Megan Kelly

Megan Kelly, PhD, is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School, with a secondary appointment at the T.H. Chan School of Medicine. She is affiliated with the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, MA. Her research focuses on mental health interventions for veterans, particularly addressing PTSD, substance use disorders (tobacco, alcohol, opioids), and chronic pain. She employs innovative approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and digital health platforms.

Dr. Kelly holds a BA in Behavioral Biology from Johns Hopkins University and an MA/PhD in Clinical Psychology from the State University of New York at Albany. Her work emphasizes:

• Digital interventions for smoking cessation and chronic pain management
• Impact of COVID-19 on veterans' mental health and substance use
• Psychological flexibility as a resilience factor
• Tailored treatments for LGBTQIA+ populations and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups

Her recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate strong methodological diversity including randomized trials, mixed-methods studies, and systematic reviews. Key trends include leveraging technology (apps, avatars, text messaging) for scalable mental health interventions and examining pandemic-related health disparities.