Chaminade University of Honolulu

Behavioral Sciences

Chaminade MFT Student Headed to India After Winning Scholarly Award

Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) graduate student Eden Nasher has been on a long journey throughout his life and career, and that path eventually led him to Chaminade University.

It was a road worth traveling, he said.

In recognition of his scholarship in Chaminade’s MFT graduate program, Nasher was awarded an esteemed prize that will take him to a major conference in India this week.

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) recently awarded Nasher the Diversity Award for Emerging Leaders, which earned him a coveted role and participation at the Global Systemic Therapy Summit in Bengaluru, India, from November 10-13.

Nasher said he’s looking forward to learning more about advancements in therapeutic work at the India conference, only this time from multiple cultural perspectives.

“A lot of the issues we face in the present day are very complex. They’re very multifaceted, and we cannot forge them from one place or from one angle, one perspective,” Nasher said in looking ahead to his India adventure. “There have to be multiple approaches, and that means being able to join forces with other communities, other spaces across the globe, to be able to tackle these.”

AAMFT’s Diversity Award for Emerging Leaders recognizes Nasher’s compelling international and diverse life story, as well as his success in Chaminade’s MFT program.

Born and raised in Sanaa in northern Yemen to parents of West and North African descent, Nasher traces his true roots to southern Yemen and the port city of Aden–the origin of his first name, Eden, where his parents first lived.

Nasher said Aden is known as a more multicultural and multiethnic city given its proximity to Africa, whereas Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, is home to a more homogeneous population and culture.

Raised by diverse parents but living in an undiverse city, Nasher said he’s always felt a desire to better understand himself and where he comes from, and this yearning has, ironically, sent him on a journey far from home.

“I have to occupy a lot of identities where there are so many pieces that don’t quite fit in,” he explained. “So I basically ended up going on that journey for it. I wanted to leave where I grew up because I wanted to understand myself better and really be able to connect.”

Nasher’s first stop overseas was Egypt and the American University in Cairo, to study anthropology.

While living in Cairo, Nasher said he worked with refugees, mainly people fleeing parts of Africa, his first exposure to therapeutic work.

Trained in anthropology and gaining experience supporting vulnerable populations, Nasher again looked west for a new adventure; a Fulbright scholarship led him to the University of San Diego to pursue graduate studies.

His time in San Diego frequently took him to Hawaii for further study and research. Steeped in academic therapy work, Nasher said he eventually came across Chaminade University’s dual-track Master’s and Doctoral program in Marriage and Family Therapy.

He was sold.

“I was born and raised in a country and corner of the world that has really dealt with a lot of challenges,” he said. “Chaminade stood out. And in understanding that there is a program that does exist and that I might be able to find, that I fit in, I reached out.”

He said Chaminade’s staff immediately responded to his request for information.

“That, to me, is probably the reason why I ended up in the program,” Nasher added.

Nasher said the dual-track MFT program–working on his master’s and Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at the same time–is a perfect fit for his interests, research tempo, and study style.

One day he’s taking foundational courses, learning theories and practices that underpin the relatively young MFT discipline. Next, he’s diving into work that encourages him to propose new ideas and new insights, contributing to the field’s ongoing growth.

Now he’s looking forward to his travels in India, where he will be recognized for his academic achievements.

Nasher credits Chaminade and his Marriage and Family Therapy instructors for helping him get this far. He says he would recommend Chaminade’s dual-track MFT program to anyone looking to walk a similar path.

“You’re not only going to be part of a really unique experience, but you’re also going to be part of a community where there is a hub, and there are all sorts of offshoots, people who are doing really cool work,” he said.

“I would encourage folks to reach out and ask if they can connect with others who have gone through this experience, who are familiar with Chaminade, and speak to them about what that’s like.”

Chaminade DMFT Grad Shares Her Newest Book: What if Your Mother Was Wrong?

Family life is messy and complicated. For those reasons and more, marriage and family therapists must undergo rigorous training to earn their degrees, and then pass exams before they can earn their licenses.

Despite the many obstacles, Dr. Bridget C. Duncan, LMFT-S, DMFT ’26, cleared them all and is now busy sharing her knowledge with the world through books.

Last year, Dr. Duncan launched her first volume, titled “Stop Dyeing Red Flags Pink: Your Roadmap to Healthy, Balanced Relationships.” She has now published her second title, which she describes as “a clinically informed exploration of how maternal messages and early experiences can shape beliefs into adulthood.” She’s given her new book the provocative title “What if Your Mother was Wrong?: Rethinking the Beliefs that have Shaped Your Life.”

Dr. Duncan said the provocation in the title given to her newest book is deliberate.

“I know the title is controversial,” she shared in an interview. “What if my mom was wrong? I didn’t say she was, but it’s an invitation. What if she was? You know, not necessarily meaning she was, but it’s inviting the adult child to now question that.”

Duncan said her first book was inspired by conversations with her academic advisor while enrolled in Chaminade University’s Doctorate of Marriage and Family Therapy. Her latest book, she said, derives from her professional practice and interaction with clients. She said it is often surprising the extent to which the earliest childhood interactions with our parents can influence us well into adulthood.

“How does our system affect us and impact us, and what system are we in originally, is that home system, and usually in that early formative time, it’s usually the mom, typically the mom,” she explained. “So the book is to encourage people.”

In other words, Dr. Duncan said her newest book is an invitation to readers who may be struggling with past familial issues or trauma to recognize how our parents, especially our mothers, may be contributing to emotionally challenging states of mental health.

“What if my mom was wrong about loyalty, obligation, who am I, what I’m owed?” she said. “Maybe I can rethink that, and rethink who I am through a different lens.”

The life of a Chaminade DMFT student

Dr. Duncan holds two degrees in psychology and an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy (MSMFT). She continued working full-time as a practicing therapist while completing her three-year doctoral program at Chaminade University, the only program of its kind in Hawaii.

She even spent a year in Thailand.

While all of that was going on, she decided to write her first book.

Dr. Duncan looks back fondly at her time at Chaminade because it kept her busy–her work, her studies, her writing all saved her from boredom.

She acknowledged that Chaminade’s Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT)  program is rigorous. Still, she said it was the right fit for her given how she knew the demands of her field and how the program at Chaminade is up to the challenge of training professional therapists of the highest caliber.

“You really had to know how to be determined, resilient, to be able to manage your time,” she said.

As she shared last year, Duncan was inspired to dive into book authorship during a conversation with Dr. Emily Kahumoku-Fessler. At the time, she was describing the tendency of her clients to gloss over obvious “red flags” or warning signs that can reveal themselves in relationships of all sorts.

The euphemism she used to describe this phenomenon was “dyeing red flags pink.” Dr. Kahumoku-Fessler told her that phrase would make a great title for a book. She ran with the idea.

Now that she’s been bitten by the writing bug, Dr. Duncan said anyone interested in marriage and family therapy will see more to come.

Her new book “What if Your Mother Was Wrong?” is on sale now. Two more books are coming, and Duncan let slip that she has no intention of singling out mom. She’s already planning to write two more books: “What if Your Father Was Wrong?” and “What if Your Family Was Wrong?”

“I’m already working on book three,” she said. “So many people like, well, what about your father, Bridget? So I’ve already started the outline.”

Writing books, Duncan says, is a way for her to keep motivated, to keep moving, to keep learning, and to constantly stay at the forefront of her field.

“Like I tell my clients, I can’t be everybody’s therapist, so I’m just gonna keep writing books.”

From Submarines to Psychology: Chaminade Student Named 2026 Tillman Scholar

Before beginning her doctoral studies at Chaminade University, Lauren Jacobs spent nine years as a U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer, serving in one of the first cohorts of women assigned to submarines. A 2013 graduate of the Naval Academy, Jacobs is dedicated to military service, which sparked a passion for supporting those facing mental health challenges and inspired her to pursue a career in forensic psychology.

Today, Jacobs is a doctoral candidate in Chaminade’s Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) program, where she also serves as Student Association President. Expected to graduate in May 2027, she has focused her clinical training on working with adults experiencing serious mental illness within the criminal justice system. In recognition of her leadership, service, and commitment to creating positive change, Jacobs was recently named a 2026 Tillman Scholar by the Pat Tillman Foundation. We recently connected with her to learn more about her journey, her passion for serving others, and her goals for the future.

Where is your hometown?

I grew up in Plano, Texas, and my husband and I have called Kailua home for the last seven years.

Why did you choose the Naval Academy?

Looking back, applying to and choosing to attend the United States Naval Academy (USNA) was a big decision for a teenager. I wanted to be part of something greater than myself and to join a community of like-minded people. Academics and athletics were both mainstays of my high school life: I played volleyball and ran track competitively while earning an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, so I wanted a college experience that valued academics, athletics, and leadership in equal measure.

Why did you choose Chaminade for your doctorate degree?

My husband Andrew and I were stationed on Oʻahu in 2019 and completely fell in love with living here. We’ve been lucky to build a wonderful community of friends and family over the years, so when it came time to go back to school, I knew I wanted to stay. Chaminade’s Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program within the Hawai’i School of Professional Psychology (HSPP) offers a generalist education with an emphasis on cultural humility and adaptability to the diverse patient populations across the islands. I was drawn to both the variety and the depth of training the program provides.

What has your experience at Chaminade been like?

I would not trade my time at Chaminade for anything. Chaminade’s HSPP has passionate faculty and staff who come from a wide variety of backgrounds and prioritize mentoring psychologists in training. The clinical training I’ve received has been thorough enough to make me competitive with psychology interns across the United States and Canada. Providing much-needed psychological services to Hawaiʻi residents while completing our coursework has been deeply meaningful to me. My mentors and supervisors have been some of the best I’ve had the privilege to work with, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. Many of my classmates in the program have also become lifelong friends, and that community is one I truly cherish.

How did you hear about the Tillman Foundation?

At USNA, we learned about Pat Tillman’s story in our ethics, leadership, and professional development courses. Over the years, I heard more about the Tillman Foundation’s work as it grew, and I watched several of my USNA classmates and submarine colleagues get selected as Tillman Scholars. Their example inspired me to apply.

What does being a Tillman Scholar mean?

To me, being a Tillman Scholar means choosing service to our communities as a guiding value, often above personal ambition and comfort. Switching career paths from Nuclear Submarine Officer to Clinical Psychologist was never going to be an easy road, but it felt imperative to put my experience and talents toward making a positive difference in my community, no matter how small the impact. I’m grateful the Tillman Foundation saw value in that sacrifice and in the goals behind it.

Are you working while going to school? 

I’ve worked as a teaching assistant for several courses in the PsyD program, alongside completing our academic and research obligations. A unique aspect of earning a doctorate in Clinical Psychology is that roughly half of our workload consists of clinical training: providing psychological services to members of our community under supervision. Balancing that professional training with research and coursework is essential to becoming an effective psychologist, since this profession demands lifelong learning. I’ve learned to juggle it all by leaning on my support system here on Oʻahu: my husband, sister, brother-in-law, friends, and fellow veterans.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I am deeply grateful to the faculty for their mentorship and guidance, and to my friends and colleagues for making this experience both fun and supportive. I would also like to thank the Pat Tillman Foundation for this amazing opportunity. 

Chaminade in HOME RUN Initiative, Education Award for Healthcare Students

University to receive $5 million over five years for education awards supporting healthcare professionals serving rural Hawaiʻi.

Chaminade University of Honolulu is participating in the statewide HOME RUN initiative, a major effort to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s healthcare workforce in rural and underserved communities through education awards, training and workforce development opportunities.

As part of the initiative, Chaminade will receive approximately $5 million over five years to support students pursuing graduate degrees in healthcare and behavioral health fields. The funding comes through Hawaiʻi’s Rural Health Transformation Program award, announced earlier this year by Governor Josh Green. The state received nearly $189 million in federal funding through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services RuralHealth Transformation Program to improve healthcare access and outcomes across rural Hawaiʻi.

HOME RUN — Hawaiʻi Outreach for Medical Education in Rural Under-resourced Neighborhoods — is designed to help recruit and retain healthcare professionals in communities facing workforce shortages. Students who receive HOME RUN education award support must commit to serving in a rural Hawaiʻi community for five years after completing their degree.

Students interested in receiving scholarship support should apply for the HOME RUN education award at the same time they apply for admission into an eligible Chaminade program.

Current eligible programs include (additional programs may be added in the near future):

  •   Master of Science in Counseling Psychology
  •   Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
  •   Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy
  •   Master of Science in Nursing
  •   Doctor of Nursing Practice
  •   Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates
  •   Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology

“This initiative represents an important investment in Hawaiʻi’s future healthcare workforce and in the well-being of rural communities across our state,” said Lynn Babington. “Chaminade is proud to help prepare compassionate professionals who are committed to serving communities where access to healthcare and behavioral health services remains limited.”

According to the Governor’s Office, healthcare services in Hawaiʻi remain heavily concentrated on Oʻahu, leaving many rural residents with limited access to specialty care, behavioral health services and emergency treatment. The initiative seeks to address those challenges by building a stronger local workforce pipeline and supporting students committed to remaining in Hawaiʻi after graduation.

The initiative aligns closely with Chaminade’s mission of service and community engagement. Through graduate programs in nursing, counseling, marriage and family therapy, and educational psychology, the university prepares students to serve diverse communities throughout Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

The HOME RUN initiative is one of six components included in the state’s five-year Rural Health Transformation Plan, which also includes investments in telehealth expansion, emergency response systems and healthcare infrastructure modernization.

Additional information about eligibility requirements and application timelines is available by clicking here. For more information about Chaminade’s graduate healthcare and counseling programs, visit Chaminade University of Honolulu.

Faculty Appointed to State Psychology Board

Sean Scanlan, Ph.D., Director and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, has been appointed to the Hawai‘i State Board of Psychology, joining fellow faculty member Jeffrey Stern, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, who also serves on the board.

The Hawai‘i State Board of Psychology operates under the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) within its Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL) Division. The board is responsible for overseeing the licensure of psychology professionals across the state, helping ensure that practitioners meet standards established to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

At a time when the need for accessible, high-quality mental health care continues to grow in Hawai‘i and across the nation, the board plays a critical role in maintaining a strong, qualified workforce of licensed professionals.

In this role, Dr. Scanlan will contribute to the review of licensing applications, renewals, and compliance matters, while also engaging in discussions on legislation, policies, and regulatory issues impacting the profession. Dr. Stern continues to bring valuable expertise to the board through his ongoing service.

“Dr. Scanlan’s appointment, alongside Dr. Stern’s continued service, reflects the strength of our Clinical Psychology faculty and their commitment to advancing ethical, high-quality care,” said Chaminade University President Lynn Babington, Ph.D. “We are proud to see Chaminade faculty helping shape policies that strengthen professional standards and serve our broader community.”

Dr. Scanlan’s appointment underscores Chaminade’s ongoing dedication to academic excellence, community impact, and leadership in the behavioral health field.

Doctoral Students Gain Practicum, Serve Community Needs

With practicum, internship, and dissertation requirements, hands-on learning and intensive scholarly inquiry are critical parts of Chaminade’s Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology. 

And thanks to the University’s assessment center, graduate students can tackle some of that patient-focused work right on campus.

The Chaminade Assessment Center (CAC), launched in Fall 2023 gives PsyD students the chance to conduct psychological evaluations and fill a community need at the same time.

Dr. Sean Scanlan, director of the Clinical Psychology program at the University, said the CAC started off small but with a strong mission: To offer children and young adults psychological evaluations so they can get the right  treatment and educational accommodations.

“We had Chaminade PsyD students searching for practicum sites, and we saw community members needing these psychological assessments,” Scanlan said.

The center’s first clients were Chaminade students. From there, the clientele was expanded to include students referred from nearby private schools. Scanlan said the center was able to serve about 30 patients in their first year and almost 50 in their second.

Meanwhile, about three PsyD students at any one time work under a supervisor at the CAC. Scanlan said each client requires six to 15 hours of testing, which may include an interview and cognitive, personality, and learning assessments. From there, the psychologist and PsyD students synthesize the findings and issue a report with a diagnosis and recommendations.

“For our PsyD students, it’s a lot of work,” Scanlan said. “Because it’s not just the student preparing  to be with an actual client; they have to be prepared to sit and listen to real world problems, all the while trying to conceptualize a diagnosis.” 

But Scanlan said that this real-world, experiential learning experience is critical to their training, similar to that of trainees in the medical fields. He stressed, their clinical supervisor is always there to offer expertise and guidance. The supervisor also handles initial and critical client interactions so students can see practiced psychological evaluations and interactions at work.

Sammie Wilkinson, PsyD ’27 was one of Chaminade’s first PsyD students to serve at the center following its launch and has since put in additional time there as an administrative and assessment specialist. She summed up her practicum experience at the center in one word: “Rewarding.” 

“I learned about comprehensive psychological evaluations and assessment, which are major components of the role of a clinical psychologist and a focus of the PsyD program,” Wilkinson said.

“During my practicum, I was able to support both Chaminade students and clients in the community by conducting assessments, identifying and diagnosing various challenges that often impact academic performance and social functioning. Since completing my practicum, I have continued to support the CAC with scheduling and helping clients access services.”

Wilkinson explained that assessment and diagnosis help clients put a name to specific mental health challenges they’ve been experiencing and provide a starting point for healing and support. 

“It has been a privilege to work with clients from diverse backgrounds, which has deepened my appreciation for taking a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to assessment,” she said. “One of the biggest challenges is determining an accurate diagnosis, as many conditions can resemble one another. For example, trauma may present similarly to ADHD. Therefore, it is so important that we are thorough, take our time to rule out diagnoses and consider each client holistically.”  

She added that helping to broaden access to community-based services has been especially meaningful—and she’s excited about the center’s continued growth. “Psychological assessments are in high demand but often come with long waiting lists or high costs so it has been wonderful to be part of a center that provides these services in a timely and affordable way,” she said.

Scanlan noted that the center started to accept insurance in 2025.  In the program’s first two years, services were free and mostly referral-based. “I think we have the foundation now where we can begin to increase the number of PsyD students we can take and, as a result, the number of clients we can see,” Scanlan said. “We’re happy to be providing this service to the community.”

The center’s growth comes as Chaminade’s School of Education and Behavioral Sciences also launches another win-win program for aspiring mental health professionals and clients in need of services. In spring 2026, the University’s Marriage and Family Therapy program launched its new MFT Training Clinic, where graduate-level MFT therapists in training provide care under the supervision of licensed clinicians. Services are affordable and open to anyone on Oahu. 

“This clinic is a training ground for future marriage and family therapists,” said Blendine Hawkins, Ph.D., LMFT, director of the Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy program at Chaminade. “By focusing on couples and families and embracing culturally humble, evidence-based approaches, the clinic is a meaningful new resource for our local community. We’re excited to share this development with those who value strengthening relationships and supporting families.”