In celebration of Black History Month 2025, we're sharing Q&As with two individuals who are integral to the School of Behavioral Health.
Dr. Bridgette J. Peteet, PhD, MA
Professor of Psychology, Clinical Psychologist, Educator, Researcher
Q: What are your credentials? What inspired you to pursue this degree?
A: I hold a BA, MA, and PhD in Clinical Psychology and am licensed to practice in California. My interest in psychology began in an Abnormal Psychology course during college, where I first encountered clinical terms for the behaviors and patterns I had observed within my own family and community. That moment was transformative—it gave language to experiences that had previously felt unexplainable and sparked my commitment to understanding mental health and advocating for underserved populations.
Q: Could you discuss how holding your position has influenced your research interests?
A: I like to say that my work is ME-search—my research is deeply personal and community-driven. I focus on issues that disproportionately impact marginalized communities, particularly in areas of mental health disparities, access to care, and culturally responsive treatment. Being in this role has reinforced my passion for addressing these gaps, ensuring that research isn’t just about theory but about creating real-world solutions for the people who need them most.
Q: What inspired you to become a clinical psychologist, and how has that inspiration evolved over time?
A: I never envisioned myself as a professor—I actually had a deep fear of public speaking. It wasn't until my postdoctoral fellowship that I truly found my voice. Initially, I didn't see myself as a researcher either, but I realized that academia could be a bridge between rigorous scholarship and real-world impact. Over time, I've come to love teaching, mentoring, and engaging in research that isn't confined to the ivory tower, but actively contributes to the well-being of communities.
Q: As an educator, what do you find most rewarding about teaching and mentoring students in your area of study?
A: The most rewarding moments often come years after students leave my classroom. It's the emails, messages, and phone calls where former students share how they've applied what they learned, or when they reach out for guidance as they navigate their careers. Knowing that something I taught stuck with them and made a difference is incredibly fulfilling.
Q: How do you approach self-care and maintaining your own well-being while working in a demanding field?
A: I prioritize sleep, movement, and boundaries. I've learned to pick my battles—not everything needs my energy. I use an evolving decision tree to evaluate new commitments and strive to protect my time, particularly my evenings with family. Most importantly, I've given myself permission to say no without guilt.
Q: What are your hobbies and interests outside of this field?
A: I stay deeply involved in my community. I serve on the parent advisory board at my children's school and am an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where I engage in service initiatives. I'm also a proud basketball and track mom, cheering my kids on from the sidelines. I love making crafts and decorating.
Q: What advice would you give to students who are aspiring to pursue a career in degree in clinical psychology, based on your own experiences and insights?
A: Your degree must come first—graduate school is not undergrad. Every decision you make should either move you toward graduation or strengthen your CV. Be strategic about your opportunities, build relationships with mentors, and dream big about what's next. Your future is not limited to what you see right now.
Q: What does Black History Month mean to you?
A: Black History Month is a time to amplify the voices and stories that have been left out of history books. It's a time of gratitude, recognizing the sacrifices of those who paved the way for me. Most importantly, it's a time of renewal—a reminder of my responsibility to uplift and empower the next generation..
Q: How do you stay connected to you cultural roots and heritage?
A: My heritage isn't something I visit—it's something I live. My work, my faith, my community engagement—they're all deeply rooted in my culture. It's not separate from who I am; it's interwoven into everything I do.
Q: How has your identity a Black person shaped your personal and professional journey?
A: Being a Black woman has given me a unique lens on the world. It's taught me to advocate for myself, even when my voice makes others uncomfortable. I've had to unlearn the idea that I need permission to take up space and embrace the fact that my perspective—our perspective—matters.
Q: What are some challenges you've faced growing up or in your career?
A: I had a tumultuous childhood marked by abuse and neglect. My mother has Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and my father was absent. Psychology saved me—it gave me the language to understand my trauma and the tools to heal. That journey led me to write a memoir/self-help book, currently under contract with Wiley Publishing, set to be released this spring. My story is proof that resilience and education can break cycles of dysfunction.
Dr. Danielle L. Clair, DMFT, LMFT-S, RPT
Program Director for the Play Therapy Certificate Program, Clinic Director of Behavioral Health Resiliency Clinic, Associate Clinical Professor, Doctor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Approved Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist
Q: What does Black History Month mean to you?
A: Black history to me is really important because I grew up as a minority in all of my school experiences. As a Girl Scout, I was always the only Black girl in my troop, surrounded by my true friends that I grew up with. Most of my schooling experiences, especially up until middle school, were similar—just me, with maybe a sprinkle of other people. In most of my extracurricular activities, I was always the only Black girl. Even up to my college cheerleading experience, I was the first Black girl on the cheerleading team at the university. That was a lot to soak in, and having the crowd accept me as well was challenging, I'm sure, for most. But it's interesting because when I go back to visit, one of my best friends is the head coach for the women's basketball team. Whenever I go visit her and we go places, even to this day, people still recognize me from those times when I was cheering for the school. It’s a testament that you create doors for other people to walk through. Now, when you look at the cheerleading team, there are other Black cheerleaders. But it’s about being unafraid to be the minority, right? You also have to tap into your history and your culture to keep you grounded and to keep you sensitive, because sometimes you’re not really aware of the microaggressions that people will throw your way as a minority. A lot of times, you have to really educate people when they intend to hurt you because you are a minority.
Q: What advice would you give to students who are aspiring to pursue a in degree in marriage and family therapy, based on your own experiences and insights?
A: I think if you're really serious about what you know you want to do, you have to learn how to say no to things. I think this is more about cultural influence than anything. I grew up in a very academically-focused family, so there was really no room to slack off. Professionally, in some ways, this has made school easier for me because I always knew how to take it seriously. However, it can be more challenging when you're pursuing professional degrees at the doctoral level because, depending on the stage of life you're in, it's a time to interact with friends and join in on lifestyle cycles, among other things. In the digital age, there’s a lot of FOMO when you're working on such a serious pursuit. So, in order to finish what you start, there are natural compromises you have to make for yourself to complete things in the way you intended. But at the same time, it's all about balancing that with maintaining the important relationships that motivate you to be excellent.
Q: How do you approach self-care and maintaining your own well-being while working in a demanding field?
A: I love to work, and if I have a free opportunity to work when I'm not at work, I will. So, attempting to find opportunities to be idle and be okay with being idle can be very challenging for me. Things that help me feel comfortable with rest periods include reading. Reading really occupies my free time. I also love TV series; it depends on the type of series, but I love stories, like period films. Any and every opportunity I have to visit my family, I will. I'm very family-oriented. All my family is in Florida, and all my best friends are scattered across the country, so being able to fill that time with FaceTime and visiting each other, planning annual trips, and things like that is helpful. For self-care hobbies, I do a lot of spin. Spin classes are my jam, along with yoga, Pilates, and I'm definitely a mat Pilates person.
Interviews conducted by Gelsey Aldana, Clinical Psychology PhD student.