Kiara Tookes-Williams

Tookes-Williams is a current doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Tennessee State University. As a first-generation college student, she earned a B.A. in Psychology (minor in Sociology) and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from LaGrange College. Her research interests include intergenerational trauma, child maltreatment and abuse, substance use and barriers that influence help seeking among racial and ethnic minorities. She envisions a career at the intersection of education and mental health, partnering with schools and advocacy organizations to design evidence based, culturally responsive interventions that prioritize children’s wellbeing, especially those that have experienced trauma. She aims to develop assessment tools that more accurately capture minority youths’ lived experiences, thereby reducing misdiagnosis and improving access to effective care. Through research, policy advocacy, and community engagement, she strives to dismantle systemic obstacles and empower underserved children and families to thrive.