Kelly L. Harper, PhD

Instructor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Kelly Harper is a clinical psychologist and investigator in the National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Science Division, at VA Boston Healthcare System and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. She earned her doctoral degree from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro with a predoctoral clinical internship at the Michael E. DeBakey VA in Houston Texas. She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Center for PTSD specializing in assessment and treatment of PTSD. Dr. Harper has expertise in trauma and PTSD, mental health care utilization, and LGBTQ+ health. Her research aims to improve PTSD treatment engagement and effectiveness, especially among underserved and at risk communities such as LGBTQ+ Veterans.

Publications

  • Published 8/27/2025

    Crow TM, Lin E, Harper KL, Crowe ML, Keane TM, Marx BP. Misleading Results in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Predictive Models Using Electronic Health Record Data: Algorithm Validation Study. J Med Internet Res. 2025 Aug 27; 27:e63352. PMID: 40864898.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 7/17/2025

    Rosenfeld EA, Malek N, Lockett M, Edward D, Hooper V, Harper KL, Herbitter C, Thompson SM, Ceja A, Saty M, Chang CJ, Collazo EN, Ong L, Stave C, Cudd A, O'Reilly A, Livingston NA. Protocol for a scoping review of PTSD and minority stress interventions for LGBTQIA +?adults. Discov Psychol. 2025; 5(1):54. PMID: 40688725.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 1/29/2025

    Barden EP, Kumar SA, Sager JC, Thompson-Hollands J, Lee DJ, Harper K, Keane TM, Marx BP. Posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth among female and male veterans: The contribution of romantic relationship and friendship functioning. J Trauma Stress. 2025 Jun; 38(3):399-409. PMID: 39887761.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 9/30/2024

    Chang CJ, Fischer IC, Harper KL, Livingston NA, Depp CA, Norman SB, Pietrzak RH. Sexual orientation moderates the association between health care utilization-related factors and mental health service nonutilization among United States military veterans. Psychol Serv. 2025 May; 22(2):383-394. PMID: 39347751.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 9/18/2024

    Salim SR, Harper KL, Livingston NA, Feinstein BA, Messman TL. Bisexual minority stress as a risk factor for sexual violence-related posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among bisexual+ women: A multilevel analysis. J Trauma Stress. 2025 Feb; 38(1):63-74. PMID: 39290082.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 36 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Other Positions

  • Psychologist, National Center for PTSD
    VA Boston Healthcare System

Websites

Education

  • University of North Carolina, PhD
  • University of North Carolina, MA
  • Ithaca College, BA

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