Christine An, a third-year PhD student in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Temple University, is on her way to redefine what it means to be a school psychologist in today's world. Her journey, both academic and personal, reveals a deep passion for social justice, diversity and ensuring that the marginalized voices in the mental health space are heard and understood. 

As an undergraduate student, An was a music major at the Catholic University of America, with aspirations to become a music therapist. Through her internship at Washington, DC's Children's National Hospital, she realized that her true passion lies in psychology. 

"I wanted to understand people, their stories and how I could help them without making assumptions," she recalls. 

An then pursued clinical psychology at The Chicago School in Washington, DC, with the initial goal of becoming a clinician. However, one research course shifted her focus entirely. She says she discovered "a gap between clinical practice and research for marginalized communities" — an oversight she couldn't ignore. 

"I wanted to pursue a PhD to do more research on topics surrounding people with marginalized voices," she explains. Through her research, An aims to address the lack of inclusivity in psychological practices and bridge the gap between theory and practice in culturally relevant ways. 

To An, school psychology is vital because it offers a platform for early intervention during a critical period of development, and she believes schools are ideal settings for addressing children's needs and providing timely support.

"My shift was driven by a desire to support children and adolescents who may not have equal access to mental health services," she explains. "Clinical evaluations can be costly and time-consuming, which can be a significant barrier for many students. In contrast, school settings provide an opportunity for these students to receive support and services directly through their educational environment, regardless of their circumstances or disabilities." 

An's work in the school psychology doctoral program at Temple's CEHD has strengthened her commitment to these goals. She says Temple's programs and the CEHD faculty emphasize the importance of social justice not just as a discussion, but as practice.  

"We do a lot of clinic work with parents and kids, and our framework is always surrounded by social justice," she notes. 

An is critical of psychology's historical roots in Western standards, especially when it comes to assessing minority communities. In her first semester at Temple University, she took a cognitive assessment course with Cathy Fiorello, CEHD professor in the school psychology program, which further shaped her perspective.  

"Cognitive assessments come from a Western standard of what intelligence is," An shares. "And that's not fair for a lot of people, particularly those from different cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds." 

"There's a critical need for cultural competence and understanding in psychological assessments," she emphasizes, "If we disregard someone's culture or background, we're not fully understanding their story." 

Balancing her demanding academic schedule, two internships, and her personal life has been no small feat. Currently, An works at Benjamin Franklin High School and at the epilepsy clinic at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).  

At Benjamin Franklin High School, An's work focuses on observation, report writing and assessments. At CHOP, she engages in therapy and intervention work. Her dual roles offer unique insights into the importance of comprehensive, culturally aware care.  

"School psychology has become more advanced—we're trying to understand the child, their whole story, background and what interventions they need," she explains. 

The diversity of An's clients is vast, and she values the varied experiences they bring. 

"I'm seeing a wide range of populations, from high school students to kids with medical diagnoses. My clients are my best teachers," she says, echoing a lesson from Jessica Reinhardt, CEHD associate professor of practice in the school psychology program, "you learn the most from your clients." 

Her commitment to diversity and social justice extends beyond her professional life. Originally from South Korea, Christine moved to the U.S. in fifth grade and has experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating different cultures. Having lived in various cities, including Washington, DC, and Maryland, she now calls Philadelphia home, appreciating its rich food scene and diversity. 

Juggling two internships and a rigorous PhD program is challenging, but An has found ways to maintain balance. "I try to have at least a day or two to myself on weekends," she says, adding that time with family and friends recharges her. Whether it's playing with her nieces or spending time with her husband, these moments help her manage the intensity of her work. "Sometimes I wake up very early during the week to get things done so I can have my weekends free," she says with a laugh. 

Looking ahead, An aims to stay rooted in the community. This aligns with the CEHD's mission to advance equitable systems and practices in schools and communities, and create positive change in the city of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth and beyond through research, teaching, service and community partnerships. 

"I want to work directly with kids, but also understand their environments and what's practical for them," she says. Her mission is to create interventions and treatment plans that consider each child's unique cultural and social context. "There's a lot of research with great ideas, but it's not always applicable in real-world settings. I want to change that."