Early Career Psychologist Spotlight

Where do you work and in what capacity?
I am an Assistant Research Professor in The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science’s, Division of Community Behavioral Health.

Where did you do your training?
I earned my PhD in Human Developmental Psychology and Family Science from Montclair State University and Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling (LPCC) from William Paterson University – both in New Jersey.

What are your research interests?
My research interests include the implementation and evaluation of substance misuse and mental health prevention-intervention programming; evaluation and scale development; statistical methodology for multi-level prevention-intervention research; the implementation of evidence-based practices in ethnically-diverse and rural communities; and both youth and community empowerment and resiliency.

What are your clinical interests?
Clinically, I am interested in adolescent and adult substance use treatment and assessment, practice-based evidence, and trauma-informed approaches for individuals with comorbid mental health and substance use disorders, as well as both crisis planning and post-crisis service delivery.

What are your policy/advocacy interests?
I am interested in increasing behavioral health/substance use treatment access in under-served and rural communities; increasing access to substance use and behavioral health treatment programming for communities of color; the development and funding for comprehensive systems of care; funding peer-based service delivery and creating mechanisms for reimbursement.

How did you become interested in addictive behaviors?
- At a personal level: I became interested in addictive behaviors because of extensive family history of addiction and substance use disorders. I lost several friends to drug use and saw the impact firsthand on families, friends, and communities.
- Intellectually: These lived experiences drove me to support children, families, and individuals toward recovery, and identify strength-based approaches to facilitating prevention and treatment in under-served, often BIPOC, communities. Furthermore, witnessing inequities in access has driven me to identify ways to increase access to behavioral health and substance use treatment services, with a particular emphasis on destigmatizing service delivery.

What motivated you to join the Society of Addiction Psychology (Division 50)?
My driving interest for joining Division 50 is to support and participate in the division that promotes advances in research, professional training, and clinical practice within the broad range of addictive behaviors. As the APA Div 50 ECP Rep, I hoped that I would give voice and support initiatives that benefit ECPs and/or the division, as a whole. Moreover, I hoped that my academic journey, with all the unknowns and hurdles I experienced, would provide some vision for what may be possible. Simply said, I love my job and I am grateful each day for the good work I am able to do as a clinician, educator and researcher. 

Any other information that you would like to share about yourself with other SoAP members?
This is a very reflective question for me as I focus on balance between work and life. That said, my spouse, Heather, and our two boys, Oliver (6 y/o) and Hunter (2 y/o) are my world. They are a steadfast reminder of what I am grateful for each day. For self-care, I take time each morning at 5am to run 2-3 miles, and each week I rock climb with my son Oliver, and hike the Sandia Mountains (or other local trails) with my family. In addition, I am an avid reader and play several instruments that provide me further grounding. While my closest friends live far, I hold onto friendships that I have had since elementary school – we do a monthly book club or simply talk as if we saw one another yesterday (though it could be several months).