Flora Ma
Educational Level: Graduate
Current Affiliation: Palo Alto University (clinical psychology doctoral candidate)
Educational Path:
-
Bachelor of Science, Major: Cognitive Systems; Cognition & Brain, Minor: Commerce, University of British Columbia, B.C., Canada
-
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, California
-
Doctoral Student, Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology, Palo Alto University (APA-accredited), Palo Alto, California
Why is aging important or meaningful to you?
My passion for geropsychology stems from my family, particularly from my grandmother. Helping her through her own aging process gave me an incredible appreciation and a real insight into what really matters in life. I recognize that regardless of ethnicity, social class, or any other factors, we converge at the same point in life: aging. In working with geriatric populations, I feel as if I can see ahead in my own life, and I can relate to my grandparents and parents. I am excited to have the opportunity to make changes in the gaps that I see with the healthcare system which may affect the aging process of my loved ones and other older adults.
In what areas of aging work are you involved (research, teaching, clinical, leadership etc.)? And how much time/effort do you devote to each?
Teaching is one of the most important things that I enjoy. Whether it’s with patients, in the community or with healthcare staff (e.g., physicians, clinicians, nurses). I enjoy integrating technology into their work, and disseminating materials to assist older adults with technology use to manage their health. I believe that providing appropriate educational information to different audiences about healthy aging debunks the myths about mental health and aging.
In my research I focus on how technology can be used as a digital platform for older adults in diagnosis, interventions, treatments and prevention strategies to promote effectiveness in managing health. I have co-authored a chapter, several posters, and papers related to technology and older adults. I have collaboratively created and nationally distributed educational materials on how to utilize technology to better manage mental health as well as implementing this program in clinical settings to educate older adults on how technology can benefit their mental health. As for my clinical work, I have utilized assistive technologies to help complex older adults improve their mood, reduce their symptoms, decrease their disruptive behaviors and medication use. My experience with telemental health has also allowed me to broaden access to healthcare.
Leadership is something I strongly enjoy. From founding our university’s gerontology club to now as serving the chair of the diversity committee in Div. 12, Section 2 (Society of Clinical Geropsychology), I have held onto every opportunity to continue to learn more from my peers and mentors worldwide.
What resources (including people, books, web sites, etc.) have been the most useful in developing your career, and why?
Mentors. Christine Gould, PhD, had helped me tremendously. She has provided me with learning opportunities to further develop my research, my clinical skills and leadership. Throughout these experiences, Gould has given me the capability and autonomy to explore new areas of research. She also has encouraged me to build my confidence as an independent researcher and practitioner.
Nancy Pachana, PhD, is yet another mentor that has really helped me in exploring and assessing different types of careers with older adults that best fits with my interests and strengths. She helped me with opportunities in leadership and constantly promotes my competency in developing international connections within geropsychology.
Conferences is another exciting event that have helped with my career. I have met many amazing geriatric-trained professionals like Neil Charness, PhD, and Brian Hall, PhD. Having meaningful exchanges with various professionals, has expanded my learning and inspired me to grow as a researcher and clinician.
Lastly, there are several supervisors and advisors throughout my training like Jonathan Sills, PhD, James Mazzone, PhD, Elizabeth Shumaker, PhD, and Rowena Gomez, PhD, who have guided my professional development. My supervisors have taught me about biopsychosocial factors and culturally adaptive evidence-based theories and interventions. Being a part of professional associations in APA (Div. 12, Section 2) have shaped me into the psychologist that I am today.
What has been a challenge (academic, clinical or research-based) you faced and how did you overcome it?
Changing peoples’ perspectives about psychology in academic, clinical or research settings has been one of the greatest challenges. There is a lot of stigma and stereotypes of mental health worldwide. As such, it can be particularly difficult working with older adults when “healthy aging” sounds impossible.
Additionally, there are many areas in the world that lack the training and education to have informed conversations about mental health.
Thus, I believe that shaping peoples’ views about mental health will occur by educating patients, family members, providers in health care system, and the greater community. Examples of how to do so is by providing presentations and educational materials with appropriate facts about healthy aging (e.g., what are the warning signs of mental health disorders?) I think it is possible that technology may bridge some of the gaps in healthcare to help improve older adult’s mental and physical well-being.
What is one bit of advice you would give to students entering the field?
I would strongly encourage students entering the field of psychology, and specifically, geropsychology to “get their feet wet” and try to work with different clinical populations to see what they enjoy and where their strengths lie. Because hands-on experience is always invaluable. You can only really learn by exploring different settings, interacting with different supervisors and healthcare staff, and gaining exposure to different types of patients with a spectrum of symptoms from mild to complex. Additionally, surround yourself with various mentors to help guide one’s own professional identity.
What’s next for you?
I will continue to pursue opportunities that will help me grow and further support my strengths, my passion and my career. I want to seek a career that gives me the opportunity to contribute to geropsychology at the international level and make a positive change in the lives of others. I would also like to find a healthy balance across my roles in leadership, teaching, research and clinical work. I want to discover what that balance means for me. My most immediate next step is obviously getting my degree, licensed and a job!