PHD Personal Purpose International Psychology and Trauma
- Robert Edinger
- Nov 8
- 4 min read
I am applying for admission to the Ph.D. program in International Psychology at ____ University. During my MSW program, I developed a passion for providing diagnostics and therapy to children and adults at an outpatient psychiatric clinic, often staying up late to study interventions suitable for those I aimed to assist. I now hold an MSW degree and possess 11 years of direct social work practice experience in elementary schools, psychiatric settings (inpatient), and currently serve as an in-home counselor. I view your distinguished Ph.D. program in International Psychology at ____ University as the ideal opportunity to advance my career.
While completing my BSW in 2004, I worked full-time as a counselor at a correctional facility group home for teenage boys. I earned my Master’s in Clinical Social Work in 2011 from the University of ____, in St. Paul, MN, traveling 500 miles round trip for three years to complete my clinical training. My clinical methods courses provided a learning experience that extended beyond theoretical and philosophical concepts, greatly enhancing my self-understanding and psychological awareness, alongside practical approaches and effective clinical applications. During my clinical methods training, I completed a 640-hour clinical practicum in outpatient psychiatric diagnostics and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults, focusing on the psychodynamics of trauma and its relation to clinical intervention and treatment. A standout class during my graduate studies was Psychopathology and Human Behavior, which examined a wide range of human behaviors and pathologies from biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual perspectives, integrating social justice values and principles into our study of human behavior.
My clinical research project for the Master's in Social Work focused on secondary traumatic stress among caregivers of individuals with Huntington’s disease. This subject is deeply personal to me, as my wife Tania succumbed to Huntington’s after a decade-long struggle. Her condition worsened significantly during my graduate studies, making it challenging to balance work, school, and caregiving. During this period, I also led a support group for our local Huntington’s disease chapter, witnessing firsthand the toll it took on families. Some caregivers seemed to manage better than others, which I attributed mainly to a positive attitude and resilience. I developed an assessment tool based on the Positive Affect Scale, combined with a Compassion Fatigue survey, and conducted a survey with 30 caregivers.
Attached is my curriculum vitae, highlighting the breadth of my professional and volunteer experiences and training. Most of my professional social work experience has been as an elementary school social worker, with two years in psychiatric social work. I have specialized training in Teacher Child Interaction, Collaborative Problem Solving, and Child Welfare Training, and I have organized workshops to educate the community on proactive strategies for addressing challenging children. Additionally, I have dedicated many hours to the HDSA (Huntington’s Disease Society of America) chapter in ____ as a fundraiser, consultant, and volunteer.
My primary motivation for pursuing a Ph.D. in International Psychology at ____ University is to earn the highest degree in my field from an international perspective. To become an effective clinician and researcher in traumatic stress, it is crucial to adopt a trauma-informed perspective that understands and addresses the challenges faced by trauma victims, in line with advanced human rights knowledge and its intricate connections to international politics, immigration law, and related areas.
I am inspired by Dr. Farmer, a human rights advocate and physician with Partners in Health, who stated, “the idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that’s wrong with the world.” I am eager to participate in various international projects that support trauma victims as a graduate student in your program. The chance to engage in international research on traumatic stress excites me, and I have several areas of interest where I hope to conduct further research through a global lens.
I am keen to expand my graduate research on secondary traumatic stress in caregivers by exploring its impact on clinicians, caretakers, and teachers, especially those working with children exposed to trauma in various international settings, such as Rwanda (genocide) and Thailand (Tsunami). I also wish to conduct a qualitative study, interviewing Vietnam Veterans who have returned to Vietnam to live, essentially to heal their wounds or make amends. I believe that returning to the trauma scene by living in Vietnam helps mitigate PTSD's negative effects, and I aim to explore how and why this occurs. I am currently exploring opportunities to interview US veterans residing in Vietnam as part of an internship there. The cultural influences, access to proper treatment, and other international factors make this research avenue a top choice for a potential dissertation topic.
Upon completing your program, I aspire to undertake a traumatic stress fellowship with a global health organization like Partners in Health, the Trauma Center in Boston, or the Trauma Academy at Baylor University. A fellowship would allow me to integrate my Ph.D. training with my MSW clinical experience. My ideal role post-fellowship would be as a trauma clinician/trainer with an international agency, providing training to teachers, therapists, and caregivers in traumatized regions worldwide.
I believe my professional, personal, and educational experiences have equipped me for the challenges of pursuing a Ph.D. in International Psychology at ____ University. I bring dedication and a strong work ethic to my professional responsibilities. If given the chance, I am confident I would significantly contribute to your program and academic community.
I look forward to your response and am available to answer any questions you may have at any time.
You highlight 11 years of direct social work practice across schools, psychiatric settings, and in-home counseling, which demonstrates strong preparation. You detail your BSW, MSW, and clinical practicum (640 hours), showing a solid academic foundation. Your wife’s struggle with Huntington’s disease and your caregiver research project add authenticity and emotional depth. You emphasize trauma-informed care, human rights, and global perspectives, aligning well with international psychology. You articulate both short-term (Ph.D. training, dissertation research) and long-term goals (fellowship, international trauma clinician/trainer). You reference faculty inspiration (Dr. Farmer), international projects, and trauma research opportunities, showing alignment with the program’s mission.