University of La Verne Graduate Psychology Students Receive Internships, Awarded Stipends
The University of La Verne’s Psychology Department is seeing success this year with 11 doctoral students placing in internships, and a Marriage and Family Therapy student and recent graduate receiving stipend awards.
All 11 students who applied for an internship for the 2017-2018 training year placed. Ten have been assigned to sites accredited by the American Psychological Association, said Dr. Jerry Kernes, Program Chair and Director of Clinical Training for the Psy.D. program. They include the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Administration Medical Center in Loma Linda and the Washburn Center for Children in Minnesota.
Kernes said the internship is an extremely important phase in a psychology student’s career – one that signifies a transition from student to emerging professional.
“This year’s group of students rose to the task and made us all proud,” Kernes said.
Psy.D. students who placed in internships are Kathleen Andrews, Theresa Ballardo, George Dabdoub, Dashaun Dunn, Andrea Galeana, Melissa Gattoni, Zheila Ommani, Rayne Palombit, Samin Seraji, Kevin Tajii, and Mariam Ter-Petrosyan.
Marriage and Family Therapy student Sara Avratin and alumna Angie He both received Los Angeles County Stipend Awards worth $18,500. They will work with diverse and high-need populations in the county and at county-funded mental health sites.
Avratin, who will receive her master’s degree in May, said the stipend will help her toward paying off student loans.
“The opportunity to work with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health is a great way to start my career path and allows me to gain experience working with (the department) while utilizing what I have learned in the graduate program,” she said.
Angie He, who graduated in January with her master’s degree, said she received the stipend, in part, because she is fluent in Cantonese, a much-needed language in the department. She previously worked with special needs children in the West Covina Unified School District.
“I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” she said. “It’s an amazing feeling being a fresh graduate.”
Dr. Amy Demyan, MFT Program Chair, called it noteworthy to have two students selected for the prestigious award.
“We are proud that they were chosen based on their rigorous training, experience in the field, and personal strengths to serve those most in need in Southern California. We look forward to watching them succeed throughout their career,” she said.
