Jessica LoPresti, PhD

Specialty Areas

My research is focused on exploring the multi-level impact of racism on the mental health of people and communities of color. Moreover, I am interested in finding effective strategies, specifically traditional cognitive behavioral and mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies, that can be used to cope with the negative mental health consequences of racism. Secondly, I am interested in more effectively understanding barriers to effective and quality mental health treatment for Black Americans with a focus on access and cultural responsiveness and humility. Finally, I am interested in exploring effective strategies for cultivating allies and advocates through an understanding of issues related to power, privilege, and systemic and institutional oppression.

Publications

• Graham-LoPresti, J., Walker-Gautier, S., Sorenson, S. Hayes-Skelton, S. (2017). Culturally sensitive adaptations to evidence-based cognitive behavioral treatment for social anxiety disorder: A case paper. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice.
• Graham, J., West, L., Martinez, J., & Roemer, L. (2016). The mediating role of internalized racism in the relationship between racist experiences and anxiety symptoms in a Black American Sample. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 22, 369-376.
• Graham-LoPresti, J., Abdullah, T., Calloway, A., West, L. (2016). The link between experiences of racism and stress and anxiety for Black Americans: A mindfulness and acceptance-based coping approach. Anxiety.org.
• Graham, J., Calloway, A., & Roemer, L. (2015). The buffering effects of emotion regulation in the relationship between experiences of racism and anxiety in a Black American sample. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 39, 553-563.