Publications

  • Asnaani, A. & Gutierrez Chavez, M., Samuel, R., Pham, A., & Charlery White, S.R. (2023). The impact of a brief training on implementation of evidence-based strategies for trauma by mental health providers and stakeholders in the Caribbean within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation. Vol. 13(1), 40-48. Published, 12/29/2023.
  • Asnaani, A. (2023). What role can (and should) clinical science play in promoting mental health care equity? . American Psychologist. Vol. 78(9), 1041–1054. Published, 12/01/2023.
  • Asnaani, A. (2023). Award for Distinguished Early Career Contributions to Psychology: Biography of Anu Asnaani. (pp. 1038-1040). Vol. 78(9). American Psychologist. Published, 12/01/2023.
  • Asnaani, A. (2023). A Cultural Humility and Social Justice Approach to Psychotherapy: Seven Applied Guidelines for Evidence-Based Practice.. Oxford University Press. Published, 06/27/2023.
  • Bryan, C.J. & ., Russell, H.A., Bryan, A.O., Rozek, D.C., Leifker, F.R., Rugo, K.F., Baker, J.C., Khazem, L.R., Roberge, E.M., Shirley, D.M., & Asnaani, A. (2022). Impact of treatment setting and format on symptom severity following cognitive processing therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Behavior Therapy. Published, 10/2022.
  • Baucom, K. J. W. & Bauman, T., Gutierrez Chavez, M., Nemirovsky, Y., Aguirre, M. C., Ramos, C., Asnaani, A., Gutner, C. A., Ritchie, N. D., & Shah, M. (2022). Barriers to participation and lifestyle change among lower versus higher income participants in the National Diabetes Prevention Program: Lifestyle coach perspectives. Translational Behavioral Medicine. Published, 09/2022.
  • Gutierrez Chavez, M. & Kaur, K., Baucom, K. J. W., Sanchez-Birkhead, A., Sunada, G., Mukundente, V., Tavake-Pasi, F., Napia, E., Villalta, J., & Asnaani, A. (2022). Developing equitable interventions for ethnically diverse populations: Mental health and co-occurring physical health concerns in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Translational Behavioral Medicine. Published, 09/2022.
  • Contractor, A. A & Raifuddin, H., Kaur, K., & Asnaani, A. (2022). Asian Indians in the United States and posttraumatic stress disorder interventions: A narrative review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. Published, 08/01/2022.
  • Kaur, K. & Gutierrez Chavez, M., Tacana, T., Sanchez-Birkhead, A., Mukundente, V., Napia, E.E., Tavake-Pasi, F., Villalta, J., Lee, D., Sunada, G., Stark, L., Crowell, S., & Asnaani, A. (2022). Developing a best practice mental health treatment framework for culturally diverse communities: A mixed-methods approach. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Published, 07/2022.
  • Foa, E.B. & Simpson, H.B.,….Asnaani, A., et al. (2022). A randomized controlled trial to test if medicated patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can discontinue medication after Exposure/Response Prevention augmentation. JAMA Psychiatry. Accepted, 06/2022.
  • Brown, L.A. & Narine, K., Asnaani, A., Bredemeier, K., & Mu, W. (2022). Changes in affect, physical activity, physical health, and sleep in cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety. Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy. Accepted, 06/2022.
  • Asnaani, A & Gutierrez Chavez, M., & Kaur, K. (2022). Ensuring interdisciplinary partnerships and commitment to Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS) principles among diverse scholars who serve diverse communities. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. Published, 03/01/2022.
  • Baucom, K.J.W. & ., Bauman, T., Nemirovsky, Y., Gutierrez Chavez, M., Aguirre, M.C., Ramos, C., Asnaani, A., Gutner, C.A., Ritchie, N.D., Shah, M., & Clark, L. (2022). Promises and pitfalls of dyads in the National Diabetes Prevention Program: Lifestyle coach perspectives. American Journal of Health Promotion. Published, 02/2022.
  • Anu Asnaani & Sanchez-Birkhead, A., Kaur, K., Mukundente, V., Napia, E., Pasi, F., Villalta, J., Lee, D., Stark, L., Brown, H., & Crowell, S. (2021). Utilizing community partnerships to devise a framework for cultural adaptations to evidence-based mental health practice in diverse communities. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. Accepted, 12/15/2021.
  • Wen Z, Hammoud MZ, Scott JC, Jimmy J & Brown L (2021). Impact of exogenous estradiol on task-based and resting-state neural signature during and after fear extinction in healthy women. Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. Vol. 46, 2278-2287. Published, 11/01/2021.
  • Simpson HB, Foa EB, Wheaton MG, Gallagher T, Gershkovich M, Schmidt AB, Huppert JD, Campeas RB, Imms PA, Cahill SP, DiChiara C, Tsao SD, Puliafico AC, Chazin D & Asnaani A (2021). Maximizing remission from cognitive-behavioral therapy in medicated adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behaviour research and therapy. Vol. 143, 103890. Published, 10/01/2021.
  • Anu Asnaani & Ifrah Majeed, Kiran Kaur & Manuel Gutierrez Chavez (2021). Diversity and Cultural Perspectives in Psychology. . Elsevier. Accepted, 02/19/2021.
  • Asnaani A, Tyler J, McCann J, Brown L & Zang Y (2021). Anxiety sensitivity and emotion regulation as mechanisms of successful CBT outcome for anxiety-related disorders in a naturalistic treatment setting. Journal of affective disorders. Vol. 267, 86-95. Published, 02/01/2021.
  • Tyler J, Mu W, McCann J, Belli G & Asnaani A (2021). The unique contribution of perfectionistic cognitions to anxiety disorder symptoms in a treatment-seeking sample. Cognitive behaviour therapy. Vol. 50, 121-137. Published, 02/01/2021.
  • Asnaani A, Benhamou K, Kaczkurkin AN, Turk-Karan E & Foa EB (2020). Beyond the Constraints of an RCT: Naturalistic Treatment Outcomes for Anxiety-Related Disorders. Behavior therapy. Vol. 51, 434-446. Published, 12/01/2020.
  • Kaczkurkin AN, Tyler J, Turk-Karan E, Belli G & Asnaani A (2020). The Association between Insomnia and Anxiety Symptoms in a Naturalistic Anxiety Treatment Setting. Behavioral sleep medicine. Vol. 19, 110-125. Published, 12/01/2020.
  • Antonia N. Kaczkurkin & Jeremy Tyler, Elizabeth Turk-Karan, Gina Belli & Anu Asnaani (2019). The Association between Insomnia and Anxiety Symptoms in a Naturalistic Anxiety Treatment Setting. Behavioral Sleep Medicine. Accepted, 12/2019.
  • Anu Asnaani & Kevin Narine, Noah Suzuki, Rebecca Yeh, Yinyin Zang, Billie Schwartz, Anthony Mannarino, Judith Cohen & Edna B. Foa (2019). An Innovative Mobile Game for Screening of Pediatric PTSD: a Study in Primary Care Settings. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma. Accepted, 12/2019.
  • Lily A. Brown & Kevin Narine, Anu Asnaani, Savannah Simon, Ifrah Majeed, Daniel Cohen (2019). Implementation of Technology-Driven Comprehensive Physical Health Assessment in an Anxiety Specialty Clinic: Preliminary Pilot Study Findings. The Behavior Therapist. Accepted, 10/2019.
  • Anu Asnaani & Kathy Benhamou, Antonia N. Kaczkurkin, Elizabeth Turk-Karan, Edna B. Foa (2019). Beyond the Constraints of an RCT: Naturalistic Treatment Outcomes for Anxiety-Related Disorders. Behavior Therapy. Published, 08/2019.
  • Anu Asnaani & Antonia N. Kaczkurkin, Hayley E. Fitzgerald, Alissa Jerud, Edna B. Foa (2019). The association between cognitive coping strategies and treatment outcomes in smokers with PTSD. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Accepted, 04/2019.
  • Lily A. Brown, Gina M. Belli, Anu Asnaani & Edna B. Foa (2019). A review of the role of negative cognitions about oneself, others, and the world in the treatment of PTSD. Cognitive Therapy and Research. Vol. 43, 143-173. Published, 02/2019.

Research Statement

Research Program and Trajectory

 

My research focuses on expanding our understanding of emotional disorders, with the eventual goal of informing the most effective (and innovative) ways to modify psychotherapy for a greater diversity of populations. This overarching research interest drives the three major domains of my work: (1) elucidating psychological mechanisms by which anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD are maintained/treated, (2) applying a cross-cultural and diversity lens in order to address the outcomes that matter to our communities, and (3) utilizing technology innovations to enhance such examinations. Currently ongoing projects at the University of Utah in these three domains are reviewed below.

 

(1) Mechanisms of Treatment Outcome in Fear-Based Disorders

My initial foray into clinical psychological science was with a focus on expanding our understanding about the mechanisms through which psychological treatments work (and do not work), a consistent theme in my current work. To this end, I have been heavily involved in the study design, paradigm programming, acquisition of data, and statistical analysis of clinical trials and experimental studies examining emotion (dys)regulation as a core mechanism by which emotional disorders are maintained and successfully treated prior to my time here1-5. I have also expanded my exploration to a wider range of hypothesized mechanisms (e.g., anxiety sensitivity, resilience, cultural values) underlying the maintenance of PTSD, OCD, and anxiety disorders over the course of effective behavioral treatments for these disorders6-10. I have incorporated numerous measures including subjective self-report data, objective timed/rated response in the context of various lab-based, computerized paradigms, and psychophysiological correlates to measure these constructs of interest. 

My current experimental work is a natural extension of my previous work and involves a mechanistic examination of distress tolerance using an experimental, between-subject, randomized design examining the relative impact of three different interventions adapted from evidence-based therapies for anxiety disorders (interoceptive exposure, mindfulness, and positive self-efficacy induction) on improving tolerance to distress in undergraduate participants. A range of measurement methods that are both subjective (i.e., self-report state and trait measures) and objective (i.e., latency/tolerance indices, and video-coded safety behavior in collaboration with colleague Dr. Jason Goodman at the Salt Lake City VA) are being employed. This study was conceived and set up/submitted for IRB approvals over the Fall of my first year; we had just opened up experimentation slots to start running the study in March 2020 when the University shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We then spent the past summer completely porting it to an online format and modifying the methods (e.g., removing our planned psychophysiology measures) to make sure we could conduct it over a live Zoom session, piloting it with 6 subjects to hone the procedure. We now have it running with 5 undergraduate RAs who have undergone an extensive 3-week training on the study procedures and checks for intervention fidelity under my supervision. We are on target to have data from 120 subjects collected by mid-Spring 2021, which will provide ample data for lab writing projects.

 

(2) Community-Based Work and Diversity Considerations

Against this backdrop of using lab-based methods to elucidate mechanisms underlying emotional symptoms, I have consistently weaved in an examination into how these processes differ as a function of diversity of the sample. My previous work in this area has included investigating prevalence and diagnostic differences in various race-ethnic groups11-12, examining potential factors affecting symptom report, such as discrimination13, highlighting inherent cultural exclusions due to wording of diagnostic criteria14, exploring factor structure of diagnoses15 and presenting differences in symptom presentation of fear-based pathology based on race/ethnicity (e.g.16-17) and gender18-19. From a clinical standpoint, I have also engaged in scholarship around ways to increase our treatment alliance in cross-cultural therapy situations in an empirically-informed fashion20. In addition, I have engaged actively with underserved, inner city, and racial minority youth populations to understand how to more efficiently detect mental health symptoms following trauma exposure in such diverse settings21-22. I was awarded the Emerging Researcher Award by the APA Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race in 2015 in recognition of this work.

My goal of greatly expanding this work to bring evidence-based approaches to diverse community settings in Utah is already so wonderfully coming to fruition. In Fall of 2019, I applied for and received a pilot grant funded through the Utah Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) and the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) to conduct a one-year mixed methods data collection protocol in close collaboration and partnership with the Community Faces of Utah (CFU), a great organization here in Salt Lake City which brings together 5 diverse communities: Best of Africa, Calvary Baptist Church (primarily African Americans), Hispanic Health Care Task Force, National Tongan American Society , and Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake.

After a two-month delay from the original start-date due to COVID-19, we were able to begin the study officially in May 2020, and have already successfully completed Phase 1 data collection over the summer (conducting 6 community focus groups) to assess definitions, priority areas, barriers, and potential treatment options for mental health. We are currently systematically analyzing this rich qualitative dataset to better understand consistent themes and determine additional information we need to roll out Phase 2 quantitative data collection this semester. Data from both phases will inform a treatment framework for culturally-adapted, evidence-based treatment to be tested in an extramural grant (to be submitted in Spring 2021). I have been very lucky to have significant cross-disciplinary collaboration on this project with the study co-PI Dr. Ana Sanchez-Birkhead (Associate Professor in the College of Nursing), and also within our department with Dr. Sheila Crowell and Dr. Jon Butner.

 

(3) Integration of Technology to Widen Reach to Global Settings

         As I have become increasingly steeped in examining mechanisms maintaining fear in community and demographically diverse samples, I have gained an appreciation for how incorporation of technological advances can facilitate this work, particularly in global settings. Aside from my previous work in incorporating technology in a variety of local communities22-24, I have been able to explore various technology innovations (virtual safe spaces, smart applications, interactive online trainings) in global settings, although this line of work is certainly at more preliminary stages. However, one project that has taken off despite the COVID-19 pandemic is my global training work with stakeholders in the Caribbean providing services for trauma survivors in the region. Specifically, I have an ongoing collaboration with a fantastic regional women’s health rights advocacy organization, the HERStoire Collective, which has allowed me to conduct several in-person trauma education and provider self-care workshops with some 100 stakeholders in Saint Lucia over the past 2 years.

This most recent workshop held in February 2020 was funded by an award I applied for and received from the Equality and Justice Alliance, a U.K.-based human rights group which supports public health initiatives that focus on addressing health disparities for women and the LGBTQI community. Importantly, for this workshop we incorporated a remote component that allowed my team to expand the reach to telecast the training to (and collect data from) providers in Grenada, St. Vincent, Barbados, Antigua and Jamaica. Currently, the lab is collecting remote follow-up data on implementation of evidence-based skills taught to these workshop attendees (N=52), and we have added assessments on impacts to service provision in the region given the stress of the current COVID-19 public health crisis, with 3-month data already collected and 6-month follow-up data collection nearing completion. In addition, we have already published two papers during my time here on this work25-26, and have several accepted posters/presentations on this research at national conferences by my lab. In addition, one of my students’ posters received a first-place distinction honor at the APA annual meeting, and I just received the Outstanding Early Career Psychologist Award through APA Division 52 (International Psychology) in August 2020, underscoring the importance of this work. 

 

Selected Cited Publications (full bibliography in CV)

* Indicates Primary Mentor/Corresponding Authorship on publication

** Indicates Co-First Authorship on publication

1.     Hofmann, S. G., Heering, S., Sawyer, A. T., & Asnaani, A. (2009). How to handle anxiety: The effects of reappraisal, acceptance, and suppression strategies on anxious arousal. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 47(5), 389-394. doi:http://proxy.library.upenn.edu:2155/10.1016/j.brat.2009.02.010

2.     Asnaani, A., Sawyer, A. T., Aderka, I. M., & Hofmann, S. G. (2013). Effect of suppression, reappraisal, and acceptance of emotional pictures on acoustic eye-blink startle magnitude. Journal of Experimental Psychopathology, 4(2), 182-193. doi:10.5127/jep.028112

3.     Bullis, J.R., Boe, H.J., Asnaani, A.*, & Hofmann, S.G. (2014). The benefits of being mindful: Trait mindfulness predicts less stress reactivity to suppression. Journal of Behavior Therapy & Experimental Psychiatry, 45, 57-66. doi:http://proxy.library.upenn.edu:2097/10.1016/j.jbtep.2013.07.006

4.     Kaczkurkin, A.N., Asnaani, A.*, Zhong, J., & Foa, E.B. (2016). The moderating effect of state anger on treatment outcome in female adolescents with PTSD. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 29(4), 325-31.

5.     Asnaani, A., Tyler, J., McCann, J., Brown, L., Zang, Y. (2020). Anxiety sensitivity and emotion regulation as mechanisms of successful CBT outcome for anxiety-related disorders in a naturalistic treatment setting. Journal of Affective Disorders, 267, 86–95.

6.     Asnaani, A., Alpert, E., McLean, C. P., & Foa, E. B. (2015). Resilient but addicted: The impact of resilience on the relationship between smoking withdrawal and PTSD. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 65, 146-153. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2015.03.021

7.     Asnaani, A., Farris, S., Carpenter, J., Zandberg, L., & Foa, E.B. (2015). The relationship between anxiety sensitivity and posttraumatic stress disorder: What is the impact of nicotine withdrawal? Cognitive Therapy and Research, 39, 697-708.

8.     Asnaani, A., Kaczkurkin, A., Tannahill, H., Fitzgerald, H. (2016). Moderators of change in social anxiety during CBT in a transdiagnostic, naturalistic treatment-seeking sample. Journal of Experimental Psychopathology, 7, 655-670.

9.     Tyler, J., Mu, W., McCann, J., Belli, G., & Asnaani, A.*(in press). The unique contribution of perfectionistic cognitions in predicting anxiety disorder symptoms in a treatment-seeking sample. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

10.  Kaczkurkin, A.N., Brown, L., Simon, S., & Asnaani, A.* (revised and resubmitted). The relationship between cultural self-construal and social anxiety symptom severity in a clinical sample of treatment-seeking patients. Transcultural Psychiatry.

11.  Asnaani, A., Gutner, C.A., Hinton, D.E., & Hofmann, S.G. (2009). Panic Disorder, panic attacks, and panic attack symptoms across race-ethnic groups: Results of the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Studies. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 15(3), 249-254. doi:http://proxy.library.upenn.edu:2097/10.1111/j.1755-5949.2009.00092.x

12.  Asnaani, A., Richey, J. A., Dimaite, R., Hinton, D. E., & Hofmann, S. G. (2010). A cross-ethnic comparison of lifetime prevalence rates of anxiety disorders. Journal Of Nervous And Mental Disease, 198(8), 551-555. doi:10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181ea169f

13.  Chou, T., Asnaani, A.*, & Hofmann, S.G. (2012). Perception of racial discrimination and psychopathology across three U.S. ethnic minority groups. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 18, 74-81. doi:http://proxy.library.upenn.edu:2097/10.1037/a0025432

14.  Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., & Hinton, D. E. (2010). Cultural aspects in social anxiety and social anxiety disorder. Depression and Anxiety, 27(12), 1117-1127. doi:10.1002/da.20759

15.  Asnaani, A., Aderka, I.M., Marques, L., Simon, N., Robinaugh, D.J., & Hofmann, S.G. (2015). The structure of feared social situations among race-ethnic minorities and Whites with social anxiety disorder in the United States. Transcultural Psychiatry, 52, 791-807. doi:http://proxy.library.upenn.edu:2097/10.1177/1363461515576823

16.  Kaczkurkin, A.N., Asnaani, A.*, Hall-Clark, B., Peterson, A.L., Yarvis, J.S., Foa, E.B., & the STRONG STAR Consortium. (2016). Ethnic and racial differences in clinically relevant symptoms in active duty military personnel with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 43, 90-98. doi:http://proxy.library.upenn.edu:2097/10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.09.004

17.  Hall-Clark, B., Sawyer, B., Golik, A., & Asnaani, A.* (2016). Racial/ethnic differencesin symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Current Psychiatry Reviews, 12(2), 124-138. doi:http://proxy.library.upenn.edu:2155/10.2174/1573400512666160505150257

18.  McLean, C. P., Asnaani, A., Litz, B. T., & Hofmann, S. G. (2011). Gender differences in anxiety disorders: Prevalence, course of illness, comorbidity and burden of illness. Journal Of Psychiatric Research, 45(8), 1027-1035. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.03.006

19.  Asher, M., Asnaani, A., & Aderka, I. M. (2017). Gender differences in social anxiety disorder: A review. Clinical Psychology Review, 56, 1-12. doi:http://proxy.library.upenn.edu:2155/10.1016/j.cpr.2017.05.004

20.  Asnaani, A., & Hofmann, S. G. (2012). Collaboration in multicultural therapy: Establishing a strong therapeutic alliance across cultural lines. Journal Of Clinical Psychology, 68(2), 187-197. doi:10.1002/jclp.21829

21.  Foa, E. B., Asnaani, A.**, Zang, Y., Capaldi, S., & Yeh, R. (2018). Psychometrics of the child PTSD symptom scale for DSM-5 for trauma-exposed children and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 47(1), 38-46. doi:http://proxy.library.upenn.edu:2155/10.1080/15374416.2017.1350962

22.  Asnaani, A., Narine, K., Suzuki, N., Zang, Y., Schwartz, B., Yeh, R., Mannarino, A., Cohen, J., & Foa, E.B. (in press). Integration of technology to enhance screening of pediatric PTSD: Results from a study in primary care settings. Journal of Child and Adolescent Therapy.

23.  Asnaani, A., Zandberg, L.J., Petersen, J. (2016). Barriers to CBT training: Is mobile technology the solution? The Clinical Psychologist, 69(4), 6-13. 

24.  Asnaani, A., Benhamou, K., Kaczkurkin, A.N., Turk-Karan, E., & Foa, E.B. (2020). Beyond the constraints of an RCT: Naturalistic treatment outcomes for anxiety-related disorders. Behavior Therapy, 51, 434-446.

25.  Asnaani, A., Charlery White, S.R., Majeed, I., & Phillip, T.-M. (2020). Trauma education and stigma reduction in global settings: An evaluation of the impact of a one-day trauma psychoeducation workshop with community stakeholders in the Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, 2255.

26.  Asnaani, A., Charlery White, S.R., & Phillip, T.-M. (in press). Mobilizing mental health training efforts to align with advocacy for disenfranchised groups in global contexts: Trauma-related training in the Caribbean as an example. The Behavior Therapist.

 

 

Presentations

  • Symposium talk presented by Manuel Gutierrez Chavez, with primary authorship on original paper (see citation below) and primary mentorship on this talk. Asnaani, A., Gutierrez Chavez, M., Samuel, R., Pham, A., & Charlery White, S.R. (2023). The impact of a brief training on implementation of evidence-based strategies for trauma by mental health providers and stakeholders in the Caribbean within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation, 13(1), 40-48. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 11/18/2023.
  • Symposium talk presented by Manuel Gutierrez Chavez, with primary mentorship on original paper (see citation below) and on this talk, with mentor in attendance. Gutierrez Chavez, M., Kaur, K., Baucom, K. J. W., Sanchez-Birkhead, A., Sunada, G., Mukundente, V., Tavake-Pasi, F., Napia, E., Villalta, J., & Asnaani, A. (2022). Developing equitable interventions for ethnically diverse populations: Mental health and co-occurring physical health concerns in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Translational Behavioral Medicine. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 11/18/2023.
  • Woolston, C., Gutierrez Chavez, M., Kaur, K., & Asnaani, A.. Impact of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress symptoms on observer-rated versus self-reported safety behaviors during trauma film paradigm. Poster presented at the Annual Conference for the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA, November, 2023. Poster, Presented, 11/18/2023.
  • Asnaani, A., McClendon, J., Haeny, A., Whittaker, V., & Graham-LoPresti, J. (2023). Affirming Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Addressing Race-based Stress and Trauma in People of Color. Panel presented at the Annual Conference of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA. Panel, Presented, 11/17/2023.
  • Franklin, B., Asnaani, A., & Baucom, K.J.W.. Examining relationships among depressive symptoms, sleep duration, and partner social support in partnered U.S. adults. Poster presented at the Annual Conference for the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Seattle, WA, November, 2023. Poster, Presented, 11/17/2023.
  • Woolston, C., Gutierrez Chavez, M., Kaur, K., & Asnaani, A.†. Impact of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress symptoms on observer-rated versus self-reported safety behaviors during trauma film paradigm. Poster presented at the Utah Conference of Undergraduate Research, Salt Lake City, UT, February, 2023. Poster, Presented, 02/10/2023.
  • “Culturally-sensitive family-based diabetes prevention for Hispanic mothers: A community-based approach” Co-Author (Speaker: Brynn Meulenberg, B.A.), Research symposium presented at the 56th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, NY . Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 11/2022.
  • “Exploring the relationships among distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and psychotherapeutic techniques in a remotely delivered experimental study” Co-Author/Primary Mentor (Speaker: Kiran Kaur, M.S.), Research symposium presented at the 56th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, NY . Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 11/2022.
  • Kaur, K., Gutierrez Chavez, M., & Asnaani, A.†. Developing a best practice mental health treatment adaptation framework for communities of color. Poster presented at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Minneapolis, MN, August, 2022. Poster, Presented, 08/2022.
  • “Developing an equitable intervention approach for communities of color: Mental health and co-occurring physical health concerns in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic” Co-Author/Primary Mentor (Speaker: Manuel Gutierrez Chavez, B.A.), Research symposium presented at the Annual Convention of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Salt Lake City, UT . Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 04/2022.
  • “Exploring the relationships among interoceptive exposure, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation in a remotely delivered experimental study” Co-Author/Primary Mentor (Speaker: Kiran Kaur, M.S.), Research symposium presented at the Annual Convention of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association, Salt Lake City, UT . Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 04/2022.
  • Kaur, K. Asnaani, A.†, & Sanchez-Birkhead, A.: Impact of COVID-19 on emotional health for communities of color. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, March, 2021. Poster, Presented, 03/18/2022.
  • “Longitudinal results of a one-day evidence-based trauma education and skills-building workshop with front-line providers in the Caribbean” Co-Author/Primary Mentor (Speaker: Manuel Gutierrez Chavez, B.A.), Research symposium presented at the 55th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Orleans, LA . Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 11/21/2021.
  • “Challenges and opportunities in the promotion of cognitive behavioral therapies for social anxiety” Invited Panelist, Panel discussion presented at the 55th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Orleans, LA . Panel, Presented, 11/21/2021.
  • Tanguy, W., Kaur, K., & Asnaani, A.†. Influence of distress tolerance and emotional clarity on state anxiety. Poster presented at the 55th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Orleans, LA, November, 2021. Poster, Presented, 11/21/2021.
  • “Towards creating an inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive clinical environment for doctoral trainees of color” Invited Panelist, Panel discussion presented at the 55th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Orleans, LA . Panel, Presented, 11/20/2021.
  • Pham, A. Askew, A., Gutierrez Chavez. M., Charlery White, R., & Asnaani, A.†. Trauma-related burnout, self-care, and social support in front line providers in the Caribbean. Poster presented at the 55th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Orleans, LA, November, 2021. † = Primary mentor on poster presentation. Poster, Presented, 11/20/2021.
  • “Using a community-engaged approach to adapting and implementing evidence-based treatments for generalized anxiety: Development of a treatment framework across culturally-diverse communities” Co-Author/Primary Mentor (Speaker: Kiran Kaur, M.S.), Research symposium presented at the 55th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Orleans, LA . Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 11/19/2021.
  • “The perfect storm: Experiences of racism, political strife, and public health stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities” Invited Panelist/Primary Organizer, Panel discussion presented at the 55th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Orleans, LA . Panel, Presented, 11/19/2021.
  • Aguirre, M.C., Diaz, Y., Bauman, T., Nemirovsky, Y., Gutierrez Chavez, M., Ramos, C., Asnaani, A., Gutner, C., Ritchie, N.D., & Baucom, K.J.W. Emotional, social, and structural barriers among Latinx participants in the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Poster presented in the Latinx Special Interest Group poster session at the 55th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Orleans, LA, November, 2021. Poster, Presented, 11/19/2021.
  • Soufi, S.S., Hinkson, K.D., Brooks, M.M., Asnaani, A., & Bryan, C.J. Exploring the effect of trauma type, by gender, on the relationship between postsecondary academic performance and posttraumatic stress disorder. Poster presented at the 55th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New Orleans, LA, November, 2021. Poster, Presented, 11/19/2021.
  • “12-month follow-up data of daily delivery of Cognitive Processing Therapy for veterans” Co-Author (Speaker: Erika Roberge), Research symposium accepted for presentation at the Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, virtual . Presentation, Presented, 11/12/2021.
  • “Incorporation of Diversity-Related Factors into Evidence-Based Treatments for PTSD” Invited Colloquium Speaker, National Center for PTSD Women’s Health Sciences Division, Boston VA, Boston, MA . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 09/22/2021.
  • “Practical strategies to reducing racial disparities in mental health access and outcomes in prevention science” Workshop Facilitator, Invited workshop accepted to the annual meeting for Society of Prevention Research, Washington, DC (unable to present due to COVID-19-related scheduling issues) . Other, Accepted, 07/22/2021.
  • “Past, present, and future of CBT: Reflecting on the historical developments of radical behaviorism, relational frame theory, acceptance and commitment therapy, and contextual behavioral science” Invited Panelist, Panel discussion presented to the Annual Convention of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, held virtually. Panel, Presented, 06/24/2021.
  • “Impact of COVID-19 on emotional health for five communities of color in Salt Lake City” Primary Mentor/Co-Author (Speaker: Kiran Kaur, M.S.), Symposium in Mental Health & The Brain subsection of the University of Utah Health COVID-19 Symposium, held virtually . Presentation, Presented, 06/03/2021.
  • Samuel, R., Majeed, I., & Asnaani, A.†: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-care practices and well-being amongst mental health professionals and stakeholders in the Caribbean. Poster presented at the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Conference, Ottawa, ON, Canada, May, 2021. † = Primary mentor on poster presentation. Poster, Presented, 05/19/2021.
  • “Sex, Gender and Women’s Health Across the Lifespan” Annual Symposium Invited Presenter, Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT . Presentation, Presented, 05/13/2021.
  • Pham, A., Kaur, K., Majeed, I., & Asnaani, A.†. Emotional suppression and social anxiety: Testing the moderation effect of help-seeking stigma. Poster presented at the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Annual Research Day and awarded first place, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, April, 2021. † = Primary mentor on poster presentation. Poster, Presented, 04/16/2021.
  • Tacana, T., Majeed, I., Alrabiah, R., Tyler, J., & Asnaani, A.†: Exploring the relationship between resilience and post-traumatic stress symptoms following CBT treatment. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, March, 2021. † = Primary mentor on poster presentation. Poster, Presented, 03/19/2021.
  • 10. Samuel, R., Majeed, I., & Asnaani, A.†:. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-care practices and well-being amongst mental health professionals and stakeholders in the Caribbean. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, March, 2021. Poster, Presented, 03/18/2021.
  • “Bridging International Borders in Academia: Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion” Invited Panelist, Cross-departmental panel for female Asian students at the University of Utah and Asian University for Women (Chittagong, Bangladesh) to enhance awareness about resources and journeys in academia for diverse communities in both institutions, University of Utah’s Women of Color Academics (WoCA) Collective and the Asia Center, Salt Lake City, UT . Panel, Presented, 03/16/2021.
  • “Impact of the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis on the Emotional Well-Being of Diverse Communities in Salt Lake City” Invited Presenter, Meeting of the Minds Annual Meeting, University of Utah Alumni Center and Intermountain Healthcare (in collaboration with a number of other institutional and community-based organizations), Salt Lake City, UT . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 01/11/2021.
  • Tacana, T., Majeed, I., Alrabiah, R., Tyler, J., & Asnaani, A.†: Exploring the relationship between resilience and post-traumatic stress symptoms following CBT treatment. Primary mentor for poster presented by undergraduate student at the Annual Meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, March, 2021. Poster, Accepted, 12/23/2020.
  • Kaur, K. Asnaani, A.†, & Sanchez-Birkhead, A.: Impact of COVID-19 on emotional health for communities of color. Primary mentor on graduate student poster accepted for the Annual Meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, March, 2021. Poster, Accepted, 12/23/2020.
  • 8. Samuel, R., Majeed, I., & Asnaani, A.†:. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-care practices and well-being amongst mental health professionals and stakeholders in the Caribbean. Primary mentor for poster accepted for the Annual Meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, March, 2021. Poster, Accepted, 12/23/2020.
  • “Understanding Emotional Health” Invited Presenter, Refugee Women’s Educational Series for Swahili-Speaking Women, Catholic Community Services (CCS), Salt Lake City, UT . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 12/10/2020.
  • “Psychologists as Social Justice Advocates: Intertwining Research and Advocacy to Improve Mental Health and Equity among Marginalized Groups” Primary Mentor/Co-Author (Speaker: Ifrah Majeed), Research Symposium presented at the 54th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA . Presentation, Presented, 11/22/2020.
  • “Closing the Gap: Transporting Evidence-Based Interventions to Diverse “Real World” Settings via Community-Partnered Research” Invited Panelist, Panel presented at the 54th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA . Panel, Presented, 11/21/2020.
  • “Barriers to Mental Health Treatment Access among Marginalized Racial and Ethnic Groups” Invited Speaker, Research Symposium presented at the 54th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA . Presentation, Presented, 11/21/2020.
  • “Strategies for engaging in advocacy as a psychological professional: A skills-based introduction” Workshop Facilitator, Invited Mini-Workshop presented at the 54th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA . Other, Presented, 11/20/2020.
  • “Investigation of Community-Level Definitions of Mental Health, Mental Health Priority Areas, and Barriers to Care Across Diverse Communities: Development of a Framework for Culturally-Responsive, Evidence-Based Mental Health Intervention” Invited Presenter, Clinical Research & Methods (CRAM) Speaker Series, Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 10/21/2020.
  • “Review of Qualitative Interviewing Techniques and Their Application to the CFU-CCTS Mental Health Study” Workshop Co-Facilitator, Community Faces of Utah/Community Collaboration Engagement Team, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT . Other, Presented, 07/15/2020.
  • “Exploration of Stressors in COVID-19 And Debriefing Session” Invited Speaker and Sole Facilitator, Ministry of Education District Guidance Counsellors’ Meeting, Government of Saint Lucia . Other, Presented, 06/26/2020.
  • “Navigating Cultural Issues in Clinical Practice: Finding the Balance Between Cross-Cultural Competency and Fidelity to Evidence-Based Treatment” Invited Speaker, Monthly Didactic CE Series, Utah Center for Evidence Based Treatment, Salt Lake City, UT . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 04/03/2020.
  • “Treatment Mechanisms, Community Empowerment, and Technology Innovations Lab Overview” Guest Lecture, Solutions Scholar Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 03/30/2020.
  • “"The only way to get past fear is to go through it": An Introduction to Exposure Therapy Techniques for Phobias, OCD, and PTSD” Invited Speaker, Psychology Department, Salt Lake Community College, Taylorsville, UT . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 03/04/2020.
  • “Expanding our Therapy Skills Toolbox: Understanding Psychological Consequences of Trauma, Learning about Effective Treatments and Practical Skills to Support Individuals in Crisis, and Improving Provider Self-Care” Sole Full Day Workshop Facilitator, in collaboration with the HERStoire Collective, and as sponsored by the Equality and Justice Alliance and the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equity, Gros Islet, St. Lucia . Other, Presented, 02/26/2020.
  • “Change that matters: What, why, and how meaningful change happens in CBT for anxiety-related disorders” Invited Discussant, Research Symposium presented at the 53rd Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Atlanta, GA . Presentation, Presented, 11/23/2019.
  • Kaye, J. L., Herbert, J. D., Asnaani, A., Suzuki, N., Glass, M., & Forman, E. M. (2019, April). What holds us back? The role of therapist factors in the cautious implementation of exposure therapy. In Kaye, J. (Chair), "Exposure therapy: From bench to bedside." Symposium presented at the 53rd annual convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Atlanta, GA. Presentation, Presented, 11/23/2019.
  • “Advocacy in Action: Psychologists’ role in advocacy to improve the health of marginalized populations” Invited Panelist, Panel presented at the 53rd Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Atlanta, GA . Panel, Presented, 11/22/2019.
  • Bartolozzi, C. & Asnaani, A.: PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms among trauma-exposed children in community settings. Poster presented at the 127th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL. Poster, Presented, 09/2019.
  • Hammoud, M., Jimmy, J., Lieblich, S., Brown, L., Asnaani, A., Scott, C., Gur, R., Foa, E.B., & Milad, M.: Estradiol administration modulates functional activation of the fear extinction network in women using oral contraceptives: An fMRI study. Poster presented at the 74th Annual Convention of Biological Psychiatry, Chicago, IL, May, 2019. Conference Paper, Presented, 05/16/2019.
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Research Groups

  • Manuel Gutierrez Chavez, Graduate Student. Psychology - Treatment Mechanisms, Community Empowerment, & Technology Innovations Lab. 10/30/2021 - present. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Virtual Conference Award for conference presentation at ABCT, The Graduate School at University of Utah.
  • Kiran Kaur, Graduate Student. Psychology - Treatment Mechanisms, Community Empowerment, & Technology Innovations Lab. 10/30/2021 - present. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Virtual Conference Award for conference presentation at ABCT, The Graduate School at University of Utah.
  • Kiran Kaur, Graduate Student. Psychology - Treatment Mechanisms, Community Empowerment, & Technology Innovations Lab. 05/03/2021 - present. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Clinical Area research commendation for primary mentored research .
  • Kiran Kaur, Graduate Student. Psychology - Treatment Mechanisms, Community Empowerment, & Technology Innovations Lab. 04/30/2021 - present. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Martin Harris Hiatt endowed fellowship for primary mentored research .
  • Angela Pham, Undergraduate Student. Psychology - Treatment Mechanisms, Community Empowerment, & Technology Innovations Lab. 04/14/2021 - present. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Co-mentored poster awarded first place ranking in CSBS Research Day Poster Competition .
  • Kiran Kaur, Graduate Student. Psychology - Treatment Mechanisms, Community Empowerment, & Technology Innovations Lab. 04/01/2021 - present. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Primary mentored poster awarded virtual conference award at ADAA annual convention .
  • Angela Pham, Undergraduate Student. Psychology - Treatment Mechanisms, Community Empowerment, & Technology Innovations Lab. 04/01/2021 - present. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: CSBS Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award for primary mentored research .
  • Kent Hinkson, Graduate Student. Psychology - Treatment Mechanisms, Community Empowerment, & Technology Innovations Lab. 04/01/2021 - present. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Frederick T. Rhodewalt Award for Innovative Scholarship awarded to primary mentored dissertation research endowed fellowship for primary mentored research .
  • Rosalia Samuel, Visiting Student. University of Toronto - Psychology graduate. 08/01/2020 - present. Awards/Scholarships/Stipends: Acceptance of two first-authored posters mentored by me at national American/Canadian conferences.

Languages

  • Hindi, functional.

Geographical Regions of Interest

  • Australia
    Ongoing collaborations with colleagues at University of New South Wales in Sydney.
  • Caribbean
    Already conducted work in Eastern Caribbean, but looking to connect with more colleagues in the region.
  • Israel
    Ongoing collaborations with colleagues in University of Haifa.
  • Western Africa
    Particularly looking to set up more connections with colleagues in Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin.
  • Western Europe
    Have collaborated with several colleagues in the Netherlands and Germany over the past decade, which I hope to increase here at the U.