Feb 19, 2024
Host, Catherine Cerulli, JD, PhD, is joined by the Mt. Hope Family Center Director of Research and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Rochester, Liz Handley, PhD. Part one of this two-part episode explores Dr. Handley’s job evolution in the child abuse and neglect field. She shares that her interest in developmental psychopathology led her to Mt. Hope Family Center, one of the birth places of developmental psychopathology, as a research assistant after graduating college. This experience cemented Dr. Handley’s interest and thus her path towards her current role began. As she brings us along her journey, Dr. Handley explains the interconnectedness of the field, and how her mentors played a large role in guiding her path of growth. She was able to explore various areas of the child maltreatment field, in particular the impact of parent substance use on child development. This sparked an interest in the variety of risk factors that can impact child development. During her clinical internship at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Dr. Handley reconnected with the Mt. Hope Family Center, which ultimately led to her near current 12-year tenure at Mt. Hope. Dr. Handley’s experiences with her own mentors helped her develop mentorship skills. She notes, it takes a team of mentors, not just one, and that mentorship goes on long past graduation. Each of her mentors encouraged her in different ways – and she pays it forward by mentoring students and staff in her current work. Additionally, Dr. Handley shares the importance of collaboration and transdisciplinary teams to aid in professional growth and success. To close, Dr. Handley shares her tips and tricks for how she manages her time wearing many hats and while she herself continues to grow.