Satveer Kler

Dr. Satveer Kler is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU), where he teaches in the Clinical Psychology PhD program and leads the Substance use and Intergenerational Trauma Social processes (SITS) Research Team. His work centers on intergenerational trauma, substance use, and systemic oppression among marginalized communities, particularly BIPOC and LGBTQ+ BIPOC individuals.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (2024)
• M.A. in Psychology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (2021)
• B.A. in Psychology and B.A. in Literature, University of California, Santa Cruz (2018)

Dr. Kler’s research is grounded in critical qualitative methodologies, including critical constructivist grounded theory, reflexive thematic analysis, and community-based participatory action research. He emphasizes the role of colonialism, cultural dispossession, and institutional oppression in shaping trauma and substance use. His teaching includes the Cross-Cultural Issues in Psychology course, where he fosters cultural humility and self-awareness among future clinicians.

The recent publications of Dr. Kler reflect a strong focus on intersectionality, gender identity, racialized experiences, and mental health disparities. His work spans topics such as transgender and nonbinary experiences of gender dysphoria, alcohol use disorder among gender-minoritized people of color, validation of social support scales, and racialized dating preferences among queer Asian American men. These studies demonstrate a consistent commitment to amplifying marginalized voices through rigorous qualitative inquiry.

Scientific Awards:

• Barbara Smith and Jewell E. Horvat Award (2024) from APA Division 45

Dr. Kler mentors PhD students and is deeply committed to training the next generation of culturally responsive clinicians and researchers. He was a fellow in the NIAAA-funded Enhancing Diversity in Alcohol Research (EDAR) program at the Medical University of South Carolina. His research is not only academically rigorous but also ethically grounded in co-constructing knowledge with participants. He advocates for integrating personal narratives into clinical interventions to honor unique cultural, familial, and social contexts.

He leads the SITS Research Team, which aims to contextualize substance use and intergenerational trauma within historical and systemic frameworks such as colonialism and displacement. The team emphasizes communal healing and uses qualitative methods to explore family histories and cultural socialization messages.