Clarissa Ong

Mentor Spotlight

The ABCT Academic Training and Education Standards committee annually solicits nominations for the “Spotlight on a Mentor” recognition to highlight the diversity of excellent mentors within the membership ranks of ABCT. Its goal is to spotlight promising early-career and well-established mentors across all levels of academic rank, areas of specialization, and types of institution. We asked the four 2024 winners to share some wisdom related to their own influential mentors, their mentorship philosophy, and advice for mentees and aspiring mentors. Click here to learn more about Spotlight on a Mentor.

Dr. Clarissa Ong is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Louisville. Her research focuses on process-based therapy (PBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and obsessive-compulsive and related presentations (e.g., OCD, perfectionism, hoarding). Broadly, her work aims to develop, evaluate, and disseminate personalized treatments that are effective, efficient, and accessible to diverse groups of people.

“As a mentor, I strive to support my mentees to become the best version of themselves—whatever that means to them. My mentorship philosophy is influenced in part by Gregg Popovich (five-time NBA champion) who teaches his players, among many lessons, that life is more than about basketball. Similarly, I believe it is important for students and supervisees to be more than researchers and clinicians. Most of us love what we do—and are fortunate to be able to do that—but ultimately, our work is only one part of our lives. Especially being in a field focused on human well-being, it seems ironic for us not to acknowledge our full humanness. So as a mentor, I hope to share that perspective with my mentees: as much as work is important, it’s not everything. I encourage students to cultivate a fulfilling life in addition to work, so that their world is not defined by a manuscript rejection or department drama. 

In the past couple years, I have also been fortunate to have Dr. Wes Bullock as a mentoring mentor, whose relentless dedication to advocating for and supporting students has been truly inspiring. I aspire to channel even half his wisdom and empathy when mentoring students. He reminds me to assume the best of students and not get too attached to my ego, which helps me be more present with my mentees and try to understand where folks are coming from when they are struggling—much easier said than done.”