Cummings Graduate Institute Celebrates New Doctor of Behavioral Health Graduates

New DBH graduates are advancing integrated behavioral healthcare through work addressing women's health, maternal mental health, trauma, healthcare access, health disparities, and more.

TEMPE, Ariz. - Sept. 22, 2026 - PRLog -- Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI) celebrated eight new  Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) graduates during its June 26, 2026, commencement ceremony in Chandler, Arizona.

The graduates represent a diverse group of healthcare and behavioral health professionals whose work reflects a shared commitment to improving healthcare and advancing integrated behavioral health in the communities they serve.

The newest DBH graduates include:

Dr. Sherry Barbour, DBH, MA, IMFT, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, entrepreneur, educator, and co-owner of Inspiring Purpose Counseling Group and The Couples Couch LLC. Her DBH Culminating Project addresses gaps in perimenopause and menopause care through an integrated framework combining medical care, mental health support, and wellness resources.

CDR Dr. Sean K. Bennett, DBH, LCSW, MSWAC, BCD, Behavioral Health and Wellness Officer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and an active-duty Captain in the U.S. Public Health Service. His DBH Culminating Project examines clinical, behavioral, and community-based strategies for addressing hypertension disparities among African American populations.

Dr. Holly Hanley, DBH, LMFT, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of Presently Processing. Her DBH Culminating Project explored holistic interventions related to the menopause transition, work she has continued through Embracing Her, a DBH-led integrated care model providing therapy, support, and education.

Dr. Nikole Jiggetts, DBH, LCSW, RPT-S, CTP, CEO and owner of Replay Counseling & Consulting. Her DBH Culminating Project explored Black women's experiences with perinatal mental health screening and care, highlighting opportunities to strengthen culturally responsive communication, follow-up care, and integration of physical and behavioral healthcare.

Dr. Jose Mathew, DBH, LCSW, LAC, ACS, EMDR-T, CCTP-II, Director of Behavioral Health Services for Mountain Valley Behavioral Health. His DBH Culminating Project explores a mobile integrated behavioral healthcare model designed to improve access and outcomes for older adults with comorbid conditions in medically underserved communities.

Dr. Roseline Obealor, DBH, MS, whose work focuses on integrated care and culturally responsive, whole-person healthcare. Her DBH Culminating Project examines the integration of culturally responsive care and trauma-informed principles into telehealth for perinatal mental health.

Dr. Destinee Rodriguez, DBH, BCBA, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst whose work focuses on culturally responsive care, caregiver education, and equitable access to behavioral health services. Her DBH Culminating Project examined caregiver perceptions of training gaps in applied behavior analysis and opportunities to strengthen caregiver well-being and parent-child relationships.

Dr. Jason Sargent, DBH, B Policing, GDip Psych, MSW, JP, a mental health practitioner and founder of Healthy Mind International PTY LTD in South Australia. Drawing on professional and lived experience, his DBH Culminating Project examines opportunities to better incorporate patients' lived experiences into PTSD research, diagnosis, and treatment.

"At CGI, each student chooses an area of focus that is largely influenced by their own lived experience as clinicians, but also as patients and caregivers themselves. The Doctor of Behavioral Health degree helps them prepare to lead healthcare improvement initiatives by partnering with people and communities. I am so proud of each of our new graduates and can't wait to see them follow their visions as DBHs," said Dr. Cara English, CEO and CAO of Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies.

The Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) degree program at CGI prepares healthcare professionals to lead meaningful change in integrated behavioral healthcare through advanced education, research, and collaboration. Graduates are equipped to address complex health challenges, bridge gaps between medical and behavioral healthcare, and advance whole-person approaches to care across healthcare and community systems.

Learn more about CGI's newest DBH graduates and their work advancing integrated behavioral healthcare.

About Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies

Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies is a nonprofit, DEAC-accredited, online institution of higher learning offering post-graduate education and training in integrated behavioral healthcare. CGI is focused on meeting the healthcare industry's need for a highly skilled workforce prepared to support integrated approaches to addressing patients' needs.


Photos: (Click photo to enlarge)




Source: Cummings Graduate Institute

Read Full Story - Cummings Graduate Institute Celebrates New Doctor of Behavioral Health Graduates | More news from this source

Press release distribution by PRLog