Student Profile in Secondary Traumatic Stress in Burn Care Clinicians

Emma Turner

Undergraduate Degree: Psychological Sciences
Undergraduate Institution: University of Connecticut
Awards/Fellowships: Outstanding Intern Award, UTSW Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program

How did you become interested in science and/or research specifically?

I have always been interested in science and knew that I wanted to find a profession where I could use this interest to care for others. After taking an introductory psychology course in college, I sought out additional experience in this field. I had the opportunity to work as an undergraduate research assistant, focusing on areas such as ethnic & racial disparities in mental healthcare, PTSD, OCD, racial microaggressions, & the influence of culture on symptom presentation. I further honed my research skills and interest working at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute’s Trauma Research Center in Dallas, TX. Both experiences instilled in me the importance of how we can use research to inform evidence-based practice and even to influence policy from an institutional to a national level.

Tell us about your research project and its relevance to human health.

For the past two years, I have been involved in several research projects with the North Texas Burn Rehabilitation Model System with a focus on providing comprehensive care to burn survivors, including collecting data on recovery and long-term outcomes after burn injury and providing a social skills training program for burn survivors. The focus of my dissertation is on the prevalence of secondary traumatic stress and related factors in burn care clinicians. This dissertation project would not be possible without the support of Parkland’s Burn Unit leadership and staff. These research opportunities have motivated me to continue engaging in meaningful research in health psychology in order to improve both patient and provider quality of life.

Why did you choose to come to UT Southwestern for graduate school?

First and foremost, I was drawn to UTSW as one of the top academic medical centers in the nation due to my interest in health psychology. I could not find the same opportunity to receive clinical training across various medical settings in any other program. This was the perfect fit in terms of my career goals to serve within a diverse and interdisciplinary medical center. The captive APA accredited internship also factored heavily into my choice. After learning about the various internship sites offered across DFW, I knew this would strengthen my training without having to apply out to internship and move during the completion of my doctorate.

In your opinion, what makes your specific program one of the top in the country?

The UTSW Clinical Psychology doctoral program offers unique clinical and research training opportunities. We are exposed to complex clinical and psychosocial situations across all four years of training and regardless of specialty. While the four-year timeline is accelerated, we receive well-rounded training and have opportunities to hone more specialized skills through practicum, internship, and elective clinical opportunities. We are taught by practicing professionals, constantly being exposed to examples of patient care and shown the most up to date, evidence-based treatment. There are opportunities to learn from and work alongside leaders in the field. Finally, it is a privilege to work in this setting getting to serve DFW’s diverse population, often being able to provide mental health services to individuals who have limited access to quality mental health resources due to inequities in the healthcare system.

What do you love about your program or why should a prospective student decide to get their Ph.D. here?

In addition to the quality clinical and research opportunities, the collaborative nature of the cohort model has made all the difference in my training experience. The support within and between cohorts makes the rigorous nature of the four-year program possible. Our large academic medical center and connection with clinics in the community also allow for potential collaboration and mentorship not only in an array of settings but also with different professions. This provides even more experience learning to serve our community in collaboration with other professions to address all aspects of patient care.

– Emma Turner