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K-State Today

November 30, 2017

Six graduate students named American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy fellows

Submitted by College of Human Ecology

Couple and family therapy program

Six graduate students in the couple and family therapy program in the School of Family Studies and Human Services have been named fellows by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy's Minority Fellowship Program.

The program is designed to provide financial support and professional guidance to graduate students pursuing degrees in couple and family therapy. The program also strives to provide a fellowship program open to marriage (couple) and family therapy students who are committed to research and serve ethnic minority and underserved populations. The goals of the program look to expand the delivery of culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to underserved minority populations and to increase the number of culturally competent marriage and family therapists.

The following are master's fellows selected from K-State: 

• Scott May, Elk Ridge, Utah. Research interests include emerging adults; technology use and its impact on relationships; and relationship and sexual satisfaction within couples. 

• Tommy Childs, Washington, D.C. Research interests include working with Hispanic populations that would otherwise not be able to obtain clinical services.

• Sally Hodges; Ponca City, Oklahoma. Research interests include mental health for aging adults with a focus in sustaining relationship quality, and culturally competent therapy for minority emerged adults.

• Becky Sorensen, Palmer, Alaska. Research interests include working with Alaska Natives, depression and suicidality, children and families.

The following are doctoral fellows selected from K-State:

• Heather Love, Gilbert, Arizona. Research interests include suicide prevention in a myriad of populations, particularly those affected by trauma, military service members and their families, LGBTQ individuals, and individuals and families affected by cultural and identity issues.

• Chelsea Spencer, Manhattan. Research interests include intimate partner violence, sexual assault and intimate partner homicide.