Putting Care Into Practice

Growing up in a small town in India, Romal Bhullar saw firsthand what happens when communities lack access to mental health care. That experience lit a spark—and it’s never gone out.

“After my undergraduate studies, I interned at psychiatric clinics,” she says. “That’s when my passion for providing competent care really took shape.” It’s what brought her to Montclair State to pursue her Master’s in Clinical Psychology.

One course in particular—Cognitive Assessment—stood out. “It was the first time theory met practice in a real way,” she explains. “It showed me the responsibility that comes with being a clinician.” Encouraged by professors like Dr. Tina Zottoli, Dr. Jessica Spat-Lemus, and others, Romal says she found not just academic support, but a sense of belonging. “They helped me adjust to the American academic system, and they believed in me.”

That community spirit shaped her experience. At the Center for Clinical Services, she worked in an administrative role supporting counseling clients. She also completed a clinical internship, conducted psychoeducational evaluations, and advocated for student accommodations. Along the way, she assisted with faculty research and submitted two manuscripts for publication.

Now, Romal’s journey continues: she’s been accepted into the PsyD program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and will also begin working in Alzheimer’s research at Mount Sinai. Her goal? To become a licensed psychologist.

“Montclair taught me that growth doesn’t happen in isolation,” she says. “It taught me to value different perspectives and to ask better questions.”

Her advice to new students is simple but powerful: “Trust the process—and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

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Prospective Students and Parents: Learn more about Montclair admissions, Clinical Psychology and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.