“It's the most rewarding thing to help someone achieve what they're capable of achieving,” shared A.J. Tyler, a second-year student in the Wright Institute’s Counseling Psychology Program. “People usually already have the tools that they need and they just need a little reminder.” Throughout A.J.'s life, the common thread has been supporting and mentoring others—whether as a big brother, manager, father, or future therapist.
“There are so many obstacles you can put in the way of a change that may be good for you,” explained Stuart Lee, a 2010 graduate of the Wright Institute’s Counseling Psychology Program. “I was coming up with every reason.” After two decades in the field of forensic science, Stuart overcame an array of obstacles and his own self-doubt and pivoted to a new and more fulfilling career in psychology.
Kulvadee Thongpibul, PsyD, affectionately known as Dr. A, is a 2011 graduate of the Wright Institute. We recently learned that Dr. A has been elected as the President of the Thai Clinical Psychologist Association for the 2025-2026 term. This achievement represents a significant milestone in her professional journey and underscores her dedication to advancing mental health care in Thailand.
Dr. A is committed to fostering collaboration, innovation, and advocacy to enhance the accessibility and quality of psychological services nationwide. Her vision for the association centers on empowering Thai clinical psychologists through robust professional development, advancing impactful research, and increasing public awareness of mental health's vital role in Thai society.
“In this profession, we’re forced to be humble,” shared Dr. Larry Miller, a 2001 graduate of the Wright Institute’s Clinical Psychology Program and current Half-Time Institute Faculty member. “We’re also forced to be flexible because we don’t know where the path is going to lead us.” Humility and flexibility are both qualities that Dr. Miller exudes, as a clinician and as a professor.
Dr. Miller was born and raised in Long Island, New York, the youngest child of Orthodox Jewish parents. Although his sister was only four years older, they weren’t close growing up and Dr. Miller often felt like an only child. In their family and religion, there was a huge emphasis placed on helping the less fortunate. “I remember one Rabbi said ‘he who saves one person saves the world’ and I loved that,” he recalled. Dr. Miller carried that message with him from an early age and it has informed his work throughout his career.
“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.
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."
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."
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.”
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."
