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Click on the link below to to read about a student experience at Antioch:
- Mike Archer
M.A. Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, 2002
Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, 2007
- Adair Hinds
Current Psy.D. student
- Cami Hayes
Current Psy.D. student
- Kali Kuwada
M.A. Psychology, Art Therapy with Mental Health Counseling, 2005
Current Psy.D. student
Mike Archer
M.A. Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, 2002
Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, 2007
 Body image. Everybody has one. Some people gaze in a mirror and see themselves clearly and honestly. Others might as well head for a circus fun house the way they distort the reality of what they see. It's called body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) when people become preoccupied with their imagined imperfections. Frequently you hear about women who suffer from this offshoot of obsessive-compulsive behavior and the eating disorders they develop as a result. Yet men are vulnerable as well.
Mike Archer, the first graduate of Antioch's Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program, wrote his doctoral dissertation on factors that affect the development of BDD in males. His was a phenomenological study. According to Archer, BDD can afflict male body builders who have a distorted view of how they see themselves. Archer wanted to know why an increasing number of body builders become obsessed with developing muscle mass and exercise compulsively. Men with this disorder see themselves as frail and undeveloped, no matter how much muscle building they do.
Changing Cultural Definitions
"After my first quarter, I knew this was the place for me. There’s a depth to the work we do. It’s a student-centered environment here that’s more experiential." - Mike ArcherArcher suggests the cultural definition of the ideal male has changed in recent years. "Six-pack abs and metrosexual are terms we've only heard in the last five to 10 years," he says. "The original G.I. Joe doll wasn't bulked out. Today, he's humongous. The same holds true with the 'Star Wars' Luke Skywalker doll. I had one of the originals and he didn't look like what he does today."
Archer describes a study of what women find attractive in men and what men think women rate as appealing qualities in men. "Men think women want a guy to have 20 percent more muscle than women actually find attractive," he notes. Archer cites two case studies involving doctors and lawyers who not only think they're out of shape, but also quit their jobs and became personal trainers so they could justify spending more time in the gym. "I want to increase awareness of BDD for both the general public and mental health professionals. Among men, it isn't OK to say 'I'm not leaving the house because I'm not a strong enough man' or 'I need to spend six hours a day at the gym.' Creating an awareness might help them self-gauge and alter their perceptions," he says.
A Perfect Fit
Archer set out to determine what factors impact men the greatest and what common or unique themes emerge for those with BDD. After earning his master's from Antioch's psychology program in mental health counseling, he entered Antioch Seattle's Psy.D. program in the hopes that after graduating he might establish a body image disorder clinic in Seattle.
In 2002, Archer talked about why he chose Antioch. "I think my decision to return and attend the Psy.D. program would be the best endorsement and statement on Antioch I could offer," he noted, adding that he chose Antioch because of his interest in clinical work rather than research. "Antioch turned out to be an especially good fit for me, but I had concerns at first because I'd come from a traditional undergraduate program with grades.
"After my first quarter, I knew this was the place for me. There's a depth to the work we do. It's a student-centered environment here that's more experiential. The faculty is great for being available, being supportive and for giving me insights into myself. I'm not just being lectured to, I'm contributing."
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Adair Hinds
Current Psy.D. student
 Before becoming a Psy.D. student at Antioch, Adair Hinds was dean for a private art college. Today, he heads Seattle Lutheran High School while he works on his Psy.D.
"I taught in the public schools for many years before I made the switch to administration," he notes.
It was the opportunity to pursue cross-disciplinary studies at Antioch that held particular appeal for him.
"I have struggled with disciplines from the moment I had to declare an undergraduate major. I wanted to study art without accepting the label of painter or sculptor; I wanted to be a psychologist without viewing behavior through the narrow scope of one theoretical perspective. I have vacillated between art and psychology throughout my career.
"I have a strong passion for cross-disciplinary studies, innovation and social justice. These are the characteristics of an Antioch education. The programs and faculty at Antioch are very supportive of individual needs and interests. The institution is truly 'egoless' which is rare these days.
"There are world-class leaders in their fields teaching at an institution that promotes the fact that our differences unite us rather than divide us. Traditional institutions tend to reduce knowledge to study transcendent norms. Antiochians understand that knowledge must be grounded in a socio-cultural context," he says.
Hinds says he tells prospective students about Antioch's strong sense of community.
"The cohort model promotes relationships and a support network that is very beneficial to people who work full time. Students move through the program together and take many of the same courses," he says.
He has many kudos for the faculty in Antioch's School of Applied Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy.
"They are scholars and practitioners who know what it's like in the real world," Hinds notes. "They aren't so far down the tenure track that they've lost sight from the top of the ivory tower.
"I have not received better guidance or direction in any of my prior experiences in higher education. The professors have been very open to my research interests and have been extremely flexible to meet the demands of raising a family, working full time and trying to get the most out of my education.
"Pat Linn is hands down the best teacher I have studied with. She is brilliant and has very high standards, however, she breaks information down in such a logical manner. She expects excellence and consistently gets it from both students and faculty. Pat Linn has assembled such a strong team of professors who not only are recognized experts in their respective fields, but also genuinely care about student success. This doesn't happen by mere accident. It is an indication of leadership and the Psy.D. program is fortunate to have such strong leaders who balance their demand for excellence with the individual needs of the student."
His finest memory?
"During the first-year research sequence, my partner and I stumbled across a very cool research opportunity. In order to follow through with the project, though, we had to stop working with our existing groups and convince our professor to allow us to switch direction midquarter. Our peers and professor saw how meaningful the project was to us and the potential of the project to make a difference in the community and were wonderfully supportive. We completed the research project, I have presented the findings at a national conference and am preparing the article for publication," he describes.
At one point in the not-too-distant past, Hinds thought seriously about other universities that might offer him monies to study full time. It wasn't meant to be, though.
"Recently I stopped attending to pursue other options," he says. "I applied to an Ivy League university and major public research university with the hopes that I would receive funding to study full time. I was admitted to the top program in the country in my area, however, both schools spent much more time talking to me about how my research interests did not align with the current research programs of the faculty.
"Even though I could receive a scholarship to study at an Ivy League institution, I am much more interested in going to a school that sees my innovate research ideas as an opportunity, as opposed to an obstacle."
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Cami Hayes
Current Psy.D. student
 Before enrolling at Antioch, Cami Hayes was a full-time school psychologist working for the Auburn School District.
She offers multiple reasons why she chose to pursue a Psy.D. at Antioch.
"Antioch's Psy.D. program offers both the meaningful clinical training I lacked as well as the research rigor I value," Hayes says. "Additionally, Antioch's emphasis on social justice and very relevant multicultural perspectives is unparalleled by other universities."
Once she arrived at Antioch, Hayes says she was inspired by many of Antioch's faculty members, but three stand out most.
"Pat Linn, Benny Martin and Molly Reid are amazing in their ability to balance academic rigor with warmth and compassion for student concerns. Their passion for learning and teaching is evident and creates an environment in which students strive for maximum growth," she says.
Her best memories are of experiences within her concentration group.
"As part of the Psy.D. program in clinical psychology, students are required to participate in an area of concentration or specialty. Over this year period, bonds among students and professors are created, and an important support system results. The learning environment is then rich for the honest exchange of academic ideas and observations," she says.
When asked about Antioch by prospective students, Hayes encourages them to apply.
"I relay Antioch's emphasis on both research and clinical training. Antioch encourages multicultural perspectives and the importance of social justice. Through course curricula and the opportunity to work in the on-campus community clinic, experiences prepare students for the real world," she says.
She describes the financial aid process as a surprisingly easy, problem-free process.
"On the rare occasion I had a question, staff was easy to reach, receptive and invariably knew the answers. I also was granted a fellowship, assisting with tuition costs and adding to my overall educational experience. Again, this process was hassle-free and easy to navigate," Hayes notes.
She has some cost tips, too.
"I'd recommend working a part-time job, as well as applying for available fellowships and scholarships," she recommends.
Hayes has no doubts about the value of her education.
"I'm still a student, but I feel prepared to enter the world of clinical psychology," she says. "The Psy.D. program goes to great effort to ensure that we engage in community experiences while completing coursework. There is great comfort, confidence and a willingness that comes from this."
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Kali Kuwada
M.A. Psychology, Art Therapy with Mental Health Counseling, 2005
Current Psy.D. student
 When she came to Antioch, Kali Kuwada had recently completed her B.A. in Social Psychology from Western Washington University and was working as a special education para-educator for the Lake Washington School District.
"I had done quite a bit of research on Art Therapy programs along the West Coast and ultimately picked Antioch's program because of Janice Hoshino," Kuwada says. "She was always available to answer any questions I had about the program, and encouraged me to talk with current students about their experience. Because all of my questions were addressed with care, I felt very confident this was the program I wanted to attend."
Her appreciation for the Art Therapy faculty is clear and continuing. She completed her M.A., then was motivated to enter the Psy.D. program. "Both Janice Hoshino and Jayashree George have been a tremendous inspiration. They continually challenge and encourage me to do my best work, and are a strong support system for me. I was thrilled about the advanced art therapy concentration...that was the number one motivating factor for me," Kuwada says.
Now a counselor and faculty member at Seattle Central Community College, Kuwada is confident Antioch was the right choice for her.
"We all have such diverse and busy lives, so the flexibility of the program is great," she says. "Concentrations such as Existential-Humanistic and Advanced Art Therapy are what help make this program innovative, unique and special.
"My education and experience in the Art Therapy program continues to open many doors, both professionally and personally. I am now able to have a career that simultaneously incorporates all my interests: creativity, wellness and the arts," she notes.
As far as learning experiences go, Kuwada describes one of her best memories.
"The Art Therapy group research project was such a huge learning experience for me, and some of my most favorite memories come from that project," she says. "It was amazing to see the whole process come together; from designing the research, to doing the literature review, to interviewing participants and analyzing the results and finally, writing the report. It was really rewarding to see our research presented at the National American Art Therapy Association conference. The project was such a huge challenge, with many ups and downs, but overall a really positive experience."
Her recommendation to those who might be considering Antioch is this: "I tell prospective students Antioch is very student focused, with small class sizes and flexible in that it allows you to explore your own areas of interest and build them into the curriculum."
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