Jana Tran is an alumna of the College of Education’s Counseling Psychology Program and has dedicated her life to working with survivors of trauma and she excels at it.  The work she does in her current position with the Houston Fire Department (HFD) has garnered attention from her colleagues as well as national achievement.  Jana works with the survivors of trauma and serves as a therapist, supervisor, and consultant for firefighters and their immediate family members.

Tran is one of the few psychologists in the country working in a fire department.  “Her expertise in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and her skill in research are making a difference for firefighters here and across the nation,” said Dr. Sam Buser, HFD Staff Psychologist.

“The job is extremely fast-paced, and my experiences in the Counseling Psychology program prepared me to handle the dynamic challenges of this position,” says Tran. “My professors and practicum supervisors helped me develop a skill set that allows me to effectively advocate for the mental health and overall well-being of firefighters.”

Tran’s dedication to her patients and their families has caught the attention of her peers. “What I find most impressive about Jana is not the number of roles she takes on, but how passionate she continues to be about each one,” says Dr. Neeta Ramkumar, a fellow counseling psychologist and one of Tran’s colleagues. “Jana’s clients, students, and colleagues know they can count on her. She is an inspiration.”

All of Tran’s hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed. This year, Tran was awarded the 2015 American Psychological Association Achievement Award for Early Career Professionals. Says colleague Dr. Deleene S. Menefee, “She has developed into an outstanding, well-rounded clinician who integrates science and clinical excellence in her practice.”