Ficklin Receives Pre-doctoral Fellowship from American Psychological Association
I am interested in working with cultural adaptations, and this fellowship will help me serve Native clients to the best of my ability.
Erica Ficklin has been awarded a Predoctoral Fellowship in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (MHSAS) from the American Psychological Association’s Minority Fellowship Program (MFP). The MFP is a training program committed to increasing the number of ethnic minority professionals in the field of psychology and increasing the understanding of ethnic minority communities and their experiences. The MHSAS fellowship supports doctoral students with a commitment to a career in ethnic minority behavioral health services or policy.
“This fellowship will help me learn more about how to serve diverse clients in a meaningful way,” said Ficklin, a fourth-year doctoral student in the Utah State University Department of Psychology’s Combined Clinical/Counseling Psychology Program. “I am also grateful for the opportunity to spend more time on research.”
MHSAS offers financial support for recipients for up to three years, including support for travel for training and conferences and dissertation support. As an MHSAS recipient, Ficklin will receive additional training through the American Psychological Association and gain access to a network of professionals with similar interests.
“Receiving this fellowship will allow me to connect more with others and do more research that could hopefully have a positive impact for Native communities,” said Ficklin. “The connection to mentors and scholars across the country was the primary aspect of MFP that attracted me.”
Ficklin says receiving this fellowship will allow her to connect with professionals and scholars from around the world. She looks forward to sharing insights with those individuals to become a better clinician for diverse clients. After graduation, Ficklin hopes to work in a clinical setting where she can use cultural adaptations to serve the underserved, including Native Americans.
“I honestly did not think I would seriously be considered for the fellowship the first time I applied,” said Ficklin. “I am so grateful Dr. Tehee encouraged me to apply.” Ficklin went on to say that having Dr. Tehee as a mentor has changed her life, helping her to believe in herself and strive for such a meaningful fellowship.
Ficklin counsels her fellow students to apply for scholarships and fellowships to help them gain experience and widen their impact as students, researchers, and practitioners.
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