Drawn to the intersection of mental health and athletics, doctoral student Avery Corneil (Ph.D. ’27) is passionate about expanding access to mental health care and researching the experiences of women who hold leadership positions in the world of athletics.
- Hometown: Arlington, Texas
- Degree objective and graduation date: Ph.D. in counseling psychology, 2027
- Degree(s) and graduation date: B.A. in psychology, Baylor University, 2020; M.A. in sport and performance psychology, University of Denver, 2022
I chose UGA for my Ph.D. because the counseling program had an overall well-rounded focus on quality clinical work, teaching opportunities, multicultural counseling training, assessment training, and a sport focus track. I have had wonderful opportunities to teach undergraduate courses, provide comprehensive assessment testing, and facilitate individual and group therapy at a variety of practicum sites, including the UGA Mental Health and Performance Clinic in the athletic department and the Center for Counseling and Personal Evaluation in the Mary Frances Early College of Education. My philosophy with counseling is that you have to work with the whole person within their context, not just the presenting symptomology. The UGA counseling psychology program’s approach to holistic training and social justice advocacy aligns with my personal values and approach to psychology. It also challenges me to grow as a scholar, clinician, researcher, and person.
Why are you passionate about your research, and what sparked your interest in pursuing counseling psychology?
My interest in counseling psychology started in high school, where I recognized the lack of accessibility and stigma surrounding mental health in sports. Throughout my time in graduate school, my passion for exploring what it means to be “mental healthy” in high-pressure environments inspired both my clinical and research interests.
My dissertation research explores women’s leadership experiences in sport psychology; specifically, how their identities impact their experience, challenges they’ve navigated, and lessons learned to be resilient. I am passionate about this because women face unique challenges in leadership positions and in the world of athletics. I believe women deserve to have their voices heard, and that we should better understand how to challenge systemic issues and support women in these environments.
What do you hope to accomplish with your research on women leaders in sports?
My hope is that the results of the study can lead to changes in the field of sport psychology and athletics and that women can be better supported in leadership positions. I also hope it inspires and informs new generations of women who wish to pursue leadership opportunities in sport psychology. I am deeply grateful for my dissertation committee and previous athletic supervisors for their continued support and encouragement of my research!
Are you involved in any academic or service-oriented organizations? If yes, how do they enhance your academic and/or research endeavors?
I am currently working as a mental health clinician on the Project OCEAN fellowship, which provides free mental health services to underinsured and uninsured people at Piedmont Community Care Clinic in Athens. My previous work on this fellowship also included providing free mental health services at the Oconee County Jail, which focused on substance use and trauma-informed interventions. These experiences have allowed me an opportunity to give back to my local community by expanding accessibility to mental health care and destigmatizing mental health. It has also helped me grow my clinical abilities by learning trauma-informed interventions for high-need populations.
I am also the clinical coordinator at the Center for Counseling and Personal Evaluation at UGA, where I support the training of new mental health clinicians and connect clients with therapists. This allows me to both support and learn from the next generation of mental health providers.
During my first two years in the program, I also taught the “Drugs and Alcohol Abuse Issues” undergraduate course. This opportunity allowed me to connect with UGA students and enhance their understanding of substance use concerns and mental health. Teaching this class while working with clients with substance use concerns allowed me to connect the bridge between academia and clinical work.
Throughout all of my experiences, my underlying passion for education, destigmatization, and accessibility of mental health care has been consistent. My academic and clinical experiences shaped how I show up as a person, clinician, and researcher.
What are your future plans after you graduate with your doctoral degree?
My plan after graduation is to obtain a postdoctoral position or staff job as a sport psychologist in a college athletic department or a professional sports team. I want to help expand access to mental health services for athletes while also destigmatizing mental health concerns within athletic departments. I hope to continue working with student-athletes to support their overall well-being and athletic success.