Akanksha Mittal is a 2nd year student in the Doctor of Clinical Psychology program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She graduated in 2016 from the Pennsylvania State University as a psychology major. While at Pennsylvania State, she served as a crisis counselor at Centre Helps; worked as a direct support provider for adults with autism spectrum disorder; and volunteered supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Pennsylvania State’s Dance maraTHON (a foundation supporting research and treatment of pediatric cancer).

Following graduation, Akanksha worked as a mental health technician in an inpatient mental health facility assisting in assessment, documentation of care, and identifying personal needs of children aged 3-13. As a graduate student, she is currently serving as a Research Assistant examining the interface between alcohol use and stress, and the role of executive functioning. Akanksha is excited to be a 2018-2019 LEND trainee to further her leadership skills; specifically to develop advocacy skills for children with disabilities and their families, and to gain a better understanding of using an interdisciplinary approach to client-centered care.