Olivia Nelson

Olivia Nelson is a first-year student in the clinical psychology Ph.D. program at University of Detroit Mercy. She earned her B.A. in psychology from Saginaw Valley State University in May of 2022. The current focus of Olivia's research involves exploring the relationship between adult defensive functioning and childhood maltreatment/family dysfunction. She is interested broadly in personality pathology, as well as lifespan sequelae of early developmental
trauma exposure. Olivia is grateful for the opportunity to attend the 2024 SPA convention, and she is eager to continue her involvement in the years ahead.