Kent State University
Pediatric Anxiety and Related Disorders Center (PARC)

I (Dr. Flessner) plan to admit a graduate student for the 2026-2027 academic year. Below is a brief overview of some common questions students ask. If you belive you may be interested in applying the Kent State University doctoral program in clinical psychology and are interested in working with me, I strongly encourage you to reach out to me at cflessne@kent.edu.

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What Type Of Research Does The PARC Conduct?​

My lab focuses on developing a better understanding of risk factors that lead to the development and maintenance of pediatric obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. We are also interested in developing and testing interventions with the potential to benefit these children and their families.

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What Populations  Would I Work With At The PARC?

​We are primarily focused upon workign with children and families. That said, we do have multiple, ongoing projects recruiting adults.  If you have a genuine interest in the developmental psychopathology of the clinical populations we work with, you are likely to be an excellent fit for my lab.

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The PARC's research focus is generally centered upon disorders often conceptualized as falling along the obsessive-compulsive spectrum, particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tic disorders, and trichotillomania, skin picking, and other body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs).  Students with interests researching anxiety disorders can still be a great fit for my lab, particularly considering anxiety disorders co-occur quite often within the population we work with at the PARC. That said, students should understand that the focus of the research efforts for my lab center upon the disorders listed above.

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What Qualities Are Characteristic Of A Student Who Will Excel In the PARC?

Students must be hard working and a "self-starter." I expect students in my lab to develop independence during the course of their time in my lab. When the time comes, I want my students to be able to choose the career path that is right for them - not have that career path chosen for them. Students must also be open to feedback and willing/eager to learn.  

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What Sort of Expectations Are There For Students During Their Time At The PARC?

Great questions! This link will provide prospective students with a copy of the PARC Lab Manual. Many of students questions are answered here.