During Women’s History Month in March, I published an article about how women are paving the way in integrated health. The article featured small excerpts from interviews with three brilliant women: Adrianne Strachan, M.A., LPC-S; Alisha DeWalt, Ph.D., dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies; and Monica Kinde, Ph.D., senior associate dean of Pre-Clinical Affairs for the Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine. These women have been shaping the future of care in The Chicago School. For this three-part article series, I am sharing the entirety of their contributions.
I asked them each five questions, all specifically tailored to their role in our organization. The result is a trove of experiences and knowledge. You will find poignant and needed advice for future professionals in the fields of mental/behavioral health and medicine, particularly women.
Together, their perspectives offer a powerful glimpse into the future of integrated health and the women leading that transformation. To fully appreciate the depth of their experiences, insights, and advice, I invite you to read the complete interviews and explore how their journeys are shaping more compassionate, inclusive, and effective models of care for the generations to come.
Adrianne Strachan, M.A., LPC-S
Starting with student Adrianne Strachan, M.A., LPC-S. Adrianne is enrolled in the Clinical Psychology Doctoral program from The Chicago School at Xavier University of Louisiana. Adrianne’s unique approach to care was shaped by her experiences in the Louisiana Army National Guard and work with underserved populations. Her experience with integrated care training reinforced the deep connection between physical and mental health, especially among individuals facing trauma, chronic stress, and barriers to care, and highlighted the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in integrated settings like primary care and palliative care at the VA.
Q: What drew you to the Clinical Psychology Doctoral program from The Chicago School at Xavier University of Louisiana? Was integrated health part of your decision?
A: What initially drew me to the program was its focus on understanding mental health within the broader systems that shape people’s lives, including healthcare, communities, and access to services. My background includes serving in the Louisiana Army National Guard and working in mental health, where I saw firsthand how mental health concerns intersect with physical health, trauma, and barriers to care, especially for veterans and underserved populations.
Those experiences made it clear to me that mental health cannot be treated in isolation. Many individuals, including veterans, often access care through medical systems or delay seeking mental health services due to stigma. The integrated health model resonated with me because it creates opportunities to meet people where they are and provides more coordinated, accessible care.
As a student, I was also drawn to the opportunity to train in community and school-based settings, where I’ve worked with populations experiencing significant disparities in access to care. These experiences have reinforced for me that integrated care is not just a model; it is essential for improving access and outcomes for communities that are often overlooked.
Q: How has your training shaped the way you think about the relationship between physical and mental health?
A: My training has reinforced how deeply interconnected mental and physical health are, particularly for populations exposed to chronic stress and trauma. In both my military experience and clinical training, I’ve seen how psychological stress can manifest physically and how medical conditions can impact emotional well-being and daily functioning.
Working in community and school-based settings has highlighted how gaps in care often occur when mental and physical health are treated separately. Integrated care helps bridge those gaps by allowing providers to collaborate and address the full scope of a person’s needs.
As a student training within this model, I’ve come to view psychologists as essential members of interdisciplinary teams, especially in settings that serve veterans and other populations who may face barriers to accessing traditional mental health services. This perspective has shaped how I approach both assessment and intervention, with a focus on treating the whole person rather than isolated concerns.
Q: What have been some eye-opening moments in your training when you realized how closely mental and physical health are connected?
A: One of the most eye-opening aspects of my training has been working in integrated healthcare settings, particularly during my Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) and palliative care rotations at the VA. In those settings, I saw how mental health is directly embedded within medical care and how psychological factors influence everything from treatment adherence to quality of life.
In PCMHI, I worked with patients managing chronic medical conditions where stress, depression, and anxiety were closely tied to their physical health. Collaborating with primary care providers in real time highlighted how integrated care enables earlier intervention and more coordinated treatment.
During my palliative care rotation, I saw the connection between mental and physical health in a different way, supporting patients and families navigating serious illness, grief, and end-of-life care. Those experiences reinforced how essential it is to address emotional and psychological needs alongside medical treatment, particularly in moments that require compassion, communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Participating in a global health experience in Botswana further expanded my perspective. Seeing how integrated care is approached in a different cultural and health care context reinforced how essential it is to provide care that is both holistic and responsive to community needs.
Q: Women have played a significant role in advancing integrated approaches to care. As someone entering the profession, what leadership qualities do you see women bringing to this work?
A: Integrated healthcare requires collaboration, advocacy, and systems-level thinking, and many women in psychology and healthcare have been leaders in advancing those approaches. Women leaders often emphasize interdisciplinary teamwork and patient-centered care, which are essential for addressing complex health needs.
As a student training within integrated healthcare settings, I’ve also become more aware of how important it is to find your voice within interdisciplinary teams. Being a woman in these spaces has shaped how I approach collaboration, advocacy, and communication, particularly when working across disciplines where perspectives may differ. It has reinforced the importance of contributing confidently while remaining open and team oriented.
Throughout my training, I’ve learned from women who are deeply committed to improving access to care and addressing health disparities within their communities. Their leadership has shown me the importance of building systems that are not only collaborative but also equitable and responsive to the needs of diverse populations, including veterans and underserved communities.
Q: How would you say being a woman has shaped your experience, and what gives you hope about the future?
A: Being a woman in training within this field has shaped how I understand both leadership and collaboration. As a student, I am actively learning how to navigate interdisciplinary spaces, advocate for patients, and contribute meaningfully within healthcare teams. My experiences have reinforced the importance of confidence, communication, and representation, especially in settings where decisions are made collaboratively across disciplines.
I’ve also seen how important mentorship and representation are. Learning from women leading efforts to expand access to mental health care and improve healthcare systems has been incredibly motivating and has helped shape my professional identity.
What gives me the most hope about the future is the growing recognition that mental health is a critical component of overall health, particularly for populations such as veterans and underserved communities who have historically faced barriers to care. There is increasing movement toward integrated models that aim to reduce those disparities and provide more accessible, coordinated services.
As I prepare to begin my clinical psychology internship at an Army medical center, I’m especially encouraged by the role psychologists can play within integrated healthcare systems serving military populations. I’m excited to continue developing as a clinician within this model and to contribute to a future of healthcare that more fully supports the whole person.