Congratulations, Megan!

One of our amazing former RAs, Megan White, is heading off to grad school this fall! We’re so thrilled for her, and here’s what she has to say:

“I will be beginning my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) at Loma Linda University’s School of Behavioral Health.

After developing my research skills throughout my three years of working in the DiSH Lab as an RA, executing my own honor’s thesis on interfamilial weight-stigma, and serving a as project coordinator for a DiSH Lab investigation of the consequences of experiencing weight stigma during pregnancy, I took a two-year gap to gain hands-on clinical experience. After graduating in 2016, I obtained a job as a Behavioral Specialist with the Child and Family Guidance Center where I counseled delinquent teenage males in residential placement through developing positive coping skills to manage stressors relating to their illicit behaviors. I used my knowledge of the biopsychosocial model that I developed during my time in the DiSH lab to direct my discussions on the physiological effects of drug abuse, to reinforce positive self-talk to increase mood, and to facilitate cost-benefit analyses of gang-involvement and the dangers of “groupthink”. This experience not only deepened my commitment to implementing treatment based on clinical health research, but also elucidated critical stages of development to target. It further opened my eyes to sociodemographic contributors to physiological, cognitive, and personality disorders. In particular, my clients came from low socioeconomic backgrounds where lack of financial resources creates alternative value systems.

As an aspiring psychologist, my career objective is to provide psychotherapy and to formulate treatment plans for young adults in residential placement facilities suffering with addiction disorders, and in particular, eating disorders. In this capacity, I aim to conduct psychotherapy in both individual and group settings as well as contribute to the assessment and diagnoses processes.

My work in the DiSH lab prepared me for this huge next step in my journey… I couldn’t be more thankful for the support from Dr. T and the rest of the DiSH team!”

Congratulations again, Megan!