In this Issue:
Vo lu m e 3 , Is su e 1
A NOTE FROM THE CLINIC COORDINATOR.… 1 ASPIRE SPOTLIGHT: ALLY DEGRAFF….2
OUTSTANDING SCHOLARS...3
Spr i n g 20 15
Be A Better You!
ASPIRE Clinic
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?: CATCHING UP WITH OUR INTERNS….4
ASPIRE CLINIC HAPPENINGS….5
The ASPIRE Clinic, a collaborative unit of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia, is a unique resource that provides coun‐ seling and education services to UGA and the Athens community, as well as innovative educational and research opportunities to UGA students.
From the Clinic Coordinator
A
big “thank you” to all of those who support the ASPIRE
Clinic in its continued growth and success. The clinic’s services surged in 2014— and more and more I see the profound impact that we can have on the lives of clients by working collaboratively. As I celebrate the beginning of my 5th year as the ASPIRE Clinic Coordinator, I am so proud of all that we have accomplished as a clinic. The unique work we do here, and the way we are able to bring this knowledge to budding professionals keeps me energized and excited. Here’s to the next five! Keep Aspiring!
Megan Ford
ASPIRE to improve your... SELF
RELATIONSHIPS FINANCES
HOME
NUTRITION
HEALTH
LEGAL SITUATION
acquiring strategies for personal improvement and relationship enhancement
ASPIRE Spotlight By: Madeline Schnuck
Alycia (Ally) DeGraff
Ally De Graff, an ASPIRE marriage & family therapy service provider and HDFS Ph.D. student here at UGA, completed her undergraduate degree at Texas Tech University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Community, Family, & Addiction Services.
What are your goals for your future career and you future in general?
Ally describes herself as very personable, and loves giving people new perspectives and experiences.
What’s the biggest misconception about therapy or therapy work?
Her goals for the future and her career are to make a positive impact in military families. Ally hopes to accomplish this by researching clinical interventions based around couples and financial readiness. We wanted to help our readers get to know this wonderful lady a bit better. ____________________________ How would you describe your therapy or treatment style? My therapy style is congruent with who I am as a person… I would describe it as direct and experiential. It is my goal to help people experience life in a different way.
Overall, I hope to make a positive impact in military families. I hope to do so by researching clinical interventions based around couples and financial readiness.
We cannot read your mind… sorry. Also, we don’t know everything. Each individual has their own perceptions, truths, and values; our job is to learn about them, and help you to change your life in a way that aligns with them.
“It is my goal to help people experience life in a different way.” What do you consider the most important aspect of therapy or of a client-therapist relationship? The relationship itself is the most important aspect of therapy. A good relationship entails trust, respect, genuine interaction, and support—all things that provide the best environment for new experiences and change. What is one piece of general advice you have for students and other prospective therapists? Be genuine… We all come to this field for pretty much the same reason: to help people because we have all felt the pain of adversity that is inevitable in the human experience. Own that pain and make it work for you; then, pay it forward and help others in pain.
Who in your life has influenced you the most? How did they do it? My mother; she gave whatever she could to help me be successful—including her awesome personality and genuine meanlook. Without her, I would probably have ten cats and a negative balance in the bank. She taught me patience, assertiveness, and what it really means to be altruistic. I have tried, but I can never find words that truly describe the major influence my mom has been in my life.
Describe your proudest achievement. Graduating from college and going to grad school. No one in my family ever went to college, so I fumbled around in undergrad until they gave me a diploma… then they asked me to come to grad school! I still pinch myself to see if this is real!
2
What is your favorite aspect of ASPIRE? “My favorite thing about ASPIRE is the holistic perspective we take and the integrated resources we provide. As a therapist and a financial counselor, the ability to practice both in one place really makes me happy, and I feel privileged to be at ASPIRE and UGA.” What is the last good book you’ve read? Achilles in Vietnam by Jonathan Shay. Seriously changed all of my perspectives on combat, war, and morality. Dr. Shay compares Homer’s Illiad to give a new perspective on post-traumatic stress and combat trauma; plus, he cites Vietnam veterans... Vets are my favorite people.
What would you do with 1 million dollars? First, seek out a financial counselor to help me justify a trip to Mexico. Then, I would start my farm/pet rescue… and, last but not least, donate the rest to my credit card balance. Oh—I would probably get Scuba certified too!
How do you think the degree you earned Where is your favorite place to travel? helped you in ways other than the most Viva Mexico! I am auditing a Spanish class direct obvious ways such as getting a this Spring so I can go back in the Summer job? and order a margarita en el hielo! My educational experiences have helped me grow and experience life in ways that I Did you ever consider other career paths cannot even fathom. Without my experienc- or did you ever have a different major es, I would not be the person I am today; I or pathway? would not have the knowledge and wisdom I started off as pre-pharmacy—I was going to fuel the grief that motivates me to make to ‘fix’ addiction with a pill. Then, I a difference in the world. changed to nutrition because my advisor
told me to… Then I took an addiction class and the professor changed my entire way of thinking.. it was history at that point! Her piece of advice for everyone: “Whatever you’re doing, have fun doing it!”
Outstanding Scholars ASPIRE students, Shaquinta Richardson (left) and Lorien Jordan (right) received prestigious scholarships and awards this Spring. Shaquinta Richardson, a doctoral student at ASPIRE, has been selected as a scholar for the Frances Degen Horowitz Millennium Scholars Program by the Society for Research in Child Development. This scholarship supports scholars from under-represented ethnic and racial groups engaged in graduate work in developmental science. Her thoughts on receiving the award, “I'm really thankful for this opportunity. I love the work that my mentor is doing and I look forward to working with her and networking with other scholars in the field.” Millennium Scholars have the opportunity to grow professionally by being paired with early career scholars in their field. These mentors provide guidance and support in their pursuit of educational and professional goals. Shaquinta’s pairing is with Dr. Aerika Brittian, a faculty member at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
Lorien Jordan, another doctoral student at ASPIRE, was named the recipient of the Feldman Outstanding Research Proposal for Research in Family Policy award. This is awarded to a graduate student demonstrating excellence in research and potential. The paper that Lorien wrote is titled, “The Policy Participation of Marriage and Family Therapists: A Modified Replication Study.” She is interested in the HDFS Marriage and family therapy program and already has her license as an associate marriage and family therapist. Her thoughts on receiving the Honorable award, "For a marriage and family therapist to receive the Feldman Award means a lot, as I see a strong connection between policy, mental health, and social justice. This honor encourages me to continue to find ways in which therapists can be involved in the policies which impact the lives of our clients and ourselves, as well as, the life of the profession."
Shaquinta received her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Claflin Jordan received her master’s of family therapy from the Mercer UniUniversity and proceeded to earn a master’s in marriage and family versity School of Medicine in 2012. Her research focuses on the interplay of legislation and family policy discourse and the way it therapy from Converse College before studying at UGA. affects access to mental health services.
3
Where are they now? Checking in with previous interns on where they are headed and how ASPIRE has inspired them to follow their career dreams.
nalee Phang (pictured above) is currently a senior at UGA, graduating in May 2015. She will graduate with a bachelor's degree in human development and family science with a minor in sociology. Lee informs us that she will be attending her number one choice for graduate school, San Diego State University, starting in the summer of 2015, hoping to complete a Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and in 2017. Her later plans include potentially getting another Master’s degree in business or financial planning so that she might eventually open a holistic clinic similar to ASPIRE. When asked what she has been involved in since her time at ASPIRE she responded, “Over the past few months I have been working with two fellow UGA students at Georgia United Credit Union working on a new student loan product, and I've found through this process that understanding people and the different stages of life they move through can be beneficial in various professions. I have been able to apply knowledge from my HDFS courses to this project and create a more dynamic product than originally intended.” Her thoughts on what she learned from her internship and how ASPIRE has affected her future plans—“ASPIRE truly opened my eyes to the benefits of holistic therapy. Before working at ASPIRE, I wanted to focus my career just on therapy, but I now know that I could utilize my love of math and business to create an environment that is conducive to more than just a potential client's mental health. I want to be able to better their financial well-being as well.”
indsey Hutchins (pictured below) interned at the ASPIRE Clinic in 2014 and we caught up with her as her first year in graduate school is coming to an end. She is working towards a Master’s in professional counseling and marriage and family therapy and is expected to graduate in the summer of 2016. Lindsey received her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in Human Development and Family Science. Her ultimate career goal is to get a doctorate and become a professor. Lindsey is excited currently about starting to see her own clients in May. When asked how ASPIRE has affected her future plans, Lindsey told us, “ASPIRE was by far the best experience I received before I went to graduate school. Attending practicum and observing sessions was an invaluable experience! ASPIRE confirmed that I wanted to be a therapist, and also that I wanted to pursue a Ph.D.”
eyi Amosu, an undergraduate at the University of Georgia and former ASPIRE intern, is currently a about to receive her Bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is graduating this May and will be attending Southern Illinois University where she will work towards her Ph.D. in counseling psychology. Eventually, Seyi plans to be a therapist at her own private practice. She explained to us how ASPIRE has had a positive influence on her undergraduate career and future plans. “ASPIRE really inspired me to write my thesis which examined the demographic characteristics of the clients at the clinic. This gave me valuable experience in the research field and made me feel very prepared to continue research in my graduate studies.” Seyi recently participated in the UGA CURO Symposium, where she presented her thesis research on the holistic nature of the ASPIRE Clinic. Dr. Maria Bermudez (picture above), associate professor of marriage and family therapy, supported Seyi’s clinical research efforts.
4
ASPIRE Clinic
ASPIRE Clinic Happenings
McPhaul Center University of Georgia 706‐542‐4486 aspire@uga.edu www.aspireclinic.org
© 2015 ASPIRE Clinic
This spring, the ASPIRE Clinic has continued its partnership with The Ark and piloted a new program that offers education and information on “making the most out of your tax refund.” Two financial planning graduate students & ASPIRE service providers, Kevin Valentino & Michelle Kruger, designed, marketed, and facilitated the Tax Savings workshops and received positive feedback from participants. The workshop was open to any interested member in the community at no cost and was hosted by the ARK. Content was focused on understanding ways to save (especially during tax time), improving financial circumstances (reducing debt, improving credit, and avoiding pay day lending & other high-interest loans). The students hope the workshops can continue in future years.
The ASPIRE Clinic welcomes a new faculty and marriage & family therapy supervisor to the clinic, Dr. Desiree Seponski. Desiree has come back to UGA after reRecently, with nutrition and health being on the forefront of many minds, ceiving both her Master’s and Ph.D. in ASPIRE is offering more guidance in this area. Coming from our holistic Child and Family Development from the approach, we understand that it is even more important to take a “bigCollege of Family & Consumer Sciences. picture” look at nutrition, as it is impacted by other stressors, such as She teaches and mentors both undergradbudget, lifestyle, relationships, and many other factors. Rachel Laudel uate and graduate students at UGA. Read (above left) and Courtney Spillane (above right), are nutrition service promore here about Desiree’s interests and viders at the ASPIRE Clinic and are both pursuing a Master’s of Science publications: degree in Foods and Nutrition. Their work here at ASPIRE was featured http://www.fcs.uga.edu/people/bio/ earlier this spring on UGA’s homepage! dmpaulin
Noteworthy Congratulations to The College of Family and Consumer Sciences’ financial planning program for being named one of the best in the country, according to Investopedia. Find more at: http://www.fcs.uga.edu/news/story/financialplanning-program-named-best-in-country
5