Dr. Dena Abbott
Dr. Dena Abbott (she/her) earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Texas Woman’s University in 2017. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Nebraska. Dr. Abbott’s research focuses on the psychology of nonreligious people in the United States. Specifically, she is interested in the impact of anti-atheist discrimination and Christian hegemony on psychological well-being and the psychological strengths associated with nonreligious identities. Her other area of research focuses on sexuality competence among mental health professionals and positive sexuality including sexual self-esteem, pleasure, and sexual expression. Dr. Abbott is certified as a Sexuality Educator by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. In her free time, Dr. Abbott enjoys cozy video games, playing board games, reading, logic puzzles, baking, and true crime documentaries and podcasts.
Carrie Bohmer, M.S.
Carrie Bohmer, M.S. is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). She received her master's degree in Counseling Psychology at the University of Kentucky in 2021. Her research interests center on the sexual subjectivity and pleasure of people with vulvas, sex-positive sex education, and reproductive justice. She is a provisionally licensed mental health practitioner in the state of Nebraska and is currently gaining practicum experience at Creighton University offering assessment services, as well as St. Monica’s residential treatment center for self-identified women with substance use and mental health concerns. She hopes to focus clinically on sexuality, pleasure, relationships and reproduction.
Genevieve Dashiell Bryson, B.S.
Genevieve Dashiell Bryson (she/her) received her bachelor’s degree in psychology with minors in sociology and business administration at the University of Florida. She is currently a second-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research interests are in how sexual satisfaction is impacted by marginalization, especially in queer populations and women, and also interactions between sexual satisfaction and religious beliefs. In her free time, Genevieve enjoys thrifting, reading, and sewing!
Paige Hespe, M.S., Ed.S.
Paige Hespe, M.S., Ed.S. (they/them), is a third-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at UNL. They received their master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Florida State University in 2021. Paige's research interests largely revolve around the experiences of transgender individuals. Specifically, they are interested in how atheist queer and trans folks make meaning in life and identify reasons for living as well as what motivates religious queer and trans individuals to continue their practice. After graduation, Paige intends to stay in academia to conduct research and teach while maintaining a connection to clinical work. In their free time, Paige enjoys playing video games, indoor cycling, yoga, and listening to dad rock.
Shamiana Junu, B.A.
Shamiana Junu, B.A., (she/her) is a first-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology PhD program at UNL. Shamiana received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan in 2023. Her research interests revolve around understanding how systems of dominance and oppression contribute to experiences of gender-based violence and other gender-based issues, with particular focus on marginalized and BIPOC populations. In her free time, Shamiana enjoys painting, attending live concerts, thrifting, listening to Taylor Swift, and embroidering.
Patrick Meyer
Patrick Meyer (he/they) is a third-year doctoral student in the counseling psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in women’s and gender studies from the College of Charleston. Their research interests include religious trauma, LGBTQIA+ mental health, and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Currently, he is a psychotherapy practicum student at Creighton University’s Student Counseling Services. After graduation, Patrick hopes to start a private practice that will primarily offer depth-oriented psychotherapy. In their free time, Patrick enjoys baking, watching The Real Housewives and RuPaul’s Drag Race, listening to Ariana Grande, and collecting Starbucks cups.
Millie L. Myers, M.A.
Millie Myers is a fourth year doctoral candidate in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Millie received her her Master’s in Educational Psychology from UNL and her B.S. in Psychology and Sociology at Texas A&M University. Her research interests center the well-being of nonreligious people, with a specific in how atheists find meaning and experience purposefulness. Millie hopes to pursue a career in college athletics to work with young people and advocate from a platform of self-compassion, body liberation, and social justice. In her free time, she likes walking her dog, baking, reading murder mysteries, and writing letters.
Rin Nguyen, M.A.
Rin Nguyen (All pronouns welcome) received their undergraduate degree in Psychology and Women’s and Gender Studies with minors in Japanese, Sexuality Studies, Global Studies, Asian Studies, and English at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln (UNL). Rin is a doctoral candidate in the Counseling Psychology program at UNL. Rin’s research interests broadly encompass all topics related to human sexuality with an emphasis on concerns within the lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) and transgender and gender diverse (TGD) communities. Rin looks forward to a career where they can engage with underserved and marginalized populations with an emphasis on teaching and clinical practice. Rin likes Hamsters, cosplay, anime, sandbox video games, MMORPGs, paint, graphite, charcoal, arts and crafts, board games, sewing, violin, stationary, KPOP, Kdramas, camping, and road trips.
Teagan Wilson, M.A.
Teagan Wilson, MA is a second-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Ball State University in 2022. Her research interests are in the area of sexual health and satisfaction, specifically how hegemonic and healthy masculinity impact sexual satisfaction and relationships. In her free time, Teagan enjoys puzzles, games, reading, and going for walks.