During her time at PCOM, Samantha Giangrande, PsyD ’19, had a desire to find a career that challenged her, aligned with her values, and made an impact. Now, as the embedded clinical psychologist for Submarine Readiness Squadron 32 with the U.S. Navy, she helps those who serve take back their mental health.
Drawn to joining a “helping profession,” Dr. Giangrande pursued her doctor of clinical psychology degree at PCOM. In her third year, she worked with her training director to determine her passion. “I expressed that I was interested in a career that would really challenge me while aligning with my values. There were two graduates of the program already in the Navy as psychologists, so I consulted with them prior to applying and it took off,” she recalls.
Dr. Giangrande matched at Naval Medical Center San Diego for an internship via the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers. She proceeded to join the ranks of the Naval Submarine Base at Kings Bay, where she did her first tour, and finally landed ashore with the Submarine Readiness Squadron 32 in 2023.
While her job title implies that she works on a submarine, Dr. Giangrande stresses that, with her office located near the water, her position looks similar to a typical outpatient clinic with some variation to align with the submarine culture. Utilizing a CBT lens, she shares “I often times modify treatment plans to accommodate ship and duty schedules to ensure the sailors can achieve their goals and continue to operate in the environment.”
Through her role, she has directly worked with those on submarines. “I walk the deck plates on the submarines while they’re in port to provide mental health and stress management training. I’ve also completed two underways at sea on the submarines for a total of six days,” she explains.
As a Navy psychologist, Dr. Giangrande also evaluates service members for their fitness and suitability to remain in service. “If they do not meet those requirements, they may be considered for another avenue,” she explains.
Through her career, Dr. Giangrande has discovered that understanding shipyard nuances is crucial for working with Navy personnel. “Both being deployed at sea and being in the shipyard on a submarine can cause significant stress and strain on someone’s mental health, so it’s vital to understand these processes,” she says.
For Dr. Giangrande, the most rewarding aspect of her work is seeing the impact it has on her patients. “Watching a submarine deploy (float down the river, as we say here in Groton) and knowing that the sailors and leaders on board are equipped with the skills to manage their own mental health, support each other in times of need, and overcome stressors of the operational environment, is like nothing else,” she says.
Recently, Dr. Giangrande was awarded the Arthur W. Melton Early Achievement Award by the American Psychological Association for her commitment and servitude to the Navy. “Receiving this award exemplifies all the work I have done throughout my career in the Navy. Much of the work I do as a psychologist focuses on how I can empower others to live a more fulfilling life and overcome personal and occupational challenges. This award reinforces that I am doing the same in my own life,” she says.
