RAISE Lab

Rosa Boniface, M.A.

(she/her)
 @BonifaceRosa

Rosa is a doctoral student who joined the lab in Fall 2018. Rosa graduated with her master’s degree in clinical psychology from WCU in 2014. Since then, she has been practicing in the field providing individual and family therapy to children and families. Her clinical practice has honed in on the specific areas of childhood trauma due to abuse and neglect; family attachment through theraplay techniques; and adoption services through state-level child protection services. Throughout her doctorate program, Rosa wishes to pursue research examining the impact of complex trauma on childhood development. Rosa’s long-term goal is to begin a non-profit agency, helping to increase public understanding and evidenced-based clinical treatment of children and families impacted by complex trauma.

Emily Hershorin, B.A.

(she/her)

 @EHershorin

Emily is a doctoral student who joined the lab in Fall 2019. Emily graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Binghamton University in 2018. Emily was a member of the Level II Student Conduct Board, as well as the Title IX Conduct Board while at Binghamton. Since graduating, Emily has worked with eating disorder patients, helping them start their recovery process. Her research interests are focused on treating anxiety, depression, and trauma through mindfulness activities and atypical exercise such as horseback riding. Emily’s long-term goals include helping to fight against the stigma of mental health and having a private clinical practice to help people of all ages overcomes anxiety, depression, trauma, and all of the symptoms and challenges that come with these.

Shannon Hiscock, B.A.

(she/her)

Shannon is a doctoral student who joined the team in Fall 2020. She graduated from WCU in the summer of 2020 with a B.A. in psychology. Both her clinical and research interests include the intersection between the criminal justice system and clinical psychology. Her goal is to study and implement various evidence-based therapies within the setting of correctional facilities, with a particular emphasis on helping incarcerated individuals heal from trauma. Her long-term goal is to work full-time as a clinician in a correctional facility, providing therapies and walking alongside this under served, stigmatized, but still very deserving population.

Oriana Barone, B.A.

(she/her)

Oriana is a doctoral student who joined the lab in Fall 2021. Through her internships, Oriana was able to see first-hand how clinical work helps decrease suffering and improve quality of life for vulnerable children and their families, which solidified her aspiration to become a clinical psychologist. Her research interests include increasing access to evidence-based practices for children and families in underserved communities and mindfulness-based interventions. Her long-term goal is to work in a mental health clinic providing therapy to children and adolescents.

Sarah Richter, B.A.

(she/her)

Sarah is a doctoral student who joined the lab in Fall 2022. She received her B.A. in psychology from The College of New Jersey in 2021. Sarah worked with urban youth while evaluating an after school program. While conducting her research, she saw the lack of academic and mental health resources for children in underserved communities. This work solidified Sarah’s passion for working with children and her goal to become a clinical psychologist. Her long-term goals include working with children as a clinical psychologist to help them and their families overcome developmental, mental health, and external challenges. Additionally, Sarah hopes to increase access to mental health and academic support to families of all backgrounds and SES.

Trokon Macauley, M.A.

Trokon Macauley is a doctoral student with experience in early childhood intervention and behavioral therapy. With a clinical focus on addressing trauma and neuropsychological testing in children and adolescents, Trokon is committed to providing specialized care and tailored support. His research interests include digital interventions, reducing barriers to treatment, and addressing racial trauma. Trokon's ultimate goal is to leverage his skills and resources to heal chronic mental illness in Black and Brown communities, pioneering innovative methods to enhance accessibility and break new ground in mental health equity.

Seth Krier, B.S.

Seth Krier served as an undergraduate and graduate research assistant from 2019 to present, pursuing his B.S. and M.S. in Psychology at West Chester University. Although Seth has assisted on multiple lab projects, he primarily worked on project 2Gen during his undergraduate studies.  Additionally, Seth has worked as an RBT administering ABA therapy to teen and youth populations in varied settings. His major interests include anxiety and depressive disorders as well as the phenomenology of meaning. Seth hopes to pursue his interests in addition to a doctorate in clinical psychology.

Rochelle Blignaut

Rochell is an international graduate student pursuing a Master's in General Psychology from South Africa. She possesses a keen interest in outdoor activities and meaningful social interactions. Exploring diverse cultures and traditions captivates her, and she is particularly passionate about working with children. Rochell's primary focus lies in the realm of trauma and PTSD, as she endeavours to raise awareness about the significance of mental health.

Tatum Williams

Tatum is pursuing a B.S. in psychology and is a member of the Honors College. She plans to further her education after undergraduate to receive her PsyD. Tatum hopes to focus on adolescents and young adults who are struggling with mental illness to help them learn to cope before they get older. RAISE lab will be her first experience with research and she hopes it will help prepare her for graduate school. She is also looking forward to the opportunity to work and do research in her field of interest. Her goal is to become a Clinical Psychologist who primarily focuses on children/adolescents. Tatum joined the team in Spring 2024. 

Sophia Jampo

Sophia is pursuing a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. She aspires to further her education after her undergraduate and obtain her M.S. in either General Psychology or Criminal Psychology. Her primary interests involve helping adolescents/young adults and families who need mental health therapy/group-based therapy. The RAISE lab will begin her journey of combining research and community-based clinical work and gaining experience working with children at risk. Her long-term goals include providing services to disadvantaged youth, and potentially inmates/parolees, who require help developing personal goals and rehabilitation plans to reduce relapse. Sophia hopes to not only offer counseling for offenders but also for those who are victims of crime-related violence. Her overall objective is to raise awareness for mental health and diminish stigma specifically in populations she feels are less understood. Sophia joined the team in Spring 2023. 

Eneida Vegas

Eneida is currently pursuing her B.S. in Psychology at West Chester University. Her ultimate career goal is to become a Clinical Neuropsychologist that is proficient at the assessment and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders and provide these services to underserved populations. She looks forward to her experience in the RAISE Lab and hopes to gain the insight needed to work in community settings. After earning her B.S. she hopes to complete her PsyD in Clinical Psychology at WCU. 

Elizabeth Mullin

Elizabeth is pursuing her B.S. in psychology, her specific areas of interest include childhood trauma, lifespan development, and trauma intervention. Her goal is to attend graduate school and later help young children work through their trauma using play therapy. She chose to join the RAISE lab to research trauma intervention specifically relating to youth and work towards making childhood trauma resources less stigmatized and more accessible. 

Daisy Cerrato

Daisy Cerrato is in her third year of pursuing a B.S in psychology. She plans on furthering her education after her undergrad years and earning her PhD in clinical psychology. She wants to work with children and young adolescents who endure mental illnesses. RAISE will be the beginning of her journey and research in the field. With this experience she hopes to gain valuable knowledge to help her in graduate school. 

Caylee Givnish

Caylee Givnish is a transfer student from Montgomery County Community College. She currently holds an associates in Psychology and is working toward a B.S., but would like to pursue a PsyD in the future. She aspires to a career as a child psychologist and would like to research how children adapt to trauma, depression, and stress at a young age. With this research she will help children process their mental health struggles. She is very excited to be a part of the RAISE Lab as it will give her the vital research experience needed to pursue these goal. 

Casey Nielson

Caylee Givnish is a transfer student from Montgomery County Community College. She currently holds an associates in Psychology and is working toward a B.S., but would like to pursue a PsyD in the future. She aspires to a career as a child psychologist and would like to research how children adapt to trauma, depression, and stress at a young age. With this research she will help children process their mental health struggles. She is very excited to be a part of the RAISE Lab as it will give her the vital research experience needed to pursue these goal. 

Emma Harris

Emma is pursuing a B.S in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. Her areas of interest are working with adolescents and young adults who endure mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. She is also interested in family relationships and neuropsychology. The RAISE Lab will be the beginning of her research in the field, where she hopes to gain valuable experience working with children at risk for mental illness. She also hopes that this research opportunity will prepare her for future research in graduate school, where she will be pursuing a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology. Her long-term goals consist of researching trauma within adolescents and young adults, some research within neuropsychology, and counseling those with mental illness, PTSD, and more specifically, victims of domestic violence and child abuse.