Research

Susan Branco, PhD

Dr. Susan Branco’s research explores transracial adoption, focusing on the mental health outcomes of transracially adopted individuals, Colombian adoption policy, and clinical training and supervision practices for BIPOC counselors. She has contributed extensively to the field through her work on the Adoptee Consciousness Model, which examines adoptee awareness of structural inequalities in adoption systems. Dr. Branco’s research also addresses culturally responsive approaches in counselor education, including the development of equitable supervision practices and supporting BIPOC counselors. In addition to her scholarly contributions, she co-facilitates the Critical Adoption Studies Research Lab (CASRL), where she mentors master’s students interested in adoption-related research.

Joyce Chu, PhD

Dr. Joyce Chu’s research focuses on suicide prevention and mental health equity for racial and ethnic minorities, diverse, and underserved communities. Her work includes developing culturally responsive assessment tools such as the Cultural Assessment of Risk for Suicide (CARS), which evaluates cultural risk and protective factors for suicide. She also leads projects analyzing suicide decedent files to identify intervention points and explore cultural differences in suicide experiences. Dr. Chu’s research examines cultural variations in suicide inquiry, advances the science behind culturally responsive suicide prevention practice, and investigates cultural disparities in suicide-related crisis care in emergency departments. Through her innovative and community-collaborative research, Dr. Chu is committed to improving suicide prevention strategies and mental health outcomes for culturally diverse and underserved populations.

Clinical Education and Supervision PhD Student Jennifer Kiehl’s research explores mental health, trauma, and resilience in athletes; the integration of creative modalities in trauma therapy and counselor education; and advancing inclusive, updated practices for the LGBTQIA+ community—such as reducing heteronormative bias in couples assessment and treatment frameworks. Her current dissertation work focuses on developing studies that examine the psychological impact of trauma on athletes and the role coaches can play in providing meaningful support. She is also advancing the use of the Critical Response Process—an artistic framework for feedback—in counselor education and clinical skill development. Jennifer is preparing to co-present at NCVLI 2025 on the topic Navigating Victim Advocacy: Balancing Effective Representation with Self-Care and Managing Vicarious Trauma, drawing from her clinical experience and interdisciplinary work alongside her sister. Additionally, she is contributing to research exploring the lived experiences of cisgender men over 60 aging with HIV/AIDS. Jennifer’s multifaceted research reflects a deep commitment to enhancing counselor education through innovative, inclusive approaches.

Clinical Psychology PhD Student Robert Hickson’s research focuses on the neural mechanisms underlying the development of social anxiety disorder in adolescents. His award-winning study, “Functional Connectivity Between the Default Mode Network and Left Amygdala Serves as a Longitudinal Predictor of Social Anxiety Disorder Development in Adolescence,” explores how brain connectivity patterns can predict the onset of social anxiety over time. Through advanced neuroimaging techniques and longitudinal data analysis, Robert’s work provides valuable insights into early identification and intervention strategies for youth at risk of developing anxiety disorders. His research has been recognized with the INS SLC Research Award, distinguishing his abstract as one of the best research submissions by a student or trainee at the International Neuropsychological Society (INS) Annual Meeting. Robert’s commitment to advancing knowledge in adolescent mental health contributes to the growing understanding of neural predictors of psychological outcomes and informs future clinical applications.