Khushbu Patel
Adjunct Faculty
Khushbu Patel is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Virginia Tech, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is also pursuing a graduate certificate in Gerontology. Previously, she attended the University of Georgia and graduated with a B.S. in Biology and Psychology, before earning her M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Valdosta State University. Her research focuses on caregiving and intergenerational relationships, specifically on understanding the experiences of grandchildren who are caregiving to grandparents with dementia. She approaches research from a systemic perspective, incorporating her skills as a therapist to understand relational processes for grandchildren caregivers. As a therapist and instructor, she believes creating a safe space is critical for both clients and students, which will allow them to be authentic in their relationships and open the door for new possibilities.