Breakaway thinkers

Learn about those who challenge convention, inspire change, and lead with purpose. These features highlight the innovative ideas and bold perspectives that drive our community forward.

A woman with long straight blonde hair wearing a pink blazer over a black top, posed against a plain grey background, reflects Chelsea Minhas’s commitment to building communities at Adler University.

Building communities through connections: Chelsea Minhas brings her experiences to Adler University

From an early age, Chelsea Minhas was able to spot the cracks in the system. 

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A Psy.D. student stands smiling next to a research poster titled “Violent-Context Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth,” displayed at a Chicago conference.

From Nebraska research lab to Chicago conference: Psy.D. student Autumn Hanson’s journey

Autumn Hanson presented her neuropsychology-based research at the 13th annual Association of Chicagoland Externship and Practicum Training (ACEPT) Conference at National Louis University on May 1, where she placed third overall. 

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Four men appear in a grid labeled "Mind Games," each with added fantasy elements: devil horns, wizard hat, a bubbling cauldron, and a sword—hinting at how therapeutic gaming can be used to support mental health.

Rolling the dice: How gaming can be a powerful tool in therapy

At this year’s Midwest Gaming Classic in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a panel of mental health professionals is inviting attendees to take a closer look at what happens when gaming moves beyond entertainment and into clinical practice. The discussion brings together practitioners who are actively integrating video games and tabletop role-playing games into their work with clients. 

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A person with curly gray hair, wearing a colorful scarf and black top, holds a microphone and note cards while speaking at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
October 13, 2021

Dr. Marina Bluvshtein Delivers Lecture at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as Recipient of Dr. Rudolf Dreikurs Visiting Scholar Fellowship

Photo of Crystal Gail Fraser
June 1, 2021

Dean O’Hara Responds to the Burial Site Found at Former Residential School in Kamloops

A Black woman with braided hair smiles at the camera while standing on a rooftop overlooking a city street, radiating wellness against the backdrop of urban buildings.
May 6, 2021

Promoting Health Equity, Wellness, and Empowerment of Black Women

A person with short curly hair and hoop earrings smiles while resting their chin on their hand, wearing a rust-colored sweater, seated in front of a wooden window, embodying the warmth of community mental health.
February 23, 2021

Promoting Community and Mental Health Through ‘Tea and Therapy’

Two women wearing white t-shirts with the words "#BLACK" and "AND ADOPTED" stand side by side against a plain background, highlighting Black adoptees and building community as they face the camera.
January 29, 2021

Reducing Stigma and Building Community for Black Adoptees

Dr. Vannucci is sitting in front of a large window with a building blurred in the background. She is wearing a blouse.
December 23, 2020

Turning the Challenges of 2020 into Opportunities for Change

A group of masked protesters hold signs at a demonstration, with a transgender pride flag visible in the background, highlighting solidarity in coping with stress and standing against racial injustice.
November 16, 2020

Coping with the Trauma and Stress of Racial Injustice

Four people kayak through a wide river canyon surrounded by steep rocky cliffs under a partly cloudy sky, embracing the power of nature.
November 11, 2020

Empowering Veterans Through Nature and Martial Arts

Two people sit on the ground outdoors at night, bundled in scarves and blankets, smiling at the camera with others and sleeping bags in the background—raising awareness about different forms of homelessness.
July 16, 2020

Raising Awareness of Homelessness—and its Many Forms

A woman with long blonde hair, wearing glasses, a tan sweater, and white top, stands smiling against a plain white background—supporting efforts to break stigma and address unspoken truths around sensitive topics.
April 29, 2020

Sharing “Unspoken Truths” About Male Sexual Abuse to Break Stigma

A pink banner with orange letters reading "WOA LET OUR PEOPLE GO" hangs on a large abstract black and white sculpture in an urban plaza, calling attention to prison advocacy and protection in prisons.
April 28, 2020

Advocating for COVID-19 Prevention and Protection in Prisons

A woman with long brown hair and glasses, smiling at the camera against a plain white background, represents the overlooked stories of women on the autism spectrum and the frequent misdiagnoses they face.
March 6, 2020

Combating Misdiagnoses and Marginalization of Women on the Autism Spectrum

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