2019 Program Newsletter
Message from the Program Director
Program Spotlights
Program Kudos
Class Notes
Donor Recognition
Message from the Program Director
Looking back on the past year, I'm glad to report that we have enjoyed a series of successes.
In the winter, our program was featured in the GW Arts and Sciences magazine.
In May, the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation affirmed our status as an APA accredited program. In making its decision, the commission expressed its appreciation for our faculty members’ personal commitment and the corresponding support of our administration “to develop and maintain the best possible quality of graduate education and training in psychology.”
In June, we moved back into our home in a remodeled and highly energy efficient “Old Main.” We now have more room, modern utilities and state-of-the-art video equipment for supervision and training. As our faculty and students present their work at regional and national conferences we are posting their publications and posters in our hallways.
In August, we welcomed three new post-doctoral fellows to our faculty, Drs. Natalia Báez-Powell, Celeste Kelly and Samuel Salamon.
Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate next March when faculty member Dr. Lara Sheehi will be the co-chair for the APA Division 39 2020 conference in New York, and where many of our faculty and students will be presenting their scholarly work. We are also planning a conference celebrating long-time faculty member Dr. Richard Ruth next spring, on the occasion of his retirement at the end of this year.
We welcome visits by alumni and friends, perhaps during next summer’s APA convention here in DC. If you can’t visit in person this year, do take a look at our engaging new webpages, which have recent photos and videos of our students, faculty and our renovated home in Old Main.
With warm regards and continuing deep appreciation of your support for our students and program,
Loring Ingraham
Program Director
Program Spotlights
A Healthy Mind
Dr. Marshall Woods, PsyD, and Dr. Jim Sexton
Our own Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology Katherine Marshall Woods, PsyD, hosts A Healthy Mind, a UDC-tv television show that features professionals dedicated to informing the public regarding emotional fitness and health policies. Dr. Jim Sexton, a member of our core faculty, had the privilege to be interviewed by Dr. Katherine Marshall Woods and have a discussion surrounding the topic of depression. Dr. Cheri Marmarosh has also appeared as a guest.
2019 Diversity Summit
From left, Hannah Navarro, Shereen Ayoubi, Dr. Richard Ruth, GW President LeBlanc and Dr. Samuel Salamon
In November, program faculty and students participated in GW's 5th annual Diversity Summit with a presentation on religious inclusion at GW. Students Hannah Navarro, Shereen Ayoubi, faculty member Dr. Richard Ruth and postdoc Dr. Samuel Salamon were honored with GW President Thomas LeBlanc's interest and support.
End of Year Party and Hansell Award
Departing interns and postdocs celebration
In June, we wished our departing interns and postdocs well at our rooftop end of year party. Isabella Sierra was awarded the Hansell Award, given each year to a student departing for internship who most fully embodies the life and work of former Director of Clinical Training Dr. James Hansell. Dr. Hansell represented excellence in his devotion to his clinical work, innovative research endeavors and most importantly: collegiality and support of others in the program.
Program Kudos
A research team of Dr. Richard Ruth, Dr. Marshall Woods and two students was formed to investigate how the program and university deal with religion, spirituality and tolerance. Students and guests can visually see the teams’ work on a poster; but, they can also taste the teams' work with kosher, halal and gluten free options available in the department’s kitchen. Other goals of this research team is to promote consciousness; consciousness moving into action and research moved into action.
Sarah L. Hedlund, clinical assistant professor of clinical psychology, graduated from analytic training with the Washington Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis in June.
Alumni Updates/Class Notes
Sonja Johansson, MA ’16, completed her clinical internship at Stanford University CAPS and returned to Washington, D.C., for a post-doctoral position at Georgetown University CAPS. She started her private practice in Dupont Circle in November 2019.
Dr. Marshall Woods, BA ’98, PsyD ’04, is an assistant professor in the GW Professional Psychology Program. She recently released her book titled Best Psychology in Film, which explores psychological dynamics found within Academy Award nominated and winning films.
Adam Pletter, BA ’96, PsyD ’01, is in his nineteenth year of private practice, specializing in the treatment of children, adolescents and young adults. He developed iParent101.com, a digital parenting workshop and online course. It has been featured in media outlets including NPR, Good Morning America, NBC-TV and The Washington Post.
Diane Reis, PsyD ’07, has a private psychotherapy practice in two D.C. locations, Van Ness and Capitol Hill. She works with adults in individual and couples therapy and supervises graduate psychology students.
Mylien Yorks, MPH ’98, MA ’14, is a staff clinical psychologist at the Martinsburg Veteran Affairs Medical Center. She conducts individual and group therapy and specializes in treating veterans with trauma/PTSD.
Donor Recognition
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
The Professional Psychology Program would like to gratefully acknowledge the following generous donors who made a gift to the program from July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019.
+ Faculty/Staff | # Parent | ~ Student | * Friend
The Hansell Family
Loring Ingraham, Ph.D. +
Benjamin Landman, PsyD ’02
Jason Oppenheim, PsyD ’09
Ilyse Zable, PsyM ’10, PsyD ’13