Katherine M. Iverson, PhD

Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Iverson is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine and Clinical Research Psychologist in the Women’s Health Sciences Division of the National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System. In addition, she is a Core Investigator at the VA Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Center for Healthcare Optimization and Implementation Research. Dr. Iverson obtained her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2008, subsequently completing post-doctoral training in clinical psychology at the VA Boston Healthcare System/Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine.

Dr. Iverson’s program of research aims to identify and effectively implement best practices for the detection, treatment, and prevention of intimate partner violence (IPV) within VA and other health care settings. Her work evaluates the clinical utility of IPV screening and counseling interventions and their effective implementation into routine care. Dr. Iverson also has interest in improving enhancing the reach of effective psychosocial treatments into care, particularly for individuals who have experienced traumatic events such as interpersonal violence and traumatic brain injury.

Dr. Iverson is a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for her IPV research that informed policy and practice in VA. Her research is currently funded by a contract with the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute to compare the effectiveness of two brief counseling interventions healthcare patients who experience IPV (RISE: Recovering from IPV through Strengths and Empowerment vs. Advocacy-based Enhanced Care as Usual). Dr. Iverson is also funded by VA's IPV Assistance Program to lead the RISE D&I Team, which supports the dissemination and implementation of RISE in VA.

Publications

  • Published 8/21/2025

    Crasta D, McKee GB, Caulfield NM, Usman H, Trabold N, Crane CA, Funderburk JS, Iverson KM, McDonald SD. Maintaining relationship safety while promoting relationship health: Family service referrals among veterans screened for intimate partner violence. Psychol Serv. 2025 Aug 21. PMID: 40839446.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 8/13/2025

    Pebole MM, Katz D, Fortier CB, Iverson KM, Darroch F, Hall KS, Dennard AD, McKeon G, Rooney M, Teychenne M, Whitworth JW. Developing physically and psychologically safe exercise spaces: Insights from women veterans on trauma-informed exercise interventions. Psychol Sport Exerc. 2025 Nov; 81:102969. PMID: 40816619.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 7/10/2025

    Blais RK, Xu B, Tannahill HS, Iverson KM. Alcohol use, intimate partner violence, and suicide-related thoughts and behaviors among U.S. service members and veterans who experienced military sexual assault. Psychol Trauma. 2025 Jul 10. PMID: 40638326.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 2/6/2025

    Livingston WS, Blais RK, Iverson KM. Recent intimate partner violence is associated with worse sexual function among women veterans. Psychol Trauma. 2025 Feb 06. PMID: 39913450.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 2/1/2025

    Taverna E, Iverson KM, Kumar SA, Vogt D, Mitchell KS. Beyond Physical and Mental Health: The Broader Impacts of Intimate Partner Violence on Psychosocial Well-Being Among Women and Men Veterans. Stress Health. 2025 Feb; 41(1):e3526. PMID: 39760934.

    Read at: PubMed

Other Positions

  • Clinical Research Psychologist, National Center for PTSD
    VA Boston Healthcare System

Education

  • University of Nevada, Reno, PhD
  • University of Nevada, Reno, MA
  • University of Notre Dame, BA