Alyson Gerdes

Alyson Gerdes is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Marquette University, where she teaches graduate courses in cognitive-behavioral therapy and clinical supervision, and undergraduate courses in child psychopathology and evidence-based mental health treatment. She maintains a clinical practice at LifeStance Health one day per week working with children, teens, and adults across various presenting concerns.

Her educational background includes a Ph.D. from Purdue University (2004).

• Purdue University, Ph.D., 2004

Dr. Gerdes' research initially centered on childhood ADHD and Latino mental health disparities for over 20 years, examining evidence-based assessment/treatment, culturally-appropriate clinical practices, and parent-child/peer relationships in ADHD. Her recent work has shifted to wellness science, where she develops and adapts evidence-based wellness programs for undergraduate, graduate, middle, and high school students through the Wellness Lab. This transition reflects her commitment to translating clinical research into practical interventions for diverse populations.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on culturally-responsive ADHD interventions for Latino youth, with increasing focus on wellness program development. Her work consistently bridges clinical practice and research, prioritizing ecological validity and community impact through student collaborations and school-based adaptations.

Dr. Gerdes actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students, with numerous co-authored publications reflecting her dedication to training the next generation of clinical researchers. Her Wellness Lab serves as the hub for student research teams developing and implementing wellness curricula across educational settings.

She leads the Wellness Lab at Marquette University, which focuses on creating, validating, and disseminating evidence-based wellness programs for students from middle school through graduate education. Current initiatives involve adapting university-level wellness interventions for implementation in local Milwaukee schools.