FEATURED TRAINEE - JESSEE DIETCH, MS 

How did you get interested in BSM?

Jessee became interested in sleep when working on her BFA in film production. She noticed the prevalence of insufficient sleep (though she didn’t have the words for it at the time) and how sleep was the first sacrifice made when busy filmmakers were pressed for time. Jessee also learned how to nap in strange places (e.g., the roof of a grip truck) during this time. After completing a major in psychology and started working on her honors thesis, her interest in sleep became academic and then began focusing on BSM, and insomnia, in particular.

Who are your BSM mentors?

My primary mentor in BSM has been Dr. Daniel Taylor, my graduate mentor. I’ve also gotten great mentorship along the way from many people in the BSM community. In fact, one of the reasons I love this field has been the constant support and welcome from more advanced folks. 

What is your dream job?

Ideally, I’ll be conducting BSM research, doing some statistics consulting, seeing BSM patients, and running an SBSM-accredited BSM training program. 

Where would you like to see the field of BSM in 10 years?

I would love to see our field moving past the barriers to BSM dissemination and refining our precision/personalized medicine. In particular, I would like to see the field of BSM continue to develop and tailor interventions for underserved and marginalized populations. 

What are your favorite things to do away from the office?

I love to travel, garden, knit, bake bread, hike, ride my bike, and play flat track roller derby. 

What is your next vacation or dream vacation destination?

I guess you could call my upcoming clinical internship interviews “vacations.,..” Other than that, as a dissertation defense gift to myself, I’m heading to Norway to see the northern lights with my best friend in March.

What resources have helped to advance your training?

The SBSM has been an amazing resource! Because the society is small and connected, I’ve had many opportunities to meet and serve on committees with some of my sleep heroes. Of course, the BSM listserv, SLEEP meeting, and the many books and training manuals published by our members have also been invaluable. I’ll also take this opportunity to plug the Sleep special interest group of the Society of Behavioral Medicine that I helped organize!