2008 Cohort

The Psy.D. Program admitted its first group of students in the Spring of 2008 and the following group of 5 students is the inaugural cohort. Students who have agreed to be contacted to answer questions about their experiences can be e-mailed by clicking on their names.

Joshua Bradley jbradley27@radford.edu received his M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Radford University in the Spring of 2006. Soon after graduation he began work as a Supervised Psychologist in Lewisburg, West Virginia. He provided psychological evaluation and therapy services to children, adolescents, and adults. His research interests include social justice issues related to children and adolescents, prevention of mental illness in rural areas, and how rural living influences gender roles. His dissertation proposal is related to social advocacy in practice and was approved in August 2010. He has completed practicum placements at Radford University Career Services, the Mental Health Association of the New River Valley (Christiansburg Free Clinic office), and Radford University Student Counseling Services. He is currently placed at the Free Clinic of the New River Valley where he has worked with clinic staff to develop an integrated primary behavioral health care position.  After receiving his degree he would like to continue clinical work with adolescents and adults, work to improve awareness of the impact that emotional and psychological issues have on development, and be involved in developing more ways to reach persons who might benefit from mental health services. In his spare time he enjoys fishing, exercising, and trying to learn how to play the bagpipes. 

Alexandra M. Herren aherren@radford.edu  received her M.S. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky in 2008.  She completed a three semester practicum at the Nest, a center for women, children, and families.  During her first year in Radford she worked as a practicum student at Radford University’s Student Counseling Services and in her second year she worked at a community mental health center and the Mental Health Association of the New River Valley (Christiansburg Health Department and Pulaski offices).  Alexandra’s current practicum site is at the Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute. Her assistantship at Radford University’s Center for Assessment and Psychological Services is allowing her to gain further testing experience.  Her research interests include family well-being, military families and individuals, dual diagnoses, rural mental health, and animal assisted therapy.  Alexandra’s dissertation is a qualitative study on the themes of veterans transitioning to college life.  Her interests include gardening, reading, hiking, and spirituality.  She adores playing with animals and visiting her family in rural central Louisiana.    

Zetta Nicely znicely@radford.edu obtained a M.A. in Adult Clinical Psychology from East Carolina University in 2006. Before to coming to Radford, she worked near her home in southern West Virginia as a psychologist under supervision at a community-based behavioral health center. Her undergraduate education at Berea College fueled her interest in Appalachian issues, particularly social and environmental justice, cultural dignity and traditional wisdom, as well as women’s concerns in general.  While at Radford, Zetta has had practicum placements at the Women’s Resource Center and at Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute. She currently works as a practicum student at the Dr. G. Wayne Fralin Free Clinic for the Homeless in Roanoke. Zetta also presently enjoys a Graduate Assistant placement in Radford University’s Center for Assessment and Psychological Services.  Zetta’s dissertation is entitled Appalachian Girls’ College Preparedness: An Intervention Programs Comparison.  Zetta cooks, gardens, explores nature, and invents crafty projects every chance she gets.  She’s passionate about living locally and sustainably, and is thrilled by all the new friends, growers, and teachers she is meeting in Radford.  She is slowly learning to sew and plans to begin learning to play banjo while on internship. 

Kevin Simonson krsimonso@radford.edu  acquired a M.A. in Mental Health Counseling at Marist College, New York in 2008. Since beginning his doctoral work at Radford University Kevin has had practicum placements at New River Valley Community Services and Virginia Tech Cook Counseling Center in Blacksburg. At present, he is fulfilling his last practicum at Radford University’s Student Counseling Services. As part of his social justice practicum last summer, he created School’s Out Lunch Delivery, which works in partnership with Radford City Public Schools distributing food to children in Radford who meet the criteria for free or reduced lunch. Research interests include existentialism and belief systems. His dissertation is entitled Atheism in the United States: Investigating how Atheists make Meaning of Discrimination. Whenever there is a moment to spare, you can find Kevin working in his violin making workshop or playing Scottish fiddle music with friends.