Previous Graduate Students

2023

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Emily Sonnen, Ph.D.
Dr. Emily Sonnen graduated from the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August 2023. Her dissertation was entitled Adverse Childhood Experiences and Visual-Spatial Deficits: Relationships with Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Adolescent Girls at a Residential Treatment Program. She completed her predoctoral internship at Children's Hospital Colorado. 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
T. Zachary Huit, Ph.D.
Dr. T. Zachary Huit graduated from the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August 2023. His dissertation was entitled Resilient Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth: The Protective Role of Sibling Relationships and Family Environment on Well-Being. He completed his predoctoral internship at the University of Vermont Medical Center. 

2022

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kelsey McCoy-Miles, Ph.D.
Dr. Kelsey McCoy-Miles graduated from the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August 2022. Her dissertation was entitled Learning Social and Emotional Skills in Head Start: Influence of Familial Risk Factors and Teacher Perceptions. She completed her predoctoral internship at the Charleston Consortium at the Medical University of South Carolina. 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Katie Meidlinger, Ph.D.
Dr. Katie Meidlinger graduated from the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August 2022. Her dissertation was entitled Parenting Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth: Relationship between Parental Acceptance-Rejection, Sense of Competence, Access of Resources, and Gender Affirming Parenting PracticesShe completed her predoctoral internship through the Nebraska Internship Consortium at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln's Counseling and Psychological Services. 

2020

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kate Theimer, Ph.D. 
Dr. Kate Theimer graduated from the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August 2020. Her dissertation was entitled Increasing Students’ and New Professionals’ Knowledge of Child Sexual Abuse Outcomes: An Evaluation of an Online Intervention. She completed her predoctoral internship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Brittany Biles, Ph.D.

Dr. Brittany Biles graduated from the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August 2020. Her dissertation was entitled Clusters of Symptom Presentation with Sexually Abused Youth: Relationship with Abuse Attributions and Other Factors. She completed her predoctoral internship at the University of Florida. Dr. Biles has accepted a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Florida. 

2019

Jessie Pogue, Ph.D.

Dr. Jessie Pogue graduated from the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in June 2019. Her dissertation was centered on increasing the effectiveness of interventions for children who have experienced sexual abuse at a Child Advocacy Center. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota

2017

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Alayna Schreier, Ph.D.

Dr. Alayna Schreier graduated from the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August 2017. Her dissertation was entitled Early Head Start Home Visitor's Identification of Risk for Maltreatment. She completed her predoctoral internship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Schreier is currently a NIDA T-32 postdoctoral fellow in the Division of Prevention and Community Research at the Yale University School of Medicine.


 

2016

Samantha Pittenger, Ph.D.
Dr. Samantha Pittenger graduated from the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2016 after completing her pre-doctoral internship with the Mississippi Consortium (Dissertation: Predicting Sexual Revictimization of Children and Adolescents: A Prospective Examination Using Ecological Systems Theory). Dr. Pittenger is currently completing a two-year, National Institute on Drug Abuse T-32 Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Division of Prevention and Community Research at Yale School of Medicine. Her research interests focus on the prevention of childhood victimization and its social, behavioral, emotional, and physical health sequelae. Specific contributions of Dr. Pittenger's program of research include examining heterogeneous outcomes associated with sexual victimization, advancing prevention and intervention programs for childhood victimization, and understanding the intersection of victimization and health risk behaviors. 


 

2015

Tiffany Brandt, Ph.D.
Dr. Tiffany Brandt graduated from the Clinical Psychology Training Program in 2015 after completing her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Her dissertation was entitled Adolescent Sexual Abuse Victims: Examining the Heterogeneity of Symptom Presentation Based on the Bioecological Model. She completed a post-doctoral research fellowship at UAMS under the mentorship of Drs. Peter S. Jensen and Teresa L. Kramer. Dr. Brandt is currently an Assistant Professor and the Clinical and Research Director of the Child Diagnostic Unit (CDU) at UAMS. The CDU is a 10-bed, inpatient facility for children ages 2 to 12 years old. Children with significant behavioral, emotional, and developmental difficulties stay in the hospital for 28 days in order to receive a medication washout as well as comprehensive psychological, occupational, and speech language evaluations to best understand his/her complex diagnostic presentation. Families are provided with in-depth recommendations for school, therapy, home, and community services that will best address the child’s individual needs.  Dr. Brandt also serves as a team member of the Arkansas Building Effective Services for Trauma (ARBEST) program, which is a state funded initiative to disseminate evidence-based, trauma-informed, services to mental health providers across Arkansas. She recently lead a project through the Child Advocacy Centers in Arkansas that was designed to identify and treat adolescents who are at risk, or have experienced, commercial sexual exploitation. She is also nationally certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.


 

 2014

Grace Hubel, Ph.D.
Dr. Grace Hubel graduated from the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August, 2014.  Her dissertation was entitled Identifying Risk for and Preventing Child Maltreatment in Early Head Start Families.  She completed internship at the Charleston Consortium Psychology Internship Training Program in Charleston, SC and a Post Doctoral Fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina's (MUSC) center for Counseling and Psychological Services. She is currently employed as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the College of Charleston (CofC) in Charleston, South Carolina. In addition to responsibilities in the Psychology Department, Dr. Hubel teaches and mentors students in the Masters of Science Program in Child Life, a joint program between CofC and MUSC. She also co-directs a mental health consultation program to Head Start and Early Head Start of Charleston County.



2011

Christopher Campbell, Ph.D. 
Dr. Campbell graduated from the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August of 2011. His dissertation was entitled, Adapting an Evidence-Based Intervention to Improve Social and Behavioral Competence in Head Start Children: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Teacher-Child Interaction Training. He completed his clinical child/pediatric internship and a NIH Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oklahoma.

Dr. Campbell is currently an Assistant Professor at East Central University in Ada, OK. His primary clinical and research interests include the assessment and treatment of youth with problematic parent-child and/or teacher-child relationships. Dr. Campbell is a Level II Trainer for Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) International, and co-developer of the Teacher-Child Interaction Training – Preschool Program (TCIT-PRE).

 



2010

Natasha Elkovitch Latzman, Ph.D.
Dr. Elkovitch Latzman graduated from the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August, 2010. Her dissertation was entitled, Multiple Determinants of Sexualized Behavior in Middle Childhood: A Developmental Psychopathology Perspective. She completed a clinical child/pediatric internship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS. She is currently employed as a Behavioral Scientist in the Division of Violence Prevention at the National Center for Injury Control & Prevention at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA.

Poonam Tavkar, Ph.D.
Dr. Tavkar graduated from the Clinical Psychology Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August, 2010. Her dissertation was entitled, Psychological and Support Characteristics of Parents of Child Sexual Abuse Victims: Relationship with Child Functioning and Treatment. She completed an internship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN. She is currently employed as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

 


 

2009

Judi Jordan Withrow, Ph.D.
Dr. Withrow graduated from the clinical psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August of 2009. Her dissertation was entitled, Cognitive Content of Socially Anxious Adolescents: Behavioral and Physiological Correlates Across Two Behavioral Tasks. Dr. Withrow completed an internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA. She is currently a Lecturer at Penn State University.

Kate Wilson, Ph.D.
Dr. Wilson graduated from the clinical psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August of 2009. Her dissertation was entitled, The Neuropsychological Effects of the Traumatic Stress Response in Sexually Abused Adolescents Throughout Treatment. Dr. Wilson's internship (2008-2009) was with the Oregon Health and Science University Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (a LEND program) in Portland, OR. In 2009-2011, she completed a post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. Currently, Dr. Wilson is employed as a pediatric neuropsychologist at WakeMed Rehabilitation Center in Raleigh, NC.

Glen Veed, Ph.D.
Dr. Veed graduated from the clinical psychology program at UNL in August of 2009. His dissertation, jointly chaired by David Hansen and Lisa Crockett on the Developmental faculty, was entitled, The Role of the Peer Group in Adolescence: Effects on Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms. Dr. Veed completed his internship through the Nebraska Internship Consortium in Professional Psychology. He recently opened a private practice, the Center for Anxiety and Social Intervention in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. Dr. Veed specializes in the evidence-based treatment of anxiety and mood disorders in children, teens, and adults.


 

 2008

Lindsay Cronch Asawa, Ph.D.
Dr. Asawa graduated from the clinical psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August of 2008. Her dissertation was entitled, Reducing the Risk of Child Maltreatment Through the Early Head Start Program. In 2007-2008, Dr. Asawa completed an internship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. In 2009, she completed a post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric psychology at Children's Medical Center Dallas. Dr. Asawa is currently employed with a group practice in Houston, Texas where she provides assessment and treatment for children and adolescents.

 



2007

Genelle Sawyer, Ph.D.
Dr. Sawyer graduated from the clinical psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August of 2007. Her dissertation was entitled, Heterogeneous Symptom Patterns of Sexually Abused Youth in Treatment. In 2006-2007, Dr. Sawyer completed an internship at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, South Carolina, and subsequently a post-doctoral fellowship at the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center (NCVC) at MUSC from 2007-2009. Dr. Sawyer is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and the current Director of the MA in Clinical-Counseling Program at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. 

 



2006

Thresa Yancey, Ph.D.
Dr. Yancey graduated from the clinical psychology program at UNL in August of 2006. Her dissertation was entitled, Moderating Factors of Child Sexual Abuse Outcomes: An Examination of Children and Their Non-Offending Parents. In 2005-2006, Dr. Yancey completed an internship at Nebraska Intern Consortium-Munroe Meyer Institute in Omaha, Nebraska (a LEND program). Following her internship, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, working with children in foster care. Dr. Yancey is currently employed at Georgia Southern University as an Associate Professor and the Director of Clinical Training for the clinical doctoral program in the Department of Psychology.

Stephanie Bruhn, Ph.D.
Dr. Bruhn graduated from the clinical psychology program at the Univesity of Nebraska-Lincoln in August of 2006. Her dissertation was entitled, "To change or not to change?: An examination of willingess to change in sex offenders." Dr. Bruhn completed an internship at the Munroe-Meyer Institute and her post-doctoral work through the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). Currently, Dr. Bruhn is the Behavioral Health Assistant Administrator-Sex Offender Services for the NDCS where she oversees all sex offender treatment and evaluations.

 


    

2005

Haig Kouyoumdjian, Ph.D.
Dr. Kouyoumdjian graduated from the clinical psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August of 2005. His dissertation was entitled, Nonoffending Parent Expectations of Sexually Abused Children: Predictive Factors and Influence on Children's Recovery. Dr. Kouyoumdjian completed an internship at the Veterans Affairs Northern California Healthcare System. As part of this internship, he was a pediatric consult-liaison at the Shriner's Hospital for Children and at UC Davis Children's Hospital. He completed his post-doctoral fellowship at Kaiser Permanente in Martinez, CA. Currently, Dr. Kouyoumdjian is an Assistant Professor at Mott Community College in Flint, MI and co-authors the textbook Introduction to Psychology, by Rod Plotnik and Haig Kouyoumdjian, which is currently in its 9th edition.

 


    

2004

John Clemmons, Ph.D.
Dr. Clemmons received his doctorate degree in August, 2004 after completing an internship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Department of Pediatrics, Child Study Center and Center on Child Abuse and Neglect. He is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Department of Pediatrics: Center for Children at Risk, Family Treatment Program.

 



2003

Eugenia Hsu Tsao, Ph.D.
Dr. Hsu completed an internship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and postdoctoral fellowship at the Harbor - UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Hsu Tsao is currently the Director of Clinical Services at UCLA TIES for Families, an interdisciplinary program that works in collaboration with the public child welfare and mental health systems (http://people/www.tiesforadoption.ucla.edu/).

 


    

2002

Gabriel Holguin, Ph.D.
Dr. Holguin graduated from the clinical psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August of 2002. His dissertation was entitled, The 'Sexually Abused Child': Potential Mechanisms of Adverse Influences of Such a Label. In 2001-2002, Dr. Holguin completed an internship with the United States Air Force at the Malcom Grow Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. Dr. Holguin served as a Captain with the United States Air Force and practiced at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico and at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Dr. Holguin has been in private practice since February 2006. The predominant focus of Dr. Holguin's private practice is as a forensic psychologist in which he offers trial consultation services. He also serves as an expert witness, both nationally and internationally, on topics such as child sexual abuse, sexual assault, rape, and other violent crimes. He is also actively involved in a variety of public policy initiatives and is a U.S.-Iraq War II veteran (i.e., Operations Enduring & Iraqi Freedom).

 



2001

Georganna Sedlar, Ph.D.

Dr. Sedlar currently is an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine and an Adjunct Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychology at University of Washington. She engages in teaching, program administration, consultation/supervision, and providing clinical evaluation services to foster and adopted children.

Prior to her current position at UW, Dr. Sedlar worked at the Child and Adolescent Abuse, Resource, Evaluation (CAARE) Diagnostic and Treatment Center of UC Davis Children's Hospital in Sacramento, CA where she oversaw its Trauma Focused CBT program.

 



2000

Debra B. Hecht, Ph.D.
Dr. Hecht graduated from the clinical psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2000. Her dissertation was entitled, The Role of Family Support in Child Adjustment and Response to Treatment after Sexual Abuse. Dr. Hecht completed an internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Hecht is currently employed as an Associate Professor at the Center on Child Abuse and Neglect in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, where she provides supervision and training to Psychology interns, post-doctoral fellows, and practicum students.Clinical and research interests include the implementation of evidence-based practice into the field and the development and evaluation of appropriate assessment and treatment programs for children who have been abused and neglected and their families.  She currently is involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of evidence based practice to reduce child maltreatment within a statewide home-based service program for high-risk families provided by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Dr. Hecht is also consulting with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services on the state’s Title IV-E Waiver Demonstration project to provide intensive services to families as alternative to foster care.

 



1998

Kristine Futa, Ph.D.
Dr. Futa graduated from the clinical psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August of 1998. Her dissertation was entitled, Development and Initial Evaluation of Project SAFE: A Group Treatment for Sexually Abused Children and Their Nonoffending Parents. Dr. Futa completed an internship at the Long Beach Veterans Medical Center in Long Beach, California. She completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Futa is presently a staff member of the Chemical Dependency Recovery Program at Kaiser Permanente in the Bay Area of Northern California.