I would like to thank everyone who helped me along the long and
treacherous path to finishing my dissertation. I am deeply indebted to each and
every one of you for not letting me get swallowed up by my internal critic or be
driven nuts by perfectionism. Thanks to my family and friends who never
doubted my ability and supported me from beginning to wits end.
Mom and dad, thanks for your support, love, and belief in me for as long
as I can remember.
Thanks to my coach, whose efforts early in the proposal process, were
invaluable. You taught me that every minute counts.
Grandma Stella, thanks for inspiring me to speak my mind and pursue my
goals with determination.
Uncle Frank, thanks for making me laugh with your 'Hey, Doc...I got a
pain in my back...' jokes and for your active interest in my studies. Want to see
me pull a rabbit out of my hat?
Grandpa Frank, the thought of how proud you would have been to see me
graduate helped me find motivation when I thought I had none left.
Dr. Tong, thanks for providing encouraging words and for giving me
gentle, non-judgmental, and much needed pushes toward the finish line.
Thanks to Dr. Hadar Lubin, my external reader, for her quick turnaround
time and for sharing her thoughts on vicarious trauma and trauma treatment.
Thanks to my supervisor, Ginger Rhodes, Ph.D., for being wholeheartedly
invested in my success and development as an early career psychologist.