Alumnus David Wang, who received a Ph.D. in the Counseling Psychology program, is making great strides in the field of psychology as he researches the impact of trauma on one's spirituality. Wang's research focuses on virtue and character development, as well as the impact of trauma/traumatic stress on one’s spirituality and/or religious beliefs.

Wang began his career in Counseling Psychology after leaving the software industry. "I remember taking a career/vocational interest questionnaire back when I was a senior in high school and the test results suggested that I consider becoming a psychologist in the future," said Wang. "I didn’t think it was feasible at that time because my family had a different career trajectory for me, but I’m so glad that it worked out for me eventually."

Wang is currently an assistant professor at the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University in La Mirada, CA where he teaches and mentors clinical psychology doctoral students in their research and clinical practice. Wang credits his teaching style to his courses in the Counseling Psychology program. He often refers to his previous class notes as he prepares his curriculum and lectures at Biola University.

His departure from a lucrative field to pursue Psychology caught the eye of his College mentor, Department of Psychological, Health & Learning Sciences (PHLS) professor professor, Frederick Lopez. "In voluntarily leaving a successful professional position in the private sector to enter our doctoral counseling psychology program and to pursue his intellectual interests in the intersections of psychology, philosophy, religion, and spirituality, David Wang earned my immediate respect for having the personal courage to heed his calling,” says Lopez. “I am now delighted and proud that he has found an agreeable and stimulating professorship at Biola University where he is advancing inquiry within this important domain of scholarship."

Lopez became Wang's mentor when he first entered the program.  He encouraged Wang to integrate his personal interests and curiosity about the world into his research. "This really helped cultivate in me a love for research that has served me well in my present role," said Wang.

Wang recently completed a study in which his team administered a culturally-adapted, spiritually-oriented form of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to children in Haiti who are survivors of human trafficking. The results will be published in the Spring of 2016.