Elissa Brown

Dr. Brown is Professor of Psychology and Executive Director of the Child HELP (Heal, Empower, Learn, Prevent) Partnership at St. John’s University. Her primary clinical and research interests include the prevention and treatment of child trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder. She has participated in research on the assessment and treatment of sexual assault, child physical abuse, and bereavement related to traumatic circumstances (such as September 11th, 2001). Dr. Brown has received funding from the National Institute of Mental Health, New York State Office of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Department of Justice, and Private Foundations to evaluate treatments for traumatized children and adolescents, many of whom are from culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged populations. She is the Director of a Category III affiliate site of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, housed at Child HELP Partnership. She is co-developer of Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, a treatment for family conflict and physical abuse and a certified trainer of Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, a treatment for traumatized youth and their non-offending caregivers. Dr. Brown is a member of several national and international organizations dedicated to improving mental health services for traumatized children and has served on the Board of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children.