Staff Spotlight: Amber Griffin-Royal

A third-generation Bay Area native, Amber Griffin-Royal, an Administrative Assistant in the Wright Institute's Counseling Psychology program, was born and raised primarily in Oakland, California. When she was five, her mom and stepdad met, and Amber, formerly an only child, was thrilled to gain three step-siblings. “I always wanted to have siblings, especially a sister, so when my mom started dating my stepdad, it was like all of my dreams came true,” she explained. “We’re really close and had a lot of fun going to summer camps, watching movies, and listening to music.” The whole family loved music and the children grew up listening to funk and soul records, along with Sade, Michael Jackson, and Prince.

Student Spotlight: Mohammad Abdul-Rahim

“The most motivating part of this work is witnessing people change and grow—that’s what keeps me inspired, even through the tough times,” shared Mohammad Abdul-Rahim, a second year student in the Wright Institute’s Counseling Psychology program. “I find that the most growth happens when we are challenged and have the resources and support to navigate those challenges effectively.”

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Julianne Guida

“I think the biggest lesson I learned in graduate school was that growing and learning never stops in this profession,” shared Dr. Julianne Guida, a 2022 graduate of the Wright Institute’s Clinical Psychology program. “There are always new challenges, new learning opportunities, new ways of growing and that’s why I love this work - it's ever-changing and dynamic in a way I find so fascinating."

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Daniel van Beek

“I think teaching allows us to be impactful on folks in moments when they have this great openness to being supported and mentored,” explained Dr. Daniel van Beek, a professor in the Wright Institute’s Clinical Psychology program. “If I can have a positive impact on students going forward, I'll be very satisfied with my career.” Dr. van Beek has had an accomplished career thus far and we’re excited to see what he brings to the Wright Institute in his new role as a Full-time Institute Faculty member.

Obituary: Dr. Rick Sapp

Dr. Rick Sapp, a 1984 graduate of the Wright Institute's Clinical Psychology program, passed away on June 26th, 2025.

"Rick provided clinical mental health services to clients of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Rafael, California for 27 years, during much of which he was Chief Psychologist," his obituary stated. "Rick succumbed to a rapidly advancing cancer and died peacefully at home in San Rafael with Cindy beside him."

Read the full obituary here.

Student Spotlight: McKayla Roberts

McKayla Roberts, a student in the Wright Institute’s Clinical Psychology Program, was born and raised in Nebraska, where she lived with her mother and her three sisters. “My parents encouraged us to consider the military or other paths to help pay for college, since it was a common choice in our family,” she recalled. “My sisters and I didn’t want to go into the military, so I started running track when I was seven.” She competed nationally and competitively throughout her K-12 school career, spending most of her free time traveling for meets. Although all of her sisters took up different sports at a young age, McKayla was the only one who kept up with hers until college.

Congratulations Dr. Jayme Peta!

We are thrilled to announce the publication of Dr. Jayme Peta's book, The Trans and Gender Diverse Teen Resilience Guide, available now through New Harbinger Publication and bookstores near you. This an evidence-based self-help book written for trans and nonbinary teens as a guide to developing resilience, community, and a life worth living. It's written by Dr. Jayme Peta, Dr. Deb Coolhart, and Dr. Rylan Testa, who are queer and trans psychologists. It also features the real stories of four trans and gender diverse youth and how they developed resilience, strength and community despite the challenges of living in a world that is increasingly hostile to trans and gender diverse people.

Congratulations to Kameron Edwards!

Kameron Edwards, a doctoral student in the Wright Institute's Clinical Psychology Program, has been featured in the latest issue of the Research in Action newsletter from the California Psychological Association (CPA).

Her article, “Unseen Wounds: Doctoral Candidate Kameron Edwards Sheds Light on Undiagnosed PTSD in ACE-Affected Populations,” highlights groundbreaking research examining how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) relate to undiagnosed PTSD. Using both current and retrospective measures of PTSD symptoms, Kameron's findings show that over half of participants met the clinical threshold for PTSD in adulthood—and even more did based on their adolescent experiences. This work powerfully advocates for trauma-informed screening and early intervention strategies in mental health care.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Rula Razek Klee

“It was so enriching and humbling to be a young parent in graduate school. I was learning about child development and attachment theory in classes while experiencing the transition to parenthood and all that brings with it at home,” explained Dr. Rula Razek Klee, a graduate of the Wright Institute’s Clinical Psychology program and current part-time core faculty member in the Wright Institute’s Counseling Psychology program. “I felt like my training as a psychologist was informed by this simultaneous process of becoming a mother, raising young children, working clinically with children and adults, and developing myself as a parent.” Overall, Dr. Klee feels that the experience made her a better parent and a better therapist.

Obituary: Dr. Rebecca Proehl

Dr. Rebecca Proehl, a 1985 graduate of the Wright Institute's Clinical Psychology Program, passed away on May 4, 2025 after a long battle with lung cancer.

Her obituary stated: "Rebecca was a much beloved faculty member, colleague, friend, and mentor to many. In the last weeks of her life, she was showered with an outpouring of love from the many lives she touched from all corners of the country. Her positive impact will be felt for many years to come. It is evident by the loving tributes she received, especially the doctoral students she taught. Her zest for life will live on through those she loved."

Read the full obituary here.