Meet Dr Taylor Chastain (PhD)
With a PhD in Research Psychology and over a decade of hands-on experience in both academic and applied settings, Taylor brings a unique blend of rigour, empathy, and strategic thinking to her role at Grad Coach. Having successfully launched and led a professional association, Taylor combines entrepreneurial flair with deep academic expertise.
Taylor’s approach is built on clarity, compassion, and practical action. She’s passionate about helping students move past overwhelm and into momentum, supporting them not only with their research methodology but also with the confidence and resilience needed to finish strong. Her students consistently describe her as both a cheerleader and a guide.
Quick facts
- Supported approaches: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods
- Favourite collection methods: Interviews, surveys and focus groups
- Analysis specialities: Thematic coding, statistical analysis and mixed methods synthesis
- Research interests: Intercultural competence, higher education, behavioral sciences
- Favourite software: SPSS, Excel and NVivo
Experience
Taylor has worked across academia, non-profit leadership, and applied psychology, giving her a multidimensional perspective on research and impact. Alongside her role at Grad Coach, she serves as Executive Director of the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals, where she champions empirically grounded practices. Taylor also collaborates with academic institutions through her roles on scientific advisory boards and dissertation committees. She has mentored dozens of graduate students and regularly reviews academic submissions for peer-reviewed journals. Her past roles include research assistantships, leadership in victim support services, and applied therapeutic work, all of which contribute to her dynamic, student-centred coaching style.
Qualifications
Taylor holds a PhD in Research Psychology from Walden University, a Master’s in Mental Health Counselling, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology—both from Georgia State University. Her doctoral work focused heavily on research methods, and she continues to engage in high-level academic conversations through advisory roles and editorial board participation. Taylor’s involvement with the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute and the Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin reflects her ongoing commitment to research excellence and knowledge translation. These roles, along with her teaching and mentoring background, position her perfectly to support students at every stage of their academic journey.
Want to work with Taylor?
Book a no-obligation consultation with Taylor to discuss Private Coaching.