Teaching Philosophy
Teaching and mentoring offer unique opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others. One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is developing mentoring relationships with students and assisting them in identifying, pursuing, and achieving their career and educational goals. My graduate and undergraduate courses are designed to maximize critical thinking and active. My greatest contribution to teaching undergraduate students is reflected in the development of a two-semester service learning course. Many undergraduate students are interested in obtaining hands-on experiences to apply the knowledge that they have gained in college to real world problems. They also seek skills that will make them competitive for admission to prestigious graduate schools or marketable for attractive jobs. At the same time, our communities are facing increasing social problems and shrinking financial resources.
The first semester of this course focuses on the acquisition of knowledge related to research and theory on domestic violence and multicultural issues. During the second semester, students work in a shelter in our community that serves women and children who experienced domestic violence. Although the focus of the course is on domestic violence, many students indicate that most of the learning relates to advancing understanding of multicultural issues (e.g., race, ethnicity, poverty, socioeconomic status, opportunity and privilege). Participants often state that they value putting the knowledge gained in their courses into practice. At the conclusion of this course, students demonstrated an ability to extend beyond theoretical discussions about diversity to confront the challenges of helping relationships in multicultural situations and to envision themselves as agents of social change. Evaluations of the course indicated that students were effective advocates for abused women and their children (O’Brien, Patel, Hensler-McGinnis, & Kaplan, 2005; O’Brien, K.M, Risco, C.M., Castro, J., & Goodman, L.A. (2014).
The first semester of this course focuses on the acquisition of knowledge related to research and theory on domestic violence and multicultural issues. During the second semester, students work in a shelter in our community that serves women and children who experienced domestic violence. Although the focus of the course is on domestic violence, many students indicate that most of the learning relates to advancing understanding of multicultural issues (e.g., race, ethnicity, poverty, socioeconomic status, opportunity and privilege). Participants often state that they value putting the knowledge gained in their courses into practice. At the conclusion of this course, students demonstrated an ability to extend beyond theoretical discussions about diversity to confront the challenges of helping relationships in multicultural situations and to envision themselves as agents of social change. Evaluations of the course indicated that students were effective advocates for abused women and their children (O’Brien, Patel, Hensler-McGinnis, & Kaplan, 2005; O’Brien, K.M, Risco, C.M., Castro, J., & Goodman, L.A. (2014).
Community Interventions: Domestic Violence (PSYC 318/319)
Helping Children in Abusive Families: An Innovative Approach to Engaging Psychology Students in Service Learning
"Students in PSYC 318D spend the semester learning about the complexities of addressing the epidemic of domestic violence. The following semester, students who successfully complete the first course have the opportunity to enroll in PSYC 319D, the service learning experience where they put their learning into practice by providing psychotherapeutic play in shelters for survivors of domestic violence. Since the year 2000, over 140 students in this course have donated over 10,800 hours to their local community in service that helps those at the shelter, but mostly changes the students’ lives and perspectives."
"Students in PSYC 318D spend the semester learning about the complexities of addressing the epidemic of domestic violence. The following semester, students who successfully complete the first course have the opportunity to enroll in PSYC 319D, the service learning experience where they put their learning into practice by providing psychotherapeutic play in shelters for survivors of domestic violence. Since the year 2000, over 140 students in this course have donated over 10,800 hours to their local community in service that helps those at the shelter, but mostly changes the students’ lives and perspectives."
Several PSYC 318/319 Alumni
Neva Bowers
I am currently in my 4th year of teaching French at Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tennessee. Whitehaven is a Title 1 school where many students are impacted by poverty and violence. My greatest joy as a teacher has been traveling with my students to Quebec, Canada -- their first adventure out of Memphis.
My experience at the Family Crisis Center taught me the immense importance of building relationships with the people you are serving. The relationships that I formed with the children and their mothers motivated me to work hard while informing how I could best serve them. As an outsider, coming to lend a hand in a community that was not my own, I needed to make those connections, build trust, and learn what the shelter residents needed.
While volunteering at the shelter, I decided that I wanted to pursue social justice work after graduating from Maryland. After the time I spent with the women and children there, I could not imagine having a job that did not help those who have been disadvantaged in our society. Specifically, it helped me to realize how important it is for me to work directly with the people that I am serving. I decided to become a teacher because I wanted to work alongside students and families while combatting the social problems that have created such a flawed education system.
I am currently in my 4th year of teaching French at Whitehaven High School in Memphis, Tennessee. Whitehaven is a Title 1 school where many students are impacted by poverty and violence. My greatest joy as a teacher has been traveling with my students to Quebec, Canada -- their first adventure out of Memphis.
My experience at the Family Crisis Center taught me the immense importance of building relationships with the people you are serving. The relationships that I formed with the children and their mothers motivated me to work hard while informing how I could best serve them. As an outsider, coming to lend a hand in a community that was not my own, I needed to make those connections, build trust, and learn what the shelter residents needed.
While volunteering at the shelter, I decided that I wanted to pursue social justice work after graduating from Maryland. After the time I spent with the women and children there, I could not imagine having a job that did not help those who have been disadvantaged in our society. Specifically, it helped me to realize how important it is for me to work directly with the people that I am serving. I decided to become a teacher because I wanted to work alongside students and families while combatting the social problems that have created such a flawed education system.
Janice E. Castro
I am a 5th year doctoral student in the counseling psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
A lasting lesson I took away from my experience in the course/in shelter is that domestic violence is a systemic issue, not a familial/women/individual issue.
One specific way in which my experience has impacted my professional and/or personal life is that the I was able to understand first hand how research and clinical work are both critical in understanding domestic violence. The unique experience had driven me to pursue graduate school in counseling psychology with one of my research focuses on domestic violence, specifically in the Latina/o community.
I am a 5th year doctoral student in the counseling psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
A lasting lesson I took away from my experience in the course/in shelter is that domestic violence is a systemic issue, not a familial/women/individual issue.
One specific way in which my experience has impacted my professional and/or personal life is that the I was able to understand first hand how research and clinical work are both critical in understanding domestic violence. The unique experience had driven me to pursue graduate school in counseling psychology with one of my research focuses on domestic violence, specifically in the Latina/o community.
Michelle Dagne
I am currently working for DC SAFE, a domestic violence organization that focuses on helping victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking. I primarily assist survivors in drafting petitions for civil protection orders and getting connected to other resources, such as shelter, counseling, and legal assistance. I also accompany survivors during their CPO hearings and work on our 24/7 response line. I hope to return to school next year for my Masters in Social Work.
Working with the kids at the FCC was definitely one of the highlights of my week. The kids always put a smile to my face, and I learned a great deal from them, their mothers, and the shelter staff every week.
My experience at the Family Crisis Center was integral to the work I do now. I learned how pervasive and devastating intimate partner violence is in the world - it's an issue that knows no bounds. Learning about domestic violence from Dr. O'Brien's course and working at the FCC inspired me to do what I can to combat domestic violence. When I work with clients - who more than not have children - I have a better understanding of how the situation may be affecting their children. I am so appreciate for everything I learned from Dr. O'Brien and the FCC!
I am currently working for DC SAFE, a domestic violence organization that focuses on helping victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking. I primarily assist survivors in drafting petitions for civil protection orders and getting connected to other resources, such as shelter, counseling, and legal assistance. I also accompany survivors during their CPO hearings and work on our 24/7 response line. I hope to return to school next year for my Masters in Social Work.
Working with the kids at the FCC was definitely one of the highlights of my week. The kids always put a smile to my face, and I learned a great deal from them, their mothers, and the shelter staff every week.
My experience at the Family Crisis Center was integral to the work I do now. I learned how pervasive and devastating intimate partner violence is in the world - it's an issue that knows no bounds. Learning about domestic violence from Dr. O'Brien's course and working at the FCC inspired me to do what I can to combat domestic violence. When I work with clients - who more than not have children - I have a better understanding of how the situation may be affecting their children. I am so appreciate for everything I learned from Dr. O'Brien and the FCC!
Christina Dias
I am currently in my final semester of the Physician Assistant program at Drexel University. Upon graduation in December 2016, I will begin a position as a primary care PA at Jai Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. I will be practicing in the medically underserved community of East Baltimore as a National Health Service Corps Scholar.
One of the most salient things I took away this course is understanding the complex, interconnected factors that cause women stay in abusive relationships. Women who do not leave abusive relationships are often judged and their character and/or the severity of their situation is called into question. I’m grateful that this course gave me the ability to refute this dominant narrative and be supportive rather than critical of victims of intimate partner
violence.
Once I am practicing as a PA, I will incorporate domestic violence screenings into my patient visits, as well as provide resources and accommodations to women experiencing intimate partner violence. Knowing I wanted to practice medicine while I was an undergrad, I was inspired by this course and my experiences in shelter to incorporate helping women in violent situations into my career as much as possible.
I am currently in my final semester of the Physician Assistant program at Drexel University. Upon graduation in December 2016, I will begin a position as a primary care PA at Jai Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. I will be practicing in the medically underserved community of East Baltimore as a National Health Service Corps Scholar.
One of the most salient things I took away this course is understanding the complex, interconnected factors that cause women stay in abusive relationships. Women who do not leave abusive relationships are often judged and their character and/or the severity of their situation is called into question. I’m grateful that this course gave me the ability to refute this dominant narrative and be supportive rather than critical of victims of intimate partner
violence.
Once I am practicing as a PA, I will incorporate domestic violence screenings into my patient visits, as well as provide resources and accommodations to women experiencing intimate partner violence. Knowing I wanted to practice medicine while I was an undergrad, I was inspired by this course and my experiences in shelter to incorporate helping women in violent situations into my career as much as possible.
Elyse Frank
I am currently Dr. O'Brien's TA for the Psyc318 class and am going into the Family Crisis Center shelter. I am about to start a position as a research assistant with the Center for Study of Traumatic Stress.
My experience in the Family Crisis Center has taught me that it is so important to model healthy relationships for all individuals. Many of the kids in the shelter have not seen the most healthy relationships and in order to discontinue the cycle of violence and its transference from generation to generation it is important to model what is healthy so they can learn from that. Additionally, it is incredibly important to increase awareness of domestic violence throughout society and start with education of healthy relationships for kids. Being in shelter is definitely bittersweet as you create good relationships with the kids, but also see them struggle in school.
The class and my experience in shelter has influenced my professional life in that it opened my eyes towards opportunities in clinical and counseling psych rather sticking with research. Further, after learning about PTSD in victims of domestic violence it has encouraged me to be interested in working with PTSD in veterans. Personally, I am much more aware of healthy and unhealthy relationships that I see around me.
I am currently Dr. O'Brien's TA for the Psyc318 class and am going into the Family Crisis Center shelter. I am about to start a position as a research assistant with the Center for Study of Traumatic Stress.
My experience in the Family Crisis Center has taught me that it is so important to model healthy relationships for all individuals. Many of the kids in the shelter have not seen the most healthy relationships and in order to discontinue the cycle of violence and its transference from generation to generation it is important to model what is healthy so they can learn from that. Additionally, it is incredibly important to increase awareness of domestic violence throughout society and start with education of healthy relationships for kids. Being in shelter is definitely bittersweet as you create good relationships with the kids, but also see them struggle in school.
The class and my experience in shelter has influenced my professional life in that it opened my eyes towards opportunities in clinical and counseling psych rather sticking with research. Further, after learning about PTSD in victims of domestic violence it has encouraged me to be interested in working with PTSD in veterans. Personally, I am much more aware of healthy and unhealthy relationships that I see around me.
Abby Kaye-Phillips
I'm now working as the social media coordinator at a luxury events company in Nashville, TN. In addition to weddings, corporate events and nonprofit events we are also the main event planners for the music industry here in Nashville, mainly through the Big Machine Label Group who's client list includes Taylor Swift, Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton and more.
From this course I took away the desire to find the positivity in every situation, no matter how bleak. I watched children who were dealt the worse hands possible laugh, play, learn, grow and even on one occasion, sing "What a Wonderful World" while linking arms and swaying together. If they can have that positive outlook no matter what, I should always strive to do so as well.
Professionally my work is a lot about glitz and glam, so outside the office I engage in community services projects that speak to me. I have spent the past few summers volunteering at a pediatric oncology camp, and it's become incredibly important to me. Like in shelter, these kids have such tough living situations, and it isn't their fault. Anything we can do to make them feel like normal kids, and give them a sense of happiness and freedom is crucial.
I'm now working as the social media coordinator at a luxury events company in Nashville, TN. In addition to weddings, corporate events and nonprofit events we are also the main event planners for the music industry here in Nashville, mainly through the Big Machine Label Group who's client list includes Taylor Swift, Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton and more.
From this course I took away the desire to find the positivity in every situation, no matter how bleak. I watched children who were dealt the worse hands possible laugh, play, learn, grow and even on one occasion, sing "What a Wonderful World" while linking arms and swaying together. If they can have that positive outlook no matter what, I should always strive to do so as well.
Professionally my work is a lot about glitz and glam, so outside the office I engage in community services projects that speak to me. I have spent the past few summers volunteering at a pediatric oncology camp, and it's become incredibly important to me. Like in shelter, these kids have such tough living situations, and it isn't their fault. Anything we can do to make them feel like normal kids, and give them a sense of happiness and freedom is crucial.
Sarah Milam
I took Dr. O'Brien's domestic violence service-learning course in Fall 2010-Spring 2011, when I graduated from the University of Maryland. In the years following graduation I continued to volunteer in the FCC on and off while I also earned my Masters in Counseling Psychology in Counseling Psychology and worked at Maryland Cru, a campus Christian ministry. I conducted my thesis on posttraumatic growth in children following parental divorce. Now I am pursuing my Doctorate in Counseling Psychology at West Virginia University. My practicum site is at a Child Advocacy Center where I continue to serve abused children and draw upon the learning I gained through Dr. O'Brien. In addition to providing individual therapy, I am leading a children's counseling group at the center using many of the skills and resources I first developed in Dr. O'Brien's class running psychoeducational groups for the children.
I credit much of my professional life path to my time in Dr. O’Brien’s service-learning class and my involvement with Family Crisis Center. I was inspired by Dr. O’Brien to see how much change we can bring about through teaching and involving others in the work. Hundreds of lives have been impacted by this program. We provided much needed support to the women, children, and staff at shelter but they, along with Dr. O’Brien’s mentorship, inspired us to make a positive difference in this world. This experience is one that has motivated me to pursue my doctorate degree so that I can continue to inspire others to change the world through teaching, service, and research.
I took Dr. O'Brien's domestic violence service-learning course in Fall 2010-Spring 2011, when I graduated from the University of Maryland. In the years following graduation I continued to volunteer in the FCC on and off while I also earned my Masters in Counseling Psychology in Counseling Psychology and worked at Maryland Cru, a campus Christian ministry. I conducted my thesis on posttraumatic growth in children following parental divorce. Now I am pursuing my Doctorate in Counseling Psychology at West Virginia University. My practicum site is at a Child Advocacy Center where I continue to serve abused children and draw upon the learning I gained through Dr. O'Brien. In addition to providing individual therapy, I am leading a children's counseling group at the center using many of the skills and resources I first developed in Dr. O'Brien's class running psychoeducational groups for the children.
I credit much of my professional life path to my time in Dr. O’Brien’s service-learning class and my involvement with Family Crisis Center. I was inspired by Dr. O’Brien to see how much change we can bring about through teaching and involving others in the work. Hundreds of lives have been impacted by this program. We provided much needed support to the women, children, and staff at shelter but they, along with Dr. O’Brien’s mentorship, inspired us to make a positive difference in this world. This experience is one that has motivated me to pursue my doctorate degree so that I can continue to inspire others to change the world through teaching, service, and research.
Victoria Ortiz
I am currently in the Masters of Social Work program at the University of Texas and will graduate in the Spring of 2017.
The lasting lesson I took away from my shelter experience was that the developmental delays and behavioral problems are real for the children. We read in research and media that mere exposure to violence for children has an effect on their brain and social development, but it was hard for me to comprehend that until I went to shelter, and I met the children and saw the delays first hand.
My time in the shelter combined with the 319 class helped me to narrow my career path. For a while I was unsure of what I wanted to do, but this experienced allowed me to see that I was interested in the field of Domestic Violence prevention and awareness. Which lead me to choose to pursue a social work and law degree so I can eventually become a victim advocate for survivors. Without this experience I might still be trying to decide what career path I wanted to pursue.
I am currently in the Masters of Social Work program at the University of Texas and will graduate in the Spring of 2017.
The lasting lesson I took away from my shelter experience was that the developmental delays and behavioral problems are real for the children. We read in research and media that mere exposure to violence for children has an effect on their brain and social development, but it was hard for me to comprehend that until I went to shelter, and I met the children and saw the delays first hand.
My time in the shelter combined with the 319 class helped me to narrow my career path. For a while I was unsure of what I wanted to do, but this experienced allowed me to see that I was interested in the field of Domestic Violence prevention and awareness. Which lead me to choose to pursue a social work and law degree so I can eventually become a victim advocate for survivors. Without this experience I might still be trying to decide what career path I wanted to pursue.
Sheetal Patel
I am a licensed psychologist, and have been working in torture treatment since I graduated from the Doctoral Program in Counseling Psychology at University of Maryland College Park in 2008. I am currently the Coordinator of Clinical Services at the Torture Abolition Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC), a non-profit that serves survivors of torture in the DC area. I also maintain a small private practice and teach.
I became appreciative of the complexity of people's lives, how there were multiple levels of systems interacting to shape the clients' lives, their psychological well being, stressors, and engagement in counseling and social services.
It was the most meaningful experience as an undergraduate. The relationships with other students, Dr. O'Brien, and the clients were incredibly meaningful for me. It intensified my desire to want to do social justice work as a counseling psychologist.
I am a licensed psychologist, and have been working in torture treatment since I graduated from the Doctoral Program in Counseling Psychology at University of Maryland College Park in 2008. I am currently the Coordinator of Clinical Services at the Torture Abolition Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC), a non-profit that serves survivors of torture in the DC area. I also maintain a small private practice and teach.
I became appreciative of the complexity of people's lives, how there were multiple levels of systems interacting to shape the clients' lives, their psychological well being, stressors, and engagement in counseling and social services.
It was the most meaningful experience as an undergraduate. The relationships with other students, Dr. O'Brien, and the clients were incredibly meaningful for me. It intensified my desire to want to do social justice work as a counseling psychologist.
Deven Powell
I was enrolled in Dr.O'Brien's PSYC318/319D courses the Fall 2014-Spring 2015 year. I also continued to volunteer. at FCC that 2015 summer
Currently I am employed full time at Mosaic Community Services as a Residential Counselor/Administrative Assistant at Mosaic's Residential Crisis Program. This is a program that houses and offers psychoeducational services to seventeen long-term residential clients and twenty-one crisis clients. This program is also associated with and located on the Sheppard Pratt Hospital campus. Our clients receive mental health aid from both Mosaic and Sheppard Pratt physicians and day programs. I am still fairly new to this job but I believe that Dr. O'Brien's course and volunteering in the shelter prepared me for my first job in the mental health field.
I loved working in the shelter. Sometimes it was hard to hear their stories on how they themselves were abused; which made this volunteer work real, raw even. But at the end of each visit, when we would reflect about those four hours-either on the way home and the next day in class, there was always a good thing, a special moment that happened, or maybe group that day was really fun and the kids enjoyed it. There was always something that solidified and kept me drawn to helping those kids and other people. Working in the shelter really opened my eyes to how underrepresented and silenced victimized women and children are in our society. It made me realize more closely how this impacts the children's lives from being uprooted from the life they were living, having to start over- in a new, very crowded house, in a new school, in meeting new people that they may or may not trust; and being separated from a parent and other family members that they miss. Attachment to this work and the children was easy because we bonded and empathized with the kids and their moms. I don't think I'll ever forget those kids and how hard we worked with them and to renovate the shelter's playroom for them.
Dr. O'Brien's course not only prepared me for my job now working with many vulnerable people that have mental illnesses; but they were the first courses that made me really want to be in the mental health field. At Maryland, Psychology students have so many options to be interested in, and by the time I had reached my junior year I still wasn't absolutely sure what I wanted to specialize in. PSYC318/319D brought me to my conclusion. In about a year's time when I'm more acclimated at Mosaic, I plan to go to grad school for Counseling Psychology...I just have to pick a program I think will suit me.
Thank you Dr.O' Brien for all that you've taught us. I truly appreciate the opportunity to work with the kids at the shelter.
I was enrolled in Dr.O'Brien's PSYC318/319D courses the Fall 2014-Spring 2015 year. I also continued to volunteer. at FCC that 2015 summer
Currently I am employed full time at Mosaic Community Services as a Residential Counselor/Administrative Assistant at Mosaic's Residential Crisis Program. This is a program that houses and offers psychoeducational services to seventeen long-term residential clients and twenty-one crisis clients. This program is also associated with and located on the Sheppard Pratt Hospital campus. Our clients receive mental health aid from both Mosaic and Sheppard Pratt physicians and day programs. I am still fairly new to this job but I believe that Dr. O'Brien's course and volunteering in the shelter prepared me for my first job in the mental health field.
I loved working in the shelter. Sometimes it was hard to hear their stories on how they themselves were abused; which made this volunteer work real, raw even. But at the end of each visit, when we would reflect about those four hours-either on the way home and the next day in class, there was always a good thing, a special moment that happened, or maybe group that day was really fun and the kids enjoyed it. There was always something that solidified and kept me drawn to helping those kids and other people. Working in the shelter really opened my eyes to how underrepresented and silenced victimized women and children are in our society. It made me realize more closely how this impacts the children's lives from being uprooted from the life they were living, having to start over- in a new, very crowded house, in a new school, in meeting new people that they may or may not trust; and being separated from a parent and other family members that they miss. Attachment to this work and the children was easy because we bonded and empathized with the kids and their moms. I don't think I'll ever forget those kids and how hard we worked with them and to renovate the shelter's playroom for them.
Dr. O'Brien's course not only prepared me for my job now working with many vulnerable people that have mental illnesses; but they were the first courses that made me really want to be in the mental health field. At Maryland, Psychology students have so many options to be interested in, and by the time I had reached my junior year I still wasn't absolutely sure what I wanted to specialize in. PSYC318/319D brought me to my conclusion. In about a year's time when I'm more acclimated at Mosaic, I plan to go to grad school for Counseling Psychology...I just have to pick a program I think will suit me.
Thank you Dr.O' Brien for all that you've taught us. I truly appreciate the opportunity to work with the kids at the shelter.
Nazish Salahuddin
Director, Department of Psychology Undergraduate Studies, University of Maryland
Director, Department of Psychology Undergraduate Studies, University of Maryland
Chandni D. Shah
I am currently a staff counselor at the University of Maryland Counseling Center. I completed my doctoral training in Counseling Psychology at Purdue University and I completed my internship at UT Austin last year.
The work in Karen's class and internship has deeply impacted me on a personal and professional level. I learned that we are not that different from each other. I took away the idea that anyone can experience relationship violence. I apply this principle to help me connect with my clients. We have to work together as a community to end violence. I also experienced the power of believing and listening to someone.
My experience in the course and the internship sparked a passion. I pursued full time work at a domestic violence agency after graduating. Also, I pursued my doctorate in Counseling Psychology to further my interests in relationship violence prevention, women's issues, and systemic oppressions.
I am currently a staff counselor at the University of Maryland Counseling Center. I completed my doctoral training in Counseling Psychology at Purdue University and I completed my internship at UT Austin last year.
The work in Karen's class and internship has deeply impacted me on a personal and professional level. I learned that we are not that different from each other. I took away the idea that anyone can experience relationship violence. I apply this principle to help me connect with my clients. We have to work together as a community to end violence. I also experienced the power of believing and listening to someone.
My experience in the course and the internship sparked a passion. I pursued full time work at a domestic violence agency after graduating. Also, I pursued my doctorate in Counseling Psychology to further my interests in relationship violence prevention, women's issues, and systemic oppressions.
Nini (Goldberg) Slochowsky
I am pursuing my PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University-Post.
The longest lasting lesson I learned from my experience in shelter is the strength and resiliency of people. I met some of the strongest people I have ever met in my life, and was privileged to make their difficult lives that much more manageable.
My experience as both a volunteer and group leader has impacted me in so many ways. This was literally the best experience I had in the first 22 years of my life for my own personal and professional development. I was so lucky to learn from Dr. O’Brien and work with the other amazing students and group leaders, as they are some of the most passionate, bright, and caring people I have ever met.
I am pursuing my PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University-Post.
The longest lasting lesson I learned from my experience in shelter is the strength and resiliency of people. I met some of the strongest people I have ever met in my life, and was privileged to make their difficult lives that much more manageable.
My experience as both a volunteer and group leader has impacted me in so many ways. This was literally the best experience I had in the first 22 years of my life for my own personal and professional development. I was so lucky to learn from Dr. O’Brien and work with the other amazing students and group leaders, as they are some of the most passionate, bright, and caring people I have ever met.
Jordan Stoner
After graduating from University of Maryland, College Park in 2015, I've spent my time working as a community outreach director of a grassroots non-profit campaigning for LGBT rights.
While volunteering in shelter, I learned that intimate partner violence affects society across class, race, and socio-economic status. Having shelter staff and programs that understand multicultural issues is important for service providers and when addressing the needs of survivors.
Working with Dr. O'Brien, other students, and the children in shelter made me realize I want to dedicate my career to social justice. It is a rare opportunity to apply the research you do as an undergraduate to issues in your own community, and being able to provide much-needed services to children was the most meaningful experience I had as an undergraduate. Today, I bring my knowledge from shelter on privilege and empathy to help train activists for social change movements to better address the communities that we work in.
After graduating from University of Maryland, College Park in 2015, I've spent my time working as a community outreach director of a grassroots non-profit campaigning for LGBT rights.
While volunteering in shelter, I learned that intimate partner violence affects society across class, race, and socio-economic status. Having shelter staff and programs that understand multicultural issues is important for service providers and when addressing the needs of survivors.
Working with Dr. O'Brien, other students, and the children in shelter made me realize I want to dedicate my career to social justice. It is a rare opportunity to apply the research you do as an undergraduate to issues in your own community, and being able to provide much-needed services to children was the most meaningful experience I had as an undergraduate. Today, I bring my knowledge from shelter on privilege and empathy to help train activists for social change movements to better address the communities that we work in.
Danielle Wollner
I am finishing up a dual degree in School Psychology with a focus on therapeutic interventions in the schools. I am currently completing a full-time internship in an elementary school and high school, and will be graduating this coming May.
Never judge a person or his/her situation until you hear their story.
I honestly would not be where I am today without having had the shelter experience. Personally, I really learned to listen to people and to remain open minded, as well as to appreciate even the simplest things in life. Professionally, my work at FCC helped me to feel confident in my therapeutic skills, especially my ability to be empathetic. I do a lot of group counseling in my current work, and still refer to some of the groups that I created for use at shelter. Having such a unique experience as an undergrad student definitely helped pave the path I have taken and helped bring me to where I am today.
I am finishing up a dual degree in School Psychology with a focus on therapeutic interventions in the schools. I am currently completing a full-time internship in an elementary school and high school, and will be graduating this coming May.
Never judge a person or his/her situation until you hear their story.
I honestly would not be where I am today without having had the shelter experience. Personally, I really learned to listen to people and to remain open minded, as well as to appreciate even the simplest things in life. Professionally, my work at FCC helped me to feel confident in my therapeutic skills, especially my ability to be empathetic. I do a lot of group counseling in my current work, and still refer to some of the groups that I created for use at shelter. Having such a unique experience as an undergrad student definitely helped pave the path I have taken and helped bring me to where I am today.
Jenny Wonsever
I am currently participating in a year-long service program with the Franciscan Community Volunteers. As part of this program, I am working full-time in the licensed daycare at Anna Marie’s Alliance. Anna Marie’s is a domestic violence shelter in central Minnesota dedicated to providing safe shelter, support, and referral services for battered women and their children.
Working in the Family Crisis Center greatly inspired me to continue learning about and combating domestic violence in our world. Spending time with the children at the shelter changed me deeply as a person. I came to be more patient and understanding with the children and others in my life. The most important lesson I gained from this experience is that all of these children have the potential for greatness. In my time at the shelter, I was able to see many of the children grow and gain crucial skills for interacting with our society. No child is ever a lost cause. With patience, support, and lots of love, any child can flourish despite the challenges they’ve faced.
This class was the most important experience for forming my professional plans. Before taking PSYC 318, I had absolutely no clue what I wanted to do after graduation. It didn’t take more than a few classes to realize how passionate I feel about domestic violence. Going into the shelter for the first time solidified my decision. I knew that I wanted to continue working at domestic violence shelters – with the children if possible. Every day I am thankful to this experience because it truly formed me as a person and brought me to where I am now.
I am currently participating in a year-long service program with the Franciscan Community Volunteers. As part of this program, I am working full-time in the licensed daycare at Anna Marie’s Alliance. Anna Marie’s is a domestic violence shelter in central Minnesota dedicated to providing safe shelter, support, and referral services for battered women and their children.
Working in the Family Crisis Center greatly inspired me to continue learning about and combating domestic violence in our world. Spending time with the children at the shelter changed me deeply as a person. I came to be more patient and understanding with the children and others in my life. The most important lesson I gained from this experience is that all of these children have the potential for greatness. In my time at the shelter, I was able to see many of the children grow and gain crucial skills for interacting with our society. No child is ever a lost cause. With patience, support, and lots of love, any child can flourish despite the challenges they’ve faced.
This class was the most important experience for forming my professional plans. Before taking PSYC 318, I had absolutely no clue what I wanted to do after graduation. It didn’t take more than a few classes to realize how passionate I feel about domestic violence. Going into the shelter for the first time solidified my decision. I knew that I wanted to continue working at domestic violence shelters – with the children if possible. Every day I am thankful to this experience because it truly formed me as a person and brought me to where I am now.