Stacie Ain
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
BA from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
MS from University of Maryland, College Park
Year entered program: 2005
Advisor: Charles Gelso
Research/clinical interest(s): The psychotherapy relationship, interpersonal psychotherapy, adult populations
Description of where you currently live: I recently moved to Gallery Place and I'm very happy here. I love living in cities so I decided it was the worth the longer commute to school (which is actually not so bad). I found it on Craigslist, which is where I've found the last couple of places I've lived, and it worked out really well.
Hobbies: I enjoy running and listening to music, usually at the same time. I'm starting to get into painting and more creative activities to balance out school. I'm can also be a bit of a movie nut.
Sage advice: School can be a little like a roller coaster. There are definitely points when it is overwhelming but just remember that it gets a lot easier once you've gotten past the stressful points.
Something quirky about you: I think pirates are hilarious.
Maria Luz Berbery
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
Bachelor's degree from University of Maryland
Year entered program: 2007
Advisor: Karen O'Brien
Research/clinical interest(s): International transracial adoptive families, cultural and racial socialization, Latina/o immigrant mental health, social justice
Hobbies: Dancing, traveling, art, listening to music
Sage advice: For your own mental health, take at least one day off a week to do something fun and unrelated to school.
Something quirky about you: I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and moved to Maryland when I was young.
Harold Chui
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
B.Sc. University of Toronto (Psychology & Biology)
M.Sc. University of Toronto (Medical Science)
Year entered program: 2008
Advisor: Clara Hill
Research/clinical interest(s): I am developing two main research interests: Psychotherapy and Training. For psychotherapy, I am interested to look at cross-cultural differences and similarities in the psychotherapy process and style preferences. For training, I would like to examine the associations between training environment, outcome, and satisfaction.
Description of where you currently live: I currently live in Downtown Silver Spring. The metro is a 7-minute walk away and there is a free shuttle service going to campus. I am sharing the apartment with a housemate, who advertised the place on Craigslist. I really enjoy living there because of its accessibility to public transport.
Hobbies: I enjoy walking the city, and exploring the different museums and neighborhoods in DC. I play classical piano and listen to music of all genres.
Sage advice: It's hard not to sweat from jumping hurdles. Everyone has a different course, some easier and some rougher, but people get to the finish line eventually.
Something quirky about you: I lived in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Toronto before coming to the US.
Heather Ganginis Del Pino
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
I received both degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park
Year entered program: 2005
Advisor: Karen O'Brien
Research/clinical interest(s): Women's career development
Description of where you currently live: I live close to Shady Grove Metro. I choose to live there because I love being near a metro and it is also near my family.
Hobbies: I love to Greek dance, ski, and travel.
Sage advice: When things seem tough, try to reflect back on what got you there and appreciate your journey.
Something quirky about you: I have an identical twin sister.
Marianne Grace Dunn
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
University of Notre Dame
Year entered program: 2004
Advisor: Karen O'Brien
Research/clinical interest(s): Multicultural issues in counseling psychology, social justice research and practice, community outreach, couples/family, positive psychology, vocational psychology
Description of where you currently live: I currently live in Adams Morgan in a pet-friendly building. Adams Morgan is a vibrant neighborhood in the heart of DC.
Hobbies: Exercise (biking, running, swimming), reading, walking my dog, spending time with friends and family.
Sage advice: The hardest to learn is the least complicated.
Teresa Huang
Year entered program: 2008
Advisor: Clara Hill
Research focus: psychotherapy, multicultural (especially with Asian Americans), research using qualitative methodology
Where you are from:
Born in Taiwan, raised in Rockville, MD
Where you completed your bachelor/masters degree:
B.S. Psychology
B.A. Philosophy
University of Maryland, College Park
Kayi Hui
Year entered program: 2008
Advisor: Bob Lent
Research interests: Career development of Asian Americans and immigrants, adjustment and psychosocial well-being, multicultural issues in counseling
Description of where you currently live: I am currently living with two roommates in an apartment building called Powder Mill Village in Beltsville, MD. It's under Southern Management, and they have great maintenance services (24/7, come within an hour even at midnight). It is a relatively safe community close to the campus (only 15 minutes drive). The rent is fair, with utilities included. I found my roommates through the off-campus living website of UMD. It's a helpful tool for students from out-of-state like me, who don't know anyone in the area to find someone that you could potentially live with, and look up important information about housing in the area. I highly recommend it.
Where I am from: Hong Kong
Where you completed your bachelor/masters degree:
Bachelor: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Major: Psychology Master: Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania
Hobbies: well.... I have a lot! ....traveling, cooking, ice-skating, reading, watching movies, yoga (my new hobby), checking out museums and new restaurants, Sudoku
Sage advice: enjoy every opportunity to know about yourself and others
Ann Hummel
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
University of Maryland, College Park
Year entered program: 2006
Advisor: Charles Gelso
Research/clinical interest(s): psychotherapy process and outcome; the therapeutic relationship; counselor training. I enjoy working with clients in individual and group therapy settings. My clinical approach is generally interpersonal, and I integrate cognitive/behavioral techniques when appropriate.
Sage advice: Pay attention to your gut and do what will make you happiest.
Something quirky about you: I know the Alma Mater, Victory Song, and Fight Song. Go Terps!
John Jackson
Where you did your bachelor/master degree:
University of Georgia
Year entered program: 2007
Advisor: Clara Hill
Research Focus: Psychotherapy process and outcome research with an emphasis on interpersonal behavior change and corrective relational events over the course of the therapy.
Description of where you live: H Street/Atlas District DC I chose this area because of its cheap rent in comparison with other areas of DC; its close proximity to dining, nightlife, museums, and monuments; and because of ease of access to campus (25 min by car). I found my apartment on Craigslist early in June and moved in approximately two weeks later.
Where you're from: Athens, GA
Hobbies: Playing music, backpacking, cooking, reading.
Sage Advice: Work hard. Play hard. Ask a lot of questions.
Russell Jones
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
Hampton University, BS; University of Georgia, MEd
Year entered program: 2008
Advisor: Dennis Kivlighan
Research/clinical interest(s):
Research Interests: I am interest in research group process and Outcome, specifically ruptures between groups leaders and members and how they affect group climate. Clinical Interests: I am interested in counseling inner-city adolescents, couples, and military families
Description of where you currently live:
I live in Rockville, MD, a northern suburb of DC. I choose this area to live in because my wife grew up in Rockville and was very familiar with its neighborhoods. If quiet surroundings is an upside to living in Rockville, the commute to College Park is a downside. If I am driving to campus, it takes between 40-45 minutes from the time I step out of my apartment to entering Benjamin. Double the time if I take METRO.
Hobbies: Watching cartoons, playing scrabble, table tennis, and tennis, hiking, visiting state parks, spending time with my wife and family.
Sage advice: Do not worry so much about the future as to miss out on the present.
Robert Lim
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
B.A. in psychology from U.C. Berkeley
EdM in psychological counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University
M.S. in software engineering from Golden Gate University
Year entered program: 2007
Advisor: Bob Lent
Research/clinical interest(s): technology applications in psychotherapy, multiculturalism, vocational psychology, psychological assessment
Description of where you currently live: I currently live about 3 miles from school. I happened to find the ad on Craigslist, but had also looked on Apartments.com, as well as Southern Management. I chose to live in this suburban area because it’s close to school, and is very peaceful and quiet. The area is also close to the freeway and various shopping centers. I am right in the middle of two metro stops as well.
Hobbies: I am a tennis playing fanatic. When I have time, I just love going on drives to nowhere in particular, just to explore. I am also a computer gaming, and tech gadget, nut.
Sage advice: Life is too harsh to take everything seriously, so laugh whenever you can.
Something quirky about you: When I first came to America, I started from New York, Maryland, and California. I’m now coming full circle.
Kevin McGann
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
B.A., Loyola College; M.A., University of Maryland
Year entered program: 2005
Advisor: Mary Ann Hoffman
Research/clinical interest(s): Strength-based counseling, counseling LGBT populations, cultural counseling competencies
Description of where you currently live: I live about five miles from school, and the area has good restaurants, shopping, and theatres. I heard about my apartment complex from other students in the program who have lived there.
Hobbies: Playing tennis, weekend trips, jogging, cooking Thai food, reading for fun
Sage advice: Most of your learning will come outside of the classroom. Talk to other students, find out what you like, and get involved in what you can.
Erica Shawn Merson
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
BA from George Washington University
Year entered program: 2006
Advisor: Karen O'Brien
Research/clinical interests: adoptive families
Description of where you currently live: I live in Adams Morgan, a funky, diverse, lively area in Washington, DC with many restaurants, bars, and stores that leave me with something to do at all times. I chose this area because of its lively nature and atmosphere and the diverse nature of the people who live here. There is a strong sense of community which gives me the advantage of living in a suburb while actually living in a city. I share a one-bedroom apartment with my boyfriend. It takes me about 30 minutes to drive to school, but also can choose to metro to campus, as I am a 15 minute walk to the green line and red line metro stations.
Hobbies: Reading, movies, exercising (running, spinning, swimming, races), traveling
Sage advice: Make sure you have a life outside of school that includes hobbies, friends/family, and relaxation!
Something quirky about you: I'm just quirky in general, hehe
Joe Miles
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
B.S. in psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and M.Ed. in educational psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as well.
Year entered program: 2004
Advisor: Dennis Kivlighan
Research/clinical interest(s): group interventions and multicultural/diversity issues.
Description of where you currently live: I live in a basement apartment in a row house in Columbia Heights in DC. I chose to live there because the rent was good, and it is a great neighborhood with lots to do. It is also close to a Metro Station on the Green Line, so it makes getting to and from campus easy. I found this apartment in the Washington City Paper.
Hobbies: Reading, having BBQs with friends, enjoying live music in DC
Sage advice: Always keep balance between school/work and the rest of your
life.
Something quirky about you: I have a rather large Pez dispenser collection.
Beatriz Palma
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
Licenciada en Psicología and Título Profesional de Psicólogo, from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, M.Ed. from Penn State.
Year entered program: 2008
Advisor: Charles Gelso
Research/clinical interest(s): My main interests are related to the client-therapist relationship, therapy process, and the therapist as a therapeutic instrument (including development of the therapist’s self and burnout prevention). My current research focus includes psychotherapy relationship components and attachment. Other areas that trigger my interest include social and emotional development, and multicultural and diversity issues in counseling.
Hobbies: Watching movies, reading, going for a walk, trying ethnic food, learning new things, traveling, dancing, and enjoying time with people I care about.
Sage advice: When things get a little tough, don’t forget to take some distance and look at the bigger picture! When it comes to school, celebrate every small victory and enjoy the learning process.
Something quirky about you: I am from Chile, and I am always open to help others practice their Spanish.
Sarah Piontkowski
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
B.A. from Mount Holyoke College
Year entered program: 2008
Advisor: Mary Ann Hoffman
Research/clinical interest(s): I am interested in studying women's health and role-related transitions. In particular, I am curious about coping creatively with transitions through positive psychological approaches like creating meaning, benefit-finding, and gratitude.
Description of where you currently live: I currently live in Capitol Hill. I chose it because I wanted to live in DC proper in a vibrant neighborhood with a strong sense of community and history. I was fortunate to have had friends in DC who helped me to find an apartment and get settled in.
Hobbies: Running, traveling, and exploring my city
Sage advice: Some of the best advice I’ve received is to ask what really makes me come alive and then go do it.
Something quirky about you: Ask my cohort about my Sunday morning routine…
Trisha Raque-Bogdan
Year entered program: 2007
Advisor: Mary Ann Hoffman
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
University of Kentucky, BA in History and Russian
University of South Carolina, Master's in Library & Information Science
Georgia State University, Master's in Professional Counseling
Research focus: Intersection of positive psychology and health psychology
Description of where you currently live: I live in Capitol Hill NE because I knew I wanted to take full advantage of living in DC (e.g., free & wonderful museums, restaurants, shows, etc.), and proximity helps motivate me to engage in life outside of school. I found our place through a listserv.
Hobbies: Hiking, traveling, reading fiction
Katie Schaefer
Where you got your bachelor/master degree:
St. Olaf College in MN
Year entered program: 2008
Advisor: Mary Ann Hoffman
Research focus: I am broadly interested in health and wellness. My current research interests include adjustment to major life transitions and factors influencing well-being following illness or traumatic life events. Right now I’m doing a study on the HPV vaccine.
Description of where you currently live: I currently live in Gaithersburg, MD, which is an outer northwestern suburb of DC. It takes me about 30 min. to get to campus when the traffic is good. Although I like the city, I prefer to live farther out where it’s quieter and more residential. I chose my place because it’s next to a park and I get to see all sorts of wildlife which makes for a nice break from studying.
Hobbies: Well, since I live next to a park, I like to go for walks and runs. I’m attempting to enhance my cooking skills somewhat successfully. I now own a rolling pin, which is an improvement. I like to visit downtown DC and go to restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and museums. Whenever I get the chance I love to travel and read novels.
Sage advice: What I’ve learned so far in grad school is that life is all about balance. It’s important to make time for the things that really matter like friends and family. When things get stressful it helps to keep the big picture in mind and look at the broader goal.