Katrina Ayres: Faith & Psychology at Florida College

Temple Terrace resident and Florida College Professor Katrina Ayres equips future mental health professionals by combining her extensive experience with her faith. Ayres earned her Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) in School Psychology from Western Kentucky University in 2005 and brings over two decades of practical experience to her classrooms.

She previously worked full-time as a school psychologist, navigating the challenges many women face balancing career and family. During a period when her three sons were young, she transitioned to multidistrict contract work. This shift, she said, was a time when "God provided both direction and growth." Her work earned recognition in 2013 when she was named Caveland Region School Psychologist of the Year.

Ayres later returned to full-time service and helped develop and coordinate a district-wide mental health program focused on trauma, disabilities, crisis response, wellness, and resilience. Her therapy dog, Scout, became a key part of her practice during this time. Scout continues her role on Florida College’s campus, offering encouragement and reminding people that "encouragement and kindness can brighten any day."

Florida College holds personal significance for Ayres. Her grandfather, Glen Barnhart, was an English professor there, and she attended from 1996 to 1998. Her interest in psychology began during her student years, influenced by professors who demonstrated that "intellectual rigor and faith do not need to be separate pursuits."

This conviction guides her teaching philosophy. Ayres integrates faith into her psychology curriculum, examining the science through a biblical lens. "One truth that guides my work is that all mankind, no matter what their circumstance, are made in God’s image," she stated. "God’s truth is the foundation, and the science of psychology is a set of supporting tools that can help us better understand the dynamics of human nature."

Ayres sees her role as more than imparting academic knowledge. "My role is not simply to convey information but to allow my faith to shine within the academics," she said. "To mentor students toward lives marked by integrity, empathy, and thoughtful discernment." She believes competent and compassionate Christians in psychology can significantly influence lives beyond the classroom.

Ayres hopes her students graduate with "a God-centered life as their spiritual compass along with the practical psychological tools" to serve their communities with wisdom and patience.