Student Handbook

Dr. Erica Adkins
Assistant Professor and Program Director
adkinse@apsu.edu

Dr. Adkins earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oregon in 2009 and her ABPP certification in 2015. She earned a post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology from the California School of Professional Psychology in 2017, and a Master of Military Art and Science in Strategic Studies from the Command and General Staff College in 2025. She completed her predoctoral clinical internship at Federal Correctional Institute Fort Worth. She served as an officer in the commissioned corps of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) detailed to the Federal Bureau of Prisons from 2009 to 2014. As a USPHS officer she served as a Staff Psychologist and Drug Abuse Program Coordinator at United States Penitentiary Pollock, LA, and a Special Management Unit Psychologist at the United States Penitentiary Florence, CO. In 2014 she left the BOP to pursue full time private practice and commissioned in the United States Army Reserve as a 73B clinical psychologist. In 2023 she reclassified as a 38A Civil Affairs Officer and is currently serving as a Civil Military Operations Center Chief with 440th Civil Affairs Battalion A-Co. In 2021 she joined the faculty at the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology as the Faculty Director of the Military Psychology Specialty. She joined the Psy D in Counseling Psychology program faculty at Austin Peay State University as an assistant professor in 2025. Her research interests include the experiences of women in the military, with a focus on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), the unique challenges faced by military mothers, and the integration of trauma-informed practices—particularly trauma-sensitive yoga and Yoga Nidra—as pathways for healing and resilience. Dr. Adkins is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 19 Military Psychology. She is licensed as a clinical psychologist in Tennessee with the health service provider (HSP) designation and enjoys working with veterans, service members, and their families.

Dr. Daniel McKelvey
Assistant Professor
mckelveyd@apsu.edu
931-221-1247

Dr. Daniel McKelvey earned his Ph.D. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from the University of South Alabama in 2019. He completed his internship at The Ohio State University’s Counseling and Consultation Service and completed a year-long postdoctoral residency in multicultural counseling at San Jose State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services. In 2020, he was hired as a core faculty member of Austin Peay State University’s newly launched Counseling Psychology PsyD program. His research interests include masculinities, gender role strain, intimate partner violence, sexual assault prevention, multicultural counseling competency, structural equation modeling, and item response theory. He is licensed as a clinical psychologist in Tennessee with the health service provider (HSP) designation.

Dr. Reniece Mashburn
Assistant Professor
mashburnr@apsu.edu 

Dr. Mashburn earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Tennessee State University in 2025. She completed her internship at Western State Hospital in Hopkinsville, Ky. Clinically, since 2017 she has worked with children and adolescents, young adults, and adults across various settings such as community mental health, residential treatment facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and in-home settings. Her research interests include examining culture, healing trauma(s), ancestral healing, identity development, protective factors in historically excluded communities and cultural competency training. She is actively pursuing licensure as a clinical psychologist with HSP designation in TN.

Dr. Mehak Kapoor
Assistant Professor
kapoorm@apsu.edu 

As a mental health professional, I am committed to creating inclusive spaces where every client feels seen, heard, and respected. My approach is rooted in trauma-informed care and the belief in meeting clients exactly where they are in their journey—honoring their unique experiences, identities, and strengths. I integrate empathy, cultural humility, and evidence-based practices to foster safety, trust, and growth. Alongside my clinical work, I am deeply passionate about training and mentoring others, equipping future practitioners with the knowledge and sensitivity to serve varied communities with compassion and skill.