Benjamin Katz
They/Them
I am trans non-binary and I am a Ph.D. student in clinical psychology.//
My name is Benjamin and I am currently a graduate student in the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. My research interests center around sexual violence prevention among sexual/gender minorities and understanding the cognitive-behavioral mechanisms underlying treatment for Post-traumatic stress disorder. These research interests began when I was an undergraduate at the University of New England working with my advisor on research examining the mental health of college students who have experienced sexual violence. Following my undergraduate education and prior to my graduate training I pursued a post-baccalaureate research assistantship at the Anxiety Disorders Center at the Institute of Living, where I worked on studies broadly examining treatment outcomes among individuals with anxiety-related disorders and inpatients experiencing suicidality.
As a researcher I am a strong proponent of biopsychosocial models that underscore the contribution of minority stress in the development and maintenance of mental health challenges. As a scientist-practitioner in training, I take a trauma-informed approach that is rooted in empirically supported interventions. I am dedicated to work aimed at preventing sexual violence in the LGBTQ+ community and helping individuals heal from this insidious form of trauma. Outside of my work I enjoy cooking, biking, and exploring nature.