Enrique Varela

Enrique Varela is a Professor of Psychology at Loyola University New Orleans, specializing in developmental psychopathology and abnormal psychology. His research explores social, familial, and cognitive factors influencing anxiety development in youth, with particular expertise in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and cross-cultural variations in anxiety expression.

• Ph.D. in Clinical Child Psychology from the University of Kansas
• Associate Editor: Child and Youth Care Forum
• Editorial Board: Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Journal of Anxiety Disorders

Research interests center on:

• Mechanisms of anxiety development in children and adolescents
• Environmental stressors and trauma responses
• Cultural influences on mental health
• Comorbid conditions in autism spectrum disorder

Recent publications demonstrate expertise in:

• Autism spectrum disorder and anxiety comorbidity
• School-based mental health interventions
• Family dynamics in anxiety development
• Cross-cultural comparisons in pediatric mental health