Education

• Psy.D, clinical psychology, The George Washington University, D.C.
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, The Penn State University, PA
• Fellowship, Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis
• M.Psy, clinical psychology,  The George Washington University, D.C.
• B.A., majoring in both psychology and sociology, Georgetown University, D.C.

Professional Experience

• Staff psychologist, director of outreach and director of externship training, The Catholic University of America’s Counseling Center
• Postdoctoral fellowship, The Pennsylvania State University CAPS
• Predoctoral internship, Clear Lake’s Counseling Services, University of Houston
• Therapist, The George Washington University’s Community Mental Health Center Clinic
• Counselor, Holy Trinity School, Washington, D.C.

Professional Involvement

• American Psychological Association, Division 39, Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology, member and past conference presenter
• Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors, member and conference attendee
• Michigan University and College Counseling Center Directors 
• Great Lakes College Association Mental Health & Wellness team 
• Certified QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor
• Mentor and seminar leader for current doctoral psychology students

Campus Involvement

• Member of Student Formation Council and joint taskforce with Dean’s Council
• Member of Travel Health and Safety team
• Actively working with colleagues to create a formal well-being plan for Hope, which includes a student-driven grief support network

Approach to Wellness

Rekha believes in the Jesuit principle of “cura personalis” — care of the whole person. She believes communities should be structured to enhance and support the well-being of members, while the individual looks after their personal wellness. Her own personal wellness involves connecting daily with family and friends around the world, spending time by herself by reading or resting, and being with animals, especially pets and strays! She enjoys yoga, walking and fishing. Rekha also stays very active with her church community. She prioritizes going to therapy and doctor’s appointments as needed to take care of herself. Watching sports and getting worked up about winning fantasy brackets is one of her favorite pastimes!

Why I love Hope

Rekha’s (she/her) first motivation will always be serving students and bearing witness to their tenacity. Hope’s significance to her has continued to evolve, but what drew her here from across the country is the range of people willing to change imperfect systems and remain committed to proving that faith, science, empathy and data can coexist.