After working at a child abuse and advocacy center as a high school senior, Andi Dickmeyer ’19 knew she wanted to further pursue psychology as a career. Now she is taking the next step toward a profession as a clinical psychologist by working as a summer intern at the New School for Social Research Trauma & Affective Psychophysiology Lab in Manhattan, gaining lab experience with mental illness, PTSD, abuse and addiction.
“It’s really important to have research experience before applying to graduate schools,” said Dickmeyer, a psychology and philosophy double major. “I was looking for an internship in the psychology field that would challenge me and let me have more clinical experience than I am able to get at Hamilton.”
As an intern, Dickmeyer works with approximately 15 other undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students, investigating the ways in which traumatic events affect people’s bodies, minds and perspectives on the world. In the lab, Dickmeyer is paired with a doctoral student to assist with their studies. She is also helping a graduate student put the final edits on her master’s thesis, and then will work with her on the beginning stages of her doctoral dissertation.
Majors: Psychology and Philosophy
Hometown: Plymouth, Minn.
High School: Robbinsdale Armstrong High School
Among other things, Dickmeyer analyzes data using SPSS, observes sessions with patients, and transcribes trauma narratives for further analysis. Because her work environment allots a fair amount of independence, Dickmeyer is able to decide for herself what work to prioritize, crafting a schedule centered specifically on her own interests. Other research assistants are always available as stores of information to answer questions or provide help.
Through the work she does at the New School, Dickmeyer hopes to gain a better understanding of how trauma is measured, analyzed and perceived. Ideally, this research will assist Dickmeyer in her literature review about the physiological effects of childhood trauma, specifically with identity dissociation. “The understanding I am gaining at the New School on trauma and the ways it affects the body and brain, as well as the experience of working with underserved populations such as veterans, non-English speakers, etc., will be invaluable for me in the future as a counselor,” said Dickmeyer.
