Life-Course Effects of Traumatic Exposure on Mental Health and Quality of Life

The vast majority of people will likely experience a traumatic event during their lifetimes. Many will experience short-term negative emotional effects following traumatic exposure - fear, anxiety, sleeplessness, sadness.  For some changes in emotions and behaviors are longer lasting and can erode at one's well-being, important relationships, and ability to reach life goals.  Of particular interest for me is how early life events can alter the course of adults' functioning and health across the lifespan. This area of my research focuses on identifying how traumatic effects can alter life-course functioning.

Mechanisms of Action in Trauma-Related Psychotherapy

How does psychotherapy help people lead their best possible lives?  Who benefits most from which type of treatment?  What skills and experiences should new therapists have to provide the best possible care?  Even with the best of intentions, not all treatment is helpful.  Trauma-related treatment can be difficult - for both clients and mental health providers. However, providing effective and efficient care relieves human suffering, improves individual and family functioning, and increases economic, social, and community outcomes. This area of my research focuses on identifying important process during therapeutic work that can improve benefits gained in psychotherapy.

Increasing Access to Effective Mental Health Care

Advances in technology have greatly increased the ability of providers to reach those needing mental health services.  Through direct-care mediums, such as telehealth, web-based interventions,  mobile app-based programs, and VR-mediated treatment,  mental health service options are blossoming. Add in the use of AI (artificial intelligence) for and digital access to health records, wearable devices, and intensive data collection methods, sorting out what is useful from what is possible is becoming increasingly important.  This area of my research focuses on the uses of technology that increases access to care and provide better - more effective or efficient - care.