EC Members
Executive Committee
President - Dawn Hughes
Dawn M. Hughes, Ph.D., ABPP, is a clinical and forensic psychologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of interpersonal violence and traumatic stress. She maintains an independent practice in New York City and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology serving on the voluntary faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical Center - New York Presbyterian Hospital. She was a founding member of the Trauma Psychology Division and has served in many positions on the executive board. Dr. Hughes is a leading expert on intimate partner violence, adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault, sexual harassment, and traumatic stress. For over 25 years, Dr. Hughes has assessed and treated hundreds of victims of violence and abuse, and has consulted on and provided expert testimony in criminal and civil matters regarding the psychological and traumatic effects of victimization.
President-Elect - Carlos Cuevas
Dr. Carlos A. Cuevas is an Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Violence and Justice Research Laboratory at Northeastern University in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Dr. Cuevas’s research interests are in the area of victimization and trauma, sexual violence and sexual offending, family violence, and the overlap between victimization and delinquency. Specifically, his work focuses examining victimization among understudied/underserved groups and how it relates to psychological distress and service utilization, as well as the role cultural factors play on victimization. In addition, he is studying the impact of psychological factors on the revictimization of children and how it helps explain the connection between victimization and delinquency. His most recent research will examine the scope and impact of bias crime against Latinos. Dr. Cuevas also continues to engage in clinical work, providing assessment and treatment to victims of abuse and trauma as well as sex offenders.
Past President - Lisa Rocchio
Dr. Rocchio is a clinical and forensic psychologist with expertise in the areas of interpersonal violence, traumatic stress and ethics. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rhode Island in 1995, and completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Yale University School of Medicine. During her post-doctoral internship she conducted research and led groups at the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Partial Program at Butler Hospital, taught at Providence College and the University of Rhode Island, and provided psychotherapy in an independent practice setting. Since 1997, Dr. Rocchio has been the clinical director of Lisa M. Rocchio, Ph.D. & Associates, Inc., a multi-disciplinary independent practice providing services to adults, children, and their families. As the owner of a small business, she has supervised both clinical and administrative staff, created and managed financial, business and clinical policies and procedures, and collaborated with other professionals, hospitals and agencies throughout the state.
Secretary - Theresa Segura-Herrera
Within various community mental health settings, Dr. Segura-Herrera has provided counseling and therapy to culturally diverse adults, children, families, and couples. Her clinical and research interests include the psychological well-being of Latina/os, the delivery of culturally-responsive mental health services to diverse populations, and the retention through graduation of racial/ethnic minority students in higher education
Treasurer - Barbara Niles
Dr. Barbara Niles is a Research Psychologist at the National Center for PTSD Behavioral Science Division at VA Boston Healthcare System and an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at the Boston University School of Medicine. She has been involved in delivery of clinical services, training, and research in the area of post-trauma functioning and PTSD throughout her professional career. She has been a member of Division 56 since its inception and is pleased to serve the Division in leadership and administration in the position of Treasurer.
Representative to APA Council - Constance Dalenberg, Ph.D.
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Dr. Constance Dalenberg is Distinguished Professor at the California School of Professional Psychology in Alliant International University San Diego. At AIU-SD she teaches multivariate statistics, social psychology, and trauma psychology. As Director of the Trauma Research Institute, she leads a group of talented graduate students and post-docs in trauma research and has published widely. She has been awarded the William Friedrich Award for Child Sexual Abuse Research (IVAT) and the Morton Prince Award for Scientific Achievement (ISSTD), as well as winning the Annual Award for Clinical Contributions for her clinical writings on countertransference. She has served on the board of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and holds the role of Chair of the Science Committee (and past president) of the American Psychological Association, Division 56. |
Early Career Psychologist Representative - Jessica Punzo, Psy.D.
Dr. Punzo is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Illinois. She completed her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Traumatic Stress at Adler University. She has extensive experience treating trauma and PTSD. She has been trained in evidence based therapies such as Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy as treatment approaches for trauma, as well as other co-morbid issues. She also utilizes a stage-oriented approach as described by Judith Herman when working with complex trauma survivors.
Member at Large -
Member at Large - Robyn Gobin
Robyn L. Gobin, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and consultant with expertise in interpersonal trauma, the cultural context of trauma recovery, and women’s mental health. She is Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign where she directs the Transforming Trauma and Mental Health Laboratory. She has published several articles on interpersonal trauma and her research has been supported by national funding agencies including the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). She serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Trauma and Dissociation (JTD) and is guest co-editor for a JTD special issue on discrimination, violence, and healing in marginalized communities. In addition to her clinical work and research, Dr. Gobin is active in her community serving on nonprofit boards and leading workshops focusing on self-care, mindfulness, and mental health in BIPOC communities.
Member at Large - Dorothy Chin
Professional Affiliate Representative - Julia Seng
Dr. Julia Seng is Professor of Nursing, Obstetrics, and Women’s and Gender Studies, and Research Professor at the Institute for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on women’s health and childbearing. Her projects approach this topic from a variety of perspectives—all projects have in common an activist approach to improving the lifelong well-being of women who have experienced maltreatment in childhood. She has used qualitative, participatory action research to understand women's experiences and to inform intervention development. Epidemiological analyses have established that PTSD is associated with pregnancy complications and worse physical health across the lifespan for women. Clinical studies have examined neuroendocrine pathways that link PTSD to preterm birth, lower birth weight, and pregnancy complications. With collaborators, Dr. Seng has co-developed a trauma-specific intervention for pregnant women with a maltreatment—the “Survivor Moms’ Companion.” Clinical and implementation research about this program for women with abuse-related PTSD is underway.
Student Representative - Christin A. Mujica
Executive Director - Teresa Evans-Hunter
Division 56 has contracted with IMI Association Executives Inc., an association management company (AMC), to provide staff support to Division 56 and its members. The Division currently has one contracted staff member, Teresa Evans-Hunter, who serves as the Executive Director. Teresa's administration role includes working closely with the Presidential Trio on monthly projects and Division updates, Council meeting preparation, Financial reporting, facilitating the monthly webinars and HomeStudy on-demand content, as well as assisting with website upkeep.
