Leah Adams, Ph.D.

Dr. Leah Adams is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology (Clinical Psychology Program) and in the Women & Gender Studies program at George Mason University as well as the Associate Director of Clinical Training for the Clinical Psychology program. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from George Mason University in 2014. Dr. Adams’ research and clinical interests focus on howpeople adapt to health adversity, especially chronic illness and/or acquired disability following injury. In this arena, her work covers a range of illnesses and injuries (e.g., chronic pain, HIV, brain injury, spinal cord injury) as well as a range of populations (e.g., older adults, racially and ethnically minoritized people, people involved in the criminal legal system). Dr. Adams' research also focuses on healthcare experiences and outcomes for members of minoritized and/or marginalized communities, with an emphasis on improving equitable care.

Dr. Adams has 39 peer-reviewed publications, multiple book chapters, and has given 48 oral and poster presentations at conferences, as well as numerous invited talks in various settings (e.g., hospital, community agencies, advocacy organizations). Her work has appeared in the media via television, podcasts, and newspapers. Dr. Adams has received funding for her research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute on Aging, National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation, and the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation. She is an Editorial Fellow for the journal, Rehabilitation Psychology, serves on the editorial board of Behavioral Medicine, and is an invited member of the editor’s advisory group on structural racism for the journal Psychiatric Services. Dr. Adams has held several appointed and elected leadership positions within Division 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology) of the American Psychological Association. She was awarded one of two Commonwealth of Virginia early career (“Rising Star”) Outstanding Faculty Awards in 2022. This award is given by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), and awardees are drawn from faculty across all of Virginia’s private and public colleges and universities, across all disciplines and areas.