Graduates: Jessica Floyd, Psy.D.

Dr. Floyd on SisterMentors:

I was blessed to find SisterMentors by happenstance. It was one day while I was researching literature for my dissertation that I fell upon a dissertation abstract written by a SisterMentors graduate. I searched her name on the Internet, and found this wonderful program. Although I was close to completing my dissertation, working full time was making it difficult for me to stay motivated. Once I found SisterMentors, I knew that I had the support and guidance I needed to push through. In addition, I was able to give back this support and motivation to young girls looking to follow the same dreams. As a native to the Washington, D.C. area, I felt much gratitude in being able to mentor young girls from my community. I have Dr. Lewis and all of the women of SisterMentors to thank for giving me the final pushes, reality checks, and inspirational thoughts I needed to persevere and complete this very long journey.

Bio

Jessica Floyd, Psy.D. is currently a Psychology Associate at the Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children in Rockville, Maryland. There, she provides play and family therapy services, assessment services, and consultation services to daycare centers, and supervises intern and practicum students on comprehensive mental health assessments

She previously completed her psychology internship at the Multicultural Human Services Program of Northern Virginia Family Services in Falls Church, Virginia. She provides therapeutic and assessment services to racial/ethnic minority and immigrant adults, children, and families.

Dr. Floyd earned her doctorate in psychology in May 2008 from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University in New Jersey. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at Rutgers University. Her dissertation is titled "Former Foster Care Individuals' Experiences of Racial/Ethnic Socialization and Identity Development: An Exploratory Study." Dr. Floyd interviewed ten young adults who recently transitioned out of the foster care system about their experiences of learning about racial and cultural issues from their families of origin, same race and different race foster care placements, and social service providers. These participants also provided recommendations for social service providers on how to address racial and cultural issues with foster care youth and foster care families.

Dr. Floyd was born and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland and is the first in her family to earn a doctorate degree.