Current Lab Members

The AMPP Lab presenting at the 2023 APA Convention in Washington, DC.

Dr. Brian Cole

Hello! I am Dr. Brian Cole and I am the founder of the AMPP Lab. I joined the KU Counseling Psychology Faculty in 2015. I earned degrees from the University of Kansas (B.G.S., 2006; M.S., 2008) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Ph.D., 2013). I completed my pre-doctoral internship at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Counseling Center where I received specialized training in multicultural issues in psychological assessment. I am an active member of the Society of Counseling Psychology (APA Division 17), where I serve as the Webmaster for the Section on Positive Psychology. I am also President Elect of the Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity (APA Division 51). When I am not conducting research or teaching, I enjoy spending time with my partner and our two small humans, cooking, watching KU basketball and Royals games, and a side of occasional geekdom.

Google Scholar
ResearchGate
KU Profile

Alyssa Dye

Hi! I’m Alyssa, and I am in my fourth year in the Counseling Psychology PhD program here at the University of Kansas. I received a bachelors in Music Education and a masters in General Psychology from California State University, Stanislaus. In terms of research, I have a particular interest in the experiences of fathers during the transition to fatherhood. I am a graduate student member of the International Marcé Society for Perinatal Mental Health, Postpartum Support International, and Divisions 17, 35, and 51 of APA. In addition to research, I love playing the carillon and spending time with my two children.

Sam Swisher

Hi, my name is Sam Swisher. I am a fifth-year doctoral student in KU’s Counseling Psychology PhD program. I received my B.A. in Psychology at George Washington University in Washington, DC. I am currently conducting a scoping review on men’s friendship and will be delving into men’s friendships further with my dissertation. I am passionate about conducting therapy, providing peer-supervision, and helping newer therapists develop their competency and confidence within their therapeutic practice as a GTA and a peer-supervisor. I am currently a member of APA Division 51 (Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities). I am originally from the Jersey Shore. I enjoy swimming, being outdoors, watching birds, and going on long bike rides. I will be applying for internship cycle 2024-2025.

Lauren Zaeske

Hi, I’m Lauren Zaeske. I’m a fourth year Counseling Psychology PhD student at KU. Originally from Illinois, I received my B.A. in Spanish/Honors Humanities/ Pre-OT from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN. My research and clinical interests pertain to positive psychology and religious/spiritual trauma and abuse, predominantly out of intersectional feminist and person-centered lenses. I look forward to learning more about research in masculinities. I am currently a member of APA’s Division 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology), but I’m hoping to become a member of other divisions as well. I enjoy running, coffee, and spending time with friends and my cat. 

Itzik Harosh

Hi! I’m Itzik and I am in my 4th year in the Counseling Psychology PhD program here at the University of Kansas. I received an M.S. degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in DBT from California Lutheran University. My research background focuses on masculinity, CMNI, and help-seeking barriers/ behaviors. In this program I developed so much clinically, and I typically run my therapy through an ACT protocol with a sprinkle of Strengths-based approach and Feminist theory. While I enjoy research, I do have a life outside of psychology. I am a California native who enjoys watching sports (Rock Chalk!), eating copious amounts of food, and spending time with my miniature dachshund-Augustine.

Hannah Adams

Hello! My name is Hannah Adams, and I am a second year student in the Counseling Psychology PhD program at KU. I completed my B.S. in Human Development at Kansas State University, then traded in my purple for crimson and blue to complete my M.S. in Counseling Psych here at KU. My research interests revolve primarily around self-compassion, including but not limited to the influences of gender norms and men’s adherence to masculine norms, specifically.  In my free time, I enjoy running, yoga, and reading. Mostly, though, any free time I get is spent with my sweet Catahoula Leopard dog, Blue.

Elisabeth England

Hi there! My name is Elisabeth England, and I am a third-year doctoral student in KU’s Counseling Psychology program. I am originally from Iowa where I received my B.A. in Psychology at Cornell College. My research interests include body image with emphasis on men’s disordered eating and its effects on masculinity. I am also interested in positive psychology concepts such as hope and well-being. I love the idea of using positive psychology in eating disorder treatment modalities. Outside of research and academics, I enjoy playing and watching soccer, spending time with friends and family (ideally boating on a lake) and traveling. Fun fact: I grew up on a miniature cow farm, so I was surrounded by half-sized cows most of my life.

My Google Scholar Profile

Jared Ohm

Hey! My name is Jared Ohm. I am a third-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology PhD program here at KU. I completed my undergraduate degree at Northwest Missouri State University (#GoBearcats) in biology and my Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Emporia State University (#Stingersup). I am a Kansas native and excited to finally being part of the Jayhawk Nation! My research interests revolve around masculinity, but more specifically with men’s friendships with one another. My experience working in an a correctional setting has solidified my research interests and desire to better understand men’s capacity for connection. Outside of academic pursuits, I enjoy playing tennis, reading, doing Zumba in my garage, and spending time with my wife and daughter.

Sarah Bugg

Hi! My name is Sarah Bugg. I am a second-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology PhD program at the University of Kansas. I completed my bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Oklahoma. Then, I completed my master’s degree in counseling at Oklahoma City University. My research interests include mental health stigma and help seeking behaviors. I have interest in how masculinity and gender norms affect these factors. I my free time I enjoy hiking, listening to podcasts and trying out new restaurants.

Olivia Jones 

Hi! My name is Olivia Jones, and I am a second-year student in the Counseling Psychology PhD program at KU. I also attended KU for my undergraduate career where I received a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Applied Behavioral Science with a focus area in Community Health and Development. My research interests are focused on using the principles of positive psychology to create a more inclusive and accessible therapy culture for multicultural individuals and communities. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, rewatching my favorite Netflix series, and creating new Spotify playlists for any and all occasions!

Jordan Primeaux 

Howdy! My name is Jordan Primeaux and I am a first year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at KU. I’m originally from Stillwater, OK and completed my BA in Psychological Science at The University of Vermont. After graduating, I worked as a postgraduate researcher in the Family Development Lab at UVM before heading to KU. My research interests include masculinity in media, adolescent identity, and social media use. In my non-working/studying time I enjoy reading, getting into Wikipedia rabbit holes, and hanging out with my partner and my cat, Sapling.

AMPP Alumni