Sarah E. Valentine, PhD

Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Sarah Valentine is a clinical psychologist and implementation scientist who focuses on the adaptation and implementation of evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in low resource settings. Her work centrally aims to address access and quality of care gaps for PTSD among minoritized groups, including racial, ethnic and sexual, and gender minoritized populations. She directs clinical and research programs to build capacity for culturally responsive PTSD treatment in routine care. Dr. Valentine has received funding from the NIMH to conduct hybrid implementation-effectiveness trials of PTSD treatments in primary care and obstetrics. She is developing adaptive (stepped) interventions for PTSD that prioritize access, reach and engagement to promote health equity. She serves as director of the PRISMM lab (Program of Research in Implementation Science, Minority Stress and Mental Health) and the RESTORE Center (Recovery from Stress and Trauma through Outpatient care, Research and Education).

Dr. Valentine received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Suffolk University, and completed her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral research fellowship in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School.

Publications

  • Published 5/22/2026

    Valentine SE, Alshabani N, Gil J, Godfrey L, Oblath R, Fuchs C, Elwy AR, Fortuna LR, Cloitre M. A pragmatic randomized trial of brief clinician- and web-administered skills training in affective and interpersonal regulation (STAIR) for posttraumatic stress disorder in safety net primary care. J Anxiety Disord. 2026 Jul; 121:103187. PMID: 42190295.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 4/15/2026

    Sokoto KC, Masai TW, Gwanya-Mdletye SS, Silaule O, Jili SPP, Tessema SA, Rafique M, Lepkeh G, Amos A, Kariuki K, Solomon Y, Ghebrehiwet S, Valentine SE, Henderson DC, Harris B, Bonginkosi C, Pickersgill M, Manda-Taylor L. A Study Protocol: Engagement of Lived Experience Voices for Analysis of Transformative Evidence in Mental Health Policy & Legislation (ELEVATE-MH). PLoS One. 2026; 21(4):e0346037. PMID: 41984904.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 3/27/2025

    Alshabani N, Godfrey L, Fuchs C, Villa R, Perez D, Valentine SE. Assessing implementation and health equity determinants to develop a facilitation plan for varied intensity posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments in minority-serving institutions. Psychol Serv. 2025 Aug; 22(3):546-558. PMID: 40146572.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 3/4/2024

    Valentine SE, Gell-Levey IM, Godfrey LB, Livingston NA. The Associations Between Gender Minority Stressors and PTSD Symptom Severity Among Trauma-Exposed Transgender and Gender Diverse Adults. J Trauma Dissociation. 2024; 25(4):422-435. PMID: 38436077.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 1/1/2024

    Salomaa AC, Berke D, Harper K, Valentine SE, Sloan CA, Hinds Z, Gyuro L, Herbitter C, Bryant WT, Shipherd JC, Livingston NA. A patient-centered model of mental health care for trauma and minority stress in transgender and gender diverse people: A bottom-up network analysis. Psychol Sex Orientat Gend Divers. 2024; 2024. PMID: 38765785.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 58 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Websites

Education

  • Suffolk University, PhD
  • Suffolk University, MA
  • Xavier University, BS

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