Zephon D. Lister, PhD, MS, MA, LMFT

Professor, Counseling and Family Sciences
Director, Systems, Families, and Couples PhD Program

Contact Information

Email zlister@llu.edu
Phone 909-558-4547, ext. 47007

Department of Counseling and Family Sciences
Loma Linda University, Griggs Hall, Office 205
11065 Campus St., Loma Linda, CA  92350

Degrees

  • PhD, Marriage and Family Therapy - Loma Linda University, 2010
  • MS, Marriage and Family Therapy - Loma Linda University, 2003
  • MA, Religion - Andrews University, 2001

Areas of Specialization

  • Couples and chronic illness
  • Medical family therapy/integrated behavioral health
  • Religion and family functioning
  • Global mental health
  • Low dose interventions for acute and low resource settings

Current Research Projects

Professional Licenses and Memberships

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), 2009
  • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
  • AAMFT Approved Supervisor candidate, 2015
  • Collaborative Family Health Care Association (CFHA)
  • American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA)

Recent Publications and Presentations

Publications

  • Aréchiga, A., Freeman, K., Tan, A., , Lou, J., Lister, Z., Buckles, B., & Montgomery, S. (2023). Building resilience and improving wellbeing in Sierra Leone using the Community Resiliency Model post Ebola. International Journal of Mental Health, DOI: 10.1080/00207411.2023.2166312.
  • Marquez B, Benitez T, Lister Z. (2022). Acculturation, Communication Competence, and Family Functioning in Mexican-American Mother-Daughter Dyads. J Immigr Minor Health. 24(3):580-587. doi: 10.1007/s10903-021-01256-x. Epub 2021 Aug 7. PMID: 34363574; PMCID: PMC9072505.
  • Lister, Z. D., Seibert, G., Chance, Huelett, B., Wilson, L. Wilson, C.M. (2020). The Influence of Prayer and Family Worship on Relationship Functioning among Caribbean and Latin American Couples. Religions, 11(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel11010014.

Presentations

  • Habimana, S., Biracyaza, E., Truong.S, Freeman., Lister, Z., & Montgomery, S. (2023, September 20-22). "Improving Mental Health, Resilience, and Social Cohesion in Rwandan Survivors and Perpetrators with a Community Resilience Model Intervention plus Laughter Yoga." Conference presentation: Advancing Evidence -Based intervention for mental health, Child Development and parenting. 3rd Regional Research Symposium 2023, Kigali, Rwanda. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSu-El9l3Hk.
  • Truong. S., Lister, Z., Freeman., Habimana, S., & Montgomery, S. (2023, September 20-22). "Emotional Regulation, Resiliency, and Family Dynamics on Parental and Children's Mental Health in Sierra Leone." Conference presentation: Advancing Evidence-Based intervention for mental health, Child Development and parenting. 3rd Regional Research Symposium 2023, Kigali, Rwanda. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSu-El9l3Hk.
  • Lister, Z., Freeman., Turay, P.A., Truong. S., Habimana, S., & Montgomery, S. (2023, September 20-22). "Using a Task-shifting Family and School-based Intervention to Improve Emotional Regulation and Family Functioning Among Parents and Children in Sierra Leone." Conference presentation: Advancing Evidence-Based intervention for mental health, Child Development and parenting. 3rd Regional Research Symposium 2023, Kigali, Rwanda. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSu-El9l3Hk.
  • Lister, Z. et al., (2023). Families, Schools & Community Engaged Together (FASCET): Scaling Up Mental Health Wellness in Low Resource Contexts. American Psychological Association (APA) Conference.
  • Lister, Z., Bull, F., Abdulrahman Turay, P., Kabba, J., Kangbai, D., Abdul-Mutakabbir, J., Montgomery, S. (2023). Understanding COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among Healthcare Workers: Implications for Community Vaccine Uptake. Sabin Vaccine Institute Conference.
  • Lister, Z., Kangbai, D., Abdulrahman Turay, P., Kabba, J., Montgomery, S. (2023). Evaluating An Integrated Family-based Vaccination Program To Support Vaccine Uptake In Vaccine Hesitant Populations In Sierra Leone: A Life-course Vaccination Program. Sabin Vaccine Institute Conference.
  • Arellano, H. & Lister, Z. (2023). Trauma-Informed Treatment of Suicide: A Critical Review of Current Practice. American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA) Conference.
  • Arellano, H. & Lister, Z. (2023). Practitioners in Action: Making Meaning of Suicide Intervention in Clinical Psychotherapeutic Settings. American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA) Conference.
  • Huelett, B, Williams-Reade, J. Lister, Z. (2023). Young Couples and Sickle Cell Disease: Understanding the Shared Illness Experience. Collaborative Family Healthcare Association (CFHA) Conference.
  • Cheng, M., Lister, Z. & Montgomery, S. (2023). Biopsychosocial Spiritual Impacts of the COVID Pandemic on Non-Essential Workers Working from Home: A Scoping Review. International Family Therapy Association (IFTA) Conference.
  • Ojeda VD, Berliant E,  Jimenez C, Linke S, Edwards T, Parker T, Lyles M, Hiller-Venegas S, Lister Z. "Mental Health Symptoms Among Transitional Age Youth 18-26 Years Exiting Jail in San Diego County." Oral Presentation. Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association. Philadelphia, PA. November 5, 2019.
  • Ojeda VD, Berliant E, Parker T, Lyles M, Jimenez C, Linke S, Edwards T, Hiller-Venegas S, Lister Z. "Implementing an Evidence-based Health and Reentry Program for Justice-Involved Transition Age Youth Ages 18-26 in San Diego County." Poster Presentation. Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association. Philadelphia, PA. November 5, 2019.
  • Hiller-Venegas S, Parker T, Lyles M, Berliant E, Linke S, Jimenez C, Edwards T, Lister Z, Ojeda VD. (2019). "Correlates of Informational and Emotional Social Support among Transition Age Youth (TAY) on Probation from San Diego County Jail attending the UCSD RELINK program." Oral Presentation. Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association. Philadelphia, PA. November 4, 2019.
  • Ojeda VD, Berliant E, Hiller SP, Parker TP, Jimenez C, Linke S, Lister Z. Implementing UCSD RELINK: A health and wellness program aimed at reducing health disparities among Transition Age Youth on Probation from San Diego County Jail. Academic Conference on Correctional Health. (Oral Presentation) Houston, Tx. March 21-23, 2018.
  • Ojeda VD, Berliant E, Hiller-Venegas S, Parker T, Lyles M, Jimenez C, Linke S, Edwards T, Lister Z. "Mental Health and HIV Testing Among Youth Aged 18-26 Years on Probation from San Diego County Jail: Findings from the UCSD RELINK Program." Oral Presentation. 12th Academic& Health Policy Conference on Correctional Health. Las Vegas, NV. March 21, 2019.
  • Hiller-Venegas S, Parker T, Lyles M, Berliant E, Linke S, Jimenez C, Edwards T, Lister Z, Ojeda VD. (2019). "Correlates of Informational and Emotional Social Support among Transition Age Youth (TAY) on Probation from San Diego County Jail attending the UCSD RELINK program." Oral Presentation. 12th Academic & Health Policy Conference on Correctional Health. Las Vegas, NV. March 21, 2019.
  • Hsieh, N., ChenFeng, J., Lister, Z. D., Banjoko, S. (2019). Bicultural Shame Resiliency for Chinese Americans, American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA).
  • Torres, J, Reyes, C. & Lister, Z. D. (2019). Living as a Filipino American: History and Healing, American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA).

Community Engagement

  • Well One Clinic, Volunteer Director and Provider for Behavioral Health Services (2016-present)
  • Perris 5th Street/Lake Perris Church District, Lay Assistant Pastor and Family Ministries Leader (2014-present)
  • Black Hills Health and Education Center, Behavioral Health Research Consultant (2012-2014)
  • Health and Development Services International (HANDS), Board Member (2009-2010)
  • National Association for the Prevention of Starvation (NAPS), Co-director (2005-2007)
  • Del Rosa SDA Church, Youth and Community Outreach Coordinator (2001-2008)
  • Norton Neighborhoods Initiative, Loma Linda University Representative (2000-2003)
Dr. Zephon Lister - Wholeness
Dr. Zephon Lister - Wholeness
Wholeness
As I've gotten older and have moved further into my career, I've come to appreciate the significance of satisfying my soul's craving for exploration and adventure. For me, this entails engaging in activities that fuel my wanderlust and curiosity, like embarking on interesting expeditions or immersive travel experiences. These pursuits enable me to break free from the confines of routine thinking and foster a mindset that thrives on imagination and creativity. I wholeheartedly urge everyone to seek out their own exhilarating escapades and discover the transformative power of exploration in our fascinating and incredible world.
Dr. Zephon Lister