Dr. West has earned several degrees including a B.A. in Psychology and Women's Studies from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the same university, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology also from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She completed a predoctoral internship at the University of Notre Dame Counseling Center and Oaklawn Hospital. Additionally, she completed postdoctoral fellowships in teaching and clinical work at Illinois State University and in research at the University of New Hampshire.