Angela M. Neal-Barnett

Dr. Angela M. Neal-Barnett is a Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Kent State University and Director of the Program for Research on Anxiety Disorders among African Americans (PRADAA). She specializes in clinical research addressing mental health disparities, particularly anxiety disorders in Black communities. Her work integrates clinical practice with community engagement, focusing on maternal mental health, adolescent well-being, and culturally informed interventions.

Dr. Neal-Barnett holds a Ph.D. from DePaul University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Western Psychiatric Hospital. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses including Adolescence, Developmental Psychopathology, and Psychology of Black Women.

Her research emphasizes perinatal mental health, trichotillomania, and the impact of chronic stress on Black women's health. Notable achievements include authoring Soothe Your Nerves: The Black Woman's Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Anxiety, Panic, and Fear and leading studies on hair cortisol as a biomarker for stress. Her podcasts have received prestigious awards, including a Webby and Regional Edward R. Murrow Award.

Her recent publications explore interventions like virtual therapy for Black perinatal populations and Sister Circles for anxiety management. She collaborates with state governments, as evidenced by her 2019 report to the Ohio Governor on stress in Black pregnant women.

Dr. Neal-Barnett’s research and advocacy are anchored in reducing health disparities through culturally competent approaches. She leads the PRADAA Lab and is affiliated with the Healthy Communities Research Institute (HCRI).