Spirituality & Mental Health Research Team...
The Spirituality and Mental Health Research Team (SMHRT) is under the direction of Jamie D. Aten, Ph.D. The purpose of the SMHRT is to explore the relationship and impact of spiritual and religious phenomenon on psychological constructs and vice versa.
Specifically, the research of SMHRTmembers focuses on four specific areas: (1) spirituality and trauma (e.g., natural disasters), (2) spirituality and psychotherapy, (3) spirituality and clinical supervision, and (4) rural clergy-psychology collaboration.
A major goal of the SMHRT is to provide students on the research team with quality research experiences through mentoring and trainings emphasizing a developmental and collaborative approach. The SMHRT meets weekly to work on projects and for monthly topical trainings. These conversational style trainings are led by lab members, local researchers, and leaders in the field via teleconferencing.
Student Researchers...
Ryan Denney, M.A., is a second year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi. Ryan is currently working on a dissertation exploring spiritual post-traumatic growth.
Tania Bayne, B.A., is a second year master's student in Counseling Psychology at the the University of Southern Mississippi. Tania is completing a master's project investigating the perceived effectiveness of a yoga intervention on stress among college students.
Drew Casper, M.A., is a first year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi. Drew is working on a project investigating how people going through the grief process utilze religious coping mechanisms, and the impact of these mechanisms on quality of life and post-traumatic growth.
Kathy Coffman, B.S., is a first year master's student in Counseling Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi. Kathy is interested in investigating the issues related to spirituality and mental health.
James Strickland, B.S., is a first year master's student in Counseling Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi. James primary research interest is focused on topics pertaining to spirituality and suicide.
Student Funding Opportunities...
Student researchers on the Spirituality and Mental Health Research Team play an active role on Dr. Aten's grants. There are opportunities for funded graduate research assistant positions provided by funds through these grants.