended the University of Georgia for my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Classics. After my undergraduate, I went to Arizona State University in 2020 for my master’s in mental health counseling. There I worked in the PLENA Lab studying the mental health outcomes of the LGBTQIA+ Latinx population during the pandemic. After I graduated, I worked at a private practice specializing in trauma and the LGBTQIA+ population. My advisor is Dr. Grzanka, and my research interests lie in the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ people. I want to continue working with this population as a clinician and specialize in trauma treatment. When it comes to things I like to do for fun, I enjoy anything that tells a story! Video games, books, shows, movies, etc, are all things I enjoy experiencing. I also love to hike, dance, and swim. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at tmattwig@vols.utk.edu.
Adam Maughan
I entered the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program in the fall of 2018 after graduating from Utah State University with bachelor’s degrees in English and Psychology. While at Utah State, I had the opportunity to intern for the Access and Diversity Center (now the Inclusion Center) assisting in programming for LGBTQ+ students and allies, and also worked as a behavior technician for Cache County School District. I also served as the secretary for Circling the Wagons, an organization based in Salt Lake City which focused on difficult dialogues between members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the LGBTQ+ community.
As a member of Dr. Joe Miles’ lab, my research interests broadly focus on the mental health and well-being of religious sexual minorities, the process and outcomes of intergroup dialogue, suicide prevention, as well as access to and quality of mental health services for sexual minorities.
In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends at the quarry, visiting coffee shops in Knoxville, exploring the Smokies, and attempting to make Pinterest recipes. Please feel free to reach out to me at amaughan@vols.utk.edu.
Logan Mitchell
I entered the Counseling program in Fall 2024! I am originally from Knoxville but have moved around a bit and received my undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of North Texas. While at UNT I was a member of the cross country and track and field teams. I work with Dr. Gina Owens here at the University of Tennessee! My primary research interests involve how meaning-making impacts the development and severity of PTSD, and PTSS in veterans and natural disaster survivors. In my free time I enjoy running, hiking and camping, playing with my cats, hanging out with my friends, and watching sports! If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me at lmitch49@vols.utk.edu.
Caterina Obenauf
I started the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program in Fall 2021. I began my journey in higher education at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a certificate in Spanish Language Studies. During this time, I worked as a medical interpreter and as a clinical research intern at the Grady Trauma Project at Emory University School of Medicine, where I continued working after graduating from Georgia Tech until I started at UTK.
I work with Dr. Gina Owens, and my research interests currently lie in the mental and physical health outcomes that occur after trauma. Currently, I am interested in the overlap of posttraumatic stress disorder and medically unexplained symptoms or somatic symptoms in general, and risk and protective factors that influence this overlap. I’m particularly interested in this phenomenon among women and people of color, and I am passionate about advocacy related to meeting the unique needs of women, POC, immigrants, veterans, children, and other marginalized groups in medical and other healthcare settings that have repeatedly perpetuated inequity. In the future, I hope to work in an interdisciplinary setting like a hospital or integrated primary care since I enjoy collaborating with scholars from other fields.
For fun, I enjoy the many hiking spots located around Knoxville, playing with my cat, and birdwatching. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at obenauf@utk.edu.
Kittu Pannu
My name is Harkeet “Kittu” Pannu (he/him/his), and I’m an educator and storyteller originally from the Greater New Orleans area. I have always been involved in community enrichment endeavors, especially when it comes to shining a light on the experiences of BIPOC and other minority communities. With emphases on mental health, human rights, education, public health, and wellness, I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring the basic human rights and healthcare are accessible to all. I recently entered the Counseling Psychology PhD program here at UT-Knoxville in the Fall of 2023 in an effort to learn and grow my skillsets in order to engage LGBTQIA+ youth and adolescents by increasing their overall quality of life. and continue he works to develop more equitable solutions to problems facing minority communities every day. Over the course of my 15+ year professional career, I’ve worked as a Legislative Aide at the Louisiana State Legislature; a communications professional in Entertainment, Health, and Education PR for globally-recognized brands like Warner Bros, DC Comics, Edelman PR, and more; and written and published for academic, mainstream, and trade publications. Over the last five years, I switched directions to focus on Public Health efforts, working with leading global nonprofits like The Sikh Coalition and YAI Seeing Beyond Disability. Throughout these pursuits though, I have always made a point to engage with students through classroom and after school programming. My efforts have garnered me various accolades, including 1st Place in Communication and Media Relations Efforts at the American Advertising Federation, Excellence in PR Writing from the Southern Public Relations Federation, 2022 Teacher of the Year and much more. I earned his Master of Public Health from Columbia University and three Bachelor degrees in Biochemistry, Public Relations, and Film & Media Arts from Louisiana State University. When I’m not in school, I’m usually taking my puppy Kadhu on hikes, writing poetry, or catching a live show in the area. If you’d like to connect, please feel free to reach out (hpannu@vols.utk.edu).
Kody Sexton
Hello! My name’s Kody, and I entered the Counseling Psychology program in Fall 2019. Originally from Cincinnati, OH, I completed my master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Indiana University and my bachelor’s in English Literature at Bowling Green State University. Prior to starting the program at UTK, I worked as an academic/career advisor and instructor for students pursuing technology majors and careers.
Here at UTK, I work with Dr. Erin Hardin and have served as a Graduate Research Assistant for two grant-funded programs: Possibilities in Postsecondary Education and Science (PiPES) and Appalachian Students Promoting the Integration of Research in Education (ASPIRE). My responsibilities included teaching college student success classes, delivering a career intervention for high schoolers, and providing individual academic coaching.
My research focuses on the career development of rural youth. I am especially interested in how family/caregiver factors impact career processes. Clinically, I work with children, adolescents, and families experiencing traumatic stress.
For fun, I love reading, being outdoors, visiting local coffee shops (Knox has some great spots!), and spending time with family, friends, and my dog Shadow!
If you’d like to connect, please feel free to reach out!
Hannah Shinew
I entered the Counseling Psychology PhD program in the Fall of 2021. Prior to this I earned a B.A. in Public Affairs and Spanish from The Ohio State University in 2020. While at Ohio State I was heavily involved with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion serving as a peer mentor for incoming students and helping to develop diversity workshops for Recreation Sports on campus. This experience influenced me greatly and led me to looking more into group dynamics and social justice advocacy. Currently at UTK I work with Dr. Joe Miles conducting research on intergroup dialogue as a process through which social justice activism can be encouraged among various populations. In particular, I enjoy finding new ways to help people from different ideologies and social identities increase dialogue and understanding. When I am not on campus I enjoy spending my time hiking and climbing in the mountains, and frequenting all of Knoxville’s local coffee shops.
Sarah Stambaugh
I entered the UTK Counseling Psychology program in 2022 and work with Dr. Joe Miles in the D.I.S.C.O.U.R.S.E. (Dialogic Interventions, Social Change, and Outcomes Utilizing Research towards Social Equity) research lab. Some of the research projects I am currently involved in focus on various aspects of Intergroup Dialogue (IGD) and impacts of state legislation on higher education. I’m originally from Chattanooga, TN and completed my B.A. in Psychology at UTK as a first generation college student in 2020. I actually worked as an undergraduate research assistant and lab manager within Dr. Miles’ lab throughout my undergraduate studies, making my role as a graduate student researcher all the more meaningful. Before starting graduate school, I also spent over four years working/volunteering as a certified crisis intervention specialist and administrative supervisor for the Contact Care Line and 988 Lifeline. Suicide prevention is one of my biggest passions, both in clinical work and research. I am currently a practicum therapist in the Student Counseling Center. I also serve as a discussion section leader for psychology courses, with aspirations to teach in the future. In my spare time, I love going on walks and spending time with my fiancé and our two cats. I’m also an amateur photographer, plant collector, sunset enthusiast, and proud Mario Kart champion. Please feel free to contact me via email (sstamba1@vols.utk.edu)
Tracy Viator
I entered the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program in Fall 2020. Originally from Lubbock, TX (land of dusty plains and tumbleweeds), I lived in Colorado and North Carolina before moving to Knoxville. Prior to becoming a psychology graduate student, I earned my B.M. and M.M. in violin performance and operated a personal private lesson studio in addition to working as a freelance musician. Through my years of classical music training and private teaching experience, I developed a special interest in addressing the mental health needs of performing artists, and especially those of student musicians. As part of my transition into the field of psychology, I worked as a research assistant at UNC Greensboro, gaining clinical and research experience by administering assessments to child participants and conducting semi-structured interviews with adults. Currently, my research at UT involves psychological flexibility, music performance anxiety, and performance quality among university music students. Under the guidance of my advisor Dr. Jacob Levy, I am working to design ACT-based psychological resources to support musicians’ health and wellness, effectively combining my musical, clinical, and research interests. Following my doctoral training, I envision working as a licensed psychologist at a university counseling center or in private practice. I also hope to serve as a psychological liaison to performing arts communities by routinely providing workshops and other clinical outreach services. In my spare time, I find joy hiking in the mountains, cooking vegetarian cuisine, and maintaining my ever-growing collection of houseplants.
Winni Yang
I entered the Counseling Psychology PhD program in the Fall of 2022, after getting my Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a minor in Health Disparities in Society at the University of Florida. I am originally from Florida and this is my first time living outside of that state (although, I am no stranger to living in the South)!
During my time at the University of Florida, I worked as an undergraduate research assistant in a lab that focused broadly on the experiences and wellness of BIPOC, LGBTQ+ folks. At the university, I was a teaching assistant for Multicultural Psychology and Black Psychology. In the community, I volunteered at the Alachua County Crisis Center to help those who utilized the local crisis line and national Suicide Hotline. I also interned at a law firm to work on the Florida Name Change project, a project dedicated to increasing access to legal name changes for trans and nonbinary folks.
Given that my work as an undergraduate focused equity and education, I am currently working with Dr. Kirsten Gonzalez in the ReSIsT (Research on Social Intersections at Tennessee) Lab. In this lab, I am continuing to do research that focuses broadly on the experiences of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks, specifically people who live at those intersections. I am also researching about the experiences of Asian Americans and how to increase the critical consciousness of anti-Black racism in this community.
In my free time, I like to watch TV shows like Fleabag and Girls, read, and knit/crochet. I also enjoy laughing with my friends and sitting in the sun ! I am currently trying to explore a little bit more of the mountains that Tennessee has to offer.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at wyang20@vols.utk.edu.