School of Psychology
Counseling Psychology Research Labs
Page Content
Austen Anderson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, School of Psychology
Doctorate from: University of Miami
Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive-behavioral (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
Research Interests: Lifestyle behaviors (e.g., diet, exercise, spending time in nature) and mental health and well-being. The psychology of engaging in natural environments. Nature-based interventions. Social determinants of health behaviors.
Lifestyle, Environment, and Flourishing (LEAF) Lab: Dr. Austen Anderson directs the LEAF lab which has recently been 1) using mixed-methods to investigate the experiences of individuals who live alongside the Long Leaf Trace multipurpose trail in Hattiesburg; 2) examining the reciprocal relationship among sleep, pain, and psychological distress with daily diary data; 3) and assessing the clustering of lifestyle behaviors in a national sample of college students, and how those behaviors are associated with mental health and well-being. Some of our next steps are studying lifestyle behaviors and mental health using intensive measurement (daily for ~60 days) and beginning to look at the role of lifestyle behaviors in traditional psychotherapy.
Eric R. Dahlen, Ph.D.
Professor, School of Psychology
Doctorate from: Colorado State University
Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive-behavioral
Research Interests: Overt and relational aggression/victimization among emerging adults, dysfunctional anger, college student mental health, and related areas.
Anger and Personality Lab: The Anger and Personality Lab is directed by Dr. Eric Dahlen and studies the role of personality and individual differences in a variety of aggressive and other morally transgressive behaviors. Recent work has focused on dark personality traits (e.g., psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism), moral disengagement, and anger in understanding relational aggression and cyber aggression. We recently started a series of studies to examine the possible impact of peer victimization on college student mental health and well-being.
Ashley Jones, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, School of Psychology
Doctorate from: The University of Southern Mississippi
Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive-behavioral, Humanistic/Person-centered
Research Interests: Improving the practice of forensic mental health evaluation, exploring technology use in the legal system, addressing socioeconomic factors that impact justice involvement
Forensic and Correctional Team (FACT): Dr. Jones leads the FACT Lab at USM, which is currently testing the validity of an e-therapy app for people on probation, finalizing the publication of a correctional officer training program focused on addressing criminal thinking errors, and exploring the unique experience of justice-involved students.
Melanie Leuty, Ph.D.
Professor, School of Psychology
Director, Center for Faculty Development
Doctorate from: University of Minnesota
Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive-behavioral, Behavioral
Research Interests: Career development and mental health of college students and adults, finding work that fits one's values and personality, career counseling interventions, career issues related to social class, sexual orientation, and generational changes
Work and Occupations Research Collaboration: The Work and Occupations Research Collaboration is directed by Dr. Melanie Leuty and focuses on the assessment of work values; generational issues in career development; career development of college students and college student success; understanding how fitting with one's job affects mental health and well-being; measure development; efficacy of vocational assessments; and career counseling interventions and outcomes.
Note: Dr. Leuty is not admitting students during the 2025 admission cycle.
Bonnie C. Nicholson, Ph.D.
Professor, Interim Training Director, Counseling Psychology Master's Program
Associate Director, School of Psychology
Doctorate from: Marquette University
Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive-behavioral
Research Interests: Parenting, especially positive parenting in at-risk populations; helicopter parenting and college student adjustment.
Positive Parenting Research Team: The Positive Parenting Research Team is directed by Dr. Bonnie Nicholson and focuses on investigating parenting and positive factors which are associated with positive outcomes. Current projects involve investigations of helicopter parenting and college students, cultural variations in parenting, and projects related to parental and adult attachment.
Emily Bullock Yowell, Ph.D.
Professor, Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program Training Director
Doctorate from: Florida State University
Theoretical Orientation: Cognitive-behavioral
Research Interests: Practical application of career development theory and assessments to improve the overall lives of college students, unemployed adults, active military & veterans, offenders, working community members, those dealing with mental illness, and other under-researched or marginalized populations.
Vocational Psychology Research Team: The Vocational Psychology Research Team is directed by Dr.%20Emily%20Yowell and focuses on the practical application of career development theory and assessments to improve the overall lives of college students, employed adults, active military & veterans, offenders, working community members, those dealing with mental illness, and other under-researched or marginalized populations.
All faculty are planning to review applications for the Fall 2025 admission cycle unless otherwise noted. Graduate students in the Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program are paired with a major professor who serves as a research mentor. This pairing takes place at admission for students admitted to the doctoral program (i.e., doctoral students are admitted to work with a specific faculty member). Master's students may have opportunities for some research involvement and are encouraged to make their preferences clear when applying (see Personal Statement instructions). Participation in the major professor's research lab/team allows students to become active in the process of research and gain hands-on experience.
Dr. Michael Madson: Dr. Madson has accepted a new position at Adler University.