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Faculty

Caroline S. Clauss-Ehlers

Professor of Psychology

A.B., Oberlin College M.A., Ed.M., M. Phil., Teachers College, Columbia UniversityPh.D., Teachers College, Columbia University

Description

Caroline S. Clauss-Ehlers (aka Dr. CC) is a Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology and the Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology in the School of Health Professions at Long Island University, Brooklyn and Honorary Professor at Cayetano Heredia University in Lima, Perú. She is a co-founder/co-director of the LIU Institute for Professional Development that focuses on building provider capacity to deliver trauma-informed, culturally responsive services for those with complex mental health challenges related to catastrophic events like war and forced displacement. Dr. Clauss-Ehlers is the Principal Investigator of the Cultural and Community Resilience Lab, a research team of undergraduates, master’s, doctoral students, and early career professionals that explores trauma and resilience in work with children and families within diverse community contexts. She is an American Psychological Association (APA) Fellow in Division 43, the Society for Couple and Family Psychology, and has specialty board certification in couple and family psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology. Dr. Clauss-Ehlers is a Fellow in APA’s Division 53, the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. She served as Chair of the APA Task Force on Re-envisioning the Multicultural Guidelines for the 21st Century. The work of the Task Force led to the report Multicultural Guidelines: An Ecological Approach to Context, Identity, and Intersectionality, 2017 and the book Applying Multiculturalism: An Ecological Approach to the APA Guidelines, co-authored with Scott Hunter, Gayle Skawennio Morse, and Pratyusha Tummala-Narra. From 2011 to 2017, Dr. Clauss-Ehlers was editor-in-chief of the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development and more currently has served as guest editor for two special issues on resilience for Behavioral Sciences. She is also a food writer who talks about how preparing and sharing food can forge interpersonal connections. Her co-authored book with Julian Clauss-Ehlers, Eating Together Being Together, is a psychological cookbook that combines recipes for food with recipes for life. It was the 2024 Silver Winner for the Nautilus Book Awards in the Food, Cooking, and Healthy Eating category. Dr. Clauss-Ehlers and Julian Clauss-Ehlers received a 2025 APA Division 1 Society for General Psychology grant, The Next Big Ideas in Psychology, to write a second book focused on food, cooking, and couples. A bilingual psychologist, Dr. Clauss-Ehlers has presented on contemporary family issues for media outlets such as Telemundo and Univision. She was a 2004-2005 Rosalynn Carter Fellow for Mental Health Journalism at The Carter Center and currently serves as an advisory board member for this program. In 2025, Dr. Clauss-Ehlers completed Certified Funeral Celebrant training to collaborate with individuals, families, and communities to develop meaningful ceremonies that honor deceased loved ones. She has been the recipient of various awards including the 2014 Rutgers University Graduate School of Education Alumni Association Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award; the 2014 American Counseling Association, Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development, Exemplary Diversity Leadership Award; the 2018 Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development Distinguished Service Award; the 2018 APA Division 43 Carolyn Attneave Diversity Award; and the 2022 APA Division 43 Distinguished Service to Family Psychology Award. She maintains a part-time private practice in New York City. Dr. CC lives with her husband and has three children.

Specialties

Cultural Resilience, Cultural Competence and Humility, Trauma, Family Systems, Parenting, Social Justice, Bilingualism, Child and Adolescent Development, Ecological and Systemic Perspectives, Community-Based Participatory ReResilience, Multicultural Responsiveness, Trauma, Family Systems, Psychology of Food, Social Justice, Bilingualism, Child and Adolescent Development, Ecological and Systemic Perspectives, Global Mental Health, Loss and Grief.search, Global Mental Health.

Publications

Books and Edited Books

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Hunter, S. J., Morse, G.S., & Tummala-Narra, P. (2023). Applying multiculturalism: An ecological approach to the APA Guidelines. American Psychological Association.

Clauss-Ehlers, J.C.E., & Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2022). Eating together being together: Recipes, activities, and advice from a chef dad and psychologist mom. Princeton Architectural Press.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (Ed.). (2022). The Cambridge handbook of community psychology: Interdisciplinary and contextual perspectives. Cambridge University Press.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Sood, A.B., & Weist, M.D. (Eds.). (2020). Social justice for children and young people: International perspectives. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108551830

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Serpell, Z., & Weist, M.D. (Eds.). (2013). Handbook of culturally responsive school mental health: Advancing research, training, practice, and policy. Springer. DOI:10.1007/978-1-4614-4948-5

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (Ed.) (2010). Encyclopedia of cross-cultural school psychology. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-71799-9

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2006). Diversity training for classroom teaching: A manual for students and educators. Springer. DOI: 10.1007/0-387-27771-4

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Weist, M.D. (Eds., 2004). Community planning to foster resilience in children. Kluwer Academic Publishers. DOI: 10.1007/978-0-306-48544-2

Select Journal Articles

Lesser, T., Matalon, M., & Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2024). Implications of cash transfer programs for mental health promotion among families facing significant stressors: Using ecological systems theory to explain successes of conditional and unconditional programs. Behavioral Sciences, 14(9), 770. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14090770

Matalon, M., & Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2023). Creating a multiculturally responsive and trauma-informed classroom ecology for diverse learners: Collaboration, classroom community, and identification of systemic barriers. Adult Literacy Education, 5(1), 55-61. http//doi.org/10.35847/MMatalon.CClauss- Ehlers.5.1.55

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2020). Exploration of psychological well-being, resilience, ethnic identity, and meaningful events among a group of youth in Northern England: An autobiographical narrative intervention pilot study. Adolescent Psychiatry, 10(2), 92- 109.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Weist, M.D. (2020). Adolescent mental health promotion through a global framework. Adolescent Psychiatry,10(2), 71-72. 10.2174/2210676610666200324112200

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Guevara Carpio, M., & Weist, M.D. (2020). Mental health literacy: A strategy for global adolescent mental health promotion. Adolescent Psychiatry, 10(2), 73- 83.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2019). Forced migration among Latinx children and their families: Introducing trilateral migration trauma as a concept to reflect a forced migratory experience. Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 18(4), 330- 342. https://doi.org/10.1080/15289168.2019.1686742

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Chiriboga, D., Hunter, S.J., Roysircar, G., & Tummala-Narra, P. (2019). APA Multicultural Guidelines executive summary: Ecological approach to context, identity, and intersectionality. American Psychologist, 74(2), 232-244. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000382

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2017). Special section on evidence-based parenting published. See relevant articles in Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 6(3), 133-188.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2017). In search of an evidence-based approach to understand and promote effective parenting practices. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 6(3), 135-153. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000082

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Austin, M., Ahto, L., Samperi, F, Zhao, J., & Su, N. (2017). Application of the Parenting Research Partnership Model to an evidence-based case study approach. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 6(3), 171-184. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000081

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Pasquerella, L. (2017). Application of campus instructional support: Two case studies. International Journal of Information and Learning Technology, 34, 4, 338- 350. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJILT-11-2016-0053

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Parham, W.D. (2017). On my terms: Sharing a story of hypocrisy and transformation. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 45, 2-19. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12060

Pasquerella, L., & Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2017). Glass cliffs, queen bees, and the snow- woman effect: Persistent barriers to women’s leadership in the academy. Liberal Education, Spring, 6-13.

Parham, W.D., & Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2017). Stepping out, stepping up, and staying strong: Using vigilance as a tool for preserving rights and promoting social justice. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 45, 214-229 (Archived at the Drs. Nicholas and Dorothy Cummings Center for the History of Psychology, The University of Akron). https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12075

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Parham, W.D. (2016). Given what I know: Seeing the past as a portal to an intentional future. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 44, 80-100 (Archived at the Drs. Nicholas and Dorothy Cummings Center for the History of Psychology, The University of Akron). https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12039

Parham, W.D., & Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2016). Following inspiration: A conversation with Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 44, 156-175 (Archived at the Drs. Nicholas and Dorothy Cummings Center for the History of Psychology, The University of Akron). https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12044

Parham, W.D., & Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2016). Celebrating our elders who led us across the bridge: A call to action for the academy. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 44, 4-27. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12034

Larsen, J., Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Cosden, M.A. (2015). An exploration of army wives’ responses to spousal deployment: Stressors and protective factors. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 4(4), 212-228. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000049

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Parham, W.D. (2014). Landscape of diversity in higher education: Linking demographic shifts to contemporary university and college counseling center practices. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, Special Issue on Diversity in Higher Education, 42(2), 69-76.
https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-1912.2014.00045.x

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2008). Sociocultural factors, resilience, and coping: Support for a culturally sensitive measure of resilience. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 29(3), 197-212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2008.02.004

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Wibrowski, C. (2007). Building resilience and social support: The effects of an educational opportunity fund academic program among first- and second- generation college students. Journal of College Student Development, 24(5), 574-584. 10.1353/csd.2007.0051

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Yang, Y.T., & Chen, W.J. (2006). Resilience from childhood stressors: The role of cultural resilience, ethnic identity, and gender identity. Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 5, 124-138. 10.2513/s15289168jicap0501_7


Select Book Chapters

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Garagiola, E.R. (2023). Cultural competence and cultural humility as foundations for meaningful engagement among an educational system of care for school stakeholders. In S.W. Evans, J.S. Owens, C. P. Bradshaw, & M.D. Weist Handbook of school mental health: Innovations in science and practice, 3rd Edition (pp. 265-282). Springer.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2023). Forced displacement from the Northern Triangle region: Implications for clinical intervention and training. In G. Rich, J. Kuriansky, U. Gielen, & D. Kaplan (Eds.), Psychosocial experiences and adjustments of migrants: Coming to the USA (pp. 255-274). Elsevier.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Tummala-Narra, P. (2022). Multicultural considerations for health service psychologists and applied psychologists in healthcare settings. In G.J.G. Asmundson (Ed.), Comprehensive clinical psychology, 2nd Edition, Volume 2 (pp. 218-229). Elsevier.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2022). Promoting change amidst systemic oppression: A 21st century call to action for communities and community psychologists. In C.S. Clauss-Ehlers (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of community psychology: Interdisciplinary and contextual perspectives (pp. 3-15). Cambridge University Press.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2022). Re-writing the community psychology narrative: A contextual, interdisciplinary, inclusive, empowerment approach. In C.S. Clauss- Ehlers (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of community psychology: Interdisciplinary and contextual perspectives (pp. 653-664). Cambridge University Press.

Foley Z., Storck-Martinez, C., Koguc, G., Guevara Carpio, M., Lomaro, C., & Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2022). Psychological impact of climate change on communities. In C.S. Clauss-Ehlers (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of community psychology: Interdisciplinary and contextual perspectives (pp. 425-450). Cambridge University Press.

Guevara Carpio, M., Chee, N., Swarna, M., & Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2022). The consumer recovery movement in the United States: Historical considerations, key concepts, and next steps for action. In C.S. Clauss-Ehlers (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of community psychology: Interdisciplinary and contextual perspectives (pp. 266-288). Cambridge University Press.

Storck-Martinez, C., Lomaro, C., Koguc, G., & Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2022). Community impact of social media. In C.S. Clauss-Ehlers (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of community psychology: Interdisciplinary and contextual perspectives (pp. 390-412). Cambridge University Press.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Sood, A.B., Lomaro, C., & Weist, M.D. (2020). Introduction: An urgent call to understand the status of children and young people within a social justice paradigm. In C.S. Clauss-Ehlers, A.B. Sood, & M.D. Weist (Eds.), Social justice for children and young people: International perspectives (pp. 3-19). Cambridge University Press.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Weist, M.D., Sood, A.B., & Lomaro, C. (2020). Conclusion: Being a change agent for social justice for children and youth. In C.S. Clauss-Ehlers, A.B. Sood, & M.D. Weist (Eds.), Social justice for children and young people: International perspectives (pp. 479-489). Cambridge University Press.

Jones, S., Sood, A.B., Bearss, N., & Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2020). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth and social justice. In C.S. Clauss-Ehlers, A.B. Sood, & M.D. Weist (Eds.), Social justice for children and young people: International perspectives (pp. 123-137). Cambridge University Press.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Millán, F., & Zhao, C.J. (2018). Understanding domestic violence in Latino communities: A call to the profession. In R. Javier & W. Herron (Eds.), Treating victims of domestic violence: Perspectives on assessing trauma (pp. 237- 262). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Pasquerella, L. (2018). Re-invigorating conversations about leadership: Application of strategic choice theory to the social justice organizational leader. In J. Lau Chin, J. E. Trimble, & J.E. Garcia (Eds.), Global and culturally diverse leaders and leadership: New dimensions, opportunities, and challenges for business, industry, education and society (pp. 163-182). Emerald Publishing Limited.

Pasquerella, L., & Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2014). Giving voice to intuition in overcoming moral distress. In J. Liebowitz (Ed.), Bursting the big data bubble: The case for intuition- based decision making (pp. 135-146). Taylor & Francis Group.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Pasquerella, L. (2014). Understanding retirement from a developmental perspective: The case of Mount Holyoke College. In C. Van Ummersen, J.M., McLaughlin, & L.J. Duranleau (Eds.), Faculty retirement: Best practices for navigating the transition (pp. 42-51). Stylus Publications.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Akinsulure-Smith, A.M. (2013). Working with forced migrant children and their families: Mental health, developmental, legal, and linguistic considerations in the context of school-based mental health services. In C.S. Clauss- Ehlers, Z. Serpell, and M.D. Weist (Eds.), Handbook of culturally responsive school mental health: Advancing research, training, practice, and policy (pp. 135-146). Springer.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Serpell, Z., & Weist, M.D. (2013). Introduction: Making the case for culturally responsive school mental health. In C.S. Clauss-Ehlers, Z. Serpell, and M.D. Weist (Eds.), Handbook of culturally responsive school mental health: Advancing research, training, practice, and policy (pp. 3-16). Springer.

Serpell, Z., Weist, M.D., & Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2013). Next steps: Advancing culturally competent school-based mental health. In C.S. Clauss-Ehlers, Z. Serpell, and M.D. Weist (Eds.), Handbook of culturally responsive school mental health: Advancing research, training, practice, and policy (pp. 251-260). Springer.

Thompson, K., Harris, K., & Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2013). The racial/ethnic identity development of tomorrow’s adolescent. In C.S. Clauss-Ehlers, Z. Serpell, and M.D. Weist (Eds.), Handbook of culturally responsive school mental health: Advancing research, training, practice, and policy (pp. 157-176). Springer.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2010). Cultural resilience. In C.S. Clauss-Ehlers (Ed.), Encyclopedia of cross-cultural school psychology (pp. 324-326). Springer.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Weist, M.D., Stratford, B., Gregory, W. H., & Hull, R. (2010). Enhancing cultural competence in schools and school mental health programs. In C.S. Clauss-Ehlers (Ed.), Encyclopedia of cross-cultural school psychology (pp. 39-44). Springer.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2008). Creative arts counseling in schools: Toward a more comprehensive approach. In H.L.K. Coleman & C. Yeh (Eds.), Handbook of school counseling (pp. 517- 530). Sage Publications.

Serpell, Z.N., Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Lindsey, M.A. (2007). Schools’ provision of information regarding mental health and associated services to culturally diverse families. In S.W. Evans, M. Weist, & Z. Serpell (Eds.), Advances in school-based mental health interventions: Best practices and program models, Volume II (pp. 18- 1- 18-17). Civic Research Institute.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2006). Bilingualism. Entry in Y. Jackson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of multicultural psychology (pp. 70-71). Sage Publications.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2006). Child abuse: Overview. Entry in Y. Jackson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of multicultural psychology (pp. 87-92). Sage Publications.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (2006). Religious/spiritual beliefs: Personalismo. Entry in Y. Jackson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of multicultural psychology (pp. 411-412). Sage Publications.

Clauss-Ehlers, C. S. (2004). Re-inventing resilience: A model of “culturally-focused resilient adaptation.” In C.S. Clauss-Ehlers & M. D. Weist (Eds.), Community planning to foster resilience in children (pp. 27-41). Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., Acosta, O., & Weist, M.D. (2004). Responses to terrorism: The voices of two communities speak out. In C.S. Clauss-Ehlers & M.D. Weist (Eds.), Community planning to foster resilience in children (pp. 143-159). Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Clauss-Ehlers, C.S., & Weist, M.D. (2004). Introduction: Advancing community involvement and planning to promote resilience in youth from diverse communities. In C.S. Clauss- Ehlers & M.D. Weist (Eds.), Community planning to foster resilience in children (pp. 3- 11). Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Honors/Awards

2024 Silver Winner, Nautilus Award, Food, Cooking, and Healthy Eating category for Eating together being together: Recipes, activities, and advice from a chef dad and psychologist mom

2023 Grand Prize, Chanticleer International Book Award, Instruction and Insight Non-fiction category for Eating together being together: Recipes, activities, and advice from a chef dad and psychologist mom

2023 Winner, Social Change category for Applying multiculturalism: An ecological approach to the APA Guidelines, American Writing Awards

2022 American Psychological Association, Division 43, Society for Couple and Family Psychology, Distinguished Service to Family Psychology Award

2020 Fellow, American Psychological Association, Division 53, Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology

2018 American Psychological Association, Division 43, Society for Couple and Family Psychology, Carolyn Attneave Diversity Award

2018 American Counseling Association, Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development Distinguished Service Award for Exceptional Leadership and Devoted Service to the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development

2018 Fellow, American Psychological Association, Division 43, Society for Couple and Family Psychology

2014 American Counseling Association, Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, Exemplary Diversity Leadership Award

2006 Leader in Diversity Award, Rutgers University

2004-05 Rosalynn Carter Fellow for Mental Health Journalism

Professional Affiliations

American Psychological Association

ABPP, Specialty Board Certification in Couple and Family Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychologists

Predoctoral Internship, Bilingual Treatment Program at NYU/Bellevue Hospital CenterPredoctoral Internship, Bilingual Treatment Program at NYU/Bellevue Hospital Center

ABPP, Specialty Board Certification in Couple and Family Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychologists