Cynthia Engel

Cynthia Engel serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Central Washington University (CWU), where she teaches a wide range of undergraduate courses including Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, and a specialized course on the history of mental health care in the United States. Her teaching philosophy integrates clinical practice with social justice advocacy.

Dr. Engel's academic journey began at CWU, where she completed dual bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Interdisciplinary Studies – Social Science in 2009. She later earned her Master of Arts in Existential Phenomenological Psychology from Seattle University in 2014.

• MA Existential Phenomenological Psychology, Seattle University (2014)
• BA Psychology, Central Washington University (2009)
• BS Interdisciplinary Studies – Social Science, Central Washington University (2009)

Her research interests are grounded in existential phenomenology and clinical psychology, with a focus on understanding human experiences of mental health challenges, substance abuse, and societal marginalization. She critically examines the historical and social contexts of mental health care.

Key research areas include:

• Existential Phenomenological Psychotherapy
• Abnormal Psychology
• Substance Abuse, Recovery, and Resilience
• Life Transitions and Otherness
• Deinstitutionalization
• Social Justice (Black Lives Matter, Gender, LGBTQIA)
• Criminology (Serial Killers)

Ms. Engel has mentored students as a teaching assistant at CWU's Des Moines campus and currently guides seniors through the portfolio process. She extends her mentorship beyond the classroom through community service as a volunteer therapist and Board member of Psychotherapy Cooperative, which provides accessible mental health care to underserved populations.

She is actively engaged with Psychotherapy Cooperative, contributing to strategic initiatives that expand the organization's reach and impact in the community.