Research Team: Akyla Joseph, LMHC

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Akyla is a licensed mental health counselor who currently works in private practice. She received her MA in clinical mental health counseling from William James College and is currently a doctoral student at James Madison University, where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling and Supervision. Additionally, Akyla is a member of the Association for Assessment in Research and Counseling (AARC) and the Community Psychoanalysis Concentration through the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (BPSI).

Akyla began working with the Human Trafficking Research Hub in 2018 as a master’s level graduate intern. She provided both clinical support for survivors of sex trafficking and assisted with data collection for the Hub’s research study on attachment patterns and trauma-coercive bonding for people with experiences in commercial sex. In 2021, Akyla rejoined the hub with the desire to continue engaging in research. Since then, she has been involved in data analysis, writing for the published paper, and supporting doctoral students with their dissertations.

In addition to support for survivors of sex trafficking, Akyla’s research interests include increasing the diversity of participants in research studies, applications of humanistic approaches in clinical settings, mixed methodology, participatory action research, and collaboration between academia and local agencies.

Akyla enjoys being around music and can be convinced to show up anywhere if there are desserts. She also enjoys martial arts and being in community with others.