"The Past is Our Future"

The GREAT team is consists of doctoral students in the Psychology Department at Colorado State University and Dr. Tammi Vacha-Haase.  This team is dedicated to increasing the well being of older adults through clinical practice, providing direct services, and contributing to knowledge base through geriatric research.  With a firm commitment to the scientist-practitioner model, team members continue to have their research inform their practice, and their clinical work inform their research.

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A Workshop on Applying to Graduate School in Psychology

Members:

Tammi Vacha-Haase, Ph.D. - Dr. Tammi Vacha-Haase is an associate professor in the Counseling psychology doctoral program in the Psychology Department at Colorado State University.  She served as the Training Director of the program for the past 8 years, before stepping down to focus on her geropsychology interests.  In addition to her involvement with the GREAT team, Dr. Vacha-Haase currently serves as the consulting psychologist at several local long term care and assisted living facilities. She has authored numerous articles and chapters, received several grants, and currently has an active research and training program.  Dr. Vacha-Haase is a member of the Society for Counseling Psychology (Division 17), Psychologists in Long Term Care (PLTC), and the newly formed Geropsychology Training Committee.

Kate Martin, MS - Kate Martin is currently a fourth year graduate student in counseling psychology.  She completed her masters thesis on the topic of LGB issues in long-term care facilities. Other research projects have been in the areas of aging, sexuality, and long-term care (LTC). Clinically, Kate is employed at the department mental health clinic, and at a LTC facility providing direct services.  Kate’s  community work has focused on individual and couple's counseling; her work in LTC has centered on individual adjustment to life in long-term care. In the future, Kate plans to be involved in academia, teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate level.

Kate Fitzpatrick, MS - Kate Fitzpatrick is currently a fourth-year graduate student. Her research interests include caregivers, feminism, and relationships.  Her clinical interests involve couples, women's issues, and substance abuse.  Kate’s geriatric experiences range from running a group in a nursing home to collecting data for various studies with an older adult population. In the future she plans to work primarily as a clinician in private practice working with adults and older adults.

Jodi Coochise, BA- Jodi Coochise is currently a third year graduate student in Counseling Psychology. She is currently working on a masters thesis on the topic of adolescent alcohol involvement and the impact of parental monitoring and self esteem. Other research interests are in areas of grief and loss. Clnically, Jodi is employed at the University Counseling Center in the Learning Assistance Program assessing students for learning difficulties. Jodi’s other clinical work has focused primarily on individual counseling with adults. In the future Jodi plans to work largely as a clinician in private practice working with adults and couples. She will also focus on counseling related to grief and bereavement.

Natalie Brescian, MS - Natalie Brescian is a third-year student studying certified nursing assistants employed in LTC and their experience of patient aggression. Her research interests also include neuropsychological testing with older adults and family/staff/patient dynamics in a care setting. Clinically, Natalie is employed at the Psychological Services Center and Front Range Community College. In the future, Natalie plans to integrate neuropsychological testing and therapy into a private practice focusing on older adults. She would love to teach part-time if the opportunity arises.

Krystle B. Archibald, MS - Krystle Balhan’s research interests include older adult populations, grief, death anxiety, self-esteem, psychology of women, and group process. Many of these research interests also transfer to her clinical interests as well. Krystle is currently involved as a co-supervisor for a group in an assisted living facility. She looks forward to working with adults in a private practice setting.

Lindsay Sharp, BS - Lindsay Sharp is a second year student studying physicans’ attitudes related to screening older adults for alcohol use. Her research interests also include neuropsychology with older adults. Clinically, Lindsay is interested in health psychology related to older adults, specifically with certain neuropsychological problems as well as substance use issues. Currently, Lindsay is facilitating a current events/adjustment group in a local LTC facility, and works as a neuropsychologist psychometrist. Lindsay would eventually like to have her own multidisciplinary clinical practice; however, adjunct teaching is always an option for her.

Sydney Felker, BS - Sydney Felker’s research interests include attitudes toward women, family relations, and geriatric psychology. Clinically, she intends to work with adults of all ages, with a concentration on geriatric populations. Sydney is currently co-leading an adjustment group at an assiated-living facility. Her thesis is related to psychometrics and attitudes towards women of older adults. In the future,  she plans to manage a private practice working with adults and possibly teaching psychology courses as an adjunct professor.

Liz Asta, BA - Liz Asta, a second year graduate student, has varied research interests that include LGBT issues, ethnic diversity, and family dynamics. She is collecting data for her masters thesis, which will focus on a qualitative analysis of older adults’ attitudes towards their gay and lesbian peers. Liz is co-chair of the aging section of Division 44 (LGBT) of APA. Her clinical interests include working with adults in a variety of settings. Currently, Liz is exmployed at the University Counseling Center at CSU and as a neuropsychologist psychometrist. Liz is co-leading an adjustment group at an Assisted-Living facility in Fort Collins as well. Future goals include working at a multi-disciplinary health center/ private practice as a generalist with an adult population and teaching in a master’s counseling program.

Michele Baranczyk, MS - Michele C Baranczyk is in the fourth year of an Industrial/Organizational Psychology program.  Her research interests include work-family balance, particularly in older workers, and occupational health psychology.   Currently, she is working with Kate Martin in research in sexuality of residents in LTC facilities.  After completing her degree, she plans to find an academic position.

Current Research Projects

Older Women/Feminism                  Data Collection                        Sydney Felker, Kate Fitzpatrick
LGBT/Older Adults and Peer            Data Collection                         Liz Asta
  Acceptance
PCP Assessment of Alcohol Use        Analysis                                Lindsay Sharp
  in Older Patients
Second Year Widowhood                Conceptualization                     GREAT Team
Neuropsychological testing with     Conceptualization                     Natalie Brescian
  Older Adults

Current Clinical Activities

Group Therapy                                 Assisted Living             Lindsay Sharp/Liz Asta/ Sydney Felker/Adam Sargent

Recent Publications

Martin, K.L., & Baranczyk, M.C. (2007). The Meaning of Wife? Lost in the Details [Review of the book The Meaning of Wife: A Provocative Look at Women and Marriage in the Twenty-First Century]. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 11(2), 226-227.

Vacha-Haase, T., & Fitzpatrick, K.  (in press).  Counseling the elderly. In F. T. L. Leong (Ed.).  Encyclopedia of Counseling, Volume One: Changes and challenges for counseling in the 21st century.  Thousand Oaks, CA:  Sage.

Vacha-Haase, T., &  Martin, K. L.  (in press).  Aging. Encyclopedia of Counseling. In F. T. L. Leong (Ed.).  Encyclopedia of Counseling, Volume One: Changes and challenges for counseling in the 21st century.  Thousand Oaks, CA:  Sage.
 
Vacha-Haase, T., Brescian, N. E., & Balhan, K. M.  (in press).  Gerontology.  In F. T. L. Leong (Ed.).  Encyclopedia of Counseling, Volume One: Changes and challenges for counseling in the 21st century.  Thousand Oaks, CA:  Sage.

Recent Presentations

Martin, K. L., Baraczyk, M. C., & Vacha-Haase, T. (2007, January). Predictors of Staff Reactions to Same-Sex Sexual Contacts in Long-Term Care Residents. Poster presented at the National Multicultural Conference and Summit, Seattle, WA.

Martin, K. L., Baranczyk, M. C., & Vacha-Haase, T. (2007, January). Predictors of Staff Reactions to Sexual Contacts in Long-Term Care Residents. Poster presented at the National Multicultural Conference and Summit, Seattle, WA.

Brescian, N. E., Felker, S. (2007, February). Let’s Give ’em Something to Talk About: Empowering Women with Interpersonal Communication Skills. Workshop presented at the Colorado State University Women’s Conference, Fort Collins, CO.

Balhan, K. M., Asta, E.L. (2007, February). Architecture of Self-Esteem. Workshop presented at the annual
Women’s Conference, Fort Collins, CO.

Baranczyk, M. & Fitzpatrick, K. (2007, February). Balancing the Multiple Roles of Women. Co-leader for workshop. Women’s Conference 2007, Fort Collins, CO.

Sharp, L.C. (2007, April). Retirement and Subjective Well-Being: A Past Review and Future Vision. Paper to be presented at the 77th annual convention of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Denver, Colorado.

Felker, S. E. (2007, April). Age discrimination in the work force: Implications for career  counselors. Paper to be presented at 77th Annual Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Conference, Denver, Colorado.

Asta, E.L. (2007, April). Best Practices for Career Counseling with Gay and Lesbian Clients. Paper to be
presented at the 77th annual convention of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Denver,
Colorado.

Brescian, N. E. (2007, April). The Use of Neuropsychological Tests to Predict Functional Status in the Elderly: A Review of Recent Literature. Paper to be presented at the meeting of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Denver, CO.

Martin, K. L. & Sharp, L.C. (2006, February). Sexuality as We Age. Workshop presented at the annual Women’s Conference, Fort Collins, CO.

Daly, J. C. & Martin, K. L. (2006, February). “How Do I Say This So You Can Hear It?” Couples Communication Skills. Workshop presented at the annual Women’s Conference, Fort Collins, CO.

Eberle N. M. & Martin, K. L. (2006, February). Preparing for Parenthood. Workshop presented at the annual Women’s Conference, Fort Collins, CO.

Martin, K. L. & Vacha-Haase, T.  (2006, August).Staff Perceptions of Resident Sexual Contact  in Long-Term Care Facilities.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.

Vacha-Haase, T., Chen, P.Y., & Martin, K. L.  (2005, August).  A survey of resident aggression toward certified nursing assistants in long term care facilities:  Effects of perceived control on care provider report of aggressive indicants and overall well-being.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

Vacha-Haase, T.  (2005, August).  Psychological practice with older adults:  Treatment of Axis I disorders in older adults.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.