Learn more about Lue Williams, a PhD student in the Counseling Psychology (CPSY) program, through our Graduate Spotlight series.

"Future students, stay connected to the people and activities that keep you grounded, and the values that inspired you to be here in the first place.” – Lue Williams

Meet Lue Williams (she/her/hers), a PhD student graduating from the Counseling Psychology (CPSY) program. Lue, a social, economic, and environmental justice advocate, says the CPSY program has prepared her for a career working to improve the lives of those in underserved communities. 

Lue was excited by the opportunities the CPSY program gave her to explore her research interests while engaging in didactic learning and clinical training experiences to grow as a culturally attentive and responsive clinician. Lorry Lokey Chair and Department Head Leslie Leve applauds Lue for “her value-driven approach to clinical and research activities, her focus on underserved populations, and her conscientious and rigorous approach to everything she engages in.” 

The CPSY cohort has shaped her experience at UO and provided her with continual support and friendship over the last six years. Lue is completing her APA-accredited internship at a VA medical center in New York City, where she has honed skills in providing inpatient and outpatient care for people with a wide range of mental health needs. Following graduation, Lue is looking forward to post-doctoral clinical practice and will continue to pursue her goal to work as a licensed psychologist. 

Hometown: Eugene, OR

Major(s), minor(s): Counseling Psychology (CPSY) doctoral program, I’ll earn my PhD in 2024

How did the experience of completing your APA-accredited internship help you develop career skills?

My clinical psychology internship experience at a VA medical center in New York City has provided an invaluable opportunity for me to serve a diverse community of US military veterans and service members. Training experiences have focused on developing and honing skills in diagnostic assessment, and evidence-based intervention for substance use and trauma; and on providing inpatient and outpatient care for people with a wide range of mental health needs.

How did the Counseling Psychology program prepare you to be an equity-minded research-practitioner?

The CPSY program has a distinguished track record of training and empowering its students for careers as activist-scholars, interventionists, and educators. For me, this meant having opportunities to purse research I felt inspired to explore, which focused on vulnerable communities and systemic inequities; and engaging in didactic learning and clinical training experiences where attention to context and to developing as a culturally attentive and responsive clinician were valued competencies.

What are your plans following graduation?

I'm looking forward to post-doctoral clinical practice as I continue to pursue my goal to work as a licensed psychologist. I'm also excited about spending some more time in the woods when I'm back home in Oregon.

What advice would you give incoming/current students?

Graduate school will present overwhelming challenges that make every honest grad student question their own reasons for enduring the demands of their chosen field of study. To weather these inevitable challenges, it’s important to stay connected to the people and activities that keep you grounded, and the values that inspired you to be here in the first place.

What made your experience at UO special?

I am deeply grateful to be a member of the small cohort of students that started the CPSY program with me in the fall of 2018. I can’t imagine getting through my doctoral training without their friendship and support! I also had an exceptional faculty advisor and other faculty mentors who have been generous with their guidance and kindness.