Jennifer Sanftner McGraw

As a clinical psychologist, I have expertise in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders. I have been passionate about psychology since I took my very first psychology course during my 2nd year of college. The excitement and interest that psychology sparked in me those many years ago is what led me to pursue a career in teaching. I teach mainly in the areas of clinical and abnormal psychology and I try to infuse appreciation for diversity in every class I teach. I have found throughout my life that when we take the time to get to know and understand those who are different from us, we will find more similarities than differences, more avenues for connection than disconnection. That is a theme that guides my work here. My research focuses on the application of Relational Cultural Theory to understanding the etiology and treatment of eating disorders as well as body image and disordered eating in college students, including women, men, and those with diverse sexualities and gender identities. I have published in journals such as the Advances in Eating Disorders: Theory, Research, and Practice, the International Journal of Eating Disorders, the Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, and Women and Health. I lead the Reflections Program at SRU, which seeks to empower students in their views of themselves and their bodies.