Marriage and Family Therapy doctoral candidate Carson Outler works as a therapist and on-call victim advocate for the FSU community.

She balances her clinical work with doctoral research on “sandwiched” caregivers, adults who simultaneously care for aging parents and dependent children. Her goal is to inform national policies that provide better support for caregivers.

Outler’s research has taken her to Japan, Scotland and Norway for the International Family Therapy Association conferences. She has also contributed to multiple peer-reviewed articles.

Outler also brings her research and clinical experience into the classroom, where she mentors undergraduate students in the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.

Why did you choose FSU?

FSU’s Marriage and Family Therapy department is a top training program. I was drawn to the opportunities to expand my research, clinical and teaching skills under the mentorship of knowledgeable and supportive faculty.  

During my campus visit, I quickly fell in love with the university and its extensive resources for students. I saw not only a place where I could advance academically, but a community where I could grow both as a scholar and as a person.  

What academic achievements are you most proud of?

I secured competitive external funding to support my dissertation research on sandwiched caregivers. I was honored to receive three funding resources: the American Dissertation Fellowship from the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the Doctoral Dissertation Grant from the Mental Research Institute and the Dissertation Grant from The Foundation for the Contemporary Family.  

These awards affirmed the importance of my research, provided the resources necessary to give back to my participants and the ability to travel to disseminate my findings.  

How do you serve the FSU community?

I provide therapy at the FSU Center for Couple and Family Therapy and the FSU Multidisciplinary Center. In these settings, I work with individuals, couples, families and groups facing a range of presenting concerns.  

I also serve as an on-call victim advocate, providing confidential crisis support to FSU students, faculty and staff who have experienced victimization. Witnessing clients’ resilience and growth continually reinforces why I chose this profession. This work reminds me of the importance of small, relational moments amid the larger systems that shape clients’ lives.

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PHOTO GALLERY

Florida State University is transforming the future of clinical training and community support with the grand opening of the newly expanded Maryland Building.  

This state-of-the-art renovation marks a collaborative milestone for the FSU College of Social Work, serving as a premier joint home for the Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Consulting Center (MDC) and the Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW). The addition debuts advanced facilities for both organizations specifically designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and the complex realities of supporting children and families. 

“This building has been transformed into a hub for leadership, innovation and impact,” said David Springer, dean of the College of Social Work. “Yet, that vision was never solely about bricks and mortar; it was about creating a collaborative environment where research, education and practice come together under one roof. It is a place where ideas are tested, refined and translated into action in a way that strengthens families, communities and systems across the state of Florida.” 

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