Laura Reid Marks
I am a fifth year Counseling Psychology doctoral candidate at Purdue University under the mentorship of Ayse Ciftci. Currently, I am a pre-doctoral intern at the APA-accredited Arizona State University Counseling Services in Tempe, Arizona. I am originally from Kingston, Jamaica. I received my Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Master of Arts in Education and Education Specialist degrees with a dual concentration in School and Mental Health Counseling from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. I have recently accepted a tenure-track faculty position in Counseling Psychology at the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee.
Research Interests. My program of research is centered on understanding the lived experience of individuals from marginalized groups and how these individuals’ strengths can be used to overcome systemic barriers. More specifically, my research is focused on career development in racial/ethnic minority groups and social determinants of mental and sexual health in women of color. Overall, I seek to develop knowledge on the factors that precipitate disparities in career and health, and the ways in which these disparities can be decreased.
Clinical Theoretical Orientation. Theoretically, I ascribe to a person-centered, interpersonal process, and cognitive-behavioral approach. I am interested in personal and career counseling with college students, especially culturally diverse college students. More specifically, I enjoy working with interpersonal concerns, anxiety and depression, adjustment to the U.S. and identity development.
