Genelle K. Sawyer

Dr. Genelle K. Sawyer is an Associate Professor in The Citadel's Department of Psychology and serves as Director of the M.A. in Clinical Counseling Program. She has been at The Citadel since 2009, following a post-doctoral research fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her research focuses on child maltreatment, trauma, PTSD, and evidence-based treatment dissemination. She teaches undergraduate and graduate psychology courses and holds a clinical psychology license.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• M.A. in Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• B.A. in Psychology (magna cum laude), University of Rochester

Research Interests: Dr. Sawyer prioritizes translational research to bridge gaps between clinical research and practice. Her work emphasizes trauma-informed care, childhood adversity, and scalable mental health interventions. She collaborates with community organizations to ensure practical application of evidence-based practices.

Professional Roles:

• Director of MA in Clinical Counseling Program
• Licensed Clinical Psychologist
• Former postdoctoral researcher at MUSC

Labs/Teams: Engages in collaborative projects through The Citadel's Department of Psychology and partnerships with regional healthcare institutions.