She received her PhD from the University of Michigan Clinical Psychology program and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the clinical child and adolescent track of the University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry postdoctoral training program. Dr. Howell’s research centers on young children exposed to potentially traumatic events, such as family violence and parental loss. She examines pathways to risk and resilience in these children. She is also a licensed psychologist with health service provider designation in the state of Tennessee.