Chrystal McDowell

Why FSU?

I chose to attend FSU specifically because of the environment fostered in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program. The collaborative feeling perpetuated by the faculty and current students drew me to this school. I wanted a program wherein I felt supported and where I could foster relationships that would last beyond my degree. In addition, this program offered opportunities to work with and research children with Autism and their families that other programs I interviewed at did not.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

I was motivated to pursue a graduate degree because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of families of children with Autism. I received my master's degree in 2017 in Marriage and Family Therapy and worked in a clinic focusing on families of children with Autism. I witnessed long wait lists and many barriers to services. This experience inspired me to conduct research on this area by pursuing a doctoral degree.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

Presently, my research focuses on barriers to care in families of children with Autism. I am interested in how increased barriers to care can interact with parent stress and Autism severity. By understanding the connections barriers to care can have on other variables in these families, we can hopefully inspire greater healthcare access and policy change in this area.

Career aspirations

I aspire to work as a faculty member in a university upon graduation. I am open to either a master's or doctoral program, as I also enjoy supervising beginning therapists on their journey to licensure.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

I would advise anyone considering graduate school to ensure that you have a research area that you are passionate about, which will make the coursework and publications more enjoyable. I would also recommend carving out time for self-care during your degree. You cannot pour from an empty cup, so to speak.

Accomplishments during graduate career

I am especially proud of a publication that came out last year on which I was first author, "Decoding Neurodiverse Couples: A Solution Focused Approach." I authored it with Madeline Bryant and Dr. Michele Parker.

I have also received a couple of grants and awards at FSU: College of Health and Human Sciences Travel Grant, Dr. Kat Pasley Endowment for Excellence, Emory and Dorothy Johnson Endowed Scholarship, Florence Smith McAllister Endowed Fellowship Fund, Jeff and Nancy Robison Scholarship Fund, May Watson Connor Graduate Scholarship in Child Development, Norejane J. Hendrickson Scholarship Fund, Sylvia R. Wedemeyer Endowed Fund for Excellence.