For Women's History Month 2025, we're sharing Q&As with some outstanding women from the School of Behavioral Health.
Dr. Janet Sonne, PhD, MA
Emeritus Professor of Psychology, Licensed Clinician, Clinical Supervisor, Consultant, Expert Witness, Educator, Researcher, Mentor, Author
Q: What was your role in the creation of the SBH Department of Psychology?
A: In 1992 or 1993, Dr. Hector Betancourt and two of his colleagues in research psychology at La Sierra University (Drs. Haerich and Brand) approached me when I worked in the Department of Psychiatry at LLUMC with their ideas to put together a graduate program in clinical psychology at LLU. I was intrigued and excited; I could not resist engaging. Under Dr. Betancourt's brilliant leadership with administration, and with the input from additional clinical psychologists, we put together curricula for two doctoral programs (PhD and PsyD), each based on a distinct training model, hired some additional faculty, and matriculated our first class in 1994. We attained APA accreditation for both programs in record time with the guidance of Dr. Straatmeyer (our first DCT). It was not an easy endeavor, by any means but our shared passion for excellence in the education and training of future clinical psychologists sustained us. And, that is a quality that has endured to this day in the department faculty and staff.
Q: What are your credentials? What inspired you to pursue this degree?
A: I have my PhD in Clinical Psychology from UCLA, awarded in 1981. I actually started graduate school in a doctoral research program at UCSB in Personality and Social Psychology (research only). I was really intrigued by Attribution Theory at the time and had spent time in college and then as an RA in the Department of Psychology at Princeton working on research projects. But, I realized about one year into the UCSB program that I wanted to apply my energy and expertise to clinical work. I applied to transfer from the PhD research program at UCSB to the PhD clinical psychology program at UCLA (which was very much frowned upon). With the support of an amazing mentor, I accomplished the transfer and I landed exactly where I wanted to be.
Q: What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of this field?
A: I cherish my roles as a wife and mother and now, grandmother. I am ever amazed how much my husband, daughter, son, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and six grandkids teach me and challenge me with new interests and activities. Also, I have been very lucky to have close friends with whom I cycle, hike, and travel. I was part of a group of "mature" women in Redlands who trained with a coach and completed several century (100-mile) cycling rides. I have four college roommates who challenge me yearly to take cycling and hiking trips in Europe and the US. I have a dear friend who is an artist; we have traveled together to explore natural and man-made beauty in France and in Great Britain. I continue a life-long appreciation of dance (which started with my own involvement in ballet for many years) and music (all sorts, from Beethoven's piano concertos to Taiko drums). I have struggled my whole life with a reading difficulty and, thus, did not grow up sharing my family’s interest in books. However, Audible has changed that aspect of my life. My husband, kids, and college roommates keep my list of "things to listen to" exciting and long.
Q: How do you approach self-care and maintaining your own well-being while working in a demanding field?
A: I have learned over the years that I (and probably most people) need to approach self-care and maintaining my own well-being quite intentionally and with forethought. Although I love what I do as a clinical psychologist, this is a demanding career and work can fill 25 hours a day, day in and day out, if I am not careful. I find that I must schedule self-care time into my days and weeks; I cannot wait for "free time" to jump out of my schedule. So, for the last several years I have dedicated the first two hours of the morning, at least 5 days a week, to exercise outside. I also plan several trips a year with my husband, our kids/grandkids, or friends. I try to be mindful of what I eat and how much I sleep, although I recognize that eating well and sleeping enough is a goal not always achieved. And, I strive to balance time spent with others and time alone. I am a full-on introvert and need quiet to recharge.
Q: What advice would you give to students who are aspiring to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology, based on your experiences and insights?
A: First, be open to opportunities to stretch yourself, not just your cognitive capacities, but also your emotional ones. Especially in this field, one needs to know oneself in addition to the content taught in graduate courses. Be brave. Second, and related to the first, try not to foreclose on too many of the avenues a clinical psychologist may travel along throughout a career. I have found that the opportunities to expand and contract the roles I could fill as a psychologist (as a clinician, a consultant, an expert witness, a clinical supervisor, an author, a researcher, a teacher, a creator and administrator of a training program) to be the greatest things about this career. Third, begin building a communitarian network as soon as you enter graduate school and keep that network vibrant throughout your career. Consultation and collaboration sustain us as psychologists, help us to flourish, and benefit those to whom we provide services.
Dr. Susanne B. Montgomery, PhD, MPH, MS
Associate Dean for Research, Director of Research, Head of the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies, Professor of Social Work and Social Ecology, Educator, Researcher, Mentor
Q: What inspired you to become an Associate Dean for Research and a Professor? How has that inspiration evolved over time?
A: I never wanted to be an administrator. I've been a dean in various roles, but I've always had a love for research. One of the things I wanted to do was help build capacity for health disparities research. My background is in nutrition, epidemiology, health behavior, and public health. I started working with gay and bisexual men for my dissertation and later worked with young women using injection drugs and homeless youth and the core issues always seemed to involve behavioral health. When Dr. Buckles recruited me to the School of Behavioral Health, she told me, "I know you're not a behavioral health person... but you ARE a behavioral health researcher at the core!" And after thinking about it, I realized that's true—everything I've worked on has involved behavioral health. And I realized that as a dean of research in the School of Behavioral Health, I would be able to get at the root causes of a lot of issues. For me, it's about developing and evaluating programs to help people overcome challenges, which is what I've always been passionate about. Since then I have become trained in some cases certified in DBT, CBT, CRM, and continued to deepen my understanding. My work has always been about understanding disparities and improving them, and that's why I became an associate dean for research in behavioral health. I've been lucky to become a unique collaborator in this field, helping bring people together to make programs and research more effective.
Q: Why is interdisciplinary work Important to you?
A: I'm a big advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration. If I have a core value, it's that. I have a basic science degree in public health, and I've furthered my education in behavioral health. I work with physicians, nurses, and people from various disciplines across the university. I believe in the power of interdisciplinary, translational research—it makes us more relevant to our communities. If you stay within just your own lane, you miss out on the broader perspectives that can truly make a difference. Our communities don't just care about one area of expertise—they want to know how it helps them and by bringing together different viewpoints, we can make our research and programs more effective.
Q: What are some challenges you’ve faced, growing up as a first-generation college student or in your career?
A: Growing up, I faced many challenges, especially being from a family where my parents were teenage parents and didn't finish high school. Despite their lack of formal education, they always valued education and made it a core part of our lives. They created an environment where education wasn't just encouraged; it was expected, even though we lived in places where that wasn't a priority. In my career, one of the biggest challenges was the lack of women in the field when I started over 40 years ago. I had some very enlightened people who supported me, but it wasn't always easy working as a woman at a time when things were quite different. However, I was fortunate to have mentors who wanted to learn how to overcome these barriers, and as more women entered the profession, I was able to push through. So, while the challenges were significant, I was lucky to have support and encouragement along the way, both from my family and from those who mentored me in my academic and professional journey.
Q: What unique factors or challenges do you believe contribute to the importance of focusing on women's health?
A: Most of my funded research has consistently focused on women, particularly those from first-generation and minority backgrounds. While I have included men in my research, I acknowledge that I have a bias in this regard. We all tend to gravitate toward what we're passionate about, and my passion lies in supporting women in these areas. My goal is to be effective for everyone, but I do have a strong commitment to focusing on women, especially those who face barriers to access. There are several factors that contribute to the importance of focusing on women's health. First, women's health is fundamental to overall health. In my international work, especially in Africa, I've seen that if you want to make a real impact in a community, you work with women. While men may be the official decision-makers, it's women who truly drive change in families. Empowering women has a profound ripple effect on their communities and society as a whole. I believe in women's empowerment, self-actualization, and the powerful role women can play in transforming societies. Women's health is not just a health issue—it's central to societal progress.
Q: What advice would you give to students who are aspiring to pursue a career in social work, social ecology, and research?
A: Find your passion. This is a field where balance and self-care are hard to manage. You need a job that you're passionate about because, as they say, "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life." That's true for me. Even when I have difficult times, I'm still optimistic and believe in the meaning of what I do. If you're working with something you love, it will give you satisfaction and happiness. For me, working on health disparities and seeing my students succeed is what drives me.
Q: How do you approach self-care and maintaining your own well-being while working in a demanding field?
A: I'm not the best at it! I do research about self-care, but I probably don’t practice it as much as I should. However, I've learned that self-care is critical to avoid burnout. If I really love what I do, I need to take care of myself to be more effective. I have a personal trainer, I walk my dogs, and I’m fortunate to have a tight-knit family and circle of friends I make time for. Besides working out, I eat healthy and read a lot of non-work-related books and articles. I enjoy detective stories and reading widely—it helps me refresh. Reading allows me to tap into my core self, which is important for self-care.
Q: How do you stay connected to your cultural roots and heritage?
A: I stay connected to my cultural roots and heritage in a few key ways. First, I make it a point to read in German, which helps me maintain a connection to the language and culture. I've always been determined to never adopt an American accent when speaking German, even though I know I have a German accent in English. It's important to me to stay connected to the path that allowed me to be where I am today. I also visit Germany regularly, especially to see my parents, who are now 91 and 92, and are in decent health. I try to visit them three to four times a year, even for short visits. I'm close to my brothers and cousins as well, and family is a non-negotiable part of my life. Maintaining those relationships is crucial to staying connected to my roots. So, while I embrace my new country, I also deeply honor the heritage I came from and stay closely connected to my German family.
Prof. Michelle A. Minyard-Widmann, MS, CCLS
Program Director of the Child Life Specialist MS Program, Assistant Professor of Counseling and Family Sciences, Certified Child Life Specialist, Educator, Mentor
Q: What inspired you to become a Child Life Specialist and Professor? How has that inspiration evolved over time?
A: My passion for serving children and their families has been a guiding force throughout my career. I began my professional journey as a preschool and kindergarten teacher while also working as a camp counselor during the summer months. In 1994, I transitioned into the field of child life, joining Loma Linda University Children's Hospital as a child life specialist. This career demands patience, creativity, emotional resilience, a strong commitment to advocacy, and a deep desire to support children and families through some of life's most challenging moments. Throughout my time at the hospital, I also served as an adjunct instructor for many years. Through this experience, I rediscovered my love for teaching and mentoring, helping learners cultivate the skills, knowledge, and compassion essential for effective child life practice.
Q: What does Child Life and/or Women's History Month mean to you?
A: As a person who feels strongly about the principles of social justice, Women's History Month and Child Life Month honor those that have played a part in shaping society, often times in the face of adversity and inequality. It is a moment to celebrate women that have made contributions to support humanity, especially in marginalized and underrepresented communities. I feel a sense of responsibility and joy building solidarity and support by assisting the younger generation of women.
Q: What are your hobbies and interests outside of this field?
A: My interests and hobbies outside of the field are spending time with my family and extended family, reading (historical fiction and fantasy), taking care of my plants/gardening, going to theater and musical performances, and the beach. My daughter starts college in Fall so we have been spending a lot of time touring campuses.
Interviews conducted by Gelsey Aldana, Clinical Psychology PhD student.