Dionne identifies as a proud Black Jamaican woman. She is currently in her third year of pursuing a doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology at Indiana University. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SUNY Plattsburgh, followed by the successful completion of her Masters of Science Education in Mental Health Counseling at IU. Dionne's commitment to advancing the understanding of relationships within the Black community has been a driving force throughout her educational career. As a member of the Race and Relationships team, she has engaged in the data analysis processes across various projects including ADMIRe, RESPEC+, and Identity.
Both a clinician and a researcher, Dionne's passion lies in working with and for Black women. Her research interests are centered around exploring the intricate dynamics of Black women and relationships. Employing a critical lens informed by decolonizing approaches, Dionne investigates how sociohistorical and political factors shape the ways in which Black women navigate friendships, family ties, romantic connections, and professional relationships.
In her earlier research, Dionne delved into ethnic-racial socialization practices within the Black Caribbean mother-daughter relationship. Currently, her doctoral dissertation takes a look at the intersections of race, gender, cultural competency, and the therapeutic alliance. The guiding question of her research is, "How do Black women articulate their expectations in the context of therapeutic relationships?" Through the critical lenses of intersectionality and Black Feminist Thought, Dionne aims to explore and understand the factors influencing Black women's satisfaction with their therapists.
