Name: Jacquie Talesnick, Psy.D.
Graduation date: January 2013
Dissertation title: Body Modification in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Population (chairperson: Danielle Knafo, Ph.D.); won “Outstanding Dissertation Award”
Dr. Talesnick explains that a career in psychology is a natural extension of her longstanding interest in the complexities of human behavior and relationships. This interest was evident in her book choices growing up, which ranged from diverse topics in abnormal psychology to criminal behavior and explored core similarities and differences in the spectrum of human behavior.
When she began at LIU, Dr. Talesnick identified more strongly with a psychodynamic orientation, which was further reinforced during her graduate studies and APA-accredited internship. In particular, she has gravitated toward contemporary psychoanalytic approaches with a relational focus. However, exposure to the dual theoretical orientation at LIU prompted a shift toward integration. Dr. Talesnick also believes the breadth of her additional training, which involved exposure to different populations and settings, led her to integrate aspects of other models into her clinical approach (i.e., DBT, as well as recovery-oriented and acceptance-based models). For instance, the shorter duration of treatment with the college counseling population lent itself well to teaching pragmatics, such as stress management, adaptive coping, and communication skills. Meanwhile, considering interpersonal dynamics and developing patient insight are essential to her clinical work, irrespective of the population or setting. Currently, Dr. Talesnick believes that her growth as an integrative psychologist is at the center of her professional development.
While at LIU, Dr. Talesnick enjoyed learning about the varied manifestations of trauma and associated treatments through her academic coursework and involvement in Trauma Team. She has subsequently gained extensive clinical experience working alongside individuals with trauma backgrounds, through which she has gained a new appreciation for individuals' capacity for psychological strength and resiliency when confronting trauma and personal hardship. Dr. Talesnick believes that her involvement in SafeZone reflected a growing interest in working with the LGBTQI community that ultimately developed into her dissertation. A diverse training experience (e.g. college counseling centers, inpatient psychiatric facilities, VA medical center, substance abuse clinic) also shaped a lasting interest in working with adults in outpatient settings. Dr. Talesnick also attributes the lasting benefits of these practicum experiences to her supervisors, including Jennifer May, Ph.D. (Pilgrim Psychiatric Center), Clarissa Bullitt, Ph.D. (Stony Brook University), and her community supervisor and Post alumnus, Richard Sternberg, Psy.D. In her academic work, Dr. Talesnick found that LIU faculty influenced her career path in similar ways, especially her relationships with Dr. Feindler, Dr. Phillips, Dr. Knafo, and Dr. Keisner.
After graduation, Dr. Talesnick gained her NY state licensure while working as a staff psychologist at Long Beach Reach, Inc. Working as a member of a large, multidisciplinary staff, Dr. Talesnick appreciated the opportunity to learn about substance abuse and other forms of addiction as she conducted individual therapy and multiple recovery groups with individuals and families affected by addiction and co-morbid psychiatric conditions. Later, Dr. Talesnick moved to Los Angeles to work at UCLA’s college counseling center for several months before studying full-time for the CA licensure exam. After achieving licensure, Dr. Talesnick has spent just over one year working at the Rowan Center for Behavioral Medicine, a growing community outpatient group practice, where she continues to work with individuals with a range of presenting problems. She incorporates principles of self-compassion, mindfulness, and self-care into her clinical work and has come to believe that focusing on mental health is as important, if not more so, than exclusively addressing mental illness.
In her leisure time, Dr. Talesnick consistently strives for a healthy work-life balance. She achieves this by spending time with her beloved family and animals, being creative, volunteering in the community, and doing outdoor activities in the idyllic Southern California climate.