Psychology Speaker Series Continues to Inspire CUNY SPS Students

The CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) psychology program hosted another successful semester of its popular Day in the Life series this past fall. In this informative series, which was launched in 2016, students are invited to hear about the first-hand field experiences of highly accomplished psychology practitioners. 

The first segment was held on September 29, 2022, and moderated by Dr. Isabelle Elisha, the associate director for the CUNY SPS psychology program. This event’s featured speaker was Dr. Stephanie Marcello, the chief psychologist for Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBUC) and director of the psychology internship program for doctoral students. In addition to her work at Rutgers, Dr. Marcello is a researcher, clinician, and member of the CUNY SPS faculty. 

During her talk, Dr. Marcello described her academic and professional path for the attending students. As she traced her past and current positions, she shared her valuable insights garnered along the way. “I work with people with serious mental illness, complex trauma, severe PTSD, substance use disorders, and opiate dependence,” said Dr. Marcello. “But what really became my passion, and lifelong career pursuit, is the impact of trauma on youth.” Throughout her presentation, Dr. Marcello stressed that treating trauma and the depression that often is associated with PTSD is fundamental for mental health practitioners.

The next segment of the series, held on November 8, 2022, was moderated by Dr. Carla Marquez, academic director of the CUNY SPS psychology programs.  This talk featured Dr. Kelly Rabenstein, a licensed counseling psychologist and adjunct faculty member at CUNY SPS.

In her presentation, Dr. Rabenstein explained how her work focuses on interpersonal relationships and fostering the individual’s ability to connect through communication. Her past endeavors include working in numerous clinical settings: hospital in-patient, detention centers, programs for neurodivergent children and adolescents, various school systems, community mental health, community organizing, as well as a corporate consultant. 

As a mental health expert with a commanding media presence, Dr. Rabenstein has made several appearances for outlets such as ABC, TedX, and The Doctors. She also wrote essays for various academic journals, magazines, and online news sources. Recently, Dr. Rabenstein published a book, Psychological Secrets for Emotional Success (It’s All About Love). 

Dr. Rabenstein explained how the book evolved. “I found myself with patients and companies I was consulting with, or I would give a talk somewhere and afterward they would ask if there was something I could leave [with them].” She continued, “I realized the best thing to do would be to be able to hand them a book. So that is what I did. I sat down and wrote… All of my writing: the book, everything I write for various publications, or when I speak as a media expert — I'm always thinking about how to help people live more authentically. How to have the best experiences in life.” 

Video recordings of Dr. Marcello’s and Dr. Rabenstein’s talks are available on the CUNY SPS YouTube channel. For more information on upcoming Day in the Life events and other psychology programming, visit the CUNY SPS events calendar.

About the CUNY SPS Psychology Programs

The CUNY SPS MA in Psychology online degree program prepares students for employment opportunities and advanced studies that require a deeper understanding of behavior motivations, along with strong research, communication, and teamwork skills. The program’s fully online format makes it the first and only degree of its kind offered at the City University of New York (CUNY). The online format allows students to read course materials, participate in class discussions, and complete assignments on a more flexible schedule. In addition to the MA program, CUNY SPS also has a fully online BA in Psychology program that has been ranked #4 in the nation on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Psychology for 2023. 

About the CUNY School of Professional Studies

As New York's leading online school since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.

Press Contact

Andrea Fagon

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

andrea.fagon@cuny.edu