JumpStart Magazine: Countering Burnout in the Remote Work Era
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments that it is helpful to know you are not alone when feeling stress and anxiety.
Melissa L. Whitson, Ph.D.
Coordinator, M.A. Community Psychology
Coordinator, M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Psychology Department
College of Arts and Sciences
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 an expert in childhood trauma who examines the risks, protective factors, and effectiveness of mental health services for low-income children and families.
Her most recent research showed that children from low-income families 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 potentially 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 at-risk children and families.
Dr. Whitson’s research shows that children’s mental health services need to focus on not only the child who presents for services but also on the child’s parents and caregivers, as their stress levels will impact treatment outcomes for the child. These findings were published in a 2017 article in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.
She also explored "Parenting Stress as a Mediator of Exposure to Potentially Traumatic Events and Behavioral Health Outcomes in Children and Youth" in a piece in the Journal of Trauma and Treatment, and her work has been published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies.
Her current research examines afterschool programs and summer camps for children and youth to measure and increase the effectiveness of the programs, including the NASA-funded iMEET STEM summer camps for disadvantaged youth. She is collaborating with University of New Haven engineering Professor Maria-Isabel Carnasciali on National Science Foundation-funded research titled "Impacts of Prior Work Experience on Adult, Nontraditional, Engineering Students."
An expert on the impact of violence and the ways people can heal following traumatic events, Dr. Whitson has appeared on NPR’s Colin McEnroe show to talk about how violence in public places shapes America’s psyche, and she spoke to the New Haven Register about how people can process a traumatic public event and begin to heal.
Dr. Whitson, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, is the coordinator for the University’s master’s degree programs in community psychology and clinical mental health counseling. She is an assistant clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine and a licensed community-counseling psychologist. She and her dog, Fenway, are a Certified Animal-Assisted Therapy team. Fenway is a fixture on the University of New Haven campus during exam periods, as he and Dr. Whitson help students relieve stress.
Dr. Whitson did 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 and where she completed an honors thesis on detecting deception.
A recipient of the University’s 2018 Excellence in Faculty Research Award, she also won the National Research Service Award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health.
She is active in the community as the vice president of the board for ‘rKids Family Center and an evaluation consultant for several nonprofit organizations in New Haven. An avid Red Sox and Duke Basketball fan, she enjoys running, basketball, music, cooking with her husband, and playing with her daughter, Ramona
Published Books and Articles
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.
In the Media
WTIC News Talk 1080: Ray and Brian w Melissa Whitson 1/19/21
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, talks about the mental health impact of the pandemic.
Greenwich Time: SAD days ahead: COVID stress could worsen seasonal depression
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and some ways to lessen symptoms.
USA Today: Parents, 2020 could be a time for new holiday traditions that outlast COVID-19 restrictions
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on changes this holiday season due to the pandemic.
Women’s Health: How To Talk To Your Loved Ones About Social Justice (Even When Things Get Heated)
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on having the right tools in mind to have an effective conversation about race.
Huffington Post: TV Shows Are Giving Us A Bigger Dose Of Our 2020 Reality, Mental Health Be Damned
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on how television shows may see the fight against COVID-19 differently and may actually be calming.
Market Watch: Anxious about the election? Here’s what mental-health professionals are doing to calm their own stress
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on some techniques to stay grounded.
Credit Donkey: Best Place to Buy an Engagement Ring
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on why millennials are choosing not to buy diamond engagement rings.
Stamford Advocate: Halloween in CT should include changes to trick-or-treating and parties, experts say
Michael Urban, senior lecturer, director of the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program, and Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comment on how to safely trick or treat with children.
CNBC: Depression in Adults Since the Pandemic Began
Melissa Whitson, assistant professor of psychology, discusses the impact of the pandemic on mental health.
Michigan Lawyers Weekly: Work from home ‘burnout’: What is it, how to manage it
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on different strategies to relieve work from home stress.
Detroit Free Press: Ford wants employees to sign COVID-19 contracts
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments that the Ford Motor Co. campaign is a positive step for families and the community to take care of each other.
Fox News Radio: Global Pandemic: Mental Health Awareness And Coping During the COVID-19 Crisis
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, talks about how mental health is just as important as physical health during the pandemic.
San Francisco Chronicle: Convergence of crises brings anxiety overload
Melissa Whitson, professor of psychology, comments on the emotional and mental health effects from the pandemic for years to come.
Stamford Advocate: Experts: Pandemic, power outages could be unhealthy combo
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on the how the tropical storm power outages have added stress to the pandemic.
Hartford Courant: Powerless and alone: How the coronavirus trumps togetherness in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias
Melissa Whitson, assistant professor of psychology, comments on what people can do to help when a natural disaster occurs during the pandemic.
Hartford Courant: As ‘covid couples’ reach five months of togetherness, Connecticut jewelers see jump in engagement ring sales
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on how couples need to feel connected during the pandemic.
CNBC: Remote work burnout is growing as pandemic stretches on. Here’s how to manage it
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on the added pressures of working from home.
Axios: Coronavirus squeezes the 'sandwich generation'
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on the stress of making decisions for multiple generations during the pandemic.
Channel 3 WFSB: Local psychologist provides insight for those who may have tested positive for COVID-19
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on reasons why a positive test result may make people afraid.
CNBC: ‘I am constantly on the verge of a panic attack’ — Americans are burned out working from home. Here’s how to cope
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on how to cope with anxiety during the pandemic.’
Inc.: Staying Sane in Quarantine - Entrepreneurs share their tips for mental health.
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on coping mechanisms amid the pandemic.
Axios: Q&A on managing changes in kids' mental health during coronavirus
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, answers questions on helping children during the pandemic.
Axios: Coping with the pandemic's hidden mental health toll
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, discusses how local leaders can help their community during the pandemic.
WRAL.com: Pandemic takes mental health toll on healthcare workers
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on how healthcare workers can be overwhelmed during the pandemic.
Fox News Radio: Global Pandemic: Mental Toll of Stay At Home Orders
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, discusses the impact the pandemic is taking on mental health.
Sputnik News: US Experts Warn of Negative Effects From Isolation, Boredom Amid Pandemic
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on knowing an end date to the pandemic will lessen anxiety.
CT Insider: Experts: ‘Quarantine fatigue’ could cause spike in coronavirus cases
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on the anxiety and stress from the quarantine.
Los Angeles Times: Isolation and boredom of staying at home can be harmful in their own way, experts say
Melissa Whitson, associate professor of psychology, comments on the psychological harm of the lockdown.
WTNH: Fenway comforts during stressful UNH finals
At the University of New Haven, assistant professor of psychology Melissa Whitson and her small, white pooch Fenway are making themselves available to students three days during finals, starting Thursday.
New Haven Register: Will visit with a dog relieve test stress?
The only sound in the University of New Haven library right now is a collar jingling when a small white dog named Fenway goes to work.
New Haven Register: In Boston’s wake, expert advice on how to deal, heal with traumatic events.
When an event is covered nonstop, every time you see it it can be traumatizing all over again, Whitson said.
National Public Radio’s Colin McEnroe Show: How Violence in Public Places Shapes America’s Psyche
The Boston Marathon bombing sent me back to Don DiLillo's novel 'Underworld', in which he describes the experience of watching a shooting be replayed frequently on the news.
NewsTimes: Experts: Serial trauma can take a serious toll
Even for those not directly affected by these events, watching these events in a brief span of time takes a toll on the psyche, according to area mental health experts.