Roush will Received One of Four Scholarship Awards to be presented at 14th Annual TWU Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon Honoring Francie Moody-Dahlberg for her commitment to education, social services, the arts, and community development
Tara Roush, MS, is a student pursuing her doctorate in family therapy from Texas Woman’s University with a 4.0 GPA and plans to graduate in August 2016 and continue her work in academia and family therapy research. Roush is receiving one of four prestigious scholarships given by Texas Woman’s University at the 14th Annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon, presented by Bank of Texas, Texas Woman’s University, and the Texas Woman’s University Foundation, Feb. 10, at noon, at The Belo Mansion and Pavilion. Geraldine “Tincy” Miller is the sponsor of the College of Professional Education Scholarship, honoring Roush this year.
“I am very passionate about my education and enjoy providing new knowledge and understanding in my field as well as learning from others, which helps me to grow and thrive,” added Roush.
Roush works as a licensed marriage and family therapist associate at the University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) in the Family Studies Center as well as in the neurology clinic that provides services for patients who suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
“Specializing in medical family therapy, I work directly with families struggling with chronic or terminal illnesses,” added Roush. “Sometimes I question why am I doing this? It is difficult and often heartbreaking, but I am reminded on a daily basis that it is an honor and privilege to be a part of their therapeutic processes. They trust me to walk with them through their difficult stories or journeys, and find meaning and peace. As we guide couples and families to have open communication about their needs, desires, fears, and hopes, they are able to recognize how the illness affects themselves as well as their relationships. It is truly an honor for clients to take risks and sit with me through their fears and pain.”
Some memorable highlights of her work include helping a couple overcome the severe trauma of losing a child to possible suicide; working with patients with sickle cell to help them feel empowered to take control of their illnesses; and helping ALS patients who lose the ability to speak regain their voices through the process of recognizing and understanding their needs and desires in therapy.
Roush has received all of her educational training at TWU: a bachelor’s in psychology in 2010; a masters in marriage and family therapy in 2013; and presently, a doctor of philosophy, marriage and family therapy. She is a teaching assistant in TWU’s Department of Family Sciences and has also served as a research assistant and graduate assistant. She has published in multiple journals, presented numerous research posters at state and national conferences and has two scholarship projects in progress related to couples and health. She has also served for one year on the Board of the Student Association for Marriage and Family Therapy as president at TWU. Most recently she was asked to present her knowledge and expertise in medical family therapy at muscular dystrophy associations and other regional associations in the field. In addition, she was invited to present a workshop to all TWU departmental students as part of our annual student seminar day for the spring semester.
“TWU has provided me with many opportunities to grow and excel as a clinician, researcher, and essentially a faculty member at a university,” added Roush. “I am so honored and grateful to receive this scholarship. I am especially thankful to Virginia Chandler Dykes for this recognition and my professors who believed in me enough to nominate me.”
Roush and her husband, Paul, live in Las Colinas.
In addition to Roush, graduate students from the remaining three TWU colleges will also be honored at the luncheon as recipients of scholarship funds: Veronica Rowe, College of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy), sponsored by Edgemere – Dallas/SQLC Charitable Foundation; Mary Roberts, College of Nursing, sponsored by Luther King Capital Management; and Erin Ellis, College of Arts and Sciences, sponsored by Sis Carr.
TWU’s 14th Annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon, Feb. 10 at the Belo Mansion and Pavilion, will honor Francie Moody-Dahlberg as the 2016 recipient of the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award. Tickets are $175 for silver patron; $250 for gold patron. For more information, call 940-898-3872, visit www.twu.edu/vcd, or email SVenable@mail.twu.edu.
Texas Woman’s University is a public university that occupies a notable position in higher education as the nation’s largest university primarily for women with an enrollment of 15,303. Its campuses in Denton, Dallas and Houston are joined by an e-learning campus offering innovative online degree programs in business, education and general studies. TWU serves the citizens of Texas in many important ways, including: graduating more new healthcare professionals than any other university in Texas; easing the teacher shortage by placing highly qualified professionals in the classroom; offering a liberal arts-based curriculum that prepares students for success in a global society; and conducting research that impacts the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity, osteoporosis, stroke and diabetes.