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Student Handbook

The Graduate Student Handbook provides the policies and procedures for the Psy.D. Program in Counseling Psychology.

Fall 2024 Student Handbook

Previous versions of the handbook:

Fall 2023 Student Handbook
Spring 2023 Student Handbook
Fall 2022 Student Handbook


Faculty and Students

Dr. Valerie LeakeDr. Valerie Leake
Professor and Director of Training

leakev@apsu.edu
931-221-6275

Dr. Leake earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky in 2006. She completed her internship at the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center and joined the faculty at Radford University in Virginia in 2007 after spending a year as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the University of Kentucky’s Counseling Psychology program. In 2014, she left Radford to work at the Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center with the Posttraumatic Stress Disorders Clinical Team and as Evidence-Based Psychotherapies Coordinator. She returned to Radford University as Director of the Psy.D. program from 2016-2021. She joined the Psy D in Counseling Psychology program faculty at Austin Peay State University as Director in 2021. Her research interests include military veteran reintegration, particularly for rural veterans, posttraumatic stress disorder, evidence-based treatments, integrated care, and adolescent belonging. Dr. Leake is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs (CCPTP) where she served as Secretary, and a commissioner on APA's Commission on Accreditation (CoA).She is licensed as a clinical psychologist in Virginia with pending licensure in Tennessee and enjoys working with veterans, couples, and families.

Dr. Daniel McKelveyDr. Daniel McKelvey
Assistant Professor

mckelveyd@apsu.edu
931-221-1247

Dr. Daniel McKelvey earned his Ph.D. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from the University of South Alabama in 2019. He completed his internship at The Ohio State University’s Counseling and Consultation Service and completed a year-long postdoctoral residency in multicultural counseling at San Jose State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services. In 2020, he was hired as a core faculty member of Austin Peay State University’s newly launched Counseling Psychology PsyD program. His research interests include masculinities, gender role strain, intimate partner violence, sexual assault prevention, multicultural counseling competency, structural equation modeling, and item response theory.

 

Brian PetersBrian P. I am a current student and member of the inaugural cohort in the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Counseling Psychology program. I also earned my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees at Austin Peay State University. My research and clinical interests include working with children and families, neurodiversity, autism, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I have had practica experiences in our training clinic and private practice. I am also the student coordinator of the Supervision, Training Research, Evaluation, and Treatment for Children (STRETCH) lab. Through the lab, we have been able to provide a variety of services and support to a number of community partners. I appreciate the small cohort sizes and close collaboration with faculty in our program. I value the friendships and working relationships I have been able to cultivate in the program.

Tyler T.Tyler T.

I am a member of the inaugural cohort for the PsyD program. I am an Army veteran and a first-generation non-traditional student. My research interests include religious trauma, existential therapy, and specific concerns afflicting current and former military members. My training experiences include working with the Military Student Center, Student Counseling Services, and the PsyD programs training clinic. I have also taught several courses in the Masters and undergraduate programs. These experiences have greatly informed my career goals and I am currently leaning towards working in a college counseling clinic following graduation with the opportunity to also be an adjunct professor. I am strongly invested in program cohesion and comradery so I strive to help foster an inclusive and warm environment for all students and this is a shared mindset with the program faculty.

 

Kari B.Kari B.

A member of the fourth PsyD cohort. My interests include military psychology, sport and performance psychology, children and families, neurodiversity, and supervision. Training experiences have included co-leading groups, working with clients, presenting at a conference and training in specific, evidence-based treatments as well as teaching within the psychology department and supervising master's student mentees. 
Leah W.Leah W. Austin Peay is a very familiar place for me!  I graduated with my Master’s degree from APSU in 2014, was offered a position as an adjunct instructor in 2017, and decided to pursue my doctoral degree with APSU in 2021.  I have experience working with various populations, including inpatient, incarcerated individuals, children and families involved in the juvenile justice system, military, and their families, private practice, and outpatient.  I am an Army veteran spouse with significant research interest in the military population.  My long-term goal is to work with the Veteran’s Administration.  Personal and professional experience has led my interest in working with military mental health care.

Jordana MclaughlinJordana M.

Jordana McLaughlin is a third year in the doctoral program. Jordana earned her master’s of science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at West Virginia University and her bachelor’s of science in Psychology at The University of Pittsburgh. Jordana has her License in Professional Counseling in Pennsylvania and has had her own private practice, worked in private insurance, and worked at the Department of Veteran Affairs Veteran Benefits Administration. Her clinical and research interests include assessment, chronic pain and disability, infertility, integrated behavioral health, mindfulness-based interventions, neuropsychology, positive psychology, trauma, and women’s issues. Jordana would like to continue working with veteran populations or within an integrated behavioral healthcare setting. In her spare time, Jordana enjoys baking, cooking, hiking, and running.


Austin Peay State University SACS Accreditation

Please see here for accreditation status and information for the university: Accreditation (apsu.edu)

American Psychological Association Accreditation Status 

The Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology Program at Austin Peay State University is applying for accreditation from the American Psychological Association and has been approved for a site visit in Fall 2024. If you have questions about the accreditation process for doctoral programs in psychology, you can contact the APA via the following means:

American Psychological Association
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation / Commission on Accreditation
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: 202-336-5979
TDD/TTY: 202-336-6123
Fax: 202-336-5978
E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org
Internet Webpage: APA Accreditation
APA Accreditation Status: Programs Applying for Initial APA Accreditation