Faculty & Staff Profiles

Melissa L. Whitson, Ph.D.

Professor
Coordinator of M.A. in Community Psychology

Department of Psychology & Sociology
College of Arts and Sciences

For the Media

Email Media Relations
Melissa L. Whitson

Education

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Community Psychology, Yale University
Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, Columbia University
M.S., Psychology, California State University, Los Angeles
B.A., Psychology, with Honors, Lafayette College

About Melissa

Melissa Whitson is a Community-Counseling Psychologist who is an expert in childhood trauma, examining the risks, protective factors, and effectiveness of mental health services for low-income children and families. She is also an evaluation expert, as she guides and assists several program evaluations for youth-servicing non-profit organizations in the greater New Haven area.

Her research has identified risk and protective factors for low-income and marginalized children and families, who often have a disproportionate number of unmet mental health needs because of lack of availability, lack of insurance, and/or stigma. Dr. Whitson closely studies children who have been exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and traumatic events and examines how mental health services have impacted them and their families. Her research aims to increase the effectiveness of the services and to improve the mental health and well-being of these children and families. More recently she has been applying community psychology principles to this research to explore protective factors in the environment or context that can buffer the negative outcomes associated with trauma or build individual and community resilience. Dr. Whitson has also presented at numerous conferences on innovative and experiential teaching strategies she has employed in her courses.

An expert in community psychology and on childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences, Dr. Whitson consults with CT legislative committees focused on children’s behavioral health. She has also been interviewed by numerous media outlets, including CNBC The Shepard Smith Show, Fox News Radio podcasts, CT Public Radio, LA Times, USA Today, Axios, and many local TV news stations and newspapers.

Dr. Whitson teaches undergraduate and graduate courses and is the Program Coordinator for the University’s Community Psychology MA program. A licensed Psychologist, she also has an appointment as an Associate Adjunct Professor at the Yale School of Medicine. She was the 2024 recipient of the university’s Bucknall Excellence in Teaching Award, the 2023 recipient of the Excellence in Experiential Education Faculty Aawrd, and 2018 recipient of the Excellence in Faculty Research Award.

She completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship in community psychology at Yale University, received her Ph.D. from Columbia University, her M.S. from California State University, Los Angeles, and her B.A. from Lafayette College, where she was a member of the women's basketball team.

Dr. Whitson is very active in the community, and is an avid Red Sox, Eagles and Duke Basketball fan. She enjoys running, basketball, reading, playing jazz piano, attending plays and concerts, and being with her partner and two children, Ramona and Alistair.

Google Scholar

Published Books and Articles

  • Whitson, M. L., Moran, R. K., & McDonnell, K. A. (2026). Contextual protective factors for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs): potential avenues for intervention. Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2026.2668141

  • Whitson, M.L., Champine, R., Griffin, A., Corto-Mergins, C., Lusa, J., Jaffe, J., Hemmelgarn, A., Bryden, E., Clark, K., Kaufman, J. S. (2020). Impact of Integrated EMDR for Children and Youth Exposed to Potentially Traumatic Events: The Village Collaborative Trauma Center. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 14(4), 1-10.
  • Whitson, M.L., Robinson, S., Van Valkenburg, K., & Jackson, M. (2019). Music Haven: Evaluation of an afterschool music program serving low-income urban youth. Journal of Community Psychology, 48(2), 426-436.
  • Champine, R., Schreier, A., Whitson, M.L., & Kaufman, J. S. (2020). Comparing youth and caregiver experiences in a school-based system of care. Journal of Family Social Work, 23(1), 35-52.
  • Matlin, S.L., Champine, R.B., Strambler, M.J., OBrien, C., Hoffman, E., Whitson, M., Kolka, L., & Tebes, J.K. (2019). A communitys response to adverse childhood experiences: Building a resilient, trauma-informed community. American Journal of Community Psychology, 64, 451-466.
  • Champine, RB; Shaker, AS; Tsitaridis, KA; Whitson, M.L.; Kaufman, JS. (2019). Service-related barriers and facilitators in an early childhood system of care: Comparing the perspectives of parents and providers. Community Mental Health Journal, 55(6), 943-953, 2019.
  • Patel, S., Carnasciali, M.I., Whitson, M.L. (2018) Mars Exploration: Development of an informal learning curriculum to teach collaborative digital design and manufacturing. 2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. peer.asee.org/29894
  • Whitson, M.L. & Kaufman, J.S. (2017). Parenting stress as a mediator of trauma exposure and mental health outcomes in young children. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 87(5), 531-539.
  • Champine, R.B, Whitson, M.L., & Kaufman, J.S. (2018). Service characteristics, family involvement and participant outcomes in an early childhood system of care. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27(1), 324-338.
  • Kaufman, J.S., Whitson, M.L., & Crusto, C.A. (2016). Parenting stress as a mediator of exposure to potentially traumatic events and behavioral health outcomes in children and youth. Journal of Trauma and Treatment, 5, 2.
  • Whitson, M.L.& Connell, C.M. (2016). The Relation of Exposure to Traumatic Events and Longitudinal Mental Health Outcomes for Children Enrolled in Systems of Care: Results from a National System of Care Evaluation. American Journal of Community Psychology, 57, 380-390. DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12058
  • Whitson, M.L., Bernard, S., & Kaufman, J.S. (2015). The Mediating Role of Parenting Stress for Children Exposed to Trauma: Results from a School-Based System of Care. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24, 1141-1151. DOI: 10.1007/s10826-014-9922-7
  • Bernard, S., Whitson, M.L., & Kaufman, J.S. (2015). The Moderating Effect of Positive Father Engagement and Accessibility on a School-based System of Care Intervention for Mental Health Outcomes of Children.Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24(10), 2923-2933. DOI: 10.1007/s10826-014-0096-0
  • Weston, R.M. & Whitson, M.L. (2014).The advisor-advisee relationship in graduate Community Psychology programs. The Community Psychologist, 47, 34-35.
  • Whitson, M. L. Bernard, S., & Kaufman, J. S. (2013). The effects of cumulative risk and protection on problem behaviors for impoverished youth of color in a school-based system of care. Community Mental Health Journal, 49, 576-586.
  • Crusto, C.A., Whitson, M.L ., Feinn, R., Gargiulo, J., Holt, C., Paulicin, B., Simmons, W., & Lowell, D.I. (2013). Evaluation of a Mental Health Consultation Intervention in Preschool Settings. Best Practices in Mental Health: An International Journal, 9, 1-21.
  • Whitson, M.L. , Connell, C.M., Bernard, S., & Kaufman, J.S. (2012). An examination of exposure to traumatic events and symptoms and strengths for children served in a behavioral health system of care. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 20(3), 193-207.  DOI: 10.1177/1063426610380596
  • Whitson, M.L., Martinez, A., Ayala, C., & Kaufman, J.S. (2011). Predictors of parenting and infant outcomes for impoverished teen parents. Journal of Family Social Work, 14, 284-297.
  • Crusto, C.A., Whitson, M.L., Walling, S. N., Feinn, R., Friedman, S., Reynolds, J., Amer, M., & Kaufman, J. S. (2010). Posttraumatic stress among young urban children exposed to family violence and other potentially traumatic events. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 23.
  • Whitson, M.L., Bernard, S., Connell, C.M., & Kaufman, J.S. (2010). The Impact of youth and family risk factors on services recommendation and delivery in a school-based system of care. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research. PMID: 20165927
  • Whitson, M.L., Bernard, S., & Kaufman, J.S. (2009). Systems of care and the prevention of mental health problems for children and their families: Integrating counseling psychology and public health perspectives. Prevention in Counseling Psychology: Theory, Research, Practice and Training, 3, 3-9.
  • Whitson, M.L. & Kaufman, J.S. Evaluation of Central High School's "Leadership Group." New Haven, CT: The Consultation Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 2009.
  • Kaufman, J.S., Griffin, A., & Whitson, M.L. PARK Project: Wrap-Around Evaluation Report. New Haven, CT: The Consultation Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 2009.

Grants

  • NASA Innovative Mars Exploration Education and Technology (IMEET), 09/16 – 09/19
    • Melissa L. Whitson & Maria-Isabel Carnasciali, Evaluation Team; $100,000
  • National Science Foundation, Collaborative Research: Impacts of Prior Work Experience on Adult, Nontraditional, Engineering Students 05/14 - 05/17
    • Maria-Isabel Carnasciali, Shannon Ciston, Melissa L. Whitson (Co-PI). $292,000
  • Society for Community Research and Action (APA) Community Mini-Grant 08/15 – 08/16
    • Music Haven Program Evaluation; Melissa L. Whitson, Principal Investigator; $1,200
  • Summer Faculty Fellowship Research Grant University of New Haven, 2011-2016

Awards

  • Excellence in Research Faculty Award University of New Haven, 2018
  • Student Athlete Advisory Committee Faculty Mentor Award University of New Haven, 2014
  • National Research Service Award (postdoctoral), August 2008-July 2010
    • National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health
  • President's Grant for Student Research in Diversity, 2005
    • Teachers College Committee for Community and Diversity; Awarded for Dissertation Research.
  • Herbert W. Rogers Psychology Prize, 1998
    • Lafayette College; Awarded to the outstanding graduating student in psychology.
Related Links College of Arts and SciencesPsychology, B.A.Community Psychology, M.A.School of Health SciencesPublic Health, M.P.H.Prison Education Program

News and In the Media

In the Media

Connecticut Public Radio: The lost art of hanging out: A conversation about third spaces

The Charger Blog

Psychology Students Use Photovoice Research to Advocate for Positive Change

The Charger Blog

Faculty Team Brings Back Innovative Teaching Strategies from National Conference

In the Media

Connecticut Public Radio Where We Live: Parental burnout is real. Here are tips for ways to fight it

In the Media

Washington Examiner: Social media coverage of Kirk shooting forces reckoning on how violent news is digested

In the Media

NBC Connecticut: North Haven Police warn parents about online enticement

In the Media

Eyewitness News 3 WFSB: CT parents monitoring kids internet access after Charlie Kirk killer allegedly radicalized online

In the Media

WICC 600AM Melissa in the Morning: AI Stuffed Animal

In the Media

NBC Connecticut: Recent study shows pre-K enrollments provide lasting benefits for parents

The Charger Blog

Psychology Professor, Psychology Major Recognized with Prestigious University Awards