Today we’re welcoming Dr. Jana Hunsley to the podcast! Dr. Hunsley is a Research Scientist at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development. She recently completed her PhD in the Developmental Research lab through the Department of Psychology at TCU. In her research, Jana has recognized the importance of supporting the whole family system, rather than just focusing on the trauma-related needs of the adopted child, in order for lasting change to occur.
About our guest:
Jana Hunsley is an experimental psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, TBRI Practitioner, and advocate for foster and adoptive families. Jana received her doctorate in experimental psychology from the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University where her research focused on understanding the needs of every member of adoptive and foster families and meeting their needs through developing post-adoption interventions. Prior to returning to school for her PhD, Jana worked as a post-adoption therapist. Over the years, she has worked in various settings with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, including outpatient counseling, in-home counseling, residential treatment facilities, institutional care, school settings, the child welfare system, and juvenile detention centers. Jana’s passion for this work began as a teenager when her family adopted seven children internationally.
