Barbara L. Niles, PhD

Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Niles is a staff psychologist in the Behavioral Science Division of the National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System and Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral at Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the promotion of health-enhancing behaviors such as exercise and mindfulness meditation in traumatized individuals. Dr. Niles has active research collaborations with other Psychiatry faculty and contributes to the research training of BU-affiliated postdoctoral fellows. In addition, she provides direct clinical training of psychology interns and post-doctoral fellows in the Boston Consortium in Clinical Psychology.

Publications

  • Published 5/24/2026

    Buccellato KH, Brown HN, Price WA, Straud CL, Blount TH, Foa EB, Brown LA, McLean CP, Schobitz RP, DeBeer BB, Mignogna J, Fina BA, Evans WR, Hall-Clark BN, Rentz TO, Schrader CC, Yarvis JS, Hansen H, Jacoby VM, Lara-Ruiz J, Hale WJ, Koch LM, Gerwell KM, Young-McCaughan S, Litz BT, Meyer EC, Williamson DE, Roache JD, Sharrieff AM, Niles BL, Keane TM, Peterson AL. Graduated exposure to traumatic events decreases distress during prolonged exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. J Behav Med. 2026 May 24. PMID: 42177712.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 4/14/2026

    Ostrow R, Agha AZ, Dichter M, Fix GM, Hunt K, Niles B, Fanning L, Gurewich D. Veterans' Experiences with a Social Need Intervention. J Gen Intern Med. 2026 Apr 14. PMID: 41979728.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 12/1/2025

    Gurewich DA, Friedman H, Li M, Hunt KJ, Dichter ME, Fanning LR, Niles B. Subpopulation Differences in Connecting to Resources to Address Social Needs. Am J Prev Med. 2026 Apr; 70(4):108205. PMID: 41338534.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 7/15/2025

    Straud CL, Buccellato KH, Foa EB, Brown LA, McLean CP, Blount TH, Schobitz RP, DeBeer BB, Mignogna J, Fina BA, Hall-Clark BN, Schrader CC, Yarvis JS, Jacoby VM, Evans WR, Litz BT, Meyer EC, Niles BL, Young-McCaughan S, Keane TM, Peterson AL. Differential Effects of Hazardous Drinking on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Outcomes Across Two Prolonged Exposure Treatment Formats. Behav Sci (Basel). 2025 Jul 15; 15(7). PMID: 40723738.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 6/5/2025

    Polizzi CP, Katz E, Ting M, Busser C, Paszkiewicz M, Barden E, Mori DL, Niles BL. Physical Activity and Functioning Following Tai Chi and a Wellness Comparison Intervention in Veterans with Gulf War Illness. Behav Med. 2025; 51(4):347-357. PMID: 40470637.

    Read at: PubMed

Other Positions

  • Psychologist, National Center for PTSD
    VA Boston Healthcare System

Education

  • Rutgers University New Brunswick, PhD
  • Rutgers University New Brunswick, MS
  • Harvard University, AB