From Student Worker to Doctoral Fellow: A McNair Scholar’s Path to Clinical Psychology

Emely Sanchez ’23C, a first-year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology, is not new to the center. She has had a long-standing relationship there, transitioning from student worker to doctoral fellow.  As a doctoral fellow, Emely works under the supervision of Felicia McNair ’06C, ’10G, ’13Ph.D.

As a first-year doctoral fellow, her primary responsibility is to conduct the preliminary phone screenings of new clients. The Center for Psychological Services provides clinical care for common mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, as well as learning disabilities such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. As a student in the child track, Emely enjoys helping families gain better access to mental health care.

“Fellows play a critical role in the center,” shared Dr. McNair. “It requires a triage of skills. You need to be able to provide care and empathy, while also having the clinical skill to assess the needs of the client. The fellows also need to assess the safety risks associated with new clients because you never know what is going to be said on the other line.”

The Center for Psychological Services sees a large array of clients that encompasses children, adolescents, and adults. Services provided include individual psychotherapy, psychological testing, and diagnostic consultation. Clients benefit from the services of a training clinic due to evidence-based practices, multicultural experience, and flexible slicing scale fees.

When interacting with a new client, Emely must ask the question, “Are we the best fit for the client’s mental health needs?” Even with her expertise in center policy and procedures, she is always expanding her knowledge and improving her skills in client relations.

“I love it when I get to sit down with a family and actually help them figure out what is best for their child, whether that is providing accommodations or building coping tools,” she said. 

As an undergraduate student, Emely majored in Psychology and minored in Business. She cites the McNair Scholars Program in facilitating her academic success. The federally funded McNair Scholars Program is named in honor of Ronald E. McNair, Ph.D., an African American engineer, scientist, and astronaut who died in the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger accident.

This program offers graduate school preparation for first-generation and/or income-eligible college students, as well as individuals who are underrepresented in graduate education. Program participants pursue a variety of scholarly activities and research opportunities as preparation for doctoral-level study.

Emely started working for the Center for Psychological Services as a junior, where she first met Dr. McNair, who is a fellow McNair Scholar, a previous student worker of the center, and a graduate of the Clinical Psychology program.

“Navigating this work requires the utmost professionalism,” said Dr. McNair. “All of Emely’s experiences at the center as an undergraduate have only helped her experience as a fellow. She already knows how our center operates, and it has been amazing to watch her grow into a strong professional. It is admirable.”

“Reaching out to the surrounding community is important,” Emely added. “We are combating the mental health crisis in New York City in real time.”

The Center for Psychological Services is well-aligned with the Vincentian mission of St. John’s, which is something that both Dr. McNair and Emely are passionate about. “We provide high quality care at a modest cost,” Dr. McNair stated. “As a Vincentian school, our mission is to support the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable, and I think the center does that.”

Throughout her time at St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Emely has taken full advantage of the College’s resources, both academically and beyond the classroom.

“My time at St. John’s has been a journey of self-discovery as I explored my passions and charted my future career,” she said. “While I have faced both challenges and successes, the unwavering support, resources, and mentorship have been essential in bringing my goals closer to reality.”

As Emely continues in her doctoral studies, she hopes to apply her experience at the center to her research on Hispanic and Latinx communities, exploring the barriers they face in accessing mental health care.