Jacqueline Hersh

Jacqueline Hersh serves as Associate Professor and Director of the Psychology Clinic within the Department of Psychology at Appalachian State University's College of Arts and Sciences. Her work bridges clinical research and community practice, specializing in dissemination and implementation science to improve mental healthcare access for underserved populations, particularly rural communities and racially minoritized youth.

Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Duke University (2014), a Clinical Psychology Pre-Doctoral Internship at NYU/Bellevue Hospital Center (2013-2014), and a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Harvard University (2014-2016). She also holds a B.A. in Psychology & Sociology from Brandeis University (2005).

Dr. Hersh's research focuses on adapting evidence-based treatments for real-world settings through community-based collaborations. Key areas include developing telehealth and virtual reality interventions for substance use and anxiety disorders, understanding cultural barriers to mental healthcare, and enhancing psychology trainee support systems. Her work consistently addresses the intersection of individual factors (like cultural background) with treatment outcomes in marginalized populations.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on rural mental health implementation, with recurring themes of iterative adaptation, community partnership, and addressing health disparities. Her research spans school-based interventions, clinical training innovations, and stress physiology studies - all unified by a commitment to making evidence-based care accessible beyond academic settings.

As Director of the Psychology Clinic, Dr. Hersh oversees clinical training and service delivery while mentoring students through the REACT Lab. Though selective in doctoral admissions (not accepting new students for Fall 2026), she actively involves students in publication-worthy research as evidenced by asterisked co-authorships. Her leadership extends to national initiatives addressing diversity in psychology training clinics.

The REACT Lab serves as her primary research hub, focusing on practical solutions for implementing evidence-based treatments in resource-limited settings. Current projects emphasize rural school mental health, telehealth integration, and culturally responsive adaptations of interventions - directly translating research into community impact.