Our Research
Our mission is to increase access to and delivery of effective mental health services to reduce health disparities and increase the well-being of marginalized communities. We aim to amplify the voices and experiences of community partners who hold less power, especially therapists and patients/clients, by partnering with them in research.
Goals
Increase public critical thinking about health and treatments.
Explore and support community mental health workforce training and priorities.
Examine and shape system-level, mental healthcare quality improvement strategies.
Assess the role of cultural factors, especially language, in mental healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Lab Projects
Click a project logo to learn more!
Language equity scoping review of non-English evidence-based practice psychosocial treatments and related training practices and outcomes.
Project name and/or mini description
Cognitive-behavioral therapy competence of community therapists serving Spanish-speaking clients
Project name and/or mini description
Mixed methods examination of implementation and other outcomes associated with a financing strategy to increase use of evidence-based practices
Project name and/or mini description
Student-led Research Projects:
"Towards Black Liberation: Beyond the Monolith."
By Marsha Akoto, MA (3rd year Counseling Psychology PhD Student)
Abstract: This study explores the dynamics of ethnic identity, racial attitudes, and sociopolitical participation among a diverse sample of 208 Black-identified individuals (African Americans, Africans, Afro-Caribbeans). In contrast to previous research that treats the "Black" community as a monolith, our findings reveal significant nuances and differences across ethnic groups within the diaspora. Employing Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVAs), we observe that intersectionality is a key aspect of the Black experience. African Americans exhibit higher sociopolitical engagement, but lower ethnic identity and higher self-hatred attitudes compared to African immigrants and Afro-Caribbeans. Further analysis shows variations within subgroups, such as lower ethnic identity reported by African American women and higher levels endorsed by college-educated Afro-Caribbeans. These findings contribute to the scholarly discourse, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions and supportive environments to foster critical consciousness and therapeutic healing practices within the diverse Black community.
