Cultural AnthropologyAnn Aspnes, B.A. 1998
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of Maryland - Owner and Psychologist, Columbia MD
B.A., Cultural Anthropology and Religion, Certificate in Women's Studies (1998)
How has being a Cultural Anthropology graduate from Duke helped shape you personally and/or professionally?
"It helped me build a structure of inquiry to fit my natural curiosity about humans and their context in culture. My interest in mental health deepened after graduating from college and working in public service. I decided to pursue and complete a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. I worked for 11 years with the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Psychologist and Therapy Trainer where my early foundation in understanding cultural contributors to mental health challenges greatly enhanced my performance and enjoyment in my work."
What advice would you give students in Duke's Cultural Anthropology programs?
"There is so much you can do with Cultural Anthropology that might not be immediately apparent. I love that it gave me a sense of the richness of the cultural context for each individual. It still brings me a lot of joy and allows me to see our human world from a wider perspective day to day."
