Shannon B. Underwood
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Shannon is a sixth-year graduate student in the Anxiety Disorders Research Program. Prior to entering the lab, she received her B.S. at West Virginia University, graduating with minors in women's and gender studies and disability studies. Shannon's research interests include the role of Relational Frame Theory in clinical interventions, individual differences that serve as barriers to cultivating self-compassion, and the contradictory, detrimental effects of the wellness industry. Shannon's clinical rotations have included the Samuel S. Stratton Albany VA Medical Center, the University at Albany's Psychological Services Center, and MindWell Psychology LLP.
A West Virginia native, Shannon loves spending time hiking in the mountains. She also enjoys practicing yoga and mindfulness techniques in her daily life. In her free time, she has interests in interior design and is always on the lookout for antique, mid-century, and Danish furniture. She finds joy in nutritious home-cooking, thriving house plants, and stand-up comedy. |
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Max Z. Roberts
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Max is a fifth year doctoral student in the lab currently completing his pre-doctoral internship at the VA Maryland Healthcare System/ University of Maryland School of Medicine Psychology Internship Consortium. Max received his B.A. in psychology at the University of Vermont, M.A. in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in art therapy at Lesley University, and M.A. in psychology at the University at Albany, SUNY. Across graduate programs, Max has completed clinical training rotations at McLean Hospital’s OCD Institute, the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Cancer Support Center, the University at Albany’s Psychological Services Center, the Samuel S. Stratton Albany VA Medical Center, and Freedom First Psychological Services.
Max’s research interests include examination of transdiagnostic processes (particularly related to the psychological flexibility model in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, emotion regulation, and delay discounting) in the etiology, maintenance, and treatment of anxiety-related disorders and addictive behaviors. Outside of the lab, Max likes to draw and paint, cook and try new restaurants, and hike in the nearby mountains. He also loves to be around family, friends, and non-human animals. |
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Sara V. White
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Sara is a third-year graduate student in the Anxiety Disorders Research Program. Before joining the lab, Sara received her B.A. from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) with a major in psychology with a minor in human development. Sara was first introduced to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy while working as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Steven C. Hayes' lab at UNR.
Broadly, Sara's research interests include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Relational Frame Theory and how they may alleviate psychological suffering, specifically for diverse populations. Sara is especially interested in psychological processes underlying mental health stigma. In her free time, Sara enjoys exploring the outdoors, experimenting with new and elaborate dinner recipes, and hanging out with her cat, Fawkes. |
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Leah R. Howard
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Leah is a second-year clinical psychology doctoral student in the Anxiety Disorders Research Program. She received her B.A. from Bowdoin College with a major in psychology and a minor in Hispanic studies. Since graduating, Leah has worked at Massachusetts General Hospital and Cambridge Health Alliance pursuing her interests in mental health, well-being, and mindfulness-based approaches. In these roles, Leah worked with various teams researching adaptations of mindfulness-based interventions for various populations, including those with advanced lung cancer, opioid use disorder, substance use disorder, and COVID-19 stress-related anxiety and depression.
Leah is excited to continue pursuing her research and clinical interests in mindfulness, compassion, and acceptance-based approaches within the larger framework of ACT. In particular, she is interested in researching the transdiagnostic processes of experiential avoidance and intolerance of uncertainty, especially as it relates to the practice of meditation. She also has clinical interests in LGBTQIA+ populations. In her free time, you can find Leah hiking with her dog, snowboarding, practicing yoga, meditating, watching reality TV, or spending time with friends and family. |
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Te'Airra Decount
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Te’Airra is a second-year graduate student in the Anxiety Disorders Research Program. She received her B.A. from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) with a major in psychology and a double minor in community health science and Spanish, language and society. Te’Airra had her first clinical encounter with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy working with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as a registered behavior technician (RBT). During the last year of her undergraduate career, Te’Airra worked closely with a graduate student in Dr. Steven C. Hayes' lab at UNR. Te’Airra’s research interests broadly include exploring the clinical application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness practices. She is also interested in investigating the relationship between the growing popularity of ACT mobile apps, as a means of promoting psychological flexibility, and problematic smartphone usage (PSU). You can also find Te’Airra outside of the lab practicing yoga and mindfulness techniques, trying new baking recipes, and indulging in self-help books and podcasts. She also values spending time outdoors and surrounding herself with friends and family. |
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Minke
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Minke is a second-year Ph.Dog student in the Anxiety Disorders Research Program. His clinical interests include cuddles and unconditional love and his research focuses on chicken and squirrels. He loves to attend lab meetings every now and then to give students some support, laughter, and motivation.
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