Erica Wells

Why FSU?

I chose FSU for graduate school because the Department of Psychology has an excellent and highly ranked Clinical Psychology Program. The faculty are renowned, and the clinical research they conduct is excellent. Grant funding for research is exceptionally high in the department, and therefore the funding and training they offer to graduate students--both clinical and research training--are superb.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

First, I have always loved learning, intellectual inquiry, and contributing to academic discourse. Second, and more importantly, I wanted to pursue a career that promoted child mental and behavioral health, and to do so often requires graduate studies. The PhD program in Clinical Psychology at FSU fulfilled both of these interests.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

My research has investigated the cognitive, social, and emotional functioning of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly ADHD. Similarly, my clinical work centers children with neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., ADHD, autism, learning disorders) and often co-occurring emotional and behavioral difficulties. I think this work is critical, given both the prevalence of these difficulties and the importance of intervention during childhood.

Career aspirations

I am currently two years out from my doctoral degree, and I completed a postdoctoral research fellowship. I am now a licensed clinical psychologist and plan to continue to work with children with neurodevelopmental disorders. I conduct diagnostic and neuropsychological evaluations in my current position and plan to continue that work. Future aspirations include starting my own private practice and collaborating with policymakers to improve child functioning in Florida.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Graduate school is a marathon, not a sprint. It is a large commitment in terms of both time and money (e.g., loans, foregone earnings). Go to graduate school because you know what you want to do with that training and why it makes sense for your future, not because it is an achievement or accolade. It’s not worth it in the latter case!!!

Accomplishments during graduate career 

I received the FSU Graduate Student Research and Development Award, the University of Texas Department of Psychiatry Outstanding Trainee in Research (during clinical internship), and the FIU Research Award for Postdoctoral Scholarship (during postdoc). I have fifteen peer-reviewed publications. Lastly, I did over thirty free comprehensive psychodiagnostic assessments for children, and numerous low-cost individual and group therapy sessions for children and adults in the Tallahassee area.

If you have graduated, please bring us up to speed on where you are now and what you have been up to?

As of Spring 2022, I completed my postdoctoral training, national exam, and state requirements to receive licensure in clinical psychology. I am now a licensed psychologist in the state of Florida. In the past year, I have also gotten married, bought a house, and am now pregnant with our first child!