Student Spotlight: Vanessa Rafanan

“I'm the kind of person who believes you can have your cake and eat it too!” shared Vanessa Rafanan, a student in the Wright Institute’s Clinical Psychology Program. “I would encourage folks to pursue and explore all of their interests because it's so hard to know early on what’s for you and what's not.” During her time at the Wright Institute, Vanessa has explored a wide variety of interests, both in and out of the classroom, as she prepares for her future.

Obituary: Dr. Cynthia Kessler

Dr. Cynthia K. Kessler, a 1990 graduate of the Wright Institute's Clinical Psychology Program, passed away after a long illness on August 15th, 2024 in Rocky River, Ohio.

"She loved her work and found great fulfillment in helping to heal the minds and hearts of her many clients," her family shared in her obituary. "Cindy loved her family deeply and was a true and loyal friend."

Read the full obituary here.

Obituary: Dr. Katherine Dee McGinniss

Dr. Katherine Dee McGinniss, a 1997 graduate of the Wright Institute's Clinical Psychology Program, passed away on September 26th, 2024.

In her obituary, her family described her as stylish and funny woman who enjoyed good food, art, and beautiful clothing. "She was in private practice for over 35 years and affected the lives of many patients," her obituary states. "Her deep research into arts and mental health was thoughtful, groundbreaking, and personal."

Read the entire obituary here.

Congratulations to Professors Eric Mill and Jessica Montague!

Jessica Montague and Eric Mill, adjunct professors in the Wright Institute’s Counseling Psychology program, are also co-founders of a new tech company called Relatable which launched their first app in September. The app, also called Relatable, aims to help users improve their relational intelligence and build stronger social bonds.

“Once users download the app, they can listen to bite-sized, digestible audio sessions that include ways to practice what they learn in their day-to-day interactions,” explained a recent feature in BusinessWire. “Relatable’s intuitive design allows users to quickly find the skills they want to improve. Whether it's becoming a more empathetic listener or learning how to set boundaries in a relationship, the app offers practical, real-world exercises that can be implemented immediately.”

Congratulations to Drs. Michael Changaris, Spencer Crooks, and Shiyu Chang!

Last weekend, Drs. Michael Changaris, Spencer Crooks, and Shiyu Chang, members of the Wright Institute’s Integrated Health Psychology Training Program team, gave a presentation at the California Psychological Association’s 2024 Annual Convention. The presentation, titled “Driving Population Health Through Primary Care Partnerships: Case Study ADHD Clinic Development,” was a huge success!

“Many expressed that the work of Dr. Spencer Crooks and Dr. Shiyu Zhang had a powerful and inspiring impact on their understanding of ADHD care and integrated health services,” shared Dr. Changaris. “By exploring ADHD as a guide for developing change-based processes, we demonstrated how primary care partnerships can truly drive population health improvements.”

Dr. Michael Lerrner, a 1977 graduate of the Wright Institute's Clinical Psychology Program, passed away on August 28th in Berkeley, California at the age of eighty-one.

In their article honoring his life, The Washington Post described him as "a rabbi, psychologist and political activist who merged Judaism and progressive thought as the founding editor of Tikkun magazine, becoming a prominent if sometimes polarizing leader of the Jewish left."

Read the entire article here.

Congratulations to Dr. Tuazon!

Dr. Anna Tuazon, a 2013 graduate of the Wright Institute’s Clinical Psychology program, was named Best Newspaper Columnist by the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) for her column called “Safe Spaces.”

“Tuazon said she considered it her role to help create spaces for ‘underserved perspectives that are not always in the headlines,’ and to provide informed choices for Filipinos in pursuit of the ‘good life.’”

Read more here.

Student Spotlight: Elizabeth Carty

Elizabeth Carty, a third year student in the Wright Institute’s Counseling Psychology Program, was born and raised in Washington, D.C.. The youngest of three children, she had a brother seven years older and a sister just eighteen months her senior. Elizabeth attended a private school for her K-12 education. “The social and emotional support I got at school saved me,” Elizabeth reflected. For her undergraduate studies, Elizabeth attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut. “I majored in Latin American history to expand my worldview and develop my writing and analytical skills,” she explained.

Alumni Spotlight: Hira Kissana

Hira Kissana, a 2023 graduate of the Wright Institute’s Counseling Psychology Program, was born and raised in Vallejo, California. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Pakistan before their children were born and Hira grew up with very strong family bonds. “I had the greatest parents growing up,” she shared proudly. “My mother and father are my absolute heroes, and my siblings are my best friends.” Hira is the eldest daughter of the family, with one older brother and three younger sisters.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Maria Lamia

“Do the work that gives you the wisdom to ask the right questions,” advised Dr. Mary Lamia, faculty member in the Wright Institute’s Clinical Psychology Program. “Read all you can, discover what others are saying, and do not be afraid to critique it. Being informed is very important to our work.” Throughout her life, Dr. Lamia has demonstrated her steadfast determination in pursuing and sharing knowledge.