Dr. Jessica Garrett is an adjunct faculty member teaching a section of Assessment and Assessment Lab in the MA program this semester.
Where did you grow up?
For most of my childhood, from age 7 on, I grew up in the Plymouth-Canton area. It has changed quite a bit since I grew up there, in terms of business activity!
What or who influenced you to study psychology?
I received my bachelor’s degree in elementary education because I knew that I wanted to work with children, but I didn’t know what else I could do as a profession to do that besides becoming a teacher. As I was in my last semester of courses for my teaching degree, I had an educational psychology class and knew that was what I wanted to do – become a psychologist who worked with children. I was influenced by the teachings of Piaget, Erikson, Jung, and readings of Bruce Perry as well as Russell Barkley.
What are your research and/or clinical interests?
Psychological evaluations and keeping up with the latest and greatest in the testing world is my major clinical interest, which encompasses quite a bit. This includes ADHD, autism, learning/school-related assessments, special education, and child and adolescent psychopathology.
What appeals to you most about teaching at MSP?
The sense of community I have already experienced here is exceptional! In addition, different from other places of learning I’ve experienced, I appreciate that all individuals at MSP are united in the study of psychology, albeit in various avenues.
What’s your favorite non-academic book and why?
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog by Bruce Perry. In this book, he discusses stories from his work as a child psychiatrist. He applies his brain development and neuroscience expertise to study how traumatic experiences shape children’s behavior. It is not an easy read in that there are some tough chapters; however, it had a profound impact on me.
What advice would you like to share with incoming or current students?
My favorite quote by Carl Jung that I strive to live my own professional life by: “Know all the theories, master all the techniques, but as you touch a human soul, be just another human soul.”
