Conducting Heart-Driven Science
Our lab is dedicated to advancing mental health by broadening access to care for communities that have historically faced systemic barriers. We are equally committed to fostering representation within the mental health workforce to better serve the full breadth of society.
Centering Fairness and Access in Our Work
Across our research, clinical initiatives, training efforts, and community partnerships, we strive to be intentional and thoughtful about the broader social conditions that shape health outcomes. We focus on understanding how structural and institutional forces—such as housing, education, income, and policy—contribute to unequal access to care and well-being across different populations. We appreciate the visual frameworks shared by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (below) that illustrate how different starting points can lead to different outcomes, even when opportunities appear equal on the surface.
Advancing Mental Health as a Human Right
We view access to mental health care as a fundamental human right. Our work acknowledges the ways in which societal systems—such as racism, xenophobia, sexism, religious discrimination, heteronormativity, economic inequality, ableism, and ageism—shape the distribution of resources and opportunity. Our research and advocacy efforts are rooted in the belief that all people deserve access to care that is responsive to their lived experiences and the structural challenges they face, as well as the opportunity to thrive in environments that support mental wellness and resilience.
Building a Representative Mental Health Workforce
To improve mental health outcomes in communities that have been historically overlooked or underserved, we are deeply committed to training and mentoring future leaders whose backgrounds and life experiences reflect the diversity of our society. Our team includes individuals who are often the first in their families to pursue higher education, who come from economically constrained backgrounds, and who have historically been underrepresented in the field. Through their involvement in our lab, they gain access to mentorship, training, and opportunities that position them for competitive fellowships, awards, and future leadership roles in academia and clinical practice.
