Hello everyone! My name is Juliana Floriani, and I am a clinical psychology intern at 3-C Family Services this semester. I am currently a senior from Asheville, North Carolina, pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Biology.My interest in psychology began through my clinical shadowing experiences in high school. I was one of eight students selected for the MAHEC Mentoring Program, where I spent time shadowing in a women’s health clinic. Many of the patients I observed were postpartum and experiencing mental health challenges such as postpartum depression, and I saw how much uncertainty often surrounded both diagnosis and treatment.
Another defining moment occurred while I was working as a medical assistant at a free clinic in my hometown. One patient came in who did not speak English. They shared that they had visited several doctors who had told them their pain was psychological, even though they strongly felt that something physical was wrong. The physician I worked with sat down with them, carefully listened to their concerns, and told them that they believed them. They worked collaboratively to better understand the root of the issue.
This experience deeply impacted me. It showed me how important it is for providers to thoughtfully distinguish between psychological and physical sources of pain, while also ensuring that patients feel heard and respected. It reinforced my belief that psychology plays an essential role in healthcare. Understanding mental health can help providers support patients appropriately, but it is equally important not to dismiss someone’s physical pain simply because it is difficult to diagnose. Experiences like this helped shape my desire to pursue a career in medicine.
Last summer, I further explored this intersection of psychology and healthcare as a MAHECxplorer intern in Asheville, North Carolina. During this internship, I worked on a research project focused on Centering Pregnancy, a group model of prenatal care that emphasizes patient education, community support, and improved health outcomes. My role involved creating marketing materials for providers so they could better understand the research behind the program and feel confident recommending it to their patients. This experience was meaningful because I saw how my work could contribute to improving patient care and expanding access to supportive healthcare models.
In addition to these experiences, I served as a ULA (Undergraduate Learning Assistant) for NSCI 222 with Dr. Sara Estle. This course focused on the science of learning, and Dr. Estle frequently integrated real-world clinical experiences from her work with clients. Seeing how course concepts applied directly to real patient scenarios made the material feel incredibly relevant and practical.
I also worked as a research assistant in the NIRAL Lab under Dr. Martin Styner, where we analyzed brain MRI data to examine how environmental pollution impacts brain structure. Specifically, our project compared individuals from Mexico City, which has high levels of air pollution, with individuals from Hermosillo, where pollution levels are lower. Our data suggested that individuals exposed to higher pollution levels showed greater brain atrophy, highlighting the significant impact environmental factors can have on neurological health.
All of these experiences ultimately led me to pursue the Karen M. Gil Internship as a clinical intern at 3-C Family Services. On my first day, I was welcomed by Dr. Lori Schweickert, the current medical director, psychiatrist, and my mentor. She asked me to spend time observing how clinicians interacted with patients in the waiting room. 3-C is a private practice that serves a wide range of clients, from children and families to couples and adults seeking therapy or psychological testing.
I immediately noticed the different approaches clinicians used depending on the patient. Some providers would playfully interact with younger children, sometimes even playing hide-and-seek with the door before inviting them back to the therapy room, while others greeted families with a calm smile and warm presence. Watching these interactions helped me appreciate how clinicians tailor their approach to meet the developmental and emotional needs of each patient.
As the semester progressed, I also had the opportunity to attend the weekly case conference meetings, which quickly became one of the most fascinating parts of the internship. These meetings range from administrative discussions, such as billing practices or documentation, to collaborative conversations about complex clinical cases. What I find most valuable is the multidisciplinary perspective. Psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, postdoctoral fellows, and mental health counselors all contribute their expertise. Each professional offers a unique lens for understanding patient care, and together they create a comprehensive approach to treatment.
One of my favorite responsibilities has been working as a scribe. This role allows me to take a more active part in the clinical process while enabling providers to focus more fully on their patients. Through scribing, I have developed stronger medical terminology and clinical documentation skills, while also observing how different providers structure their notes and clinical reasoning.
I have been working closely with Dr. Schweickert, as well as Dr. Padro, a psychologist. Observing their different documentation styles has been incredibly educational. Psychiatric notes often include extensive medical histories and medication considerations, while psychological documentation focuses more on behavioral observations and therapeutic interventions.
In addition to scribing, I have assisted with literature reviews for providers and helped facilitate brief social anxiety exposure conversations with patients. These interactions allow me to support patients who are working to build confidence in social settings, and it has been rewarding to see how small steps can contribute to meaningful progress.
Finally, I have been working on a semester-long project with Dr. Schweickert focused on developing an evidence-based “exercise prescription” for individuals with ADHD. The goal is to help providers better understand how physical activity can support attention, emotional regulation, and overall functioning. I will be presenting my findings at an upcoming case conference later this month.
After graduating, I plan to continue this path through the MedServe Fellowship, where I will work full-time in Western North Carolina in a primary care setting. During this fellowship, I will serve as a medical assistant at MAHEC Family Medicine while also working as a community health worker and health coach supporting programs such as Centering Pregnancy and healthy lifestyle initiatives. Ultimately, my goal is to become a physician who integrates both psychological insight and medical care in order to better support patients and the communities I serve.
I am deeply grateful for this experience. The Karen M. Gil Internship has given me the opportunity to work alongside an incredibly dedicated and compassionate group of providers at 3-C Family Services, and I feel honored to learn from each of them. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Schweickert for serving as my mentor, and to Dr. Steven Buzinski and Mr. Richie Gray for their unwavering support throughout this experience.
