Susan Wenze

Clinical psychology is a fascinating and personally gratifying area in which to conduct research and teach. Pretty much everyone will have some personal connection to the material—whether that’s through their own experiences or via someone close to them—and the science grows every day, which is so exciting. Whether I’m in the lab or in the classroom, I’m always learning and I’m never bored! 

In the classroom, I hope my students will not only learn about psychological principles and concepts, but also gain an awareness of the many ways in which course content connects to (and can be used to improve) their own lives.

All of the courses I teach offer an opportunity to introduce students to my scholarship and get them excited about research. For example, in Introduction to Psychological Science, we discuss how you might use mobile technology to collect data or deliver psychological treatments. In Clinical Psychology, an upper-level lab course, we examine diverse research methodologies I’ve used to explore postpartum mental health in parents of multiples. In Psychological Diagnoses and Psychological Treatments, I am also able to draw upon my experience as a licensed practitioner by providing de-identified clinical anecdotes and explaining therapy techniques I use with my clients.

My goal is to conduct research that directly and immediately helps to alleviate human suffering and improves the treatment mental health care consumers receive. 

My research mostly centers on depression, bipolar disorder, and related concerns like anxiety, stress, and substance use. Some of this work tackles questions about mood and ways of thinking in these diagnoses, and some of it focuses on developing and testing psychological treatments. I am especially interested in mental health around the time of childbirth, and in using technology to deliver treatment or enhance the effects of in-person care.

Students have shared with me that my classes have helped them better understand how their social media use impacts their mental health; reduced stigma they previously felt toward their own or others’ mental health struggles; illuminated links between their psychological well-being and exercise, sleep, and diet; and more. Lafayette is a great place to study and work because of these kinds of personal connections and conversations between students and faculty.

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award, United States Department of State (2022-23)

Thomas Roy & Lura Forrest Jones Faculty Lecture Award for excellence in teaching and scholarship, Lafayette College (2020)

American Postdoctoral Research Leave Fellowship, American Association of University Women (AAUW) (2017-18)

Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23), National Institute of Mental Health (2012-14)

When I’m not working, I love running, reading, taking walks in the woods, and going on adventures with my friends, partner, and kids. I also take every opportunity I can to travel (some of my favorite places I’ve been include Senegal, Iceland, Morocco, and Belize), and my family and I got to live in Coimbra, Portugal, in the spring of 2023! Finally, I’m a total foodie. Sadly, I can’t really cook, but there are few foods I don’t enjoy, and I’ll pretty much try anything at least once. The spicier the better!

My Lafayette site

Wenze, S. J., Battle, C. L., Huntley, E. D., Gaugler, T. L., & Kats, D. (2023). Ecological momentary assessment of postpartum outcomes in mothers of multiples: Lower maternal-infant bonding, higher stress, and more disrupted sleep. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 26, 361-378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01317-0 

Ernestus, S. M., Fleming, C. J. E., Wenze, S. J., & Blomquist, K. K. (2022). The future of mental health care: Why we need clinical competencies for undergraduate psychology majors. The Behavior Therapist, 45(7), 232-240.

Wenze, S. J., Miers, Q. A., & Battle, C. L. (2020). Postpartum mental health care for mothers of multiples: A qualitative study of new mothers’ treatment preferences. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 26(3), 201-214.  https://doi.org/10.1097/PRA.0000000000000469

Wenze, S. J., Gaugler, T. L., Sheets, E. S., & DeCicco, J. M. (2018). Momentary experiential avoidance: Within-person correlates, antecedents, and consequences and between-person moderators. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 107, 42-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2018.05.011

Wenze, S. J. & Battle, C. L. (2018). Perinatal mental health treatment needs, preferences, and barriers in parents of multiples. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 24(3), 158-168. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRA.0000000000000299

Wenze, S. J., Armey, M. F., Weinstock, L. M., Gaudiano, B. A., & Miller, I. W. (2016). An open trial of a smartphone-assisted, adjunctive intervention to improve treatment adherence in bipolar disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 22(6), 492-504. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRA.0000000000000196

Wenze, S. J., Gaudiano, B. A., Weinstock, L. M., Tezanos, K. M., & Miller, I. W. (2015). Adjunctive psychosocial intervention following hospital discharge for patients with bipolar disorder and comorbid substance use: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Psychiatry Research, 228(3), 516-525.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2015.06.005

Gaudiano, B.A., Busch, A., Wenze, S.J., Nowlan, K., Epstein-Lubow, G. & Miller, I.W. (2015). Acceptance-based behavior therapy for depression with psychosis: Results from a pilot randomized controlled feasibility trial. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 21(5), 320-333.  https://doi.org/10.1097/PRA.0000000000000092

Wenze, S. J., Battle, C. L., & Tezanos, K. M. (2015). Raising multiples: Mental health of mothers and fathers in early parenthood. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 18(2), 163-176. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-014-0484-x

Wenze, S. J., Gunthert, K. C., & German, R. E. (2012). Biases in affective forecasting and recall in individuals with depression and anxiety symptoms. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38, 895-906. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167212447242