Melody Hogervorst

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT MELODY HOGERVORST

I am a recent graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Research Specialization), a Minor in Criminology, and High Distinction (GPA: 11.5/12.0). My academic and professional interests lie in mental health research and evidence-informed clinical practice, with a particular focus on psychological well-being in young adults and the role of family dynamics in mental health outcomes.I am currently preparing my Undergraduate Honours Thesis for publication under the supervision of Dr. Anne Wilson. My thesis, “(H)over-protection: Examining Links Between Helicopter Parenting and Psychological Well-Being in Young Adults,” investigates associations between parenting styles, mental health, and the “Three Untruths” derived from famous book, “The Coddling of the American Mind” (Haidt & Lukianoff, 2018). I have also been hired as a Research Assistant in Dr. Wilson’s IMPETus Lab, where I contribute to data collection, statistical analysis, literature reviews, and collaborative research projects related to motivation, identity, and well-being (see lab updates here: addition, I have research experience in multiple laboratories within Laurier’s Psychology Department, including Dr. Barlow’s SEA Lab and Dr. Kocovski’s Clinical Psychology Lab, where I developed skills relevant to clinical research, quantitative methods, participant recruitment, and ethical research practices. Alongside my research training, my background in customer service and client-facing roles in healthcare have strengthened my communication skills, empathy, professionalism, and ability to work with diverse populations, which I view as essential competencies for mental health practice and psychotherapy. I am actively pursuing graduate-level training in the field, with the goal of contributing to ethical, evidence-based mental health care.