Lisa Damour

Lisa Damour is a Senior Advisor and Clinical Instructor at the Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, where she also serves as an adjunct clinical instructor. She directs the Laurel School’s Center for Research on Girls and contributes to bridging research, practice, and policy through her work with the Schubert Center. Damour is a prominent voice in adolescent development, writing a New York Times column (Well Family), contributing to CBS News, and maintaining a private psychotherapy practice. She has authored influential books, including the New York Times bestseller Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood and the textbook Abnormal Psychology.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Michigan
• Bachelor’s degree (with honors) from Yale University

Research Interests: Damour focuses on adolescent development, child psychology, and the intersection of education with mental health. Her work emphasizes practical strategies for guiding teenagers, particularly girls, through critical life transitions. She explores how societal and familial dynamics influence psychological well-being during adolescence.

Awards & Fellowships:

• Fellow at Yale’s Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy
• Fellow at the University of Michigan’s Power Foundation

Advocacy & Media: Damour frequently lectures internationally and advises on communication strategies to translate academic research into actionable insights for educators, parents, and policymakers. Her media contributions and books reflect a commitment to making psychology accessible to broader audiences.

Labs & Initiatives: She leads the Laurel School’s Center for Research on Girls, which investigates gender-specific developmental challenges and promotes evidence-based practices in education and mental health support for young women.