Alena Yastchenko

Alena Yastchenko is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Central Washington University (CWU), where she has taught since January 2000. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from St. Petersburg State University (Russia), an M.S. in Experimental Psychology (Applied Behavior Analysis) from CWU, and a B.A. in Experimental Psychology from CWU. Her expertise spans mental health, social psychology, research methods, and clinical applications like Motivational Interviewing. She coordinates the IDS-Social Sciences program and teaches courses such as Abnormal Psychology, Social Psychology, and Research Methods.

Education Background:

• Ph.D., Social Psychology, St. Petersburg State University, Russia
• M.S., Experimental Psychology (Applied Behavior Analysis), Central Washington University
• B.A., Experimental Psychology, Central Washington University
• 2 years of undergraduate study at Leningrad State University, Russia (Psychology)

Research & Teaching Focus: Dr. Yastchenko emphasizes real-world applications of psychology, integrating clinical experience with academic instruction. She regularly teaches courses on abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, and behavioral medicine, while also conducting professional development seminars for social workers and therapists across Washington State.

Additional Roles: Beyond academia, she actively promotes animal welfare through pet rescue organizations and maintains hobbies like gardening, hiking, and running.