November Student Spotlight: Abbie Decker

What inspired you to pursue a major in psychology?

 

I grew up in a very religious community that did not accept the reality of mental health disorders or their need to be addressed professionally.  Friends and family thought that if you were struggling mentally the sole solution was prayer. It was challenging for me to see firsthand the lack of understanding about mental health especially when several people dear to me were struggling with mental disorders.  Because of this, I wanted to educate myself and bring more awareness to mental health and to the field of psychology.  When I decided to pursue a psychology major, initially, friends and family did not understand my interest in the field, making it hard for them to be supportive.  However, they are learning to become more accepting of my major and supporting my decisions.

 

What opportunities are you involved with?

 

I currently work at Sheppard Pratt in a residential unit. I work specifically with adolescents with mood and anxiety disorders using a combination of primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) treatment methods. I learned how to become more flexible and adaptive while facilitating therapeutic and educational groups. Most importantly, I have come to recognize through first hand experience that all disabilities are different and therefore you must navigate each patient differently. In addition to my work at Sheppard Pratt, I interned at Kennedy Krieger, observing therapy sessions and supervisions.  

 

How did you find these opportunities? Has the PSYC department helped you find these opportunities?

 

I managed to find jobs on my own because I knew what my goal was: clinical psychology.  However, Towson University helped me find my internship.  They provided me with a list of internship recommendations and I applied to a few using Handshake.  Once I was accepted to an internship, Professor Evangeline Wheeler was flexible with me throughout the process and helped me alter my schedule to accommodate my internship, job, and school.

 

What skills did you learn from your work in the Laboratory of Comparative Neuropsychology Lab and interning at Kennedy Kreiger?

 

The most important skills I have learned during my internship and work with the Laboratory of Comparative Neuropsychology LCN lab is to keep an open mind, the importance of self-advocating, and communication. Coming to Towson, I knew that I wanted to pursue the clinical route – I did not want anything to do with research. However, after taking my PSYC 212 I found a new appreciation for how important research is to the field of psychology. Additionally, my PSYC 285 course with Dr. Devan further sparked my interest in research. While I am still passionate about clinical psychology, I can also appreciate the process of research. During my internship with Kennedy Krieger, I learned how to effectively advocate for myself. At the beginning of my internship, there was a slight scheduling mix-up. I felt as though I was not getting sufficient support from my manager. As an undergrad, I was able to respectfully inform my manager about any concerns, while also proposing possible solutions. After meeting with my manager, I resolved any conflicts and proceeded to learn a lot from that internship! Truthfully, efficient and respectful communication is such a crucial skill because it will help you in almost any internship, research lab, college course, and relationship!

 

Why should an undergraduate Towson PSYC student pursue an internship, occupational, or research opportunity?

 

Perhaps the most obvious reason …  is to build up your resume. Graduate school for psychology is quite competitive and challenging to get into. Showing grad schools that you have already participated in research or interned will really make your application stand out! I also believe that interning is a wonderful way to get your foot in the door and build connections within the field. To me, the most important reason why PSYC undergrads should intern or participate in research is because these are places where you can make mistakes. Your manager or research supervisor knows that you are there to learn, and a part of learning is making mistakes. Another benefit to getting involved in a research lab or an internship is that you can potentially get course credit for your internship, which is always nice!

 

How have you balanced your internship and a part-time job at Sheppard Pratt with your course load?

 

Balancing my part-time job and coursework has been every bit difficult as it has been rewarding. Working on my self-care and mental health has truly helped me manage my busy schedule. I think a lot of people in the mental health field have a hard time prioritizing themselves – I know I still struggle with that. There seems to be some stigma about people in the psychology field going to therapy, but just because we are supposed to be the fixers that help others does not mean that we don’t need help. I recently started going to therapy, which has helped me so much to manage my day-to-day life. In addition to this, I try to leave my weekends free for socializing and relaxation. 

 

Is there anything else you would like to tell all PSYC undergrads?

 

There are so many things you can do with a psychology degree, don’t let anyone sway you from pursuing your interest in this incredible field! Also, make sure to go out of your comfort zone and meet with your professors – they are wonderful resources and truly want to help!

 

Perhaps Some Important Quotes:

“Just because we are supposed to be the fixers that help others does not mean that we don’t need help”

“There are so many things you can do with a psychology degree, don’t let anyone sway you from pursuing your interest in this incredible field!”

Exam Season Stress Busters

If you are feeling stressed this semester, you are not alone! Many college students feel this way at some point during the semester. Especially around midterms, finals, and whenever high point value assignments are due. Stress is a natural body response to anything that requires attention or action that one may not have control over in the near future. What is important with stress is how you manage it and take time for yourself to cope. Here are nine scientifically validated ways to help destress around midterms and finals season!

 

  • Talking to someone for support!
  • Maintain a good mental routine Ex: Journaling or meditation.  
  • Have a physical consistent health routine.
  • Use a deep breathing technique to reduce your anxiety levels.
  • Don’t attempt to study 24 hours a day; your efficiency and capacity to retain material will rapidly decrease.
  • Be conservative and reasonable about the demands you place on yourself.
  • Eat a well-balanced diet and drink lots of fluids.
  •  Excessive amounts of caffeine may produce confusion and even disorganization of thought processes.
  • Getting a good night’s rest is also very important to a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a low stress level

 

Better Black Minds

Walking around campus and seeing all the different spaces available for TU students made me think about clubs or activities that can get me more involved in our campus community. However, I stopped to think that there may be a community that correlates with my goals as a psychology major who wants to eventually make a change in people’s mental health journeys. After a little digging, I found a club curated for black students that focused on the outreach and destigmatization of mental health problems in the black community called Bettering Black Minds or BBM. I began following their events on social media and became inspired by the work they were doing for TU students. I knew when the time was right I would be involved in highlighting the importance of this club. I went to the BBM Instagram page to see who would be a good fit to represent this club, and what better person than the President herself, Kamryn Brown. 

 She is a senior at Towson University as well as a fellow psych student. She described BBM as a place of tranquility and safety for black students and all students of color. She stated that “Black mental health isn’t a monolith, it’s nuanced, and everyone experiences it in different ways.”  Meaning it is not just a large, uniform issue it is complex and has subtle shades of meaning or expression. Bringing the knowledge of how things like anxiety and depression can affect everyone in different ways to the forefront of our minds is essential for students to understand.  Being able to express oneself and be open with some vulnerable emotions can be looked down upon or belittled. There have been many setbacks for black people who may feel stuck or lost within their minds or emotions. Having no direction can be scary when there is no tangible goal. BBM creates a platform for students of all ethnicities to come together and speak on real issues that threaten the mental health of this generation. They are inclined to speak on issues that concern anxiety, depression, dating, and self-love. They host fundraisers, book donation drives, and panels speaking on real issues.  

 In the past month, they have hosted two panels titled, “A Day in A Black Man’s Mind” and “A Day in A Black Woman’s Mind” held in Linthicum 111, where they expand on the struggles that come with being a part of such a diverse community, as well as highlight the achievements of African American men and women. Students are encouraged to come with questions or just a listening ear to truly understand and empathize with the stories of students who are among us every day.  President Brown referred to the organization as “… a space for everyone to come and express themselves. I don’t want anyone to feel like they can’t show up because they don’t identify as a Black student”. BBM is a place of shared interests and experiences for everyone from all walks of life. If you’re a TU student who wants to be a part of the conversations or have any questions on how to join check out the BBM Instagram for event updates or simply send a message to the BBM email. 

Kamryn Brown 

President of BBM 

Senior

E: kbrown139@students.towson.edu 

BBM: Towson.bbm@gmail.com

IG: @bbm.tu

Twitter: @bbm_edu

Advising Corner

  • Winter (minimester) course registration begins on October 10th 
  • Spring course registration dates can be found on your Student Center page in Peoplesoft
  • If you have Advising and Degree Completion Plan holds, make sure to get them removed before your registration date
  • Applications for the competitive Clinical Focus Area program are due on 10/17
  • For more information on any of the above topics, reach out to your assigned advisor or schedule a time to meet with one of the department’s Designated Department Advisors: 

 

Dr.Shifren interview

 

This past week Psyc Insight conducted an interview with Professor Dr. Shifren on her career, what she studied as an undergraduate student, and how it helped propel her to where she currently is at in her career. Recorded below is information about Dr.Shifren’s background, her research interests, as well as tips she provided for undergraduate psychology students.  

 As an undergrad, Dr. Shifren attended UMBC and graduated with a degree in Psychology, with a Biopsychology concentration and a Minor in Sociology. While studying at UMBC, Dr. Shifren had a remarkable resume of experiences. The two experiences that impacted her the most were working at the National Institute On Aging (NIA) (thanks to advice from the UMBC Career Center) and with Dr. Teti on an infant attachment experiment (using the Strange Situation). Dr.Teti is a distinguished professor at PennState who specializes in human development and family development . While working at the NIA, her passion for the field of psychology of aging was sparked, because the elder’s cognitive functions and behaviors fascinated her. However, working on Dr. Teti’s infant attachment experiment was also quite influential because it helped her realize that she did not want to work with children after one interaction where an infant punched her in the nose. Despite this, she stated it was a very educational experience, because she oversaw and ran the whole experiment while Dr. Teti was out of town. 

The experiences at UMBC and at the NIA helped her to get accepted to graduate school at Syracuse University where she earned her doctoral degree in Lifespan Developmental Psychology. After graduate school, she worked as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Florida for three years. Then, she did a two-year post-doctoral position at the University of Michigan at the Institute of Gerontology and Institute for Social Research focused on research on aging.. Finally, she settled into her current position at Towson University.

At Towson University, Dr. Shifren regularly teaches Human Development (PSYC 203), Adolescent Psychology (PSYC404), and the Psychology of Aging (PSYC 405). These two topics align similarly to her own personal areas of study: the role of personality in mental and physical health in caregivers and those living with chronic illness. Dr. Shifren has studied early caregiving and includes a lifespan approach to the work. She is currently conducting a study on living with heart disease across the lifespan.  

  • “What inspired you to work in the Psychology field? Did you always want to?” 

Dr. Shifren’s response: “ It all happened by accident. I was originally on the pre-med track as an undergraduate, and I changed my major halfway through college. This is because when I had recently received my CPR certification, my friend and I noticed someone choking in the dining hall. At this moment, I froze. I did not get up to help when I was qualified to, and I felt that if I did not intervene in a low-scale scenario then when there were more intense situations I would not do well under pressure. I could not in good conscience continue my major. I spent time trying to figure out how to use all of my pre-med coursework in a new major. I decided on the Biopsychology concentration as a good fit for my health psychology focus. This allowed me to graduate on a similar timeline so I thought I’d give it a chance.” 

  • “What advice would you give to students who don’t know what they want to do with their psychology degree after they graduate?”

Dr. Shifren’s response: “The best advice I can give any student is to get hands-on experience. Getting an internship or working on a research project is very crucial. This way you can see what you like and dislike. Many companies and graduate programs want to see evidence of experience in the field, and students can obtain excellent recommendations and skills in their area of interest. Having a good professor is helpful when learning the content, but a class will not tell you if you want to pursue a career in a specific discipline.“

  • “What is a good way for students to get involved in their preferred area of research?”

Dr. Shifren’s response: “I recommend working with faculty at Towson University on their research projects. I also recommend going online to the Johns Hopkins’ website and searching for research opportunities. They have many internships as well as full/part-time jobs. This is a great way to network within the community. The National Institutes of Health is another great source for local opportunities, right here at the Johns Hopkins Bayview campus.” 

  • “How did you first get involved in the research field?”

Dr. Shifren’s response: “I became a research assistant in a Developmental lab at UMBC to get some research experience. I was trained to set up interviews, do a Q-sort task, tape the vignettes of the Strange Situation for a study on attachment by Dr. Teti. However, when Dr. Teti was out of town, the graduate student (who was the Stranger in the Strange Situation) got sick. I had to run the whole experiment and record it as well.”

  • “Was there a key moment in the research field that helped you get to work in the current field that you wanted?”

Dr. Shifren’s response: “I think a pivotal movement for me what the work I did for the National Institute on Aging (NIA) because it helped me get a strong recommendation and grab the attention of my personal dissertation advisor”. Dr. Hooker was studying the correlation between mental, and physical health, and personality in caregivers for spouses with probably Alzheimer’s Disease. My personal statement discussed my own experiences as a caregiver for my mom beginning at age 14 when my mom had her first heart attack. Dr. Hooker’s interest aligned with mine and the work I had conducted at NIA. One thing I realized is that grades are important but they are not everything. The work experience and what you’re passionate about matter just as much if not more.“ 

  • “ Have you ever had a great idea but been told that you could not implement it? How did you react and what did you do?”

Dr. Shifren’s response: “I was interested in conducting research on young caregivers under the age of 18 and how being a caregiver that young affected their long-term development. At this time there was no prior research being done in the U.S. on this topic besides a small group of Nurse Practitioners in Missouri. Everyone kept telling me that this demographic of caregivers under 18 did not exist, which I knew was not true, because I, myself, was a caregiver for my mother when I was under the age of 18. However, a group in New York was interested in this topic as well and they somehow heard about me and contacted me. I went to the first U.S. conference on early caregiving including colleagues from the U.K. and was on the advisory panel for the first national study about early caregiving. The first study estimated that there are 1.4 million individuals under the age of 18 caring for adults in the U.S. I began my work on this subject in 1998, and, to my knowledge, I had been the first psychologist in the U.S. to study and publish about the early caregiving concept.” 

 

  • “What is your proudest career moment?” 

Dr. Shifren’s response: “My proudest moment is probably when I was crying at my doctoral hooding ceremony. When I was younger, I was terrified of public speaking, and I was feeling so many different emotions. I was proud of my achievements and that I was able to learn to do public presentations and teach courses. I was so proud of how far I had come. My dad has an Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering, and my mom had a high school diploma. I was the first member of my family to earn a Bachelor’s degree, and then I just kept going for a Master’s degree and Doctoral degree.“ 

  • What research are you currently working on?” 

Dr. Shifren’s response: “Right now, I am working on a few different projects. One of them is an analysis and a paper write-up on a pre-pandemic caregiving study on caregivers across the lifespan and how the relationship between personality and identity correlates with mental and physical health. I have recently begun a study on living with heart disease (began during the pandemic), and this study examines heart related experiences, impact on identity, and the relation of personality and identity to mental and physical health of those living with heart disease.“ 

Grace Pagano

Get “Psyched Up” with Psi Chi and Psychology Club!

 

Boasting around 1500 students, Towson’s psychology major is a discipline which carries a vast and diverse population, though it is looking to become a tight knit community with the help of several staff and students. Found at Room 3114 in the LA building, a weekly meeting is held for The Psychology Club every Wednesday with support by faculty mentors Dr. Dardis and Dr. Kukucka along with an executive board of our peers. Meant to bond those with an interest in the subject, The Psychology Club is open for all students on campus to participate. If you’re a major or minor in Psych, you can partake in the meetings while also being a member of Psi Chi: the department’s honors program. Psi Chi is designed for people who are declared as a Psych major or minor while having at least 12 credits in the subject, an overall GPA of 3.3 and a Psychology GPA of 3.5. You can participate in all Psychology Club activities whether you’re in Psi Chi or not, but it is an option worth exploring if you meet the requirements! 

Collecting insight from the Executive Board, The Psychology Club/Psi Chi is structured in a way where there is a mix of social events as well as meetings that pertain to academics and career-building in the field. “We look to provide as much information as possible while also allowing members to de-stress.” says Kat Reyes, Psi Chi/Psychology Club president, “For example, today’s meeting is a Game Night.” Members can participate in a variety of games while keeping them engaged through the resources being offered. It is not uncommon for there to be guest speakers at these meetings. Recently, one of their events known as ‘Get Psyched’ saw several professors come to educate those in attendance about the many special areas of Psychology. Kat made it known there are more speakers lined up in the near future who can help members find a career with their major :”We have people coming in for résumé, CV, and personal statement writing.” Assisting students in establishing connections using their major seemed to be a heavy focus when asked what would draw someone to the club: “A big thing with The Psychology Club is it opens people up to opportunities that we have here in Towson,” said Kat, “a lot of students might not be aware of the options they have with the major, but that’s because they might not necessarily have been told.” 

Psi Chi and The Psychology Club bridge the gap between Psych students and information about their major, having potential to be a guide for those in need. According to Kat, this can especially be a positive if you’ve recently become a Tiger: “There are many Freshmen and Sophomores, so I feel this is very good for them as they know what to look forward to as they progress in Towson.” 

VP Shayna Eubanks echoed these statements with some insight of her own: “The Psychology Club can be helpful for people looking to find their direction within Psychology. You might know that you like Psychology but may not know what specific area you like or what Psychology is really about. Our club gives you the chance to help figure that out.”

An upcoming event pertaining to that is a meeting labeled as “Careers with an Undergraduate Degree.” For prospective Psych degree holders who have a limited scope of what they’ll be able to do with their bachelor’s degree, this event is meant to present you with plenty of career ventures you might not have been aware of. Kat hopes that this event can lead to some new aspirations for our Psych grads: “We want to put these career options out there for students so they can get into them now if they’d like and ask whatever questions they may have.” There are various other events in store with a range of topics, but it’s worth highlighting that many of them are meant to act as a gateway for all your needs as a Psychology student. Both the Writing Center and Career Center will be in attendance for a meeting to offer advice and aid with the career-building aspect of The Psychology Club. Kat touts how this particular event will be good for those who are looking to go to grad school or looking for a job at the moment.


Furthering their initiative is an event called “Research 101”– a joint event with the Stevenson Grad Club which is meant to inform people on the many options there are in the realm of psychology research. Internships, Registration Tips, and other tricks with navigating Towson Psychology are also listed on the schedule. Interspersed with these information-heavy events are lighter and more unique activities such as Movie Night, Pumpkin Painting, a Halloween Bake Sale, and even a Juneteenth Celebration! This is only a small overview of a wide array of plans. If any of this has piqued your interest, and you’re looking to get involved, the opportunity is waiting for you! For those looking to become a part of Psi Chi, jumping in involves a straightforward application available to students at PsiChi.org along with a one time membership fee of $82. For those who aren’t looking to join the Honors Society aspect, The Psychology Club is an open interest group that is always available for people to be a part of with no application or fee required. As we closed out our discussion, VP Shayna encouraged fellow students to come in at any time: “We’re happy to have people, so please come out! It’s a great opportunity to build your résumé and develop your skill set in Psychology!”

If you have any other questions about Psi Chi or The Psychology Club, you can contact their team at tupsichi@gmail.com.

 

David Christian

National Depression and Health Screening Month

When life gets overwhelming, practicing mindfulness can improve different aspects of  your mental health.  Education ourselves on prioritizing mindfulness could the key to approaching college life with more ease.

In light of October being National Depression and Health Screening Awareness Month, it’s important to remind one another of the mental health services Towson University provides. PSYC Insight has collaborated with the Counseling Center in an effort to provide information about where students can have space not only to express themselves but decompress from their environment. We spoke with Dr. Walsh, the Externship Program Coordinator & Coordinator of Meditation Services,  as well as Dr. Walser, the Coordinator of Anxiety & Depression Services,  to discuss our advocacy of students’ mental health and how they can feel at ease while managing stressful situations. As well as learn about what resources they have available.

Are you having problems with your roommate? Maybe you’re feeling homesick? Are you feeling down most of the time and have little motivation for anything? The Counseling Center is there to help you with whatever you need. The center offers 20-30 minute solution-focused therapy sessions. You can book online to schedule ahead, or even schedule a same-day appointment. If something arises and you need to meet with someone right away, walk-ins are also accepted. The center also offers a (free) meditation room where you can clear your mind. In this room, you log in with your TU ID and select the meditation that you wish to do. The sessions range from a few minutes to 30 minutes and are self-guided. In the cabinets, there are essential oils you may use as a way to also calm your body and mind.  If you aren’t interested in using the meditation rooms (or if they are filled), (free) massage chairs are also available where you can relax your body and mind after a stressful school day. 


Mind-Body Connection:

 PSYC Insight wanted to have a theme for psych undergrads to consider putting into practice this month – the connection between the mind and body and how to stay mindful. Both Dr. Walser and Dr. Walsh recognize that students have different ideas of what “being mindful” truly means. In the words of Dr. Walsh, “Mindfulness can help you learn how to relax, but it’s about compassionately paying attention to your experience at the moment.  Recognize that emotions and thoughts come and go; focus instead on your present moment experience. Think about when you feel like you’re not doing well in class and don’t know if you can balance your school/work schedule. Having an understanding of your emotions is the first step in approaching your life head-on. Dr. Walsh and Dr. Walser emphasize that; “you don’t have to practice mindfulness daily for it to be effective. Mindfulness can be integrated into your regular activities.” For example, Dr. Walsh practices mindfulness when she washes her hands. She uses this as a grounding moment: when you wash your hands, run your hands over the water, feel the temperature, and feel how your hands feel using your senses.  

There are various ways you can stay present and connect with your mind and body on campus. Yoga is a great way to focus on breathing and being present in your body. Towson offers different yoga classes in Burdick Hall held in the Mind Body Studio, where you can learn grounding techniques. Sunrise Yoga is offered on Wednesdays, allowing you to begin your day feeling grounded and at ease. If you’re not an early riser and want something a little more upbeat, Hip Hop Yoga on Fridays gives you that same mind-body connection with an added musical twist. It can be a challenge putting yourself in these spaces because it takes time to practice mindfulness. Dr. Walsh states, “Take your time. It’s okay, you don’t have to set aside a set time, see where you can work it into what you’re already doing.” 

Contact: P: 410-704-2512  E: counseling@towson.edu 

Location: Health and Counseling Center

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m

 

Nakye Upshaw & Lauren Nuetzel