Shelby Scott

Shelby Scott, Ph.D., serves as Assistant Professor of Psychology within the College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP) at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her research bridges clinical psychology with critical social justice issues, focusing on marginalized populations through intersectional frameworks.

Dr. Scott's academic background includes:

• Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (APA approved), University of Denver
• M.A. in Clinical Psychology, University of Denver
• B.A. in Psychology, University of Houston

Her research program centers on three interconnected domains with profound clinical implications. First, she investigates couple and family dynamics in LGBTQ+ relationships, particularly female same-gender and queer partnerships, examining dissolution predictors and resilience factors. Second, she documents health disparities among Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color (BIWOC) and sexual minority populations, with emphasis on healthcare discrimination's tangible health consequences. Third, she pioneers work on LGBTQ+ healthcare experiences, developing assessment tools like the Partner Affirmation of Transgender Identity Scale while exposing systemic biases in medical settings.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent methodological sophistication (longitudinal designs, dyadic analyses, mixed-methods approaches) and thematic focus on how intersecting identities compound vulnerability. Her work moves beyond documenting disparities to identifying specific mechanisms—like delayed care mediating discrimination's health impacts—that inform targeted interventions.

Dr. Scott's scholarly recognition includes:

• Visionary Grant from the American Psychological Foundation (2021)

Her research program demonstrates significant external engagement through presentations at premier venues including the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and Southwestern Psychological Association. She actively contributes to professional development through initiatives like PRIDE Family Studies and mentorship programs for underrepresented students in psychology. Dr. Scott's work directly informs clinical training improvements and policy changes aimed at reducing healthcare inequities for marginalized communities.

Within UTSA's Hispanic Serving Institution context, she examines how whiteness operates institutionally while developing culturally responsive approaches to relationship education and healthcare delivery for diverse populations.