Director
Dr. Amy M. Brausch is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Western
Kentucky University and is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Kentucky. She
earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Northern Illinois University and
has worked with issues of suicide and self-injury in adolescents and
adults in both her clinical work and research program. Dr. Brausch’s clinical experiences
have included community mental health, public schools, university counseling
centers, residential eating disorders treatment, and private practice. She
has published numerous articles and book chapters related to suicide and self-injury
risk factors in adolescents and young adults, as well as the overlap between self-
harm and issues of body image and disordered eating. She has provided trainings
for high school personnel on self-injury and suicide risk identification
and prevention, as well as to staff members at university counseling
centers. She is also a Senior Consultant with CAMS-Care and provides training to
clinicians across the United States in the Collaborative Assessment and Management
of Suicidality (CAMS) treatment framework. Dr. Brausch is currently involved with
research projects that involve utilizing CAMS with adolescents, tracking the development
of self-injury and suicide behaviors in adolescents, and studying the progression
of self-injury to suicide behaviors in young adults.
Graduate Students
Natalie Perkins is a second year master's student in the Suicide Prevention & Risk Behaviors Lab.
Her primary research interest is the comorbidity of NSSI and eating disorders,
specifically how each behavior contributes to increased suicidality. She
previously graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2016 with a B.S.
in Psychological Sciences with an emphasis in Clinical Science and a minor in Nutrition.
When she's not working in the lab, she enjoys hiking and backpacking, playing
with her blind, rescued Cocker Spaniel, and running.
Shelby Bandel is a second year master's student in the Suicide Prevention & Risk Behaviors Lab.
Before coming to WKU, she spent 2 years as an undergraduate research assistant
in the Stress and Mood lab in the Psychology Department at the University
of Wyoming studying NSSI and rural suicide under Dr. Carolyn Pepper. She graduated
from the University of Wyoming with a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology.
Shelby is primarily interested in the role of sleep in suicide and NSSI, as well
as the prevention and treatment of suicide in rural areas. In her
spare time, she enjoys going to concerts, camping, and spending time with her
pets and husband.
Jeffery Powers is a first year master's student in the Suicide Prevention & Risk Behaviors Lab.
He graduated from WKU in May of 2017 with a B.S. in Psychological
Science with a concentration in Clinical Science and a minor in History.
His primary interests lie in the treatment of suicide and PTSD, particularly
within the United States armed forces, addiction pathways, and traumatic injury.
While not in the lab, Jeffrey enjoys hiking and snowboarding, shooting sports,
and playing with his 120 pound Great Dane.
Jordan Gregory is a first year master's student in the Suicide Prevention & Risk Behaviors Lab and
the Social Development Lab. She is a part of the JUMP program in Psychological
Sciences and will graduate from WKU in May 2018 with a B.S. in Psychological
Science with an emphasis in Clinical Studies and a minor in Clinical Studies,
and a year later, with her M.S. Jordan is primarily interested in prevention and
intervention with at-risk children and adolescents, particularly those
related to anxiety, depression, and suicide.
Undergraduate Students
Ava Fergerson is a senior in the Suicide Prevention & Risk Behaviors Lab. She is generally interested
in the role of sexual assault, trauma, and resilience in NSSI and eating disorders.
Ava will graduate from WKU in May 2018 with a B.S. in Psychological Science with
an emphasis in Clinical Science and a minor in Gender & Women's Studies.
Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical Pscychology.
Kaitlyn Barriere is a senior in the Suicide Prevention & Risk Behaviors Lab. Her primary research
interests lie in suicide and NSSI within the LGBT community and understudied
populations, and women's issues. Kaitlyn will graduate from WKU in May
2018 with a B.S. in Psychological Science with an emphasis in Clinical Science and
a minor in Gender & Women's Studies. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue
a doctoral degree in Clinical Pscychology.
Jackie Moment is a senior in the Suicide Prevention & Risk Behaviors Lab. He is broadly interested
in adolescent suicide and prevention. Jackie will graduate from WKU in May 2018
with a B.S. in Psychological Sciences with an emphasis in Clinical Studies
and a minor in Biology. Upon graduation, he plans to go into graduate school for
Clinical Psychology.
Brooke Beck is a junior in the Suicide Prevention & Risk Behaviors Lab. She is primarily interested
in the brain's biology, particularly as it relates to dysfunctional behavior.
Brooke will graduate from WKU in May 2019 with a B.S. in Psychological Science
with an emphasis in clinical studies and minors in neuroscience and studio art. She
plans to pursue graduate study in Clinical Psychology.
Kristen Miller is a junior in the Suicide Prevention & Risk Behaviors Lab. She is primarily interested
in risk behaviors and suicide in youth, particularly in youth with
developmental disorders. Kristen will graduate from WKU in May 2019 with a B.S.
in Biology and a minor in Psychological Science. Upon graduation, Kristen plans to
go to medical school to become a pediatrician.
Anna Siewers is a junior in the Suicide Prevention & Risk Behaviors Lab. She is broadly interested
in mental illness as it relates to suicide and risk behaviors. Anna
will graduate from WKU in May 2019 with a B.S. in Psychological
Science with a minor in Citizenship and Social Jusitce. Upon graduation, she plans
to pursue graduate study in Clinical Psychology.
Lab Alumni
