The work of Professor Jairo N. Fuertes, Ph.D., inspired Reyes to come to Derner. She is thrilled she did.
by Amanda Hayman
As a psychology major at City College of New York, Mariela Reyes intended to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology. It was the work of Jairo N. Fuertes, Ph.D., an associate professor at听 that inspired her to come to Derner. She is thrilled she did.
鈥淭he mentorship is there at Derner; it is vital,鈥� Reyes said. She described the curriculum as 鈥渧ersatile, well rounded and always keeping me on my toes.鈥�
Her main interests, which she also shares with Dr. Fuertes, are understanding the interpersonal relationships between the patients and therapists and studying the unmet metal health needs of minority groups that are unable or unwilling to seek help.
鈥淚 came across the work of Dr. Fuertes during my search for graduate programs,鈥� Reyes said. 鈥淚 was really attracted to his expertise in multicultural counseling and his affiliations with . I then had the opportunity to meet and speak with him before selecting potential mentors, and when we discussed several of his ongoing projects and my goals for graduate school, I knew and felt we were a good fit.鈥�
Reyes is about to start working on her second-year dissertation on the stigma of mental health and disparities within Latino and Afro-Caribbean populations. For her research, she plans to involve the population she is currently working with at a nursing home in Uniondale, New York.
Another overarching interest for Reyes, and an ultimate goal of hers, is to address the psychological needs of youth who are struggling with substance abuse. 鈥淪ubstance use disorders among adolescents and young adults鈥攕pecifically in the urban community鈥擺are] highly prevalent and often comorbid with other psychiatric issues such as depression and anxiety,鈥� Reyes said. 鈥淎 goal of mine is to provide psychotherapeutic services to youth who are either at risk of developing substance use disorders or who currently [are] struggling with abuse and require appropriate services.鈥�
For Reyes, the Derner Institute has provided welcome intellectual rigor and the opportunity to build a career. 鈥淚t is a program that鈥檚 going to give you a rich experience,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t is challenging, but very meaningful. You get what you鈥檙e looking for.鈥�
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director听
p 鈥� 516.237.8634
e 鈥� twilson@adelphi.edu