Amanda Sanchez, Ph.D.

Dr. Amanda Sanchez is an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department (Clinical Psychology Program) at George Mason University. She earned her PhD in Clinical Science at Florida International University in 2020. Dr. Sanchez's research utilizes implementation science methods and frameworks to reduce inequities in engagement in and access to quality mental healthcare for minoritized youth and families. More specifically, her work focuses on 1) examining and addressing structural and systemic barriers to engagement and care delivery, 2) testing the implementation of innovative mental health supports in children’s natural environments, and 3) increasing the cultural responsiveness of mental health services and systems. In this vein, her work has focused on using cultural assessment to inform case conceptualization and treatment planning and identifying effective culturally responsive strategies that address specific cultural and contextual challenges (e.g., racism/discrimination, acculturation, housing/food insecurity) and strengths (e.g., racial/ethnic identity, community support, spirituality). She has received NIH funding to test the effectiveness of a cultural assessment tool in the context of low-resourced community mental health centers. She has also been funded by the International OCD Foundation to co-develop a toolkit to support culturally responsive practice (Revamping Evidence-based Strategies to Promote Effective Culturally responsive Treatment: RESPECT Toolkit) for community clinicians who provide mental health services to culturally diverse youth and families. She is currently a Mentor in the George Mason Mentoring for Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (MARIE) Program. She has over 20 peer reviewed publications, multiple book chapters, 27 scientific conference presentations as well as numerous invited talks. She has received awards from NIH, APA, and the International OCD Foundation.