About the AMPP Lab

Who We Are 

The Applied Masculinities and Positive Psychology (AMPP) Lab at the University of Kansas is a collaborative community dedicated to understanding how hope, strengths, and gender shape mental health and human flourishing. 

Our work explores how men experience connection, growth, and well-being while emphasizing that these insights apply to everyone. By examining gender within cultural and relational contexts, we aim to advance inclusive, strength-based approaches to mental health research and practice. 

The AMPP Lab developed the KU Positive Psychotherapy Clinic (Hope Through Strengths)- a telehealth training clinic that delivers evidence based positive psychotherapy to clients across Kansas. The clinic extends of research mission into practice, providing hundreds of hours of free therapy to Kansans each year while offering rigorous clinical training to graduate students. 

Leadership and Mentorship

The AMPP Lab is directed by Dr. Brian P. Cole, Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology and Director of Training for the Counseling Psychology PhD Program at KU.

Dr. Cole leads the lab using a developmental apprenticeship model of mentorship. In this model, graduate students progressively assume greater responsibility in research, writing, and supervision while receiving individualized guidance tailored to their professional goals. Students are viewed as emerging colleagues rather than assistants- developing as scientist practitioners as they advance through the lab. 

This approach fosters both scientific rigor and professional growth, preparing students to be researchers, clinicians, and leaders who embody the values of Counseling Psychology.