Graduate Students

Kris (She/They) is a first-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Kris received their Ed.M./M.A. in Psychological Counseling from Columbia University in 2020. Prior to joining the Counseling Psychology program, Kris worked in private practice, primarily with LGBTQIA+ and gender-expansive individuals and couples who have experienced trauma.

Kris’s research interests focus on relational flourishing within LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse communities, with particular interest in the ways trauma impacts intimate relationships and relational well-being. Their work is broadly informed by a commitment to understanding and supporting healthy, affirming relationships across diverse identities and lived experiences.

Kayla (she/her) is a third-year PhD student in Counseling Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Kayla previously received her Master’s in Education in Counseling Psychology with a Sport and Performance Psychology from Boston University (’22). Kayla’s research interests focus on determinants of eating disorders and body image concerns, affirming care for neuro- and gender-diverse populations, psychotherapy process and outcomes, and social justice approaches to psychotherapy.

Kayla is currently working on projects in the lab focused on autistic-TNG adults, neurodiverse couples, stigma, and mental health experiences.

Puja Chocha (she/her) is a doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at Fielding Graduate University. She earned her M.S. in Clinical Psychology from California Lutheran University and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with nearly a decade of experience supporting autistic individuals and their families.

Puja’s research interests focus on the experiences of autistic women, particularly the relationships among masking, perceived autism stigma, gender-role expectations, and psychological distress. Her broader research and clinical interests include LGBTQIA+ and South Asian mental health, psychological assessment, and culturally responsive, neurodiversity-affirming care. Her work is informed by a commitment to understanding how intersecting identities shape mental health, access to care, and individuals’ experiences within clinical systems.

Joy (she/her) is a first year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at UMB. She received her master’s in counseling psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi. In her time there she engaged in research focused on belongingness in the LGBTQ+ community. She completed and graduated from this program in August of 2026.

As a doctoral student, her research interests now include minority stress, heterosexism, resilience, and socialization factors in LGBTQ+ populations. 

Klover (they/she) is a second year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program UMB. They recieved their master's in mental health counseling psychology from the University of West Florida in 2025. Klover's research interests focus broadly on experiences of LGBTQIA+ Autistic individuals with the aim of supporting the improvement of mental health, therapeutic care, and advocacy efforts within higher education. 

Klover identifies as a disabled, autistic, queer researcher and their work is informed by a committment to uplifting community voices and lived experiences and connection across communities. Klover is currently working on projects in the lab focused on adult autism assessment, autistic-TNG adults, and queer/neurodiverse couples.