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Research is an integral part of The Family Institute's mission. Through the Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies at Northwestern University, our faculty develops and implements innovative research based on the scientist-practitioner model. Research conducted is explicitly designed to both inform and be informed by clinical practice. This type of research is known as “translational science,” as its purpose is to translate scientific findings into solutions for real world behavioral health problems.

Meet the individuals leading the effort.

Erika Lawrence, Ph.D.

Director of Translational Science at The Family Institute
Research Professor of Psychology at Northwestern University

Erika Lawrence, PhD.

Research Interests

  • Intimate Partner Violence
  • Couple Functioning
  • Implementation Science
  • Academic-community Partnerships
  • Effectiveness Research

Lab

Intimate Partner violence intervention lab

Hayley C. Fivecoat, Ph.D., CP

Clinical Research Psychologist

Hayley C. Fivecoat, Ph.D., CP

Research Interests

  • Romantic relationships
  • Social support
  • Stress & stress regulation
  • Low-income couples
  • Health & partner support for mental and physical health

Lab

Couple Support for Stress & Health Lab

Kate Collison, Ph.D.

Clinical Research Psychologist
Affiliate Faculty, Counseling Program
Clinical Lecturer, Department of Psychology

Kate Collison, Ph.D.

Research Interests

  • Implementing empirically supported treatments
  • Intimate partner violence 
  • Personality pathology 
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Measurement development and validation

 

Mark W. Driscoll, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Coordinator of Adult DBT and Research Services
Mindfulness and Behavior Therapies Program

Mark W. Driscoll, Ph.D.

Research Interests

  • Cultural adaptation processes
  • Mental health disparities
  • Transactional stress and coping models
  • Racism and discrimination
  • Latinx mental health
  • Black and African American mental health
  • Depression
  • Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO DBT)

Lab

Mindfulness & Culture Labs