Dr. Rodriguez is a Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Mississippi.
Research Interests
Dr. Rodriguez's research interests include:
- Mental health treatment seeking and psychotherapy perceptions
- Personality assessment
- Firearm suicide prevention
Dr. Rodriguez’s research focuses on understanding how individuals perceive and engage with psychotherapy, with the goal of improving access, utilization, and sustained engagement in care. A central aim of her work is to reduce treatment barriers for racially minoritized and high-risk populations. She is particularly interested in how treatment attitudes, expectations, and preferences shape the pathway into therapy and influence retention and outcomes. In addition to patient-level factors, Dr. Rodriguez examines mental healthcare providers’ practices, perceptions, and characteristics. For example, she is investigating how providers can support suicide prevention efforts, emphasizing the reduction of suicide-specific stigma and introduction of routine screening for firearm access. Across her research, Dr. Rodriguez seeks to help more people access mental healthcare, remain engaged, and ultimately benefit from treatment, while equipping providers with evidence-based tools to promote positive outcomes.
Dr. Rodriguez will be reviewing applications to the Clinical Ph.D. Program this year.
Biography
Dr. Rodriguez received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers University and joined the Ole Miss faculty in 2025. She completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in clinical psychology at Augusta University. She then went on to start her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi, earning a master’s degree before transferring to Rutgers University to continue work with her primary mentor. Dr. Rodriguez completed her pre-doctoral internship in clinical psychology at the Medical University of South Carolina and Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center (i.e., Charleston Consortium). She is trained in a variety of empirically supported interventions and assessments for adults, with specialized expertise in the treatment of suicide risk, substance use disorders, trauma, and depression. Dr. Rodriguez is currently pursuing licensure as a clinical psychologist in Mississippi.
Publications
Rodriguez, T.R., Bandel, S.L., Bond, A.E., Anestis, M.D., & Anestis, J.C. (2024). Predictors of recent mental health service utilization among firearm-owning US service members with high levels of psychological distress. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 55(2), e13155. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.13155
Rodriguez, T.R., Bandel, S.L., Daruwala, S.E., Anestis, M.D., & Anestis, J.C. (2025). Predictors and patterns of suicidal ideation disclosures among American adults. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 55(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.13126
Rodriguez, T.R., Bond, A.E., Anestis, M.D., & Anestis, J.C. (2025). Cross-sectional examination of therapy knowledge and preferred sources among American adults not receiving mental healthcare. Patient Education and Counseling, 138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2025.109187
Rodriguez, T.R., Woodling, C., O’Dell, C., Charles, N.E., Finn, J.A., & Anestis, J.C. (2024).Psychotherapy expectations and preferences among Black and White undergraduate women. Journal of College Student Mental Health, 39(1), 2-23 https://doi.org/10.1080/28367138.2024.2303076
Rodriguez, T.R., Rufino, K.A, Patriquin, M.A., & Anestis, J.C. (2023). An examination of the treatment utility of the MMPI-2-RF: Prediction of post-treatment depressive symptoms and increased understanding of the therapeutic alliance in an inpatient mood disorder treatment. Journal of Personality Assessment, 105(5), 667-678. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223891.2022.2137029
Education
Ph.D. Psychology, Rutgers University-New Brunswick (2025)