Student Handbook
The Graduate Student Handbook provides the policies and procedures for the Psy.D. Program in Counseling Psychology.
Previous versions of the handbook:
Fall 2023 Student Handbook
Spring 2023 Student Handbook
Fall 2022 Student Handbook
Faculty and Students
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Dr. Leake earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky in 2006. She completed her internship at the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center and joined the faculty at Radford University in Virginia in 2007 after spending a year as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the University of Kentucky’s Counseling Psychology program. In 2014, she left Radford to work at the Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center with the Posttraumatic Stress Disorders Clinical Team and as Evidence-Based Psychotherapies Coordinator. She returned to Radford University as Director of the Psy.D. program from 2016-2021. She joined the Psy D in Counseling Psychology program faculty at Austin Peay State University as Director in 2021. Her research interests include military veteran reintegration, particularly for rural veterans, posttraumatic stress disorder, evidence-based treatments, integrated care, and adolescent belonging. Dr. Leake is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs (CCPTP) where she served as Secretary, and a commissioner on APA's Commission on Accreditation (CoA).She is licensed as a clinical psychologist in Tennessee with the health service provider (HSP) designation and enjoys working with veterans, couples, and families. |
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Dr. Daniel McKelvey earned his Ph.D. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from the University of South Alabama in 2019. He completed his internship at The Ohio State University’s Counseling and Consultation Service and completed a year-long postdoctoral residency in multicultural counseling at San Jose State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services. In 2020, he was hired as a core faculty member of Austin Peay State University’s newly launched Counseling Psychology PsyD program. His research interests include masculinities, gender role strain, intimate partner violence, sexual assault prevention, multicultural counseling competency, structural equation modeling, and item response theory. He is licensed as a clinical psychologist in Tennessee with the health service provider (HSP) designation. |
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Dr. Adkins earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oregon in 2009 and her ABPP certification in 2015. She earned a post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology from the California School of Professional Psychology in 2017, and a Master of Military Art and Science in Strategic Studies from the Command and General Staff College in 2025. She completed her predoctoral clinical internship at Federal Correctional Institute Fort Worth. She served as an officer in the commissioned corps of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) detailed to the Federal Bureau of Prisons from 2009 to 2014. As a USPHS officer she served as a Staff Psychologist and Drug Abuse Program Coordinator at United States Penitentiary Pollock, LA, and a Special Management Unit Psychologist at the United States Penitentiary Florence, CO. In 2014 she left the BOP to pursue full time private practice and commissioned in the United States Army Reserve as a 73B clinical psychologist. In 2023 she reclassified as a 38A Civil Affairs Officer and is currently serving as a Civil Military Operations Center Chief with 440th Civil Affairs Battalion A-Co. In 2021 she joined the faculty at the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology as the Faculty Director of the Military Psychology Specialty. She joined the Psy D in Counseling Psychology program faculty at Austin Peay State University as an assistant professor in 2025. Her research interests include the experiences of women in the military, with a focus on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), the unique challenges faced by military mothers, and the integration of trauma-informed practices—particularly trauma-sensitive yoga and Yoga Nidra—as pathways for healing and resilience. Dr. Adkins is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 19 Military Psychology. She is licensed as a clinical psychologist in Tennessee with the health service provider (HSP) designation and enjoys working with veterans, service members, and their families. |
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Dr. Mashburn earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Tennessee State University in 2025. She completed her internship at Western State Hospital in Hopkinsville, Ky. Clinically, since 2017 she has worked with children and adolescents, young adults, and adults across various settings such as community mental health, residential treatment facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and in-home settings. Her research interests include examining culture, healing trauma(s), ancestral healing, identity development, protective factors in historically excluded communities and cultural competency training. She is actively pursuing licensure as a clinical psychologist with HSP designation in TN. |
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Dr. Mehak Kapoor |
As a mental health professional, I am committed to creating inclusive spaces where every client feels seen, heard, and respected. My approach is rooted in trauma-informed care and the belief in meeting clients exactly where they are in their journey—honoring their unique experiences, identities, and strengths. I integrate empathy, cultural humility, and evidence-based practices to foster safety, trust, and growth. Alongside my clinical work, I am deeply passionate about training and mentoring others, equipping future practitioners with the knowledge and sensitivity to serve varied communities with compassion and skill. |
Dr. Valerie Leake
Dr. Daniel McKelvey
Dr. Erica Adkins
Dr. Reniece Mashburn
 Brian P. |
I am a current student and member of the inaugural cohort in the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Counseling Psychology program. I also earned my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees at Austin Peay State University. My research and clinical interests include working with children and families, neurodiversity, autism, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I have had practica experiences in our training clinic and private practice. I am also the student coordinator of the Supervision, Training Research, Evaluation, and Treatment for Children (STRETCH) lab. Through the lab, we have been able to provide a variety of services and support to a number of community partners. I appreciate the small cohort sizes and close collaboration with faculty in our program. I value the friendships and working relationships I have been able to cultivate in the program. |
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I am a member of the inaugural cohort for the PsyD program. I am an Army veteran and a first-generation non-traditional student. My research interests include religious trauma, existential therapy, and specific concerns afflicting current and former military members. My training experiences include working with the Military Student Center, Student Counseling Services, and the PsyD programs training clinic. I have also taught several courses in the Masters and undergraduate programs. These experiences have greatly informed my career goals and I am currently leaning towards working in a college counseling clinic following graduation with the opportunity to also be an adjunct professor. I am strongly invested in program cohesion and comradery so I strive to help foster an inclusive and warm environment for all students and this is a shared mindset with the program faculty. |
Tyler T.
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A member of the fourth PsyD cohort. My interests include military psychology, sport and performance psychology, children and families, neurodiversity, and supervision. Training experiences have included co-leading groups, working with clients, presenting at a conference and training in specific, evidence-based treatments as well as teaching within the psychology department and supervising master's student mentees. |
 Leah W. |
Austin Peay is a very familiar place for me! I graduated with my Master’s degree from APSU in 2014, was offered a position as an adjunct instructor in 2017, and decided to pursue my doctoral degree with APSU in 2021. I have experience working with various populations, including inpatient, incarcerated individuals, children and families involved in the juvenile justice system, military, and their families, private practice, and outpatient. I am an Army veteran spouse with significant research interest in the military population. My long-term goal is to work with the Veteran’s Administration. Personal and professional experience has led my interest in working with military mental health care. |
Kari B.|
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Jordana McLaughlin is a third year in the doctoral program. Jordana earned her master’s of science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at West Virginia University and her bachelor’s of science in Psychology at The University of Pittsburgh. Jordana has her License in Professional Counseling in Pennsylvania and has had her own private practice, worked in private insurance, and worked at the Department of Veteran Affairs Veteran Benefits Administration. Her clinical and research interests include assessment, chronic pain and disability, infertility, integrated behavioral health, mindfulness-based interventions, neuropsychology, positive psychology, trauma, and women’s issues. Jordana would like to continue working with veteran populations or within an integrated behavioral healthcare setting. In her spare time, Jordana enjoys baking, cooking, hiking, and running. |
Jordana M.|
Please see here for accreditation status and information for the university: Accreditation (apsu.edu) |
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The Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology Program at Austin Peay State University was accredited on contingency by the American Psychological Association's Commission on Accreditation in September 2024. If you have questions about the accreditation process for doctoral programs in psychology, you can contact the APA via the following means: American Psychological Association |