2022 Leadership Collaborative Fellow Bios

EARLY CAREER PRACTITIONERS

Madeline Brodt

Madeline Brodt is an Assistant Professor in the Counseling and Counseling Psychology department at Oklahoma State University. She received her PhD in Counseling Psychology from University of Massachusetts Boston after completing her internship at the Veterans Administration Puget Sound Health Care System, American Lake Division. Madeline values justice, compassion, and honesty and emphasizes these in all areas of her life. Her research focuses on social justice (broadly defined) and has a particular passion for disability, gender, LGBTQIA+, and racial justice issues. Her research is within three main areas: experiences of sexual violence, disability, and transforming training for psychologists. She created the concept of gendered violence stress and is continuing work in this area. Her teaching and pedagogy interests include liberatory education, ethics, and multicultural counseling. She has clinical expertise in working with survivors of trauma, diverse populations, and group therapy. She has held several different leadership positions as a graduate student, including an APAGS ACT committee member. Currently, she is a member of the SCP ECP committee. Outside of work, she loves hanging out with her two corgis and partner, Bob. She also enjoys creating pottery, drag, reading, and baking.

Taisha Caldwell-Harvey, Ph.D.

Taisha Caldwell-Harvey, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice and founder of The Black Girl Doctor, a virtual mental health practice that specializes in therapy, coaching, and workplace wellness programs for professional Black women. Prior to starting private practice, Dr. Caldwell-Harvey spent 7 years as a mental health program manager for the University of California where most notably, she managed an $8M mental health grant that spanned across the 10 campus system. In that role, she spearheaded new innovations, policy changes, funding augmentations, and the identification of best practices in responding to the mental health needs of diverse college students. Dr. Caldwell-Harvey is a proud alumna of Spelman College and earned her Masters and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She completed both a pre and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California Irvine, and has published research in the areas of worldview, achievement motivation, retention, and career selection. She served on the National leadership board for The Association of Black Psychologists Student Circle (ABPsi), and is an alum of APA's Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) Psychology Summer Institute (PSI).

Klaus E. Cavalhieri, Ph.D.

Klaus E. Cavalhieri, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor and Co-Training Director in the department of Counseling Psychology and Community Services at the University of North Dakota. He received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale in 2019, and completed his predoctoral internship at SIU's Counseling and Psychological Services. Originally from Brazil, he received his B.A. from Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Klaus' research focuses broadly on multicultural issues in psychology, with a specific focus on social class and classism, race and racism, and violence against women, particularly as it relates to masculinity and men who buy sex. Klaus has served in a number of leadership roles for APA and Division 17. He is currently a member of APA's Committee on Socioeconomic Status (CSES), and part SCP's Curriculum and Praxis Groups. As a graduate student, he was a member of APAGS' Committee for the Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Diversity (APAGS-CARED), and was campus representative for Division 17 from 2016-18. In his free time, Klaus enjoys spending time with his wife and kids.

Yuhong He, Ph.D.

Dr. Yuhong He received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from University of Missouri, Columbia. She completed her doctoral internship at University of Maryland, College Park Counseling Center, and her post-doctoral fellowship at University of Pennsylvania Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). She is a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania and currently works at the West Chester University of Pennsylvania CAPS. She provides multilingual services (Mandarin, Cantonese) in career counseling, individual therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention, outreach, and consultation for the campus and local community. Yuhong is specialized in mental health concerns of international and Asian American students in higher education. She is passionate about working with individuals and groups with marginalized identities and social justice advocacy. Her research areas include coping, career development, and international students’ and immigrants’ mental health.

Dr. Jamey Leeanne Rislin

Dr. Jamey Leeanne Rislin is a licensed counseling psychologist and licensed clinical social worker. She attended Mount Holyoke College and double-majored in psychology and dance. She completed a thesis entitled, “Pushing people to ponder: Using art to comment on social justice issues.” Dr. Rislin danced with PHILADANCO’s apprentice company and later with Danse4Nia Repertory Ensemble as a company member. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from UPenn. She graduated from New Mexico State University’s Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program, earning distinction as a RISE Fellow and a Toy A. Caldwell-Colbert Distinguished Student Service Award winner. Dr. Rislin completed her internship and post-doctorate at the South Texas VA. She was awarded the Art Nezu Diversity Award for her dissertation, "Your stress ain't like mine! A mixed methodological study focused on the impact of the chronic racial stress response and coping on the health of adult African/Black Americans." Currently, Dr. Rislin provides behavioral health services to justice-impacted youth. She is a member of The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, co-chair for The Culture, Race, Ethnicity, Accessible Treatment Repository for Evidence Based Practice Project (C.R.E.A.T.E: Sponsored by Division 45), a board member for The Alliance For Higher Education In Prison and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Dr. Rislin has worked in several settings with diverse clients. Her research focuses on minority mental health, the impact of systems of oppression on mental and physical health/coping, and best practices in improving treatment for diverse clients/client systems. She is interested in multicultural considerations in psychology, mental health literacy, diversity/equity/inclusion (DEI), and the pedagogy of DEI. She resides with her partner, son and brother-in-law. She values warmth, compassion, authenticity, passion, creativity, collaboration and balance. Dr. Rislin is a scientist-practitioner-advocate-artist and brings this level of integrated thought to all aspects of her work.

Drew Underwood

Drew Underwood is an adjunct instructor at Temple University and associate counselor at Community Partnership School in Philadelphia, PA. He received his master’s in Counseling Psychology from Temple University and a B.A. in Psychology from Duke University. His clinical interests include working with emerging adult populations with a variety of concerns presenting in both community and higher education contexts. His research interests include exploring the real-world impacts disparities in mental health diagnosis and treatment have on the lives of Black people. Outside of professional interests, he enjoys reading, discovering new music, and spending time with friends and family. 

STUDENTS

Pearis Bellamy, M.S.

Pearis Bellamy, M.S. is a fourth-year counseling psychology doctoral candidate at the University of Florida. In July of 2022, she will be joining the American University Counseling Center as a doctoral intern in health service psychology. Pearis' research and clinical interests include trauma - specifically intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and racial trauma. As a Black doctoral student studying and experiencing racial trauma, Pearis co-founded Academics for Black Survival and Wellness, alongside her mentor, Dr. Della V. Mosley, in hopes of providing healing and support for Black people through collective action in academia. The initiative has garnered over 15,000 participants from across the world who participate in anti-racism trainings centered on accountability and action (non-Black participants) and wellness workshops and experiences (Black participants). Pearis has received awards from the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 56, APA Student Affiliates of 17, and the Organization for the Study of Communication, Language & Gender for her social justice advocacy. She also was recently selected as the 2022 APA/ APAGS Distinguished Graduate Student in Professional Psychology for her work as a graduate student.

Kiara Manosalvas

Kiara Manosalvas (she/hers/ella) is a 4th-year doctoral candidate studying Counseling Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. She identifies as Latina with her roots being from Ecuador and Puerto Rico. Kiara's upbringing has strongly informed her commitment to providing bilingual and social-justice-oriented psychological practice. She is currently an extern at the Brooklyn VA, where her clinical work focuses on Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and PTSD. She also works with the Gender Affirming Letter Access Project, an organization committed to improving access to letters for clients who are seeking gender-affirming medical care. She will be completing her internship year at the Manhattan VA. Broadly, her research interests include social justice training and liberation psychology, community and systemic-level advocacy, and sexual violence among marginalized communities. Her dissertation will focus on the specific curricula and pedagogical strategies utilized by counseling psychologist educators and how these teaching strategies can advance social justice training. Outside of school, she loves checking out independent bookstores and coffee shops in NYC, and alternating between red wine and strong coffee!

Destin Lamontae Mizelle

Destin is a second-year Counseling Psychology doctoral student from College Park, GA. He earned his B.S in Psychology and Minored in African American Studies at the University of Georgia. Destin's research interest broadly includes racial socialization, social justice, mental health disparities in the Black communities, and Black American cultural appreciation. Specifically, Destin is interested in celebrating African American naming patterns and examining the psychological effects of bearing Black Sounding Names. Through the lens of Liberation, Psychology, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Destin's primary goal is to improve Black Americans' spiritual, physical, mental well-being while appreciating their traditions, culture, and history. Destin enjoys exercising, painting, traveling, creative writing, and hanging with friends.

Apoorvee Sawhney, M.Ed. 

Apoorvee is a doctoral candidate in counseling psychology at University of Missouri and currently completing her pre-doctoral internship at University of California, Irvine. Clinically, her interests include working with students regarding adjustment to college/career/U.S, family concerns, spirituality, and identity development. Apoorvee is passionate about outreach and programming and sees it as a form of prevention and advocacy to support marginalized and underrepresented groups. Her research interests include multicultural issues, mentorship, training, and career development. Apoorvee serves on the editorial team for Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology. On a personal note, Apoorvee enjoys connecting with family and friends, exploring new places, watching Netflix. She also practices Nichiren Buddhism and loves spending time with her community.

Kareema M. Smith, M.S.

Kareema (she/her/hers) is a 3rd-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, she later attended George Mason University (also in Virginia) where she earned both a Master of Science in Educational Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She then went on to serve as the Director of Student Success for the university’s Honors College. Currently, Kareema’s research interests include examining both psychological stressors and aspects of positive psychology, such as resilience and well-being among underrepresented groups. More specifically, she focuses on the intersection between racism-related stress and psychological thriving amongst Black folx. While training as a clinician, Kareema has discovered that her view of healing is centered at the heart of connection. Kareema utilizes relational cultural theory (RCT) in her clinical work which states that as human beings, we are wired to connect and as a result, we grow (and heal) through relationships that are empathic, loving, and authentic. She strives to provide this space with her clients. Kareema currently serves as the Wellness and Positive Development Pillar co-chair for Student Affiliates of Seventeen (SAS) (2020-present). Her career goals are to work as a practitioner in a university counseling center while gaining experience in leadership. Long term, she strives to merge her experiences in higher education/student affairs and counseling psychology to serve in a leadership role that focuses on developing, promoting, and advocating for mental health/wellness at an institutional level. Many of Kareema’s values are related to love and community and she thrives from spending time with family and friends, reading and traveling.

Bek (Rebekah) Urban, M.A.

Bek is a 1st year doctoral student in counseling psychology at Oklahoma State University. They earned their M.A. in counseling psychology from Texas Woman's University in 2021 and their B.A. in psychology, English, and political science from Austin College in 2018. Bek's research broadly focuses on gender and queerness with emphases on eating disorders in trans and nonbinary individuals, rape myths and rape culture in the LGBTQ+ community, and oppression-based trauma. They currently serve as the Mentoring Co-Chair for the Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (APA Division 44), as a member of the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) convention committee, and as a member of the Trauma Psychology (APA Division 56) Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, and Equity task force. Bek has also previously served as a member of the Psi Chi steering committee for the Southwestern Region. Clinically, Bek integrates Interpersonal Process in Therapy and Internal Family Systems theories. They focus their clinical work on working with clients who have experienced interpersonal or oppression-based traumas, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people experiencing body image and disordered eating concerns. In their free time, Bek enjoys spending time with their partner and two cats, hiking, bouldering, and making coffee with their homemade syrups.