Psychology Faculty Who Are Educators, Mentors, and Licensed Clinicians
At the Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP) at the University of St. Thomas, you'll learn from faculty who are practitioner-scholars in counseling psychology, professional counseling, marriage and family therapy, and addiction counseling programs.
They're educators first—deeply committed to your growth as a thoughtful, ethical, and culturally responsive mental health professional. This integrated approach—combining clinical experience, mentorship, and reflection—prepares graduates to enter the field with both competence and confidence.
GSPP faculty bring years of clinical practice, research, and community engagement into the classroom. You won't just study theories of change—you'll learn how to help real people thrive.
What This Means for You:
- Dedicated faculty who know you by name and invest in your learning
- Training rooted in evidence-based practice and real clinical experience
- Mentorship that supports your path from enrollment through licensure
- Preparation for professional licensure and careers in counseling, therapy, and mental health services
Faculty with Real-World Clinical Experience
GSPP faculty integrate foundational theory with current research, clinical case examples, and ethical decision-making.
Areas of faculty expertise include:
- Culturally responsive counseling and psychotherapy
- Multicultural, liberation, and social justice-oriented psychology
- Trauma recovery and healing
- Marriage and family therapy
- Addiction counseling and co-occurring disorders
- Mental health care in community clinics, hospitals, schools, corrections, and private practice
Faculty also work closely with community clinics, hospitals, and partner organizations to support practicum and internship placements.
Teaching That Builds Clinical Skills and Self-Reflection
Great therapists don't just learn techniques—they learn how to think critically, reflect deeply, and stay grounded in ethics. GSPP faculty infuse multiple perspectives across every program to strengthen your clinical judgment and ability to serve communities with different identities, histories, and needs.
In your coursework and clinical training, you can expect:
- Practice-focused learning with real-world application
- Close advising and mentoring from full-time faculty
- A cohort community that supports professional and personal development
Learn more about hands-on clinical training at the Interprofessional Center for Counseling & Legal Services (IPC).
Faculty Research That Advances Mental Health Practice
While teaching and clinical training are central, GSPP faculty also conduct applied research that improves how mental health care is delivered.
GSPP faculty conduct applied research that shapes how psychology is taught and practiced—from strengthening student-clinician working alliances to developing frameworks for radical healing in communities of color.
Bryana French, PhD, Department Chair
Meet the Chair
Dr. French leads GSPP with a focus on inclusive excellence, student support, and culturally responsive training. Her work centers on healing from racial and sexual trauma and multicultural & liberation psychology. She's also an active clinician and nationally recognized thought leader in justice-rooted psychology.
