Skip to main content
DBH Student ProfilesNewsPress

DBH Student Profile: Sheow Yun Sie, M.A., BCBA. LBA

By September 10, 2025No Comments9 min read

From Advocacy to Impact: Sheow Yun Sie Leverages Lived Experience to Lead

Motivated by both personal experience and professional expertise, Sheow Yun Sie, also known as Kathryn, has dedicated her career to advancing behavioral health care and research. Her journey began with advocating for her son following his autism diagnosis, which inspired her to pursue deeper training and systemic change. Currently a Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) student at Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies, Kathryn brings to her studies an M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Queens College, CUNY, and extensive experience as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. In addition to developing treatment plans and supervising clinical staff, she serves as Clinical Research Coordinator at the Stress in Pregnancy (SIP) Lab at Queens College, where she investigates the impact of maternal stress on child development. Kathryn also extends her work beyond academia through a podcast series that translates complex research into accessible conversations. In this interview, she shares her community impact, the challenges she has witnessed firsthand, and her vision for advancing integrated care.

How are you using your behavioral health expertise to impact your local community?

In addition to my work as a contract behavior analyst, I actively contribute to the behavioral health field as a research coordinator at the Stress in Pregnancy lab at the City University of New York, Queens College. In this role, I manage a clinical laboratory with approximately 30 research assistants, helping to foster the next generation of researchers. I’ve also launched a podcast series featuring interviews about new research discoveries, which has successfully broadened its reach beyond academia to a general audience. To date, I’ve released four podcasts, with two more in production, making complex research accessible to the public.

Furthermore, our lab’s recent publication by PhD student Donato DeIngeniis, ‘Prenatal exposure to extreme ambient heat may amplify the adverse impact of Superstorm Sandy on basal ganglia volume among school-aged children,’ has garnered significant media attention, highlighting critical public health issues. My direct experience as a behavior analyst, observing the challenges families face with limited resources and services for individuals with developmental disabilities, deeply reinforces my commitment to advocating for public welfare. This hands-on experience directly informs my research and motivates me to work towards improving support systems within our community.

What professional experience has most influenced your approach to behavioral health?

My experience with podcasting has significantly influenced my approach to behavioral health, as it has allowed me to reach a broader audience, including both professionals and the general public. This direct engagement helps bridge the gap between complex research findings and practical application, ensuring that vital information about behavioral health is accessible to those who can benefit most. This aligns with my aspiration to become a well-resourced advocate for families in need of support.

What challenge have you encountered in the behavioral health field, and how do you plan to address it?

One significant challenge I’ve encountered in the behavioral health field is the suboptimal provision of resources and access to services for individuals with developmental disabilities. This was a direct observation from my work as a behavior analyst, where I had direct contact with clients. In the future, I envision addressing this issue by leveraging my doctoral degree in behavioral health research to make significant contributions to the development of public health policies and interventions. My research focuses on the synergistic effects of prenatal exposure to environmental stressors and their impact on child psychopathology, and the influence of neighborhood disparities on child social skills, which is directly aimed at identifying risk factors and informing interventions. By understanding these complex interactions, I hope to advocate for more targeted and effective resource allocation and service delivery, providing crucial support to both mothers and their children.

Can you share an experience that shaped your understanding of integrated behavioral healthcare?

For the longest time, I’ve been dedicated to advocating for services and benefits for both my son and my clients. It has often been incredibly frustrating to see patients, such as my son or clients, having to reach out to numerous providers and organizations just to figure out how to advocate for their needs fully. I can only imagine the immense difficulty that less educated mothers face in trying to navigate such scattered services. This constant struggle for comprehensive support is what truly opened my eyes to the power of integrated care. It helped me better understand how to genuinely help people with a more holistic approach, moving beyond fragmented services towards a coordinated system that supports the whole individual and family.

How do you envision making a lasting impact in behavioral healthcare?

I envision myself making a lasting impact in behavioral health by becoming a well-resourced advocate for families in need of support, particularly those with children facing developmental challenges. My goal is to build on my experience and further specialize in maternal and child wellness, as well as healthy living. This means delving deeper into the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors that influence child neurodevelopment. Understanding these factors is crucial for implementing early interventions before problems fully develop, enabling the identification of risk factors, biomarkers, and practical strategies to enhance the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Through my doctoral studies at Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies, I’m confident I’ll gain the expertise, knowledge, and skills necessary to contribute significantly to public health policies and interventions. These efforts will aim to lessen adverse impacts on vulnerable populations. My research, which explores the effects of external stressors like climate disasters and neighborhood disparities, and internal stressors such as maternal mental health challenges, directly supports this mission.

Crucially, my approach will be rooted in integrated care, recognizing that behavioral health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. I aim to contribute by promoting collaborative models that address physical and mental health synergistically. This involves establishing pathways for seamless communication between various providers, including pediatricians, therapists, social workers, and educators, to ensure a holistic view of each child and family. By integrating these different aspects of care, we can create more accessible, efficient, and ultimately more effective support systems, empowering families to navigate challenges with comprehensive, coordinated care.

What inspired you to pursue the DBH program?

My decision to pursue the DBH program is deeply personal, rooted in my son’s autism diagnosis in Malaysia and our subsequent move to the U.S. in search of better resources. This experience profoundly fueled my commitment to behavioral health and ignited a strong desire to become an effective voice for change, giving back to families navigating similar challenges. Initially, I pursued a master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to better understand and support my son. My introduction to clinical research at the Stress in Pregnancy (SIP) Lab further intensified my passion for this field. There, I gained exposure to various aspects of research project management, including securing funding, ethical oversight, and gathering information. I also developed a keen interest and aptitude for statistical processes and analysis, which I am eager to further develop.

My research projects, focused on the effects of various stressors on child development, culminated in a significant study that reinforced my passion for developmental research and highlighted the critical need for statistical expertise to translate ideas into practical solutions. The introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) further solidified my interest in using data to understand environmental stressors and their influence on quality of life, particularly for vulnerable populations. Ultimately, I believe the DBH program will enable me to combine my varied personal and work experiences. It will equip me to become the best-resourced advocate for families in need of support, making my life’s purpose a reality.

For Kathryn, the Doctor of Behavioral Health program represents more than an academic milestone, it is the bridge between personal experience and professional purpose. Her accomplishments reflect both determination and vision, transforming personal challenges into a mission that unites science, practice, and advocacy. From her work as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst to her leadership in clinical research and her efforts to make knowledge accessible through podcasting, she has already made a meaningful impact on the field. With the added depth of the DBH program, Kathryn is poised to expand that influence even further, shaping policy, advancing integrated care, and building more equitable systems of support for families. Her story is a powerful reminder that personal passion, when paired with rigorous training, can drive lasting change in healthcare and inspire others to reimagine what is possible.

Connect with Sheow Yun Sie (Kathryn Sie)

Kathryn on Why She Chose the DBH

Learn More about Kathryn’s Research

Bridging Research, Advocacy, and Access

DBH Student, Sheow Yun Sie, Leverages Behavioral Health Expertise to Create Meaningful Change

As a behavior analyst and research coordinator at the Stress in Pregnancy Lab at City University of New York, Queens College, Sheow Yun Sie, M.A., BCBA, LBA, and Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) student at Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies, is conducting groundbreaking research on how environmental and psychological stress impact child development and mental health. Her work examines the combined effects of external factors, such as climate disasters, and internal stressors, such as maternal mental health, on early childhood outcomes.

Read more

Testimonials

“As a member of the AAPI community, I’m very familiar with the barriers to mental health services and the need to break through the glass wall of cultural stigma that prevents many from receiving potentially life–saving treatment. I was the only Asian American person in my master’s cohort, the only Asian American person in many of my clinical work settings, the only Asian American person to walk into many of the professional settings that I pushed myself to show up to. In my current practice, I’m constantly reminded by my patients of how difficult it is to find an Asian American mental health provider, though this reminder constantly informs me that more needs to be done for my community. Day after day, I read stories of Asian American people who die by suicide as a consequence of our culture’s avoidance of mental health topics. As a DBH, my biggest goal is to use my expertise in whole–person care to amplify the conversation around mental health and help my community understand that mental healthcare is not a privilege that we are not entitled to, it is a crucial part of our healthcare that will manifest differently in us than what many Western psychology or psychiatry textbooks will describe, and that our unique experience of mental health issues are valid, important, and is time to be part of the larger conversation.”

Willam Chum, LMHCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - September 16, 2022

“The Doctor in Behavioral Health (DBH) program has changed my understanding of the subject and career path. Before this academic journey, my knowledge of behavioral health was primarily theoretical, including essential ideas and methods. However, the DBH curriculum combined intense academic research with practical application, helping me understand behavioral health from multiple angles. Recognizing mental health as part of total health changed my perspective. The biopsychosocial model, which showed how biological, psychological, and social variables affect mental health, was stressed in the DBH curriculum. This comprehensive approach made me realize how complex human behavior is and how important it is to address mental health issues. Effective interventions must target the individual’s surroundings, relationships, and life experiences, not just symptoms. The curriculum also gave me enhanced evidence-based practice training to execute successful solutions. Studies methods and data analysis classes improved my critical thinking and allowed me to evaluate and apply behavioral health studies. This gave me the confidence to contribute to the field’s knowledge base through practice and research.”

Dr. Rhea Hill, DBH, LPCDBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 17, 2025

“This program will change how you present to the world, not just as a professional but as an individual. Understand this is work but the work is worth it and the journey is undeniably transformative. If you are seeking a doctorate for the title, this is not the program for you. If you are seeking a doctorate to interrupt and disrupt the course of healthcare, then this is the program for you. You won’t find a more supportive program with professors who are dedicated to your success and your education. This program is not about the regurgitation of information. It is about the appropriate applied application of knowledge and information to push forward and become an advocate for equitable and quality care for all.”

Brandy K. Biglow LMHC, CCTP, QSDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 5, 2024

“The Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) program has definitely transformed my understanding of behavioral health. Understanding the links between physical and mental health has taught how to make better treatment decisions. The DBH program has also given me insights that otherwise would not be possible and allows me to view individuals through a lens that I was previously ignorant of. This program has helped me grow into a more confident individual, provider, and parent.”

Cory H. Cannady, BCBA, LBADBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 13, 2024

“The DBH program has reinforced my vision of viewing behavioral health (BH) as an integrated component of the healthcare system rather than a siloed service. As a practitioner in the focused BH realm of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, I observe on a regular basis how identifying and serving SUD patients is often missed, ignored and stigmatized in primary healthcare, despite the fact that early intervention at these check-points often has the potential to intervene earlier and lessen the negative SUD outcomes frequently seen by the time a patient reaches specialty SUD services. Reinforcement received in my DBH program has motivated me to promote integration as a leader in my workplace and is a primary factor in considering the long-term trajectory of my individual career path.”

Kenneth L. Roberts, MPS, LPCC, LADCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - November 5, 2024

“Graduating from the DBH program has influenced and enhanced my approach to addressing behavioral health challenges and making a difference in the field by preparing me to become a serious business owner. Through the DBH program, I understand now that becoming a business owner not only assists me in reaping the financial benefits of working for myself, but the program also offers me a sense of freedom to make a difference in an individual’s life.”

Dr. Rebecca K. Wright, DBH, LBA, BCBA, QBADBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - December 18, 2024

“I have always wanted to pursue a higher degree but never found a program that met my needs. When I investigated the DBH program, I can honestly say I was excited. It was a program that would expand my knowledge in behavioral health but also how it relates to physical health. The philosophy of treating the whole person was exactly what I was looking for.”

Elizabeth Nekoloff, M.Ed., LPCC-S, NCCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - January 16, 2025

“Prior to obtaining my DBH, I practiced behavioral health within the boundaries of behavior analysis. The DBH degree has given me the ability to broaden my scope of competence allowing me to provide a higher quality of care to my clients through a person-centered approach, while still staying within my scope of practice. I was in the beginning stages of opening my business when I enrolled in the DBH program which set my trajectory towards being a stronger leader. The program equipped me with essential healthcare leadership and entrepreneurial skills, allowing me to ensure high-quality services for my clients and foster a supportive work environment for our staff. It has also given me the confidence to expand my business and pursue other healthcare ventures, reaching a broader range of patients in need.”

Dr. Pauline Tolentino Pablo, DBH, BCBA, IBADBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - January 21, 2025

“Although I have worked with many patients who have mental health diagnoses, or behaviors which make managing their medical diagnoses and day to day life difficult, the DBH program at CGI is broadening that knowledge and providing a deeper understanding of behavioral health and how best to help these individuals manage their health and improve their quality of life. This will allow me to provide and advocate for more meaningful and seamless integrated care, providing new tools for my intervention toolbox, and the confidence and skills to collaborate within and lead whole person focused interdisciplinary teams. I also anticipate building upon my knowledge as a nurse case manager and long time caregiver, as well as my personal passions and professional vision, learning about processes and operations, to be in position to start up and lead my own company one day, offering the services and care I know every person should have access to.”

Hollie Wilson, MSN, RN, CCMDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 11, 2025

“The DBH program will open opportunities for me to contribute to healthcare system innovation, particularly through trauma-informed care and integrated behavioral health settings. I will be better positioned to advocate for and implement holistic care models that improve health outcomes for underserved populations. Ultimately, this program will help me transition into higher-level roles, such as a director or consultant in behavioral health, where I can influence broader system changes and contribute to the future of healthcare delivery.”

DeKyn Rashad Peters, MPH-CHES,BSW/BA,APCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 4, 2025

Accreditation & Affiliates

Partners