A.D.A.P.T Research Team

Deborah J. Ebener, Ph.D. is a Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems. She is also the Executive Director of the Adult Learning Evaluation Center (ALEC) in the College of Education. She earned her Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and an M.S. degree in Rehabilitation Administration from DePaul University in Chicago. She is a licensed psychologist and member of the American Psychological Association and the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association. Dr. Ebener’s research focuses on psychological and social factors that influence an individual’s coping and adaptation to disability and chronic illness, as well as recovery from substance use disorders. Her current research examines interventions for coping with ADHD and anxiety, positive psychology constructs of humor, spirituality, and optimism as coping mechanisms in recovery and adaptation. Her research is published in various peer-reviewed journals, including Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin; Disability and Rehabilitation: An International, Multidisciplinary Journal; and Aging and Mental Health. In her position as the Director of Clinical Training, Dr. Ebener coordinates the APA-accredited combined doctoral program in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology. She coordinates and supervises doctoral practicum and internships and teaches courses in Adult Development and Psychopathology, Addictions and Substance Abuse Counseling, Medical Aspects of Disability, Doctoral Field Practicum, and History and Systems of Psychology. Dr. Ebener also has extensive clinical experience in providing psychotherapy and assessment services in medical, clinical, and private practice settings. Dr. Ebener is also Executive Director of ALEC, which provides assessment and counseling services to college students and community members with ADHD, learning disabilities, and mental health issues. She oversees the overall operations of the Center, including the clinical training and research components. Research Areas

• Coping with disabilities (e.g., ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, mental health disorders, physical disabilities)
• Recovery from substance use disorders and adaptation to co-existing disabilities and mental health disorders
• Influence of humor and spirituality on attitudes toward disabilities
• Use of positive psychology constructs (e.g., humor, spirituality, optimism) in coping with disability and chronic illness and recovery from substance use disorders

Dr. Stephen Leierer, Ph.D., has worked in the discipline of counseling psychology, with a specialized focus on rehabilitation counseling and career development for over 30 years. Holding a doctorate from Florida State University, Dr. Leierer’s research significantly contributes to best practices in career counseling methodologies. His innovative application of quantitative analysis enables a nuanced understanding of factors influencing career choices and rehabilitation processes. Dr. Leierer's expertise notably enhances strategies for effective career guidance and client rehabilitation outcomes.

Tyler Wood, M.Ed. is a sixth-year Doctoral Candidate on internship at the Florida Gulf Coast University Counseling and Psychological Services. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Kentucky and his M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Louisville. Tyler’s research interests focus on influences of substance use behaviors in college students. His clinical interests focus on anxiety and stress, depression, interpersonal relationships, adjustment concerns, identity and self-esteem. He has worked with severe mental illnesses, substance use disorders, trauma, and various other presenting problems in private practice, community mental health, and college counseling settings. In his free time, Tyler enjoys spending time with friends and his dog, watching college athletics, woodworking, staying active with outdoor activities, and bringing the outdoors inside with a collection of houseplants.

Shelbi Fisher, M.S. is a fifth-year Doctoral Candidate on internship at Purdue University Counseling and Guidance Center. She earned her B.S. in Psychology and Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Indiana University Bloomington. Her research interests focus on coping with mental health disorders in the college student population. Her clinical interests include working with college students who struggle with depression, anxiety, grief, ADHD, LGB, and TGNC issues, family of origin issues, and identity development. Shelbi’s dissertation examines the role of coping strategies in improving psychological outcomes for college student athletes who have experienced severe injury. In her free time, Shelbi enjoys reading, watching college football and college basketball (Go Hoosiers!), and spending time with her family.

Nola Freeman, M.S. is a fourth-year Doctoral Candidate. She earned her B.F.A degree in Studio Art from the University of Texas at Austin and her M.S. in Art Therapy from Florida State University. She is credentialed as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Supervisor in the state of Florida. She is also a Board-Certified Art Therapist and Credentialed Art Therapy Supervisor. Her research interests include attitudes toward youth with disabilities and the use of positive psychology constructs with this population. Her clinical interests are in therapeutic intervention and assessment with youth and families. In her free time, Nola enjoys cooking, spending time outside, and cuddling with her two cats.

Maegan Harrison Boyd, M.A. is a third-year Doctoral Student. She is from Bainbridge, Georgia and earned both her B.A. in Psychological Science and M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. Her clinical and research interests focus on psychodiagnostics assessments and the use of ADHD Coaching. In her free time, Maegan enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, being outdoors, and painting.

Brooke Patten, M.S. is a third-year Doctoral Student. She is from Tallahassee, Florida and earned her B.S. in Psychology and M.S. in Counseling and Human Systems from Florida State University. She has worked in an assessment setting with persons experiencing cognitive deficiencies due to a variety of reasons including ADHD, mental illness, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and dementia. Her research interests include ADHD, positive psychology constructs, and coping with disability in an adult population. Her clinical interests include using positive psychology constructs to aid persons with long-term disabilities. In her free time, Brooke enjoys watching Netflix, spending time with family, and playing with her dog and rabbit.

Jacob Cryderman, M.S. is a third-year Doctoral Student. He earned his B.S. in Psychology and M.S. in Counseling and Human Systems from Florida State University. His research interests focus upon the impact of prejudice and bias on both general relationships/attitudes and the therapeutic relationship between counselors and their clients. His clinical interests and experiences include working with adults with severe and persistent mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders. In his free time, Jacob enjoys reading, writing, gardening, gaming, weightlifting, and spending time out in the wilderness. More than anything, Jacob loves cooking and eating tons of vegan food.

Theo Meros, M.S. is a second-year doctoral student. A Tallahassee native and former structural engineer, Theo earned his M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Florida State University in 2022. His clinical interests focus on working with patients with severe mental illness; in particular, Theo hopes to serve the formerly incarcerated population. His research interests are aimed at understanding the unique experiences of persons with physical disabilities. In his free time, Theo enjoys spending time outdoors and playing music with his daughter (Bailey), as well as reading, watching movies, and working out.

Olivia Eto, M.S. is a second-year doctoral student from Tallahassee, FL. She earned both her B.S. in Psychology and her Masters of Mental Health Counseling at Florida State University. Her clinical interests are in therapeutic interventions and assessments for children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders. Her research interests include resiliency in adolescents with ADHD and positive psychology constructs with this population. In her free time, Olivia enjoys hiking, crafting, and spending time at the beach.

Julian Kafka, M.S. is a first-year doctoral student from Bethesda, MD. He earned a B.A. in Psychological Science from the University of Vermont and an M.S. in Sport Psychology from Florida State University. He is interested in clinical work with both children and adults, with a particular focus on working with athletes and performers. His primary research interests are in the assessment and treatment of ADHD and cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS). In his free time, Julian enjoys reading, drumming, and playing tennis.

Danyelle Spohn, M.S. is a first-year doctoral student. She obtained her M.S in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Florida. She also earned a B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of North Florida. She is interested in clinical work with college students, individuals with chronic illness, and the LGBTQ+ population. Her primary research interests focus on protective factors for LGBTQ+ individuals who engage in substance use and understanding the attitudes and biases that can impact individuals with disabilities. In her free time, Danyelle enjoys reading, going to coffee shops, and cooking.

Daharri Thompkins, M.Ed. is a non-student member of the ADAPT lab. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Alcorn State University and then her Masters in School Counseling from Florida A&M University. Daharri is employed as a School Counselor at a local PK-12 private school. She worked with preschool through 5th grade students on improving coping skills, mindfulness, social skills, and emotional regulation. Her clinical interests include mindfulness-based interventions, academic improvement, building coping skills, and interventions within multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for students. Her research interests broadly relate to adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and those with Autism. In her free time, Daharri likes to go to the beach, cuddle with her puppy, spend time with her loved ones or watch sports.  

Jackson Newton is a master’s student member of the ADAPT lab. He is a second-year master's student in the sport psychology program at Florida State University. He does mental performance consulting for high school and Division 1 athletes and works with injured athletes and academic success in the Student Athlete Academic Services at FSU. He is also a participant in Dr. Swanbrow Becker’s lab, an assistant for a local forensic clinical psychologist at the VA, and volunteers for a crisis text line. His research and clinical interests relate to stigma towards athletes as well as their mental health, academic, and career struggles. In his free time, Jackson enjoys lifting weights, swimming, playing basketball, (sometimes) running, and travel/exploring Florida on weekends. He also loves Florida State football now as well as Game Day in Tallahassee.

Clinton Green, Ph.D. graduated in 2022. His dissertation was on "The Relationship between Risk-Taking Behaviors and Meaning in Life” He is originally from Kentucky, where he earned his B.A. in Psychology from Transylvania University. He then earned his M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from Florida Gulf Coast University. His research interests include risk-taking behaviors, dispositional optimism, as well as the search for and presence of meaning of life. His clinical interests include treating those with PTSD, BPD, and other chronic mental health illnesses. In particular, he is strongly drawn to and has experience in CBT, DBT, existential psychotherapy, and IPT. In his free time, Clinton enjoys playing basketball, hiking, playing guitar, and watching sports.

Dowon Choi, Ph.D. graduated in 2023. Her dissertation was on “CBT vs. Mindfulness-added CBT for College Students with ADHD via Telepsychology” She earned her B.A in Psychology at Chung-Ang University in Soul, South Korea then earned her M.A. in Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development at the University of Connecticut. She is a fellow and has co-authored several journal articles, book chapters, and a conference paper in the field of creativity, gifted education, and school psychology. Her research interests focus on mindfulness-based interventions and CBT-based coaching for college students with ADHD. Her clinical interests include mindfulness-based interventions with ADHD, depression/anxiety, ASD, high-achieving populations, and bi-cultural populations. In her free time, Dowon engages through various international media for outreach, such as a TEDx talk, a YouTube channel, an APA Division 46 website (the Society for Media Psychology and Technology), and a Korean Ministry of Education website.

Arizona Chin, Ph.D. graduated in 2023. Her dissertation was on “An Empirical Examination of the Influence of Gender, Age, Training, and Openness on Attitudes Toward and Willingness to Use Telepsychology Among Graduate Students” She is from Melbourne, Australia and moved to the U.S. as a collegiate student-athlete. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northeastern State University. Her clinical and research interests revolve around mental ill-health prevention in college students and the use of technology to enhance mental health services. In her free time, Arizona enjoys baking, traveling, playing golf, hiking, and working out.

Alan Crutchfield, Ph.D. graduated in 2023. His dissertation was on “Career Concepts in Recovery from Addiction” He is from Jacksonville, Florida and earned his B.A. in Business Management, B.S. in Psychology, and M.S. in Psychological Science from the University of North Florida. His research interests focus on recovery from addiction, and he has been published in multiple journals. His clinical interests include working with internalizing disorders, trauma, couples, and addiction. In his free time, Alan enjoys hiking and going on cruises with his wife, playing guitar, watching football, and playing with his dog, Murray.

Dissertations

Tyler Wood, M.Ed. – “The Relationship Between Social Norms, Social Media, and College Alcohol Outcomes”

Shelbi Fisher, M.S. – “Gender and Racial Differences among College Athletes in Re-injury Anxiety, Coping strategies, and Psychological Distress due to Injury”

Nola Freeman, M.S. – “Psychologist Attitudes and Clinical Decision-Making with Intellectual Disability”

Other Studies in Progress

Maegan Harrison Boyd (Principal Investigator; PI) - “A Critical Instance Case Study of ADHD Coaching”

Deborah Ebener, Ph.D. (PI) – “Religious/Spiritual Coping and Adaptation to Acquired Physical Disability”

Deborah Ebener, Ph.D. (PI) – “Stress, Strengths, and Self-Evaluation in Adaptation to Acquired Physical Disability and Life Satisfaction”

Olivia Eto (Principal Investigator; PI) – “ADHD Coaching with Adolescents in a School-Based Setting: A Pilot Study”

Shelbi Fisher, M.S. (PI) – “Sensation-Seeking, Substance Use, and Academic Achievement in College Students with ADHD”

Nola Freeman, M.S. (PI) – “Youth with Specific Learning Disorders: Attitudes and Clinical Decision-Making”

Dong, S., Meros, T., & Seenath, S. (2023). Workplace accommodation requests: Experiences of barriers and facilitators among deaf and hard-of-hearing. Work (Reading, Mass.), 10.3233/WOR-220632. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-220632

Choi, D., & Avitia, M. (2022). James C. Kaufman 101: Two paths to creativity. In J. Ogunleye (Ed.), Celebrating giants and trailblazers: A-Z of who's who in creativity research and related fields (pp. 269-300). 2021 KIE Conference Publications.

Choi, D., & Kaufman, J. C. (2022). Respecting the invisible: Transactional and transformational approaches to giftedness, In R. J. Sternberg, D. Ambrose, & S. Karami (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of transformational giftedness for education (pp. 43-59). Palgrave-Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91618-3_3

Choi, D., Lynch, S. F., & Kaufman, J. C. (2022). Wisdom, creativity, and intelligence. In R. J. Sternberg & J. Glück (Eds.), The psychology of wisdom: An introduction (pp. 107-117). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009085724.010

Kaufman, A. S., Choi, D., Kapoor, H., & Kaufman, J. C. (2022). A brief history of IQ testing: Fixed vs. malleable intelligence. In R. J. Sternberg, & D. Preiss (Eds.), Intelligence in context: The cultural and historical foundations of human intelligence (pp. 59-92). Palgrave-Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92798-1_4

Choi, D., & Kaufman, J. C. (2021). Where does creativity come from? What is creativity? Where is creativity going in giftedness? In R. J. Sternberg & D. Ambrose (Eds.), Conceptions of giftedness and talents (pp. 65-81). Palgrave-Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56869-6_5

Pössel, P., Wood, T., & Roane, S. J. (2021). Are negative views of the self, world, and future mediators of the relationship between subjective social status and depressive symptoms? Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapy. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1352465821000394

Choi, D., Glăveanu, V. P., & Kaufman, J. C. (2020). Creativity models in contemporary psychology. In M. A. Runco & S. R. Pritzker (Eds.), Encyclopedia of creativity (3rd ed., pp. 268-274). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809324-5.23846-7

Gregerson, M., & Choi, D. (2019, June). An open letter to Henry Golding: “Everybody wants to be Us” and “I want a divorce”. The Amplifier Magazine. https://div46amplifier.com/2019/06/12/an-open-letter-to-henry-golding-everybody-wants-to-be-us-and-i-want-a-divorce/

Ebener, D., & Thorne, K. L. (2020). Psychosocial predictors of rural psychological help-seeking. Journal of Rural Health, 44(4), 232-242. https://doi.org/10.1037/rmh0000159 

Romano, K., & Ebener, D. (2019). Disparities in psychological well-being based on women's subjective and objective eating disorder recovery statuses. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention, 27(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2018.1477674

Fioramonti, D., Ebener, D., & Arrastia, M. (2019). Religious/spiritual involvement and beliefs, frequency of contact, and gender as predictors of attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 62, 11. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034355217751625

Crutchfield, D. A., Jr., & Güss, C. D. (2018). Achievement linked to recovery from addiction: Discussing education, vocation, and non-addict identity. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 37(3), 359-376. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347324.2018.1544058

Thorne, K., & Ebener, D. (2018). The role of locus of control in the relation between post-traumatic stress and risk of suicide: Rural and urban implications. Rural Society, 25. https://doi.org/10.1080/10371656.2018.1504759

Dong, S., Fioramonti, D., Campbell, A., & Ebener, D. (2018). Validation of Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale in a college student sample. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/19349637.2017.1360169

Ebener, D., Fioramonti, D., & Smedema, S. M. (2016). Career development in men with disabilities: A psychosocial perspective. Career Planning and Adult Development, 32(1), 120-129.

Ebener, D., & Smedema, S. M. (2016). Psychoeducational groups for college students with ADHD: A pilot study. VISTAS, Summer, 2-14. https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/vistas/the-effects-of-impairment.pdf?sfvrsn=6

Smedema, S. M., Ebener, D., & Grist, V. (2012). The impact of humorous media on attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Disability and Rehabilitation: An International, Multidisciplinary Journal, 34, 1431-1437. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2011.645109

Ebener, D., & Smedema, S. M. (2011). Physical disability and substance use disorders: A convergence of adaptation and recovery. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 54(3), 131-141. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034355210394873

Freeman, N., & Cryderman, J. (2023, August 3-5). Clinical decision-making biases in the diagnosis and treatment of specific learning disorders. In D. Ebener & T. Thompson (Chairs), Psychological issues in neurodevelopmental disorders in adolescents and young adults. [Symposium]. American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Conference, Washington, DC, United States.

Eto, O. (2023, August 3-5). ADHD coaching with adolescents. In D. Ebener & T. Thompson (Chairs), Psychological issues in neurodevelopmental disorders in adolescents and young adults. [Symposium]. APA Annual Conference, Washington, DC, United States.

Meros, T., Cryderman, J., & Fisher S. (2023, August 3-5). Sensation-seeking, substance use, and academic achievement in college students with ADHD. In D. Ebener & T. Thompson (Chairs), Psychological issues in neurodevelopmental disorders in adolescents and young adults. [Symposium]. APA Annual Conference, Washington, DC, United States.

Patten, B., Thompson, T. (2023, August 3-5). Influence of COVID pandemic on ADHD and LD symptoms, severity, and service delivery. In D. Ebener & T. Thompson (Chairs), Psychological issues in neurodevelopmental disorders in adolescents and young adults. [Symposium]. APA Annual Conference, Washington, DC, United States.

Patten, B., Huang, Y., Ebener, D., & Smedema, S. (2022, August 4-6). Relationship between religious/spiritual coping and adaptation to acquired physical disability [Poster presentation]. APA Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN (Online).

Choi, D. (2020, September 14-16). Conceptualization of creativity compared to problem-solving, imagination, innovation, giftedness, and expertise. In I. Lubuda (Chair), Genius and giftedness [Symposium]. Marconi Institute for Creativity Conference, Bologna, Italy (Online).

Choi, D. Schoonard, E., & Thompson, T. (2019, August 8-11). Phonological processing and math: Ages across 6-19 [Poster presentation]. APA Convention, Chicago, IL. (APA Division 16 School Psychology: Student Poster Award). 

Choi, D. (2019, August 8-11). Developmental and multicultural creativity model: The linear and fluid Four C Model [Poster presentation]. APA Convention, Chicago, IL.

Greene, C., & Ebener, D. (2019, August 8-11). The relationship between dispositional optimism and risk propensity among college students. [Poster presentation]. APA Convention, Chicago, IL.

Heo, J., Choi, D., Pfeiffer, S. I., Gorfien, E., & Yarnell, J. (2019, August 8-11). The time when perceived parental support becomes a burden to K-12 students. [Poster presentation]. APA Convention, Chicago, IL.

Thompson, T., & Choi, D. (2019, August 8-11). The mothers and fathers of invention: A meta-analysis of gender differences in creativity [Poster presentation]. APA Convention, Chicago, IL.

Crutchfield, D. A., & Guess, D. G. (2018, August 9-12).  Building non-addict identity: Educational/Vocational achievement linked to recovery from addiction [Poster presentation]. APA Convention, San Francisco, CA.

Eastman, P., & Ebener, D. (2017, August 3-6). Humor styles and attitudes toward disabilities. [Poster presentation]. APA Convention, Washington, DC.

Devlin, E., Ebener, D., Smedema, S., & Romano, K. (2016, August 4-7). ADHD and recovery from substance use disorders. [Poster presentation]. APA Convention, Denver, CO.

Fioramonti, D. L., & Ebener, D. (2015, March 11-15). Spirituality Salience as a Predictor of the Valance of Attitudes towards Persons with Disabilities. [Poster presentation]. American Counseling Association (ACA) Convention, Orlando, FL.

Smedema, S. M., Ebener, D. J., & Grist, V. (2010, April 6-10). The impact of humorous media on attitudes toward persons with disabilities. [Paper presentation]. National Council on Rehabilitation Education Convention, Manhattan Beach, CA.

Ebener, D. J., & Smedema, S. M. (2009, February 18-21). Rehabilitation counselor educators' ability to teach skills essential for professional practice. [Paper presentation]. National Council on Rehabilitation Education, San Antonio, TX.

Smedema, S. M., & Ebener, D. J. (2009, February 18-21). Substance abuse as a variable in psychosocial research. [Paper presentation]. National Council on Rehabilitation Education, San Antonio, TX.

Ebener, D. J., Leahy, M., Tarvydas, V., LaForge, J., & McQuade, L. (2001, March 15-20). Unification forum: History and direction of the alliance. [Poster presentation]. ACA Convention, San Antonio, TX.

Ebener, D. J., Falvo, D., Kampfe, C., & Smith, M. (2000, March). ARCA forum on aging and disability. [Conference session], ACA Convention, Washington, D.C.

Deborah J. Ebener, Ph.D.
Professor and Director of Clinical Training
Combined Doctoral Program in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology
Executive Director, Adult Learning Evaluation Center
1114 West Call Street
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306