Note: Sharelle Langaigne will be co-hosting the “Art and Mental Health” session with Dr. Iannone on November 5, 2019 (Tuesday) from 7 to 9pm in MAC Room N204. Come join us to learn about how art and creativity can impact and improve your mental health by participating in art activities.
I graduated with my B.S. in Psychology from Stevenson University in May 2015. I recently completed my Master’s degree in Art Therapy and Creativity Development from the Pratt Institute and will be taking the licensing exam to become a Board Certified Art Therapist.
I am currently working in Washington D.C. at an emergency domestic violence shelter where I am designing and facilitating arts-based integrative mental health groups for domestic violence survivors. Taking place at both the shelter and in the community, these groups inspire individual expression and bring healing through creative arts.
The Stevenson Psychology program has provided me with the foundation to learn and grow in various contexts. The thoughtfully-designed curriculum has prepared me very well, from conducting research to communicating clearly in writing using APA style. The many opportunities to present at SU (e.g., Stevenson Psychology Student Research Showcase) and Regional conferences (e.g., Eastern Psychological Association), as well as the completion of internship were crucial for my professional development. Above all, the Psychology faculty are always going out of their way to encourage us to achieve our dreams. I would like to especially thank Dr. Spada and Dr. Tulloch. While Dr. Spada has taught me the value of engaging in community services and what it means to become a woman leader, Dr. Tulloch has taught me not to give up when I encounter challenges. Taken together, I feel very prepared as a result of the excellent education I received as a Psychology major at Stevenson.
I am ending my essay with a piece of advice for our current students. You are all so lucky to be studying at Stevenson! As I talked to my friends from other schools, I found out that not many of their faculty knew them by their names or able to establish close relationships with them. As such, make the most of your Stevenson experience! Work hard and you will be successful!