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Jenna Buth-Croes
2015, Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology
2013, Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University
Clinical Health Psychology Fellow at the Cleveland Clinic

“My instructors were supportive of my interests in health psychology and they were willing to work with me to meet my needs and passion.”

Treats Medically Complex Patients Suffering from Chronic Pain

Dr. Jenna Buth-Croes is a clinical health psychology fellow in the Interdisciplinary Method for the Assessment and Treatment of Chronic Headache (IMATCH) program at the Cleveland Clinic, a program that treats medically complex patients with chronic pain.

Buth-Croes earned her Master of Arts and Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University. While in graduate school, Buth-Croes completed training rotations ranging from generalist experiences to health psychology experiences. “During my last year of formal coursework at Argosy University, I was the graduate student Senate president which I enjoyed,” she said. “I was fortunate that I matched at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center in its health psychology track. After my APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship, I accepted a two-year fellowship position with the Cleveland Clinic.”

She is focused on the areas of chronic pain, motivational interviewing and mindfulness. “I have been invited to and spoken at many different functions throughout my career, including grand rounds at the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic,” she added.

She chose Argosy University because the Doctor of Psychology program was APA (American Psychological Association) accredited* and because she respected the faculty. “My [instructors] were wonderful and really helped to shape who I am professionally,” she stated. “They were supportive of my interests in health psychology and they were willing to work with me to meet my needs and passion.”

She added that the education at Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University prepared her well for clinical practice—and her current position as a health psychologist.

Buth-Croes is proud to have been awarded grant money for a study in which she’s the principal investigator. “I developed mindfulness group intervention for the treatment of fibromyalgia and completed a study examining the use of this protocol and patient engagement,” she said. “I will be submitting it for publication this summer.”

She advises current students to take risks, be willing to go outside of comfort zones and find a balance between school and life. “Finding the balance between coursework, home life and work life was difficult,” she stated. “I think practicing good time management was key.”

In addition to her work at the Cleveland Clinic, Buth-Croes is active in the American Psychological Association Division 38, Health Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) Early Entry Registrant and the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM).

Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by school and are subject to change. Not all online programs are available to residents of all U.S. states. Argosy University, Twin Cities, 1515 Central Parkway, Eagan, MN 55121. ©2017 Argosy University. All rights reserved. Our email address is materialsreview@argosy.edu

See auprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees and other costs, median debt, salary data, alumni success, and other important info.

*The Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology Program at the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA). Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation.

Macarena Corral
2010, Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology
Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University
CEO and Clinical Psychologist at the Center for Collaborative Health

“[My education prepared me] well for diagnostics, integrative report writing and testing administration. I believe that put me ahead of the game in regard to my assessment skills, which later became my specialty in practice.”

Specializes in Assessment and Treatment Options for Individuals who have Experienced or Witnessed Trauma

Dr. Macarena Corral is the CEO and a clinical psychologist at the Center for Collaborative Health, an integrative mental health clinic providing innovative options for the assessment and treatment of trauma. “My job is to provide assessment and therapy services to men, women and children who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence and/or other forms of violence and trauma,” she said. “I have also developed a specialty in providing a wide range of Spanish speaking testing including mental health assessments for immigration purposes including U-Visa, Asylum and Extreme Hardship cases.”

Corral earned a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in 2010. She completed a one-year doctoral internship at the Minnesota Correctional Facility – Stillwater in Bayport, Minnesota. Her post-doctoral hours took place at the Domestic Abuse Center in Minneapolis and Headway Emotional Health (formerly Headway Emotional Health Services) in Richfield, Minnesota.

Prior to her studies in Minnesota, Corral lived in Massachusetts, working at a rape crisis center providing support services to victims of sexual abuse. Her graduate studies focused on forensic psychology and trauma. “Throughout my practicums and job opportunities, I developed significant experience in the field of trauma both in therapy, and also completing psychological, psychosexual and domestic violence evaluations for the courts,” she added. “I sought additional training in evidence-based treatments of trauma including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY).” Corral is currently an adjunct professor at St. Mary’s University and is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Minnesota Psychological Association, and the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Corral said that the education she received at Argosy University, Twin Cities trained her well for a psychology career. “I was prepared for diagnostics, integrative report writing and testing administration,” she said. “I believe that put me ahead of the game in regard to my assessment skills, which later became my specialty in practice. Argosy University prepared me for the different roles of a clinical psychologist, making me a good candidate for jobs that I applied for. I had so many practicum hours, could do therapy and assessments, and supervise. The rigorous curriculum also helped with my preparation for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) licensing exam, which I passed on the first try.”

At school, Corral built professional relationships with faculty members that continue to this day. She added that her teaching position at St. Mary’s University started as a referral from one of her former instructors.

Corral mentioned that the highlight of her career was opening a private practice. “It was a decade long dream and it has been so exciting to see it come to fruition,” she stated. “In August 2016, my business partner (who is also an Argosy alum) and I were featured on the cover of Minnesota Business Magazine as Young Entrepreneurs and later that month, KSTP TV featured our clinic on its Sunday broadcast. It was really special to have that recognition for our hard work and reinforced the uniqueness of our services.”

She recommends that current students network, learn from all of their practicum experiences, and try different areas of interest. “It will benefit your resume and make you a more well-rounded candidate in this competitive market,” she said.

Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by school and are subject to change. Not all online programs are available to residents of all U.S. states. Argosy University, Twin Cities, 1515 Central Parkway, Eagan, MN 55121. ©2017 Argosy University. All rights reserved. Our email address is materialsreview@argosy.edu

See ge.argosy.edu/programoffering/1816 for program duration, tuition, fees and other costs, median debt, salary data, alumni success, and other important info.

Dr. Nicole Shackelford | PsyD, LP | Class of 2008

Dr. Nicole Shackelford received a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in 2006 and a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) from the school in 2008.

As part of her PsyD curriculum, she completed an assessment practicum at the University of Minnesota Department of Pediatric Psychology Fetal Alcohol Diagnostic Clinic, and a therapy practicum at Pyramid Counseling Center, a suburban community mental health center. There, she provided individual therapy to adults and co-facilitated intensive dialectical behavior therapy and men’s domestic violence groups.

Dr. Shackelford completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at Human Services, Inc. (now Canvas Health), where she stayed to complete a post­doctoral fellowship. Licensed in 2010, Dr. Shackelford established a private practice in 2011 and offers individual therapy and assessment services to adolescents and adults. She continues to be active with Canvas Health’s pre-doctoral training program and is currently on contract to provide primary care behavioral health services at Southside Community Health Clinic in Minneapolis. 

Dr. Shackelford’s areas of professional and clinical interest include primary care behavioral health and human-to-animal abuse and neglect.

Carly Alexander

2016 Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology 

Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University

2011 Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology

Argosy University, Twin Cities

Pediatric Neuropsychology Fellow at the University of Minnesota Medical School

“Argosy University, Twin Cities allowed me the opportunity to initially explore the [master’s degree] path, and then to continue on with the doctoral path. [The school also] had relationships with community providers that facilitated practicum opportunities.”

Dr. Carly Alexander is a pediatric neuropsychology fellow at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She conducts neuropsychological assessments for infants, children, and adolescents who have complex learning and behavioral disorders that are neurological, neurodevelopment, and medical in nature. Dr. Alexander also provides school and community consultation as well as participates in didactic seminars and training experiences. 

She was excited to present research at the 2017 International Neuropsychology Society Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana—a proud moment after years of working in the field. 

Dr. Alexander began her path with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the College of Saint Benedict. Following graduation, she supervised group homes, became a regional behavior specialist, and was a certified brain injury specialist through the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists.

Dr. Alexander continued her education by earning a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University, Twin Cities, in 2011. Her thesis focused on “Theory, Assessment, and Intervention Relative to Conduct Disorder.” After clinical training at the Neighborhood Involvement Program, she started working toward a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology at the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University. She graduated in 2016.

She chose to further her education at Argosy University, Twin Cities and the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University because the university allowed her to continue working in social services and exploring the different ways that she could contribute to the greater good. “Working with children and adolescents has been a passion of mine for years. Argosy University, Twin Cities allowed me the opportunity to initially explore the [master’s degree] path, and then to continue with the doctoral path. [The school also] had relationships with community providers that facilitated practicum opportunities.” Dr. Alexander adds that the clinical training experiences were the most beneficial parts of the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology program.

“[The program] provided the foundational skills that I use on a daily basis in my current position. The program also fostered a sense of endless curiosity and stressed the importance of continued education and learning throughout your lifetime.” She adds that her instructors provided the education, experience, and support that she needed to succeed. “I had several faculty that acted as mentors and supporters. They pushed me to think big and have goals that were just outside of my comfort zone. I’m proud to have them as colleagues now.”

“[I completed my] assessment practicum at the Clinic for Attention, Learning, and Memory (CALM) and my therapy practicum at Headway Emotional Health as a therapist in the day treatment program,” she says. Dr. Alexander’s advanced practicum took place at the University of Minnesota Pediatric Neuropsychology Clinic, where she conducted neuropsychological assessments. As part of her pre-doctoral APA-approved internship at Canvas Health, she provide outpatient individual and group therapy, in-home family family, and received additional training in early childhood and parent child interaction therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).  

While in school, Dr. Alexander worked as a psychometrist at the Lorenz Clinic of Family Psychology and at Minnesota Clinical & Neuropsychological Associates. “I [also] had a fellowship working for the department chair of the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program and I was a research assistant at the Center for Neurobehavioral Development at the University of Minnesota.”  She began her two-year post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience in August 2016. 

Dr. Alexander’s long list of accomplishments is the result of finding a balance between school, life and work. She states that without balance, the hectic pace of life can take a toll on relationships. Dr. Alexander recommends that current students think long-term and structure training experiences to best prepare them for a desired career. “Have fun. Enjoy the process. Ask questions. Be challenged. Grow professionally and personally. Take time for yourself and your loved ones.” She also states that balance and patience is needed during the process of completing internship applications, interviews, studying for and taking exams, and waiting for Match Day. 

Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by school and are subject to change. Not all online programs are available to residents of all U.S. states. Argosy University, Twin Cities, 1515 Central Parkway, Eagan, MN 55121. ©2017 Argosy University.  All rights reserved. Our email address is materialsreview@argosy.edu  

See auprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees and other costs, median debt, salary data, alumni success, and other important info.