Meet the Faculty

Dr. McMakin is the Counseling Psychology Program Coordinator and Internship Coordinator. She also teaches a variety of undergraduate psychology courses.

Deborah has over 15 years of experience working with children and adolescents identified as “emotionally disturbed” in residential, day treatment and outpatient settings. She has been a residential counselor, group and individual therapist. Deborah earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Framingham State College, a master’s degree in Special Education and Human Development from the George Washington University (GWU), a MSW from Boston University, and a Doctorate in Education from UMASS Lowell.  She has taught the following graduate courses: Orientation to Counseling, Professional Issues in Mental Health Counseling, Group, Theories of Psychotherapy and Internship. She recently earned Level 1 Solution-Focused Practitioner Certification in Solution-Focused Practices. 

Dr. Donohue has served as an advisor to the program for 6 years and teaches CPSY 956 Advanced Principles of Learning and Development.

Dr. Donohue's research training is in infant cognitive development and developmental psychophysiology.

Dr. T. Bridgett Galvin received her B.A. in Special Education and an M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from Central State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. She routinely teaches the following undergraduate courses: General Psychology, Adolescent Development, Psychology of Personality, Human Sexuality, Research Methods I & II, Senior Thesis, Senior Seminar (Peace & Conflict). She served for 15 years as the Program Director and Advisor for the MA in Counseling Psychology. She currently serves as one of two advisors for the program. She teaches Orientation to Counseling, Advanced Development and Learning and Understanding Social Science Research for the graduate program when needed. Her office is 244 in O'Connor Hall.

Dr. Bhatt has been teaching in the program since 2014. She enjoys making her course material accessible to a variety of learners. She teaches CPSY 925 Adult Psychopathology, CPSY 945 Multicultural Counseling, & CPSY 966 Assessment, Diagnosis, & Treatment Planning.

She has a background in community and emergency mental health services. She currently works in the Framingham State University Counseling Center.

Dr. Masotta obtained her B.A. from Hartwick College and PsyD in Clinical Psychology with a Specialization in Forensic Psychology. She has a post-graduate certificate in Forensic Mental Health from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Law and Psychiatry Program. She has been teaching various courses at Framingham State University since 2003.

Allison Parks, LMHC, ATR-BC is the Program Director for Wayside Youth and Family Support Network’s FamilyWorks Program. She received a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy and Counseling Psychology from Marywood University in Scranton, PA. Upon graduation, Allison worked for Hospice of Jefferson County, in Watertown, NY where she completed her final internship and compiled the data for completion of her thesis, “Art Therapy with Children Dealing with Issues of Death and Dying.”

In 1996, Allison moved to the Boston Area and began working for Westwood Lodge Hospital’s Special Care Unit, a long-term, DMH- funded, psychiatric unit for children ages 5 through 12. For five years, Allison served as the Milieu Coordinator where she structured all therapeutic groups, supervised direct care staff, and coordinated all unit activities and family functions. Allison then expanded her clinical expertise in the area of home based counseling services with Wayside’s FamilyWorks Program, a non-profit community based program serving individuals and families in the MetroWest area. Allison began as a Clinician with FamilyWorks and was soon after promoted to Program Coordinator and clinical supervisor. After two years, Allison was further promoted to the role of Program Director for the FamilyWorks Program, which employs a staff of approximately forty Clinicians and Youth and Family Support Workers. Allison continues to provide direct clinical services to individuals and families, as well as serve on several community organizations in MetroWest and Metro-Boston.

April has years of experience working in the mental health professions. She has worked in academic institutions, community mental health centers, outpatient mental rehabilitation facilities, and residential treatment centers. She believes in the benefit of Group Process in Counseling class with her prior knowledge and skill working with youth, adolescents, and adults. At several academic institutions, including Framingham State University, she has been trained to intake, process, and distribute personal/private information for the benefit of the consumer. During April’s professional career, she was educated to become a more culturally competent mental health professional. Utilizing a culturally sensitive model to guide services provided, has helped her establish trusting relationships with clients. She has successfully facilitated psycho-social rehabilitation and skills training groups, clinical supervision individually and group in many therapeutic settings. The above are concepts we are going to explore. Her belief is together we can further contribute to the growing knowledge of academic functions in the mental health field. Framingham State University has a reputation for educating and supporting people, and giving them opportunities to evolve into higher functioning members of society. As an alumnus, April is proud to become further involved in giving back to this community.