Since the pandemic, few disciplines have seen as many changes as psychology. New research methods and topics have emerged as society has taken a greater interest in mental health issues – specifically when it comes to cognitive psychology, which includes how we process music or how the brain cultivates motivation.
To meet these emerging challenges, Kent State University’s Department of Psychological Sciences aims to foster an inclusive environment by offering more courses relevant to societal changes happening today.
A pediatric psychologist by trade, Georgette Constantinou, Ph.D., came to Kent State with more than 40 years of experience working with children. Armed with a passion to share her knowledge with today’s students, she created the course Trauma in Children and Adolescents.
Constantinou, a pediatric psychologist consultant and associate professor of psychology at Northeast Ohio Medical University, admits the subject matter is intense for many students. Rather than working with a textbook, Constantinou uses resources like the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) and her own research to discuss what trauma is and what it does to the brain, in addition to discussing informed educational practices and how to promote resilience within a practice.
Through the NCTSN, students take online training courses and receive certifications to become better informed about trauma.
The course looks at difficult topics like domestic violence, human trafficking, school shootings, children placed in foster care and other scenarios that can lead to trauma in adolescents.
“One of my purposes is that a lot of these students want to go into mental health as a profession, and I very much want them to understand what that is going to look like,” Constantinou said. “The students who stick it out really come out of the course recommitting to wanting to do this kind of work.”
Constantinou hopes her students will understand that even those who don’t decide to work in psychology can still make a difference.
“The data tells us that if there is a caring, consistent adult for the child, it will help them mitigate the impact of even the most unbelievable stresses in their lives,” Constantinou said. “It’s our job to advocate for children because they can’t advocate for themselves.”
Kent State senior Audrey Monstwil, a psychology major and human development and family studies minor from New Castle, Pennsylvania, said she found the course both challenging and impactful.
“Dr. C is an amazing professor who has done extensive work in the field," said Monstwil. “During the class, she talks about her personal experiences of working with children and adolescents who faced traumatic experiences. It’s a mentally difficult course. The class is not for everyone, but if you seriously want to be trauma-informed going into the mental health profession, it’s a great class to take.”
Learn more about Kent State’s Department of Psychological Sciences.