Hannah C. Espeleta

Hannah C. Espeleta, PhD, serves as Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Nursing within the College of Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). A licensed clinical psychologist nationally certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, she provides evidence-based mental health assessment and treatment for trauma-exposed children and adults through MUSC's Trauma Resilience and Recovery Program (TRRP).

Her academic credentials include:

• B.A. in Psychology from Miami University of Ohio
• M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with emphases in child psychology, pediatric psychology, and statistics from Oklahoma State University
• Predoctoral clinical internship at Charleston Consortium (Trauma Track)
• Postdoctoral fellowship at MUSC's National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center and College of Nursing

Dr. Espeleta's research focuses on developing, evaluating, and scaling trauma-focused evidence-based interventions to improve access and quality of care for vulnerable populations. She specializes in dissemination and implementation science within youth-serving systems like child welfare, aiming to enhance practice sustainment and intervention reach. Her work bridges clinical psychology with public health to develop novel approaches for community-based implementation of evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for trauma-affected children and families.

Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward innovative solutions for child maltreatment prevention and early risk identification. The 2024 study examines hybrid service delivery models to maximize program reach and equity, while the 2023 project investigates human factors in clinical decision support tools. Both reflect her commitment to translating evidence-based practices into real-world settings through implementation science frameworks.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Doris Duke Fellow
• Trainee in the Interdisciplinary Training Program for Child Abuse and Neglect at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

As research co-mentor for predoctoral clinical interns, Dr. Espeleta guides emerging scholars in trauma research. Her active grants include the 2024 SafeCare implementation pilot examining hybrid delivery models with 12 providers and 40 caregivers, and the 2023 study on automated risk assessment tools involving caregiver and provider interviews. These projects emphasize community engagement and practical solutions for scaling evidence-based interventions.

She directs clinical operations within MUSC's Trauma Resilience and Recovery Program while contributing to the Doris Duke Professional Network for Child Well-Being as Co-Chair of the Mentorship Committee and Facilitator for the Qualitative Methods Affinity Group, fostering collaborative research networks focused on child trauma prevention.