Maya Boustani, PhD

Associate Professor, Psychology

Contact Information

Email mboustani@llu.edu
Phone 909-558-7680

Department of Psychology
Loma Linda University, Central Building, Suite 119
11130 Anderson St., Loma Linda, CA 92350

Social Media

Twitter @MayaBoustani
Facebook @dr.boustani

    Faculty Research Lab

    The Community-Academic Research Endeavor Lab

    The CARE Lab partners with underserved communities to support youth and family mental health.

    Visit Lab Website
    diverse youth

    Degrees

    • PhD, Psychology (Child and Adolescent Clinical Science) - Florida International University, 2016
    • MS, Psychology (Child and Adolescent Clinical Science) - Florida International University, 2014
    • MS, Psychology (Experimental) - Villanova University of Pennsylvania, 2006

    Areas of Specialization

    • Child and adolescent evidence-based treatments
    • Mental health prevention and promotion
    • Community-based research
    • Dissemination and implementation research

    Current Research Projects

    Professional Memberships

    • Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
      • ABCT Special Interest Group: Dissemination and Implementation Science
    • Society for Implementation Research Collaboration (SIRC)
    • Society for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (APA Division 53)

    Recent Publications and Presentations

    Publications

    • Mazzone, E., Antommarchi, C., Bagnara, G., Jutzy, H., Alido, A. & Boustani, M. M. (2023). School-based Opportunities for Adolescent Recovery (SOARing): The acceptability and feasibility of a DBT Skill training program for at-risk adolescents. Evidence-Based Practice in Child & Adolescent Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/23794925.2023.2224113
    • Boustani, M. M. (2023). Decision-making in modular treatments: Avoiding another research-to-practice gap. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 30(1), 63-5. https://doi.org/10.1037/cps0000135
    • Gellatly, R., Knudsen, K., Boustani, M. M., Micehlson, D, Malik, K., Mathur, S., Patel, V., & Chorpita, B. (2022). A Qualitative Analysis of Collaborative Efforts to Build a Multi-Problem, School-Based Intervention for Common Adolescent Mental Health Difficulties in India. Frontiers in Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffpsyt.2022.1038259
    • Knudsen, K. S., Becker, K. D., Guan, K., Gellatly, R., Patel, V., Malik, K., Boustani, M. M., Mathur, S., & Chorpita, B. (2022). A pilot study to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of training mental health workers in India to select case-specific intervention procedures within a dynamic modular treatment designed for a low-resource setting. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice. https://doi.org/10.1111/jep.13623
    • Chu, W., Becker, K.D., Boustani, M.M., Park, A.L., & Chorpita, B.F. (2022). Is it easy to use and useful? Mental health professionals’ perspectives inform development of a novel treatment engagement system for youth mental health services. Cognitive & Behavioral Practice. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2021.11.003
    • Knudsen, K.S., Becker, K., Guan, K., Gellatly, R., Patel, V., Malik, K., Boustani, M., Mathur, S., and Chorpita, B. F. (2021). Training Mental Health Workers in India to Select Case-Specific Intervention Procedures: Implications for a Dynamic Modular Treatment in a Low-Resource Setting. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jep.13623.
    • Boustani, M. M., Polceanu, M., Lunn, S. & Lisetti, C. (2021). Development, feasibility, acceptability, and utility of an expressive speech-enables digital health agent to deliver online brief motivational interviewing for alcohol misuse. Journal of Medical Internet Research.
    • Boustani, M. M., Daleiden, E., Bernstein, A., Michelson, D., Gellatly, R., Malik, K., Patel, V., & Chorpita, B. (2020). Using Relevance Mapping Methodology to Design an Adolescent Mental Health Intervention in India. Global Health Action. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2020.1775062.
    • Boustani, M. M., Frazier, S. L., Chu, W., Lesperance, N., Becker, K., Helseth, S., Hedemann, E. R., Ogle, R. R., & Chorpita, B. F. (2020). Common elements of universal childhood prevention programming. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research. 47(3), 475-486. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-019-00994-3.
    • Schueller, S. & Boustani, M. M. (2020) Applications of Translation and Implementation Science: An Introduction to a Special Issue. Journal of Community Psychology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22340.
    • Park, A. L., Boustani, M. M., Saifan, D, Gellatly, R., … & Chorpita, B. F. (2019). Community mental health professionals’ perceptions about engaging underserved populations. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 47, 366-379. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-019-00994-3.
    • Park, A. L., Becker, K. D., Boustani, M. M., & Chorpita, B. F. (2019). Decision-making in mental health care: Measuring provider and supervisor use of evidence. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-019-00989-0.
    • Rith-Najarian, L., Boustani, M. M., & Chorpita (2019). A systematic review of prevention programs targeting depression, anxiety, and stress in university students. Journal of Affective Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.06.035.
    • Becker, K., Park, A., Boustani, M. M., & Chorpita, B. F. (2019). A pilot study to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a coordinated intervention design to address treatment engagement challenges in school mental health services. Journal of School Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2019.07.013.
    • Michelson, D., Malik, K., Krishna, M., Sharma, R., Mathur, S., Bhat, B., Parikh, R., Roy, K., Joshi, A., Sahu, R., Chilhate, B., Boustani, M., Cuijpers, P., Chorpita, B., Fairburn, C., & Patel, V., (2020). Development of a transdiagnostic, low-intensity, psychological intervention for common adolescent mental health problems in Indian secondary schools. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 130, 103439-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2019.103439.
    • Guan, K., Boustani, M.M., & Chorpita, B.F. (2019). “Teaching moments” in psychotherapy: Addressing emergent life events using strategies from a modular evidence-based treatment. Behavior Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2018.03.014.

    Presentations

    • Nakla, V., Zaky, M., Hanna, M., Jutzy, H., Boustani, M. (2023). Coptic Perceptions on Mental Health. Advancing diversity, social justice, and sustainability. Paper presented at 103rd Annual Convention of the Western Psychological Association (WPA), Portland, OR.
    • Mahler, C., Greenberg, S., Marin, D., Mazzone, E., Antommarchi, C., Rockwood, N., Boustani, M. (2022). A Meta-Analysis of the Literature on the Impact of Problem Solving on Internalizing Problems. Paper accepted at 102nd Annual Convention of the Western Psychological Association (WPA), Portland, OR.
    • Boustani, M.M. (April 2022). Introduction to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents. Presented at the Grand Rounds of Psychiatry, Loma Linda University. Loma Linda, CA. 
    • Boustani, M. M. (March 2022). Acceptability and feasibility of using an online digital health agent to deliver MI to treat alcohol abuse: Consumer Perspectives. Presented at Loma Linda University Homecoming. Loma Linda, CA.
    • Nakla, V., Zaky, M., Hanna, M., Jutzy, H., Boustani, M. (2022, April). Coptic Perceptions on Mental Health. Poster presented at the Western Psychological Association (WPA) 102nd Annual Convention: Advancing diversity, social justice, and sustainability.
    • Gellatly, R., Boustani, M.M., Malik, K., Michelson, D., Becker, K., Mahajan, R., Jambhale, A., Sahu, R., Nair, P., Patel, V., &  Chorpita, B.F. (2021).  Adolescent engagement in a transdiagnostic mental health treatment delivered in Indian schools. In L. Sarfan (Chair) and A.G. Harvey (Discussant), Expanding the Evidence Base: Transdiagnostic Treatments Across the Lifespan. Symposium accepted for presentation at the 55th Annual Convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), New Orleans, L.A.
    • Park, A., Barnett, M., Boustani, M., Lakind, D., Okamura, K. & Wright, B. (2021). Stepping out on your own and into the community: Launching a community-engaged research program. Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Annual Convention. New Orleans, LA, USA. 
    • Chou, T., Zhao, X., Anderson, R., Boustani, M., Chou, T., Morrow, A., & Youngstrom, E. Now Streaming: Disseminating CBT through Public-Facing Platforms. (2021). Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Annual Convention. New Orleans, LA, USA. 
    • Boustani, M. & Lisetti, C. (2021). In A. Sanchez (Chair) and T. Creed (Discussant). Acceptability and feasibility of using an online digital health agent to deliver MI to treat alcohol abuse: Consumer Perspectives. Symposium accepted at the 55th Annual Convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), New Orleans, LA. 
    • Boustani, M. M., Marin, D., Bashoura, D., & Blank, C. (2021). In C. Klein (Chair) and T. Mehta (Discussant). Helping those who help others: A qualitative analysis of Community Health Workers’ Training and Supervision Needs. Symposium accepted at the 55th Annual Convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), New Orleans, LA. 
    • Lisetti, C. & Boustani (2021). Modeling Rapport for Conversations about Health with Autonomous Avatars from Video Corpus of Clinician-Client Therapy Sessions. Digital Human Modeling and Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics and Risk Management. Human Body, Motion and Behavior.
    • Hazari, J., Hodgins, J., Marin, D., Lisetti, C., Boustani, M. (2021). Acceptability of a digital health agent that uses motivational interviewing to treat alcohol abuse: Comparing provider responses to consumer responses. Paper accepted at the 2021 Western Psychological Association Convention (WPA), online.
    • Marin, D. G., Bashoura, D., Jutzy, H., & Boustani, M. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on Community Health Workers: Semi-Structured Interviews. Paper accepted at the 2021 Western Psychological Association Convention (WPA), online. 
    • Mazzone, E., Antommarchi, C., Bagnara, G., Jutzy, H., & Boustani, M. M. (2021). School-Based Opportunities for Adolescent Recovery (SOARing): The Acceptability and Feasibility of a DBT Skills Pilot Program for At-Risk Adolescents. Paper accepted at the 2021 Western Psychological Association Convention (WPA), online. 
    • Antommarchi, C., Greenberg, S., Bagnara, G., Jutzy, H., Vogel, K., Banayan, T., Mazzone, E. & Boustani, M. M. (2021). School-Based Opportunities for Adolescent Recovery (SOARing): Preliminary feasibility of a universal DBT-based skills program for at-risk adolescents residing in an underserved community. Paper presentation accepted at the 2021 Western Psychological Association Virtual Convention.
    • Boustani, M., Bashoura, D., & Marin, D., & (2020). In B. Maddox (Chair) and K. Hoagwood (Discussant). Helping those who help others: Building a system to empower community health workers who provide services to vulnerable families. Symposium accepted at the 54th Annual Convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Philadelphia, PA.
    • Boustani, M. M., Mazzone, E., Bagnara, G., Vogel, K., Banayan, T., Jutzy, H., Antommarchi, C. (2020). In M. M. Boustani (Chair) and S. Evans (Discussant). Development and preliminary effectiveness of a Dialectical-Behavior Therapy skills tier 2 program delivered in a school-based setting. Symposium accepted at the 54th Annual Convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Philadelphia, PA.
    • Bashoura, D., Marin, D., & Boustani, M. (2020). A Needs Assessment of Community Health Workers who work with Underserved Children and Families in the United States. Poster accepted at the 54th Annual Convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Philadelphia, PA.
    • Hazari, J., Boustani, M., & Lisetti, C. Acceptability of a digital health agent that uses motivational interviewing to treat alcohol abuse: Comparing provider responses to consumer responses. Poster submitted to 2020 American Public Health Association (APHA) conference, San Francisco, CA.
    • Hazari, J., Boustani, M., Vogel, K., Bachar, S., Lunn, S. & Lisetti, C., (2020). Clinical Utility of a Digital Health Agent to Deliver Motivational Interviewing to Treat Alcohol Abuse. Poster accepted at 2020 American Psychological Association (APA) conference, Washington, DC.
    • Jutzy, H., & Boustani, M. M. (2020). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptomatology and peer relationships: A path analysis. Paper accepted at 100th Annual Convention of the Western Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
    • Bagnara, G., Boustani, M., Vogel, K., Bachar, S., Reibling, E., Hernandez, B. (2020). Who is Seeking Shelter: Staff Descriptions of Intimate Partner Violence Shelter Characteristics and Services Provided. Poster accepted at the Western Psychological Association Conference, May, San Francisco, CA.
    • Bagnara, G., Boustani, M., Vogel, K., Bachar, S., Reibling, E., & Hernandez, B. (2020). Shelter Staff Perceptions of Domestic Violence in Higher Socioeconomic Status Populations. Poster accepted at 2020 American Psychological Association (APA) conference, Washington, DC.
    • Vogel, K., White, M., Watts, V., Banayan, T., & Boustani, M. M. (2020) A needs assessment of low-income students attending an alternative high school: Qualitative Findings. Poster presented at 2020 Miami International Child and Adolescent Mental Health (MICAMH) Conference, Miami, FL.
    • Boustani, M. M., Lunn, S., Polceanu, M., Lisetti, C. (2019). In A. L. Park (Chair) and S. Huey (Discussant). Increasing consumer engagement with computer-delivered behavioral interventions: Incorporating verbal reflections and non-verbal gestures to a digital health agent. Symposium presented at the 53rd Annual Convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Atlanta, GA.
    • Boustani, M. M., Hazari, J., Lunn, S., Polceanu, M., Lisetti, C. (2019). In. J. Schreidar (Chair) and Schueller, S. (Discussant). Acceptability, feasibility, and usefulness of using a digital health agent to deliver MI to treat alcohol abuse: Clinician perspectives. Symposium presented at the 53rd Annual Convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Atlanta, GA.
    • Park, A. L., Boustani, M. M., Saifan, D., Gellatly, R., Gamarra, J., Letamendi, A., Stanick, C., Regan J., Perez, G., Manners, D., Reding, M. E. J., & Chorpita, B. F. (2019). Providers' perceived barriers to engaging traditionally underserved populations in mental health services. In A. L. Park (Chair) and S. Huey (Discussant), Extending the reach of cognitive behavioral science through understanding barriers to service use for traditionally underserved populations. Symposium presented at the 53rd Annual Convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Atlanta, GA.
    • Park, A. L., Boustani, M. M., Saifan, D., Gellatly, R., Gamarra, J., Letamendi, A., Stanick, C., Regan J., Perez, G., Manners, D., Reding, M. E. J., & Chorpita, B. F. (2019). Providers' recommendations of strategies for engaging traditionally underserved populations in community mental health services. In D. Lakind & A. L. Park (Chairs) and K. D. Becker (Discussant), Maximizing the public health impact of cognitive behavioral science through improving consumer engagement. Symposium presented at the 53rd Annual Convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Atlanta, GA.  
    • Guan, K., Boustani, M.M., & Chorpita, B.F. (2019, November). Harnessing existing cognitive-behavioral treatment strategies to address client emergent life events. In D. Lakind and A.L. Park (Chairs), Maximizing the public health impact of cognitive behavioral science through improving consumer engagement. Symposium presented at the 53rd Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Atlanta, GA.

    Community Engagement

    • Volunteer Independent Consultant, Premium for Adolescents in India research project (2016-present)
    • Social Media Officer, Dissemination and Implementation - Special Interest Group (DIS-SIG), ABCT (2018-present)
    • Awards Committee Member, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Awards Committee (2017-present)
    • Super Reviewer, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (2016-present)
    • Mentor, Dissemination and Implementation - Special Interest Group (DIS-SIG), ABCT (2016-present)
    • Mentor, Division 53 APA, Mentorship Program (2016-present)