40+ FIELDING PRESENTERS
50+ Presentations
Fielding Graduate University Select APA Presenters
Fielding’s School of Psychology
PhD in Clinical Psychology
An APA accredited* conventional doctoral program delivered in an unconventional way.
PhD in Applied Psychological Science
Program focuses on the application of psychological theories and methods to real-world settings
PhD, Master’s, and Certificate in Media Psychology
Where technology meets human experience. PhD, Master’s, and Certificate offered.
PhD and Master’s in Infant and Early Childhood Development Emphases in mental health and neurodiversity.
* The Clinical Psychology PhD Program is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation (750 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20002 or 202-336-5979). The clinical psychology program received initial accreditation by the APA in 1991.
American Psychological Association 2026
A Leader in Psychology Graduate Education for Over 50 Years Whether you’re interested in the APA accredited Clinical Psychology program, Media Psychology, General Psychology, Brian L. Cutler, PhD or Infant and Early Childhood Dean of Faculty Development, all of our programs are School of Psychology designed for individuals balancing career, family, and community responsibilities while achieving their educational goals. Become part of Fielding’s community of scholar-practitioners and help define the future of psychology in: • clinical practice, • use and design of media technologies, • mental health needs of infant and early childhood development • applied psychology *Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979
E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org www.apa.org/ed/accreditation
Fielding Graduate University Select APA Presenters
APA-accredited PhD in
Clinical Psychology
PhD in Clinical Psychology Fielding’s doctoral program in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association. It is the only distributed learning program accredited by the APA. The Psychology PhD serves adults, many of whom who have trained or worked in the mental health field. Our unique distributed learning model blends the best of in-person learning opportunities with digital formats.
Connie Veazey, PhD Program Director Clinical Psychology
Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Psychology Only 7% of applicants to all APA accredited clinical psychology programs are accepted each year. This is why we created the postbaccalaureate certificate program. 87% of our postbac certificate graduates are accepted into an APA accredited PhD program, including Fielding’s PhD in Clinical Psychology program. * The Clinical Psychology PhD Program is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the APA Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation (750 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20002 or 202-336-5979). The clinical psychology program received initial accreditation by the APA in 1991.
American Psychological Association 2026
Neuropsychology Specialization Training Program The program is designed for licensed psychologists who want to extend the scope of their assessment practices and treatment interventions to include neuropsychology. Study with renowned neuropsychologists Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg based in New York City, New York, and Dr. Arnold Purisch based in Orange County, California.
Elkhonon Goldberg, PhD Neuropsychology Specialization New York, NY
Postdoctoral Certificate in Respecialization in Clinical Psychology The postdoctoral certificate program is designed for doctoral level psychologists who, as part of their professional development, want to become licensed clinical psychologists. The program’s academic and clinical coursework and supervised clinical training prepares you for licensure. Entering students must hold a PhD in Non-Clinical area of Psychology such as social, developmental, or organizational psychology.
Arnold Purisch,, PhD Neuropsychology Specialization Orange County, CA
Fielding Graduate University Select APA Presenters
PhD, Master’s, or Certificate
Media Psychology PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Media and Technology The Fielding PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Media & Technology prepares students to work at the intersection of psychology theories and media technologies. The curriculum blends the study of social behaviors, cognition, perception, and emotion with the research skills you need to be a specialist in psychology applied to media and technology.
Brian L. Cutler, PhD Dean of Faculty Program Director Media Psychology Programs and Applied Psychological Science Program
100% ONLINE Master’s in Applied Media Psychology You can earn your master’s degree in this innovative field through our 100% online Media Psychology program, while maintaining your professional career and living in your own community. Our program offers great flexibility and attention to your individual goals, small classes, and the ability to interact directly with faculty and colleagues.
American Psychological Association 2026
Certificate in Media Psychology Fielding offers a 3-course, 100% online certificate in Media Psychology designed for professionals in diverse fields.
100% ONLINE
PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Psychological Science Fielding offers a program that focuses on the application of psychological theories and methods to such real-world settings as communities, business, industry, education, government, and the military. It applies core knowledge found within social psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, industrial/ organizational psychology, human factors, and research methods/ statistics to answer student-inspired practical questions. Fielding’s doctoral program in Psychology has a unique learning model that employs the best distance learning opportunities. Students will gain expertise by conducting psychology research at the doctoral level after securing a breadth of knowledge in the core fields of psychology, then taking a deep dive into a focal area of interest (e.g., teaching psychology). Graduates are well-suited for academic positions in colleges and universities as well as applied positions in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
Fielding Graduate University Select APA Presenters
PhD, Master’s Infant and Early Childhood Development (IECD)
PhD in Infant and Early Childhood Development The Fielding PhD in Infant and Early Childhood Development (IECD) with an emphasis in mental health and neurodiversity is a degree serving multiple disciplines as they apply their work using the lens of infant mental health (IMH) and development. The program was initiated by Stanley Greenspan, MD, and Serena Weider, PhD, to promote research supporting relationships, individual differences, and development (DIR®) in working with infants, children, and their families. The field of Infant and Early Childhood Development is exciting and highly rewarding. The first years of life lay the foundation for all domains of human development, including the basic relationship building blocks needed for the capacities to feel, love, adapt, and develop a sense of self. The program Jenene Craig, PhD IECD Program Director is interprofessional in structure, including mental health professionals (Clinical and counseling psychologists, MFT, SW), OT, PT, SLP, medical professionals (MD, RN), social services professionals as well as educators and policymakers.
American Psychological Association 2026
100% ONLINE Master’s in Infant, Child, and Family Mental Health and Development The MA in Infant, Child, and Family Mental Health and Development prepares clinicians and educators to support families’ social, emotional, and developmental needs with a strong focus on culture, equity, and inclusion.
Carrie Alvarado, PhD, OTR IECD Core Faculty
The pandemic exposed deep systemic challenges—including racism, inequity, and lack of access—that intensified an already growing mental health crisis. Families have been especially affected, highlighting the urgent need for culturally competent, welltrained professionals. Yet many still lack adequate education and support, contributing to professional stress and limiting effective outcomes.
Christine Gliniak, PhD, OTR/L, IECD Core Faculty 2025 NANT Researcher of the Year
Fielding Graduate University Select APA Presenters
Fielding Graduate University Select APA Presenters
American Psychological Association 2026
Presenter: Nathan L. Smith, PhD, MSW, LCSW, LADC 1st Presentation: August 6, 2026, 10:00–11:00 AM ET Title: Real Talk, Real Healing: Re-imagining Black Masculinity & Mental Health Care Summary: This symposium explores how Black men reimagine masculinity, wellness, and healing within community and barbershop contexts. We translate these insights into culturally responsive clinical strategies, framing real talk as both a cultural practice and therapeutic stance that can support healing in work with Black men. Co-presenter: Dr. Sy’Quon Shaw, DSW, LMSW and Eric J. Thomas, LMSW
2nd Presentation: August 7, 2026, 8:30–9:30 AM ET Title: What’s Really Good? Black Male Clinicians, Joy, and Play Summary: This symposium centers Black male clinicians and trainees in a conversation about joy, play, authenticity, and selfcare. Grounded in attachment-informed clinical practice, the session explores how play, attunement, mirroring, and culturally responsive restraint can support clinical work with Black and Brown boys and men impacted by trauma. Co-presenters: Dr. Sy’Quon Shaw, DSW, LMSW, and Eric J. Thomas, LMSW
Fielding Graduate University Select APA Presenters
Presenter: Miriam Boateng, MA, LPC Title: COVID-19: The Interplay between Psychiatric Comorbidity and Neurological Symptoms Summary: COVID-19 has been associated with persistent neurological symptoms and emotional distress, but the influence of preexisting psychiatric conditions on these outcomes remains unclear. Guided by a biopsychosocial framework, this study examined whether psychiatric comorbidity predicted post-COVID neurological symptom burden and whether neurological symptoms independently contributed to emotional distress after accounting for psychiatric history. Archival data from a U.S.-based Qualtrics survey were analyzed, restricting the sample to 351 adults who reported a prior COVID-19 infection. Negative binomial regression showed that individuals with a greater number of preexisting psychiatric diagnosis classes, particularly mood and anxiety disorders, experienced significantly more neurological symptoms, with each additional diagnosis class associated with a 26% increase in expected symptom count (adjusted IRR = 1.26, p = .045). Ordered logistic regression further demonstrated that neurological symptom burden independently predicted emotional distress, with each additional neurological symptom increasing the odds of greater distress by 32% (OR = 1.32, p < .001). Preexisting mood and anxiety disorders were also significant predictors of emotional distress, whereas substance use disorder was not. These findings suggest that psychiatric comorbidity contributes to post-COVID neurological symptom burden and that cumulative neurological symptoms further exacerbate emotional distress, underscoring the importance of integrated neuropsychiatric assessment and treatment following COVID-19 infection.
American Psychological Association 2026
Presenter: Holly Collins, 3rd Year Clinical Psychology student Title: Abandonment, Enmeshment, Defectiveness, and Fear of Losing Control Schemas Predict Sexual Aggression Summary: Sexual aggression is complicated for researchers to conceptualize. To better understand sexual aggression, we asked adults (N = 534) to selfreport sexual behavior and the presence of EMSs. Results suggest that EMSs meaningfully contribute to explaining sexual aggression. The best predictors were abandonment, enmeshment, fear of losing control, and defectiveness. Results highlight the value of schemainformed care to prevent sexual aggression.
Presenter: Janelle L. Peters, MA Title: Borderline Personality Characteristics Predict Racial Misconduct among First Year Police Officers Summary: Racially motivated police misconduct is a persistent problem within law enforcement agencies. Our study examined the relationship between borderline personality characteristics and racially offensive conduct. Results revealed that officers with less borderline characteristics were more likely to receive a complaint regarding racial misconduct. Authors: Janelle L. Peters, MA & Kristine M. Jacquin, PhD
Fielding Graduate University Select APA Presenters
Presenter: Kimberly Keiser, M.A. 1st Poster Title: Poster Maltreatment and Interpersonal Sensitivity Predicts Sexual Dysfunction Summary: Childhood maltreatment and sexual dysfunction are consistently correlated in the literature. Our research found that childhood maltreatment and interpersonal sensitivity predicted specific sexual dysfunction symptoms in men and women. The results provide increased understanding of the psychological variables that contribute to sexual dysfunction.
2nd Poster Title: Sexual Victimization and Somatization Predict Sexual Dysfunction Summary: Somatization, sexual victimization, and sexual dysfunction are consistently correlated in the literature. Our research found that somatization and sexual victimization predicted female and male sexual functioning. The results contribute to an understanding of the role of somatization in sexual dysfunction after sexual victimization.
American Psychological Association 2026
Presenter: Malka Raul Title: Retired Police Officers’ Wellbeing: Impact of Dark Triad Personality Traits Summary: Newly collected research that explores the presence of elevated dark triad personality traits in retired police officers and its impact on well-being in retirement and the endorsement of retrospective police stressors.
Presenter: Ashley Whitworth, MA Title: When Moral Agency Isn’t the Problem: Rethinking Youth Gang Intervention Summary: A deficit in moral agency has been commonly considered to be an underpinning of youth gang involvement. However, research shows this may not be the case, indicating alternate interventions targeting other needs and risk factors must be developed.
Fielding Graduate University Select APA Presenters
Presenter: Karmelyn Lee, BCBA, LBA, Non-Attorney Special Education Advocate, Associate Counselor Title: Hidden Trauma, Visible Aggression: PTSD in Autistic Forensic Populations Summary: This poster argues that PTSD may be the unrecognized mechanism linking trauma exposure to aggression in autistic people in forensic settings, where elevated trauma symptoms are routinely misattributed to autism itself and rarely formally diagnosed, and identifies the absence of any direct empirical test of that trauma-toPTSD-to-aggression pathway as a critical gap in the field.
Title: Impaired Autonomy Early Maladaptive Schemas Predict Approval-Driven, but Not Intimacy-Driven, Sexual Motives Summary: In a sample of 534 U.S. adults, impaired-autonomy early maladaptive schemas, particularly dependency and enmeshment, predicted having sex to avoid partner and peer disapproval beyond demographic factors, but did not predict intimacy-driven motives, suggesting these schemas specifically underlie approval-driven rather than connection-driven sexual behavior.
American Psychological Association 2026
Presenter: Jeanette Elbattah, MS Title: Early Maladaptive Schemas Predict Enhancement Sexual Motives Summary: Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMSs) are maladaptive coping mechanisms developed in childhood to self-regulate emotional neglect and traumatic experiences.U.S. adults (U.S. adults (U.S. adults (N = 534) were studied to examine the relationship between EMSs and sex motives. EMSs predicted enhancement sexual motives suggesting adults who engage in self-defeating sexual behaviors may benefit from schema therapy.
Presenter: Amanda D. Bertsch, M.S., CCCSLP Title: Oral Health Problems in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders Summary: Poor oral health can act as a chronic neurocognitive stressor, affecting executive functioning, behavior, sleep, and academic performance. However, oral health concerns are not recognized equally across neurodevelopmental groups, specifically ADHD and ASD. Nonverbal children with limited verbal skills often struggle to communicate pain related to oral health.
Fielding Graduate University Select APA Presenters
Presenter: Jessie Buttafuoco, MA Title: The True Cost of True Crime- A Critical Conversation on Media, Trauma, and Responsibility. Summary: The True Cost of True Crime: A Critical Conversation on Media, Trauma, and Responsibility examines how the booming true crime genre, spanning podcasts, documentaries, and streaming series, has shaped public understanding of crime while often neglecting the emotional toll on those whose lived experiences are portrayed. Led by Jessie Buttafuoco, a survivor, advocate, and media professional who holds dual master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology and Media Psychology, and is currently in the dissertation phase of her PhD in Media Psychology, this session blends personal narrative with scholarly insight to illuminate the psychological costs of true crime storytelling. Presenter: Missy Miyashiro, M.S. Title: Poor Environmental Health Predicts More Substance Use Across Summary: Environmental desolation combined with subsequent spikes in substance abuse may contribute to increased deaths and deterioration of mental and physical health (UNODC, 2025). Our study examined the relationships between country-level environmental health indicators and population substance use. Results found that poorer environmental health predicted greater substance use and abuse rates.
American Psychological Association 2026
Presenter: Jessica Moree Farmer, MBA Title: Countries with More People Reporting Strong Social Networks Have Lower Schizophrenia Prevalence
Presenter: Valentina Raman, Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student Title: Recreational Screen Time and Child Flourishing in a National Sample Summary: Recreational screen time is a growing concern, yet its relationship with flourishing during middle childhood remains understudied. Using data from the 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health (n = 15,109), this study examined associations between weekday recreational screen time and flourishing among elementary school–aged children. Higher recreational screen time was significantly associated with lower flourishing, even after adjusting for demographic factors, sleep, and Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). PCEs emerged as the strongest predictor of flourishing, while sleep was no longer significant after accounting for screen time. These findings suggest that screen use should be considered within a broader ecological context emphasizing supportive family relationships, positive childhood experiences, and community resources that foster healthy child development.