Melissa Fluehr: Congratulations to Melissa, our Graduate Achiever Scholarship recipient! She is a psychology doctoral student at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology(GSAPP) at Rutgers University. As a student of an APA-accredited PsyD program, she is being trained in accordance with the scholar-practitioner model. The program emphasizes clinical application of evidence-based practices but allows students to determine their level of research involvement. 

“My name is Melissa Fluehr andI amaschool psychology doctoral student at theGraduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology(GSAPP)at Rutgers University.As student of an APA-accredited PsyD program, I am being trained in accordance with the scholar-practitioner model. The program emphasizes clinical application of evidence-based practices but allows students to determine their level of research involvement. By staying active in research, I am directly involved in the process whereby research translates into practice.I am currently a practicum student in two different settings. In my school-based setting, I work under the supervision of a licensed School Psychologist; I administer, interpret, and present psychological assessments,provide individual counseling, co-facilitate social skills groups, and conduct classroom observations. 

In my clinical setting, Iwork under the supervision of a licensedClinicalPsychologist; Ideliver an evidence-based intervention to young adults receiving outpatient chemotherapy treatment and am involved with several research studies. I was nominated as a student leader for the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). In this leadership role, I serve as a liaison between my peers in my cohort and NASP.I am committed to a career clinical psychology that will provide opportunities to make positive changes and improve the lives of children and their families. 

By understanding and treating social and emotional issues, I strive to treat symptoms, improve overall functioning, and support children in becoming mature, healthy, functioning adults—regardless of their background. My interest in clinical psychology with a school and health focus has developed and grown over the last seven years through various experiences I have had.I am gaining relevant clinical and research experience so that I can grow professionally. I continue to evaluate myself, my discomforts, and my biases so that I am able to work effectively with all clients—especially when their background is different from mine.”