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Meet our Students/Early Career Psychologists

Students and Early Career Professionals

Patricia Pitta Ph.D., ABPP- Chair of Student/Early Career Psychologist Development

It is with great joy that I introduce to you some of our newest members. This is an opportunity to find out about them and their experience, interests and hopes as a member of Divison 42 and as a psychologist. I would like to personally welcome you to our “42 Family”.

Meet Ilana Schlein a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University who will shortly defend her dissertation and is interested in learning on how to begin a practice, gain post doc hours and maintain contact with other professionals. Ilana feels positive about her graduate training, but feels she needs to obtain a better sense on how to function as a professional after school and particularly how to start a practice.

Meet Thomas Chen who graduated with a Psy.D. degree in l999. His dissertation topic was “Asian-American Utilization of Mental Health Services”. He has organizational experience at APA, L.A. Psych. Association and California Psych. Association. Thomas joined the division to obtain a vision on how to be a successful practitioner from those who are successful. He plans to become active in our division.

Meet Judy Kaplan who received her doctorate in 2001 from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. She completed her internship at the University of Houston Counseling and Psychological Services. She plans to reside in New York and is very interested in learning the mistakes and successes of practitioners particularly in New York.

Meet Douglas Wayland Smith who received his doctorate from Farleigh Dickinson University and completed his internship at the District of Columbia Commission on Mental Health Services. He is presently completing a post doc. His primary reason for joining Divison 42 is to benefit from the wisdom of successful private practitioners. He reports that his training from professionals so far has been slanted in opposite directions. Some report a gloomy picture of private practice while others that there are many changes within our profession, but you can be successful. He hopes to learn from us how to be successful.

Meet Jessica Percodani a student at the Chestnut Hill College in a combined M.S. and Psy.D. program. She plans to graduate in 2006. She has volunteered for three years as apeer counselor while in college. She also was a teaching and research assistant. She has completed a graduate level practicum at the Center for Family Services, Youth Empowerment Program in Blackwood, New Jersey.

Meet Crystal De Loach who obtained her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Utah in 2000. She also completed a Post Doctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University Medical School. She is currently a Research Scientist at the University of Washington, Social Development Research Group. Crystal will be beginning a private practice shortly and would like to learn about how to set up and practice and be successful. She is also interested in political and policy development and in furthering awareness and access to psychological assistance.

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