Dr. Lauren Quetsch
Dr. Lauren Quetsch is a Clinical Psychologist and an Assistant Professor at the University of Arkansas in the Department of Psychological Sciences. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in children and families from West Virginia University in Morgantown. Her research and clinical interests focus on providing treatments for autistic youth and families. In particular, Dr. Quetsch is passionate about helping families gain effective tools for strengthening the parent-child relationship and reducing child aggression and disruptive behavior. Furthermore, her recent work has focused on exploring the intersectionality of neurodiversity and historically marginalized identities and how these impact the rate and timeliness of autism diagnoses, family experiences with racism and prejudice in autism-based treatments, and the presence of autism stigma in minoritized populations and cultures. Dr. Quetsch has expertise in a family-focused treatment called Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and has been a PCIT certified within-agency trainer since 2018. Dr. Quetsch’s training experiences include training groups of mental health therapists, community behavioral health providers, medical professionals, and clinical psychology doctoral graduate students.
Dr. Quetsch has combined her interests through adapting evidence-based treatments for autistic youth in her research and clinical practice, and has even co-edited a book entitled, “Handbook of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Children on the Autism Spectrum.” Additionally, she co-wrote a parenting book, “Good Enough Parenting: A Six-Point Plan for a Stronger Relationship with Your Child;” and a practitioner’s therapeutic guide, “Working with Parents of Aggressive Children: A Practitioner’s Guide.” She recently was awarded the Arkansas Psychological Association’s Academician/Researcher of the Year Award (2021), the Robert and Sandra Connor Endowed Faculty Fellowship (2022), the Early Career Award from the Association for Behavior and Cognitive Therapy’s (ABCT) Autism Spectrum and Developmental Disorders Special Interest Group (2022), and the Anne Marie Albano Early Career Award for the Integration of Science and Practice (2023). She has received grants for expanding autism support services, exploring family utilization of emergency services for their autistic youth, investigating racism in diagnostic and treatment services for Black families of autistic children, studying aggression in autistic youth across development, and training dental providers in evidence-based skills to increase child comfort and compliance during dental visits.
Our Team
OUR FURRY FRIENDS 🙂
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Paula Moreno Parada
Graduate Student
Rebecca Bradley
Graduate Student
Becca is a fourth-year graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program. She is interested in improving early screening and intervention, reducing barriers to treatment, and increasing our understanding of the familial and community factors that impact outcomes in ASD populations.
Learn more about Becca HERE
Harlee Onovbiona, M.A.
Graduate Student
Harlee is a fourth–year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program. Her clinical interests include providing treatments for autistic youth and children with disruptive behaviors in hopes of improving behaviors and outcomes. Harlee is particularly interested in family–centered and strength-based interventions. Her research interests include dissemination and implementation of evidence–based treatments for autistic youth, assessing risk and resilience factors that may impact outcomes for systemically marginalized groups, and implementation of culturally responsive treatment interventions to address cultural disparities within this population.
Learn more about Harlee HERE
Julia Kiefer, M.A
Graduate Student
Julia Kiefer is a third-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program. She is working as a graduate student clinician at Cherokee Nation Health Systems in the Outpatient clinic, as well as the University of Arkansas Psychological Clinic. Clinically, Julia is passionate about working with children and adolescents with anxiety and other mood disorders. Julia is also interested in working with families and youth experiencing traumatic stress. Much of Julia’s research includes examining ways to adapt evidence-based therapies to increase accessibility for under-reached populations. She is currently completing her dissertation, which is examining the efficacy of tele-health adaptations to Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).
Learn More about Julia HERE
Emily-Anne Del Rosario
Graduate Student
Emily is a third-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program. She is interested in the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based interventions for underserved families and children with disruptive behavior disorders.
Learn more about Emily HERE
Emily Shah, M.A
Graduate Student
Emily is a second-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology Program. Both Emily’s research and clinical interests are related to treatment for autism spectrum and related disorders amongst children and adolescents. Specifically, she is interested in interventions that aim to reduce distressing symptoms for autistic youth and their families and exploring best practices for reducing barriers to treatment. Emily is particularly interested in examining intervention strategies and outcomes that are related to the reduction of co-occurring mental health problems that may impact individuals with autism (e.g., anxiety and depressive symptoms).
Learn more about Emily HERE.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Leah Gelfand (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Undergraduate Student
Leah is an undergraduate honors student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Spanish and Jewish Studies. She is particularly interested in improving access to mental healthcare in underserved communities. After earning her BA, Leah plans to attend graduate school in order to continue her education and prepare her for a career that involves providing mental health care to all members of her community.
Swathi Menon (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Undergraduate Student
Swathi is a junior undergraduate honors student who is majoring in Psychology and Biology. Her research interests include working with children who are differently-abled or struggle with mental illnesses, and she has been spending time working in such settings back in her hometown as well. After graduation, she hopes to either go to graduate school for pediatric occupation therapy or medical school to become a pediatrician.
Paige Diamond (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Undergraduate Student
Juan Lemus (Pronouns: he/him/his)
Undergraduate Student
Juan Lemus is a Freshman undergraduate Path Honors Scholar majoring in Public Health and Exercise Science. He is interested in performing research across multiple fields and working hands-on to provide quality healthcare to marginalized persons. After graduation, he will attend medical school to become a pediatrician or research the treatment of neurological diseases.
Emily Frey (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Undergraduate Student
Emily Frey is a second-year honors student majoring in psychology. She is interested in working with neurodivergent children and is currently navigating what field of psychology to go into after graduation. Currently, she plans on continuing her education at graduate school or applying to medical school in the psychiatry or psychology field.
Michelle Calderon (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Undergraduate Student
Michelle Calderon is a first-year honors path scholar majoring in public health. Her interest includes healthcare and serving underrepresented communities. “I hope to one day give back to my community and work with healthcare policy.”
Jasmine Interiano (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Undergraduate Student
Jasmine is a first-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Child Advocacy. Her research interests include helping children manage their everyday lives who struggle with disabilities or mental illnesses. After graduating she plans to go to graduate school to further her education and earn her master’s in behavioral therapy or a school counseling for kids.
Serenity Richardson (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Undergraduate Student
My name is Serenity Richardson. I am a sophomore majoring in psychology. I am interested in learning about the conditions and illnesses pertaining to underrepresented children and learning the ways or techniques to help them adapt, and ultimately improve their quality of life. After undergrad, I plan to become an oral health advocate and continue my academic career in dental school to work as a dentist or an orthodontist.
Madeleine Schlegel (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Undergraduate Student
Madeleine is a second-year honors student majoring in psychology. She is interested in learning about children and adolescents who struggle with anxiety and mood disorders. After graduation, she hopes to attend graduate school for clinical psychology and pursue a career in psychotherapy.
Reese Norbie (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Undergraduate Student
Mercy Irungu (Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Post Bach Volunteer
Mercy is deeply interested in the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based interventions for children with disruptive behavior disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with a particular focus on underserved communities in Kenya and beyond. Recognizing the unique challenges that vulnerable populations face, Mercy is committed to developing and delivering tailored interventions that address the specific needs and circumstances of these children and their families. Mercy is dedicated to reaching out to communities, including those in remote or underserved areas, to ensure that her expertise and services are accessible to all who need them. She is a passionate advocate for raising awareness about disruptive behavior disorders and ASD, promoting understanding, and reducing stigma surrounding these conditions.
LAB ALUMNI
Katie Parisi, Ph.D
Katie graduated in 2023, and is currently a post-doctoral fellow at Brown University with a focus on Early Childhood Consultation. We are proud of you Katie! 