$3000 PIS Podcast Scholarship of 2023

Sara Hughes is the winner of the 2023 Psychology In Seattle Podcast $3,000 Scholarship, which is awarded to mental health students who have already made the world a better place and have firm plans to continue making a positive difference. Sara is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work at Colorado University.

Sara is deeply passionate about working with children affected by trauma and their families. Currently, she works at a non-profit organization, providing mentorship to youth in her local community. Over the past two years, she has personally served over 50 youth, connecting them with mentors and assisting their families with various resources. In addition, she volunteers her own time to mentor youth. She has independently created Trauma-Informed Mentoring training for volunteers and leads these educational sessions, even training colleagues on the topic.

As a queer individual, she finds great fulfillment in mentoring LGBTQIA+ youth, empathizing with the challenges they face and knowing the importance of guidance and support. Actively involved in her organization's diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, she collaborates with others to conduct workshops that align organizational values with ethical decision-making. Sara is also leading a campaign to recruit more people of color as mentors, aiming to deconstruct white supremacist ideas and foster community connections.

With a future Master's degree and a certificate in PreK-12 School Social Work, she plans to become a school social worker, providing continued training to educators and promoting a compassionate and trauma-informed approach to education. Sara also actively works to recognize the flaws in the observed educational system and has an interest in policy work to influence change on a larger scale. Her ultimate goal is to create strong and supportive communities, where schools serve as safe spaces for learning, growth, and support by serving her community.

$3000 PIS Podcast Scholarship of 2022

Violet Tehrani is the winner of the 2022 Psychology In Seattle Podcast $3,000 Scholarship, which is awarded to mental health students who have already made the world a better place and have firm plans to continue making a positive difference. Violet is currently pursuing her PhD in Clinical Psychology at University of North Texas.

Violet’s early life had many challenges that motivated her to help others, including being a survivor of domestic violence, frequently moving to evade the stalking perpetrator, experiencing trauma, poverty, and stigmatization. Despite this, she and her family persisted to excel academically and worked several jobs to pay for rent, food, college, and books.

After years of health struggles, Violet was diagnosed with a rare lung cancer, which resulted in several months of hospitalization and treatment, including the removal of one of her lungs. However, she was determined to not give up. She worked hard to regain her health and can now run a mile again.

This scholarship will allow Violet to afford her life-saving health insurance. The money will also help her purchase a vehicle which will be critical in providing transportation to her cancer treatment, to her clinical externship several miles from her residence, and to her clients’ homes who cannot make it to her office.

In her past efforts to make the world a better place, Violet has volunteered as a suicide prevention hotline counselor. Also, during her master’s, she provided therapy for adult and child survivors of DV/IPV at a nonprofit organization. She became facilitator of several positive parenting groups. As the facilitator, she made every effort to create a safe and validating environment for my clients by providing unconditional positive regard, delivering positive reinforcement for their efforts in applying positive parenting techniques, and answering questions genuinely and non-judgmentally.

Currently, she is a clinical psychology PhD student studying attachment, teaching, and providing clinical services. She has been given the honor of teaching multiple courses on human development. She is dedicated to empowering her students by encouraging them to ask questions, motivating them to challenge assumptions or biases they may hold, and helping them become more knowledgeable and aware of healthy and unhealthy interpersonal styles.

Ultimately, her motivation to aid others is rooted in the help her family received from others when they survived domestic violence. In her essay, she wrote: “Had it not been for the psychologists, social workers, lawyers, community volunteers, and friends who devoted their lives to ensure that people like my family and I were safe, I would not be here today. I truly believe it is my duty to give to those what was so generously given to me and my family.”

Regarding her future career, Violet is committed to help make the world a better place through teaching and community service. Specifically, she intends to teach courses on personality pathology and development.

Additionally, given her love for animals and passion to assist victims/survivors of violence, she hopes to collaborate with a nonprofit organization to help foster animals for abuse survivors who are escaping their abuser. In her essay, she wrote: “Unfortunately, several survivors are unable to leave their abuser since many shelters do not accept pets. Leaving a pet behind is not an option for a number of individuals, and leaving one’s pet with a trusted friend can still be a risk… As a result, I not only want to participate in fostering animals for abuse survivors, but I intend to spread awareness and teach others on how to care for and foster pets. Providing such resources might make more people feel confident enough to foster a pet for a survivor.”

It is our pleasure to award Violet with the 2022 Psychology in Seattle Podcast Scholarship, so she can continue to make a positive difference in the world.

$1000 PIS Podcast Art Grant of 2022

Nick Alan is the winner of the 2022 Psychology In Seattle $1000 Art Grant! 

Nick is an LGBTQ indigenous artist who specializes in traditional Tlingit (Alaska Native) formline design. 

Growing up in Alaska gave him a strong connection to the land and his Alaska Native heritage. His strong cultural roots, along with the beauty of Alaska, has influenced him greatly and are reflective of his artistry. 

His main goal as an artist is to educate. As an LGBTQ indigenous artist, he’s been given a unique perspective on life and it’s a gift to be able to share that perspective with others. He also wants to keep his culture alive by passing along the knowledge that he has.

With this grant, he plans to produce classroom materials to aid elementary school teachers in building accurate and culturally-sensitive lesson plans for Native American art. Because he grew up with limited access to Tlingit art educational materials, he would like these materials to be readily available and accessible to all communities, especially lower-income Native communities.

You can check out his work here!:

https://nickalanart.com

https://www.instagram.com/nickalanart/

$2,000 PIS Podcast Scholarship of 2021

Dannielle Whiley is the winner of The Psychology In Seattle Podcast $2,000 Scholarship, which is awarded to mental health students who have already made the world a better place and have firm plans to continue making a positive difference. Dannielle is pursuing her PhD in Child Clinical Psychology at University of Washington in Seattle. 

She has made the world a better place by seeking opportunities to serve Black and low income families, prioritizing them in culturally adaptive and sensitive research projects, and striving to plug the leaky academic pipeline to support other students of color in pursuing graduate education in psychology. Her research explores how generational trauma impacts Black maternal health and how a mindfulness-based intervention might shape infant development by supporting sensitive parenting.

She has led over 60 low-income families from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds through a 6-week mindful parenting class for infants and preschoolers. Most recently, she had the opportunity to work with a group of families in transition from homelessness to offer tools to support their emotion regulation as parents to model healthy coping and resilience for their children.

She is committed to continuing to teach psychology in ways that promote student engagement and to increasing the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom. She is also committed to offering low-cost and free evidence-based therapy to historically underserved communities, specifically making her services available and relevant for Black families and children. She is especially invested in presenting mindfulness as an option for people that have been largely excluded from not only the research on meditation but also from the practice spaces and teaching opportunities.

This scholarship will assist Dannielle in continuing her mission to make the world a better place by affording her the chance to put more time and money into her academic, teaching, and clinical goals.

$1,000 PIS Podcast Scholarship of 2021

Joe Yee Chin is the second place winner of The Psychology In Seattle Podcast Scholarship for $1000, which is awarded to mental health students who have already made the world a better place and have firm plans to continue making a positive difference. Joe Yee is pursuing their Bachelor Degree in Psychological Science at Monash University Malaysia in Selangor, Malaysia.

Joe Yee has been at the forefront of LGBTQIA+ advocacy in Malaysia. During their internship at age 19, they provided a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. The organization provided help to youths who are facing housing, safety, or financial issues due to their sexuality and gender. One of the most significant legal projects that they were working on was working towards abolishing the Syariah law in Malaysia. They were able to provide low-cost or free mental health care to individuals who are closeted or scared to reach out to the mainstream mental health care in Malaysia.

At Monash University, Joe Yee was elected for the Wom*n’s Officer position of the campus students’ association. As they are unable to have an LGBTQIA+ officer on campus due to the legal laws of Malaysia, the asterisk in the name of the position covers any and all minority sexuality and gender expression. 

Joe Yee’s plan for the future is to secure a master’s degree in counselling psychology and go further into the field of trauma-focused psychotherapy. They want to work towards destigmatizing and popularizing mental health care in Malaysia. Especially with the LGBTQIA+ community, different sets of strengths are needed for this group of individuals and are very much needed to be addressed. By starting their private practice with mainstream mental health care, they hope to be financially stable enough one day to have the ability to redirect financials to set up free mental health care for this community. 

$2,000 PIS Podcast Scholarship of 2020

Rocky Tishma is the winner of The Psychology In Seattle Podcast $2,000 Scholarship, which is awarded to mental health students who have already made the world a better place and have firm plans to continue making a positive difference. Rocky is pursuing his master’s degree in marriage and family therapy at Antioch University in New Hampshire. 

After coming out to his parents at age 16, he was forcefully put into conversion therapy by his church leaders. Rocky says that it was there that they systematically broke him, his spirit, his connection to God, and took away any hope of a future that he had. 

After months of enduring this, the church excommunicated him. He felt isolated and hopeless. He turned to drugs and alcohol to cover up the shame, guilt, and loneliness. It took years to get sober and lead a somewhat typical life, but the pain from the conversion therapy and abandonment as a teen continued to haunt him. 

Rocky says the battle to end conversion therapy is making progress and soon will be outlawed nationally, but he does not believe this will prevent religious leaders from continuing to practice such dangerous mental abuse. Until society as a whole can see that homosexuality is not a choice and that it is not something that needs to be fixed, he believes that parents, churches, and even therapists will continue to find ways to dangerously attempt to fix those who are not broken, and that this space for those suffering from the trauma of conversion therapy symptoms will continue to be of importance.

Over the past few months, along with a few other conversion therapy survivors, Rocky has built the nonprofit organization to help survivors of conversion therapy called CTSurvivors.org. They offer trauma process groups, meditation classes, conversion therapy survivor substance abuse support, and daily interactions of survivors helping survivors. 

Also, Rocky plans on using his master’s degree to create “HEAR ME HEAL,” a post religious-trauma family retreat, helping to repair and bring back love, acceptance, and spiritual wellness after faith injuries have occurred. He believes there is something to be said about the power of an intensive therapy weekend, without the stressors of everyday life present. This will include education on how to create open lines of healthy dialogue, tranquil spaces in nature for group catharsis and most importantly, the ritualistic breaking of bread with loved ones.

This scholarship will assist Rocky in continuing his mission to make the world a better place by affording him the chance to put more time and money into his nonprofit organization.

$1,200 PIS Podcast Art Grant of 2020

Caryn Koh is the winner of the Psychology In Seattle $1200 Art Grant!

Growing up in Malaysia, she experienced a very difficult childhood and felt unable to express herself. As an outlet, she discovered art as a way to express how she feels.

Moving to the UK and the pandemic has caused difficulties for her being able to create and showcase her work. With this grant, she would love to be able to promote her art and hold an exhibition to establish herself in the UK. She would also love to organize a mural project in her local area that would bring forth some positivity to the community in this difficult time.

You can check out her work here!:

Facebook : www.fb.com/CarynKohArt

Instagram : @carynbearkoh

Website : www.carynkoh.weebly.com

$2,000 PIS Podcast Scholarship of 2020

Haley Wilson is the winner of The Psychology In Seattle Podcast $2,000 Scholarship, which is awarded to mental health students who have already made the world a better place and have firm plans to continue making a positive difference. 

Haley’s bachelor’s degree was in women and gender studies, and she is currently enrolled as a master’s in counseling student at Oregon State University. She eventually wants to get a doctorate and become a professor. 

She is a first generation college student and she said that she would benefit from this scholarship because she grew up incredibly poor and her family does not have the funds to provide any sort of support. She also wrote, “Growing up in the ‘bible belt’ as a queer teen, I have felt the weight of prejudice and have been affected by the actions of those who do not understand nor value diversity.” 

Haley has dedicated much of her time and energy to making the world a better place. Haley has worked as an AmeriCorps volunteer and an advocate at Saving Grace, a local non-profit that provides support services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.  

In her application essay, Haley wrote: “Sometimes I am really tired when I come home, but I wake up every day wanting to help those in need and hear those who have not been heard.”

Several of her colleagues have attested to her dedication to making a positive difference, both in her professional life and her personal life. Christi Smith wrote that she observed her impressive capacity to help people in crisis while remaining compassionate, grounded, client centered, and trauma-informed in her advocacy. Christi also said she is a fantastic listener and is able to hold space for anyone that needs to process difficult emotions. Lynne Fleming wrote that Haley is brilliant and kind. Amy O'Hana wrote that Haley is passionate about helping others succeed and overcome their life challenges, especially people who identify with marginalized populations. She also wrote that Haley helped create a "Mom’s Support Group” for mothers who had left their abusive partners.

After graduation, Haley plans to focus on helping those who have experienced trauma. She also wants to provide access to counseling services to underserved populations, such as the geriatric community, inmates, and to those who live in rural areas. She also hopes to one day learn Spanish and perhaps serve in the Peace Corps. 

$2,500 PIS Podcast Scholarship of 2019

We are happy to announce the $2,500 Scholarship was awarded to Hannah Bronson who is currently enrolled in the PsyD program at the University of Denver.

The podcast team evaluated applications on three criteria: 1) past efforts to make the world a better place, 2) plans to make the world a better place, and 3) financial need. Hannah met all three criteria in full.

As a music therapist, she has dedicated herself to making the world a better place. She has helped older adults with dementia to reconnect with their loved ones by singing a song that reminds them of the past. She has helped homeless individuals in rural Jamaica find joy in playing drums. She has also helped soldiers suffering from PTSD express feelings of hope and resilience through songwriting. Through this work, she has heard service members’ stories, which includes leaving their families, engaging in combat, often losing comrades, and a profound change in their sense of self and belonging.

She is a pioneer in using music therapy with the military. She founded two programs on U.S. Army installations, published two articles in peer-reviewed journals, and presented at numerous conferences. She developed innovative ways to assist service members process the complexity of their experiences and traumas. When she was faced with systemic barriers, she set out to demonstrate the effectiveness of music therapy by conducting empirical research. Her work contributed to increased bipartisan Congressional appropriations, extending creative arts therapies to 11 clinical sites across the country, increasing access to care for service members and their families.

Her colleague, Rebecca Vaudreuil (Music Therapy lead of Creative Forces), wrote: “She has already accomplished so much in her early professional career through her selflessness and passion, touched the lives of people from all walks of life through her ability to connect with others.” Another colleague, Dr. Sara Kass (Senior Military and Medical Advisor of Creative Forces), wrote that she has already “directly improved lives through delivery of clinical care to over 800 individual patients. Additionally, her positive attitude and joyful spirit have improved the lives of the many professionals with whom she works.”

Regarding the future, she wrote, “I cannot envision a future doing anything other than being a supportive presence for those who are suffering.” She plans on continuing to serve military and veteran populations and their families since they are often misunderstood by healthcare professionals. She wants to innovate and push our field beyond the typical, archaic practices and values. She aspires to be a thought leader, inspiring new clinicians to think in different ways, challenge the status quo, and ask the difficult questions that drive research towards meaningful change.

We are happy to provide her with the scholarship because she is single, financially independent, and has used all of her savings (and then some) to move across the country 3 times and work a full-time unpaid internship. Although she will be working during her PsyD, she is happy to receive the assistance of the scholarship so she can focus more on her studies to become the most effective clinician possible.

After awarding her the scholarship, we were happy to learn that Hannah has been a dedicated listener for six years. She wrote that the podcast has been “an integral part of my continuing development as a clinician and human being. I can recall certain episodes that impacted me on such a deep level, and assisted in solidifying my philosophical approach to being a helping professional.”

It is our pleasure to award Hannah with the $2,500 Psychology in Seattle Podcast Scholarship of Aug 2019, so she can continue to make a positive difference in the world.