Colleen E McKay

Colleen E McKay is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School and the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. Her work focuses on psychiatric rehabilitation, particularly the Clubhouse Model of psychosocial rehabilitation for individuals with serious mental illness, with research spanning organizational characteristics, employment outcomes, and program sustainability.

Education

• BA in Psychology from Assumption College, Worcester, MA
• MA in Rehabilitation Counseling from Assumption College, Worcester, MA

Research Focus

Dr. McKay's research centers on the Clubhouse Model of psychiatric rehabilitation, examining its implementation, effectiveness, and sustainability across diverse populations. She investigates how clubhouse programs support recovery through employment opportunities, social integration, and community participation, with particular expertise in vocational rehabilitation for individuals with serious mental illness.

Her work spans multiple dimensions including organizational characteristics of clubhouse programs, costs and sustainability, employment outcomes, and adaptations for specialized populations such as young adults and individuals with brain injuries. Recent research has expanded to address physical health concerns among clubhouse members, with studies on tobacco cessation interventions and health promotion activities.

Publication Trends

Dr. McKay's publication history shows consistent contributions since 2001, with increased output in recent years. Her work demonstrates an evolution from basic employment outcomes to more complex investigations of program sustainability, adaptation for specific populations, and integration of physical health services. The research increasingly incorporates mixed methods approaches and attention to diverse populations, reflecting broader trends in mental health services research.

Collaborative Impact

Dr. McKay collaborates extensively with researchers across institutions, particularly with colleagues at UMass Chan Medical School. Her systematic review of the Clubhouse Model evidence base (2018) has been cited 31 times, indicating its significance to the field. Her research appears in leading journals including Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, Administration and Policy in Mental Health, and Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research.

Research Infrastructure

Dr. McKay's work is supported by the research infrastructure of UMass Chan Medical School within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Her research connects with clubhouse programs nationally and internationally, creating a network for studying best practices in psychiatric rehabilitation and contributing to evidence-based approaches in mental health service delivery.