Ryan Mace
Current affiliations:
- Suffolk University (Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program)
- Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital (Clinical Fellow in Psychology)
Educational path:
- BS in Psychology from University of Maryland, College Park, MD
- MS in Clinical Psychology from Suffolk University, Boston, MA
- Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology at Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Why is aging important or meaningful to you?
Faced with rising life expectancies the question, “how will we meet the growing needs of older adults?” propelled my interest in aging. I pursued a doctorate in clinical psychology, with emphases in neuropsychology and health psychology to promote mental health across the lifespan. My fascination with aging was deepened by the realization in graduate school that aging is the only diversity factor in the American Psychological Association Ethics Code that happens to all of us. In our multicultural classes, we learned that ageism is arguably the most socially accepted form of prejudice in the US and that the needs of older adults are often overlooked. While providing evidence-based psychotherapy throughout graduate school, many of my patients voiced concerns about developing Alzheimer's disease or related dementias as they get older. In response, I have become increasingly drawn to the role of psychologists in helping patients reduce their own risk for neurodegenerative disease by establishing healthy lifestyles. My ultimate goal is to guide behavioral health recommendations on exercise for reducing age-related cognitive impairment. As a future educator of brain health, I firmly believe in forming brain healthy habits at any age!
In what areas of aging work are you involved (research, teaching, clinical, leadership etc.) and how much time/effort do you devote to each?
As a doctoral candidate, I divide my time equally between research and clinical work in geropsychology. My research evaluates psychosocial interventions for people with dementia and identifies brain–behavior determinants of mental health. I have co-developed a system of screening instruments to optimize the assessment of mood and cognitive functioning with advancing age. I have also collaborated on several grants funded by the Maryland Office of Health Care Quality to improve nursing home care in the state.
For my clinical training, I provide evidence-based individual, group, and in-home therapy for older veterans treated at the VA Boston Healthcare System (VA Boston). I also received training to administer neuropsychological assessments and provide cognitive rehabilitation therapy for patients with neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia and Parkinson's disease. At Massachusetts General Hospital, I facilitate lifestyle interventions for adults interested in promoting healthy aging and provide psychotherapy for patients recovering from an acute neurological injury such as a stroke.
What resources have been the most useful in developing your career, and why?
Due to the demands posed by our aging society, psychologists in the field recognize the need to train the next generation of professionals. Consequently, empowering and supervising trainees are top priorities among geropsychologists. Identifying a mentor that aligns with your interests can be invaluable yet difficult to find. The Council of Professional Geropsychology Training Programs (CoPGTP)opens in new window website has helpful resources across all training levels. CoPGTP also lists training programs with nationally recognized expertise in geropsychology. Members of the American Psychological Association Div. 20 (Adult Development and Aging) frequently post career and educational opportunities on their email listserv. Students interested in aging and clinical work are encouraged to read “Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Older Adults” published in the January 2014 issue of the American Psychologist. For those that want to gain research experience, laboratories often have too much data and not enough help or resources! Sending an inquiry email to university professors or local medical center can lead to mutually beneficial research partnerships and academic opportunities.
What has been a challenge (academic, clinical or research-based) you faced and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge in my clinical training thus far was co-leading an 8-week bereavement group at VA Boston. The group of veterans was multiculturally diverse and represented four different US combat eras (age range 40s-80s). In addition to providing education on bereavement and teaching coping skills, I was responsible for facilitating group discussions of factors related to the Veterans' grieving process. The sessions often explored topics that I had limited personal experience with, such as homelessness, family estrangement, substance abuse, and disability.
My clinical geropsychology supervisors highlighted the importance of considering historical influences affecting particular cohorts and customizing service delivery accordingly. I learned that it can be helpful to normalize help-seeking behavior and emotional expression with veterans because mental health stigma is common, particularly in those who served during the Vietnam War. This training opportunity highlighted the potential for psychologists, as mental health ambassadors, to increase trust in health care systems and encourage the use of social services during adjustment difficulties, such as the loss of a loved one.
What is one bit of advice you would give to students entering the field?
Volunteering or interning at a nursing home or assisted living facility can provide an enriching introduction to psychology and the field of aging. Through shadowing clinicians or providing support for residents, students can gain initial exposure to the mental health needs of older adult populations. These settings provide opportunities to learn about the important roles that psychologists play on interdisciplinary care teams. Getting to know older adults in the community, such as grandparents or members of a local senior center, can help students explore their interests and identify personally relevant topics in aging.
What's next for you?
I will defend my dissertation and complete a doctoral internship in clinical psychology at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) for my final year of graduate school. My dissertation investigated the benefits of exercise from a neuroimaging perspective and the results stress the importance of physical fitness for brain health, particularly in older age. At MGH, I will provide evidence-based psychotherapy for older adults facing chronic conditions and comorbid mental illnesses. During internship, I seek to apply my dissertation research by helping patients develop brain healthy habits and promote resilience with aging.