Louise Foster (she/her)

Louise started the program in Fall of 2024 with an expected completion date of Spring 2028. Louise is originally from Lexington, KY. Louise received her M.S. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky. Louise also holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Kentucky and a B.A. in Business Administration from Transylvania University. Previously, Louise worked in finance for about 8 years before pursuing her dreams of becoming a psychologist. Louise’s research interests include utilizing qualitative tools to evaluate sexual pleasure and pleasure activism as transformative tools of healing for survivors of sexual assault and marginalized communities.  Louise’s advisor is Dr. Sara Bridges and she is currently in Dr. Bridges’ Constructivist Sexuality Research Lab and Dr. Brodt’s DEFIANTS Lab. In her master’s program, Louise worked with justice involved men in recovery. Louise currently is a practicum student at the University of Memphis Counseling Center. Louise chose the University of Memphis because the program offered diverse research opportunities, unique practica placements, and because of the caring community-oriented vibe of the program. In her free time, Louise likes spending time with her partner, thrifting, trying new restaurants, listening to live music, and cuddling her cat Dolly Purrton!

Bobbie Hall-Price (she/her)

Hometown: Republic, OH – a tiny farming village of 500 in North-Central Ohio 

Previous Education & Background: I have a BA in Psychology from Miami University (Oxford, OH). At Miami I minored in Disability studies and received departmental honors for my thesis titled: "Identifying moderating risk factors in the relationship between maternal borderline personality disorder and childhood anxiety". I worked in clinical research within the school of public health and gynecologic oncology departments at The Ohio State University for 2 years. After, I worked at the University of Pittsburgh for 2 as a Project Director for a longitudinal study (20+ years) aimed at testing the efficacy of a home-based family intervention for high-risk families.  

Year Started/Expected Completion: 2025 start; 2030 completion 

Advisor: Dr. Madeline Brodt 

Research Interests: My research is informed by critical disability theory, disability and social justice, and intersectionality theory. I am particularly focused on the experiences of multiply marginalized individuals, examining both the positive and negative dimensions of their participation in identity-based communities. For instance, a person who is Black, disabled, queer, and religious may navigate each community differently due to their intersecting identities. Through qualitative methods, I aim to explore these experiences and identify the risk and protective factors within these communities that influence individual wellbeing. 

Research Team(s): DEFIANTS (Disability, Education, Fighting Interpersonal Abuse and Nurturing Trauma Survivors) Research Collective  

Graduate Assistantship: Experiential Learning Cloud Administration for master's students in the Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Research Department.  

Why you chose UofM: Initially, I had followed Dr. Madeline's research for many years and was deeply interested in being mentored by her, specifically. However, it was important to me to have not only a flexible advisor/mentor, but also a flexible and adaptable program. I chose UofM primarily because of the Counseling Psychology Program's flexibility in research, dissertation, and career paths. Advisors do not expect you to only work on their research and oftentimes don't mind if you don't work in or stay in their lab at all.  

Interests outside of academics: My first love is nature. I love to garden and take care of my 100+ houseplants. I enjoy being in forests, around water, and truly connecting with the earth ("grounding" is my favorite way of doing this). I also love singing alone, in small groups, or even large groups! I've done it all from solos to 500-person choirs. In my limited free time, I can be found loving on my husband, one-eyed cat, Willow, and having video calls with my friends and family from near and far.  

Advice to applicants or incoming students: Never be afraid to apply to a program or professor more than once, things will work out when the timing is right. I applied to Clinical and Counseling Psychology PhD programs in 2020, 2022, and most recently in 2024. With each application cycle, I’ve come to understand that rejection—while undeniably painful—has also been an essential part of my growth. In hindsight, had I been accepted right after my undergraduate studies, I may have found myself in a program that didn’t fully align with who I was becoming. I’ve gained the practical and emotional tools necessary to support my own wellbeing—something I now recognize as foundational to success in the rigor and demands of a PhD journey.  

Aubrianna Stuckey (she/her/they)

Hometown: Saint Petersburg, FL 

Previous Education & Background: Associate of Arts at Saint Petersburg College; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of South Florida; Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at the University of Central Florida. 

Year Started/Expected Completion: Fall 2025 start, Spring 2030 completion. 

Advisor: Dr. Sara Bridges 

Research Interests: Sexual Gender Minorities (SGM) (i.e., 2SLGBTQIA+) populations and Social Determinants of Health, Sexual Satisfaction, Sexual Mental Health, Intersectional Identities, SGM Couples  

Research Team(s): Psycho-oncology & Emotional Development Studies (PEDS) Health Psychology Lab at All Children's Hospital; Identity Development Lab at UCF; Constructivist Sexuality Research Lab at U of M. 

Graduate Assistantship: Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA) Academic Coach 

Why did you choose U of M?: I elected to join UofM for their devotion to counseling training with varying populations and the flexibility to tailor training to individualized career goals. I valued their focus on advocacy and the research opportunities they offered.  

Personal Interests: Dungeons and Dragons; Dance; Site-seeing 

Advice to applicants or incoming students: Be genuine. Learn to be flexible. Be self-motivated.  

Shantta Robertson (she/her/hers)  

Hometown: Thibodaux, LA

Previous Education & Background: I'm an LSU alumna. I earned a B.S. in Psychology and M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling there. My relevant work experience includes teaching and ABA therapy. I have internship experience in pediatric neuropsychology, college counseling, and IOP care. 

Advisor: Dr. Gabriel Ezema 

Research Interests: The effects of race on neurodevelopmental assessments/ diagnoses, and anything pertaining to college students' mental health 

Graduate Assistantship: Academic coaching at the Center for Academic Success and Achievement  

Why did you choose U of M?: I admire the research and accomplishments of our faculty. I was eager to experience a new state, while remaining in the south, as well. I also greatly appreciate that our program credits the work I completed in my master's program. 

Personal Interests: Bonding with family and friends, traveling, bumping Beyonce, and watching Private Practice 

Advice to applicants or incoming students: I'm open to questions Lmrbrts3@memphis.edu. Best of luck with your application processes! I'm proud of you world changers. 

Colleen Avila (they/them)  

Hometown: Frederick, MD 

Previous Education & Background: B.A. in Studio Art and Philosophy/Neuroscience/Psychology, with a minor in Latin American Studies, from Washington University in St. Louis. My undergraduate work experiences involved directing a peer counseling organization at WashU, interning in the education departments at the National Museum of the American Indian and Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, and interning in Child Life/Art Therapy at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Between graduation and matriculating into UofM, I worked as a Research Assistant and Sexual Health Educator at Johns Hopkins Center for Adolescent and Young Adult Health. 

Year Started/Expected Completion: 2025 start; 2030 completion 

Advisor: Dr. Madeline Brodt 

Research Interests: Ethnic/racial and gender identity construction as it intersects with ideology and interpersonal behavior (in particular, critical whiteness studies and masculinities); restorative justice 

Research Team(s): DEFIANTS Lab and Constructivist Sexualities Research Lab  

Graduate Assistantship: Research Assistantship with Dr. Brodt 

Why you chose UofM: The cohort model was really enticing to me as a person with varied interests! I also appreciated Dr. Brodt’s social justice perspective in pedagogy and research, which felt like it would be extremely valuable to my development. Lastly, I knew I could have an affordable experience in Memphis and enjoy a multifarious and creative city! 

Interests outside of academics: Cooking and baking, bookbinding and mixed-media art, biking, and watching movies! 

Advice to applicants or incoming students: Embrace the multiplicity of your passions! Holistic and interdisciplinary study is valuable to the field. 

Ashley Messina (she/her)

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

Messina is a third-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology PhD program.  She majored in Psychology and double minored in Women’s Studies and Studio Arts at Loyola University New Orleans. She also completed an M.S. in Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She conducts qualitative and quantitative research, and her research and advocacy interests focus on interpersonal trauma and resilience factors, race-based stress, gendered violence, and identity. Her advisor is Dr. Madeline Brodt, and she is a part of the DEFIANTS lab. Outside of school, Ashley enjoys being creative, being in nature, practicing photography, reading, and walking her dog, Leia. 

Kaley Fluke (she/her/hers)

Hometown: Alamosa, CO & San Diego, CA 

Previous Education & Background: I spent my twenties immersed in the music industry in Nashville, TN—working in recording studios, vinyl record manufacturing, and photographing artists. I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Studio Art from the University of New Mexico, with additional studies at the American University in Cairo. During that time, I gained foundational experience in the mental health field through work with the Agora Crisis Center and the Refugee Well-Being Project in Albuquerque, NM and Cairo, Egypt.  

Year Started/Expected Completion: August 2024; August 2029 

Advisor: Dr. Gabriel N. Ezema  

Research Interests: My research interests include populations in transition, crisis work, as well as exploring the mental health and personality traits of artists, musicians, or other creatives involved in the criminal justice system (e.g., as offenders, victims, or wrongly accused).  

Research Team(s): Dr. Lease's Masculinity & Conspiracy Lab 

Graduate Assistantship: Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP) 

Why did you choose U of M: With a background that bridges creative industries, cross-cultural experiences, and mental health work, I was looking for a program where I could deepen both my clinical skills and my understanding of the broader systems that shape people’s lives. I chose the University of Memphis for graduate school because it’s a program that doesn’t just value theory—it values impact and advocacy. Its strong emphasis on social justice, cultural competence, and human variety aligned with my own commitment to working across communities, contexts, and identities. Plus, let’s be honest: Memphis as a city has soul—and I’ve spent enough time in recording studios to know that matters.  

Personal Interests: When I’m not buried in research or counseling work, I’m probably off exploring somewhere, reading three books at once, watching a Western, taking photos at a rock show, or refreshing the news to see if Dr. Kathleen Martinez has finally found Cleopatra’s tomb. (Any day now.) I’m inspired by adventure, stand-up comedy, storytelling, and the way humor and art can make people feel seen. 

Ruby Bosclair

Hometown: Boone, NC

Previous Education & Background: B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Appalachian State University. Former Restorative Justice Practitioner and District Criminal Court mediator.  

Year Started Program: 2022 

Advisor: Dr. Lightsey 

Research interests: Experiences of justice-involved people who are reentering society following incarceration, restorative justice practices, group processes, harm reduction, peer support, and relationships between the criminal legal system and wellbeing.  

Research Team(s): DEFIANTS lab 

Practicum experience(s): Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center (Palliative Care and Memory Clinic Rotations), University of Memphis Counseling Center 

Outside interests: Cooking, thrifting, hiking, and spending time with friends. 

Kara Lawrence

Hometown: Macon, GA

Previous Education & Background: I have a BA in Psychology from Spelman College, and an MA in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Georgia State. Prior to joining the program, I worked in the field of Sexual Assault Advocacy for a few years supporting clients emotionally and while navigating systems to acquire resources. My work in advocacy gave me the final push to pursue my PhD in Counseling Psych!  

Year Started/Expected Completion: 2024 start; 2029 completion 

Advisor: Dr. Madeline Brodt  

Research Interests: My developing research interests focus on survivorship and exploring the impact experiences of sexual assault have on interpersonal and romantic relationships. I am also interested in exploring the intersecting roles of fatness, queerness, gender and race on sexuality. 

Research Team(s): DEFIANTS

Graduate Assistantship: Department of Leadership, under the guidance of Dr. Meg Evans  

Practicum experience(s): I am currently in my first year of practicum at Rhodes College 

Why did you choose U of M: I chose UofM because of aligning research interests with faculty, the diversity within the population of Memphis, the program's dedication to the scholar/practitioner model and emphasis on human welfare.  

Personal Interests: Outside of school, I enjoy reading, shopping, spending time with loved ones, trying new restaurants/coffee shops around the city, binging shows, and traveling (when I have time). 

Advice to applicants or incoming students: Know who you are. A PhD program is supposed to challenge you and even change you, but for the better. However, it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and expectations of those around you. Find your why, stay true and trust yourself because you're gonna need a strong identity more than anything. Also, continue to invest in things and people outside of the program to sustain yourself. You don't want to look up when you're done and have nothing but the degree to show for it! 

Alona Armour (she/her/hers)

Hometown: Memphis,TN

Previous Education & Career: Double Tiger alumna here! I earned a B.S. in Psychology and Master’s in Social Work at University of Memphis. My relevant work experience includes residential treatment, medical social work, group practice, psychiatric hospital, and private practice. I have internship experience in college counseling. 

Advisor: Dr. Madeline Brodt 

Research Interests: 1.) Examine how exposure to distressing content on social media platforms impacts the mental health of BIPOC young adults. 2.) Examine how early-life adversity and trauma influence career trajectories for individuals from marginalized backgrounds. 

Research Team(s): DEFIANTS Research Lab 

Graduate Assistantship: Graduate Research Assistant in CEPR 

Why did you choose U of M?: Beyond Memphis being my hometown since I was eight years old, I’ve grown to recognize the city’s need for greater representation in spaces within mental health that don’t reflect the majority of its population.

Personal Interests: Making memories with family, playing tennis, and traveling. 

Advice to applicants or incoming students: Step into every opportunity with confidence and curiosity! I'm open to questions agray3@memphis.edu