Principal Investigator
About Dr. Adrian M. Valadez (she/her)
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Dr. Adrian M. Valadez (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Cultural Clinical Psychology at California State University - Northridge and the Principal Investigator of the Queer and Trans Psychological Inclusion y Equidad (QTPIE) Lab. Dr. Valadez’s research focuses on the mental health of diverse, intersectional LGBTQ+ communities. More specifically, her work examines the role of internalized stigma and minority stress on mental health disparities among LGBTQ+ and BIPOC/POC groups. Dr. Valadez is particularly interested in the development and implementation of inclusive LGBTQ-affirming interventions for multiply-minoritized populations (e.g., Latinx LGBTQ+).
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Research Interests
My research focuses on promoting the psychological wellness of diverse, intersectional LGBTQ+ individuals. I aim to produce work that understands, strengthens, and empowers minoritized communities, particularly LGBTQ+ and BIPOC/POC groups.
Some of my specific research interests include:
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The development, examination, and implementation of inclusive LGBTQ-affirming interventions and measures
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Mental health disparities among minoritized communities (e.g., LGBTQ+, Latinx/e, etc.)
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Internalized stigma, particularly among bisexuals
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Critical Consciousness, Activists, and Non-activists
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Experiences of individuals in Consensually Non-monogamous (CNM) relationships
Education
Ph.D. 2023, University of California, Santa Barbara (Counseling Psychology)
M.A. 2021, University of California, Santa Barbara (Counseling Psychology)
M.S. 2018, California State University, Fullerton (Clinical Psychology)
B.A. 2015, California State University, San Bernardino (Psychology)
Specialty Areas: LGBTQ+ Mental Health, BIPOC/POC Mental Health, Bisexuality, Internalized Stigma, Critical Consciousness, Health Disparities, Intervention Development and Implementation, Intersectionality, Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences, Consensual Non-monogamy