Twenty-one students file into an Academic Innovation Center classroom chatting. It’s day one of orientation for Bryant’s Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) program students, and the next forty-five minutes are dedicated to a myriad of topics: professionalism, ethical use of artificial intelligence, and the importance of building a community — not just within the program, but within Rhode Island.
“You have no idea how excited the state’s psychologists are that you are here; you’re the talk of the town, which is great,” says School of Health and Behavioral Sciences Associate Director and Psychology Professor Joseph Trunzo, Ph.D., who currently serves as the president of the Rhode Island Psychological Association. “We want to get out there and give back to the community as much as we can, and we want you guys to develop what you're passionate about and think about what kind of service work you might want to do as a group.”
Selected from close to 100 applications, Byrant’s inaugural Psy.D. cohort consists of 21 accomplished individuals who come from a variety of professional backgrounds — including case management, social work, and health program coordination.
“There's something incredibly meaningful about being part of a program’s beginning,” says Christina Tortolani, Ph.D., associate professor and Psy.D. program director. “This group has the unique opportunity to help shape the culture, values, and legacy of the Psy.D. program. I look forward to seeing how this cohort channels their passion, curiosity, sense of purpose, and determination throughout their training and professional journey.”
Tackling national behavioral health issues
The university’s doctoral program lives within the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, which is committed to improving healthcare delivery and outcomes — particularly to underserved populations — in Rhode Island, New England, and across the United States. Currently, the country is experiencing a national behavioral health crisis where two-thirds of psychologists across the U.S. have increased caseloads or waitlists. Adding more certified experts to the workforce helps to tackle this problem head-on.
“We have a dynamic mix of students — some joining us right after their bachelor’s, others bringing valuable insight from master’s-level training,” says Trunzo, noting the class’s the incredible diversity in both experience and motivation. “It's especially exciting to welcome our Bryant alums, which speaks to the strength of our academic community. This group brings a wide range of lived experiences and a shared enthusiasm for areas like health psychology, neuropsychology, and working with children and adolescents.”
The incoming Psy.D. cohort hails from across the United States, including students from Arizona, South Carolina, New York, Ohio, and most coming from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Consisting of three Bryant alumni, the cohort’s age range spans from 21 to 38 years old. The majority of incoming students have experience in the health and behavioral sciences field, ranging from a psychometric technician at Neuropsychology Partners, Inc. to a clinical social worker for the community-based acute treatment unit at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Doctoral students can choose to specialize in one of two concentrations: Child and Adolescent Psychology or Health Psychology. Both concentrations have a shortage of qualified specialists to provide care for these growing populations.
“Having Psy.D. students from across the U.S. brings incredible richness to our cohort and program,” Tortolani says. “Every student brings a unique story — shaped by their cultural background, regional perspective, and life experiences — which enriches classroom dialogue, fosters cultural humility, and expands our shared understanding of mental health across diverse communities.”
Transformative facilities
Having a small cohort will allow for a close-knit, collaborative community. Doctoral programs are demanding, and peer groups can be a great support and provide a sense of belonging. The inaugural class is stepping into a full-time, four-year program, followed by a one-year, full-time doctoral internship.
To support their learning, the university recently built a new Psychology Research Center, which was supported by a $1.5 million federal appropriation secured by U.S. Senator Jack Reed. The center is meant to enrich the educational experience and prepare students to address real concerns upon graduation. Students will have access to state-of-the-art labs — including a Child Development Lab Suite, Observation Roleplay Suite, Psychophysiology and Cognitive Lab, and Interaction Lab Suite.
Additionally, there will be a community space and wellness room so students can bridge connections with classmates and care for their mental health as they engage in a rigorous program.
Starting their next five years
To wrap up their first day of orientation, students partake in an improv class taught by Kate Teichman, who uses this theatrical technique within the mental health field.
“When you step into rooms with patients, families, or whoever you're dealing with, sometimes you've got to set that stage for that open communication,” she tells them.
She notes that you need to stay open enough to hear what the person is saying and respond in the moment to what the person has to say.
“It’s about building that connection and creating that bridge between the two of you,” Teichman says. “Improv is all about collaboration: we're working together. It's all about support and finding on a common ground together.”
After several exercises and laughs, the group enjoyed food and drinks together — chatting and getting to know one another better as they prepared for a transformational four years ahead.