Lorraine T. Benuto, PhD, MA | School of Behavioral Health

Lorraine T. Benuto, PhD

Professor, Psychology

Contact Information

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

Degrees and Certifications

PhD and MA, Psycholoy - University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2009

Areas of Specialization

Trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder
Racial trauma and race-based traumatic stress
Interpersonal violence
Latinx mental health
Mental health disparities and health equity
Culturally responsive and culturally adapted psychological interventions
Behavioral health among racially and ethnically minoritized populations
Barriers to mental health treatment and treatment engagement
Diversity and representation in psychological research

Professional Licenses and Memberships

Licensed Psychologist, State of Nevada, License #PY0617
Professional Member, National Latinx Psychological Association

Recent Publications and Presentations

Canovas, C. A., & Benuto, L. T. (2026). Emotion regulation is associated with symptoms of racial trauma amongst minoritized people. Journal of Interpersonal Violence.
Cao Noya, J.A. & Benuto, L. (2026). Regulating Emotional Intensity Through Language: A Mechanistic Case Study of Code-Switching in Prolonged Exposure Therapy. Clinical Case Studies.
Garcia, A., Cao Noya, J.A., Lopez, J., & Benuto, L.T. (2025). Diversity in Randomized Controlled Trials for Parent Management Training: A Systematic Review. Behavior Therapy.
Duda, N. & Benuto, L.T. (2025). Ethnic-Racial Identity and Race-Based Trauma: The Role of Emotional Avoidance. Journal of Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy
Benuto, L.T., Yang, Y. Duda, N., Canovas, C., & Zavala, B. (2025). Distress Tolerance & Emotion Regulation as Potential Mediators between Race-Based Traumatic Stress and Maladaptive Coping. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605251372574
Benuto, L.T., Reyes, S., R., Ramirez, V., Falcon-Ruiz, N., Villar, G., & Rojas Perez, O. (2025). Inclusion of People of Color in Randomized Controlled Trials for the Unified Protocol: A Systematic Review. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.
Benuto, L.T., Casas, J., Chavez Najera, R., & Reinosa Segovia, F. (2025). Training Interpreters and Clinician Dyads for Psychotherapy a Mixed Method Study. International Journal of Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207411.2025.2485804
Cao Noya, J.A., Canovas, C., & Benuto, L.T. (2025). The use of biomarkers as measures of PTSD treatment efficacy and predictors of treatment outcomes: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review.
Benuto, L.T., Duda, N., Cao Noya, J.A., Thomasson, M., Canovas, C., & Jurado, E. (2025). Racial Trauma Severity Modulates Avoidance of Positive Emotions Among Minoritized People. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy.
Cao Noya, A. J., & Benuto, L.T. (2025). Improving the Accuracy of the PCL-5 and LEC-5 as Diagnostic Tools for PTSD. Assessment. Editor’s Choice.
Chavez-Najera, R. & Benuto, L.T. (2025). Necesito Un Psicólogo: A Feasibility Study Examining a Behavioral Activation Telenovela Intervention for Depressed Latinas. Behavior Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2025.03.001
Benuto, L. T., Cao-Noya, J. A., Duda, N. A., Ramirez, V., & Leany, B. D. (2025). The Association Between Peritraumatic Dissociation and Race-Based Trauma Symptoms: The Role of Negative Cognitions. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 34(1), 60–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2024.2447701
Benuto, L. T., & Bridges, A. J. (2024). The manifestation of health equity tourism in psychological science and research. American Psychologist, 79(4), 522–538. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001254. Editor’s Choice
Reinosa Segovia, F. A., & Benuto, L. T. (2023). Venciendo la Depresión: A Pilot Study of Telehealth-Delivered Behavioral Activation for Depressed Spanish-Speaking Latinxs. Behavior Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2023.05.011
Benuto, L.T., Farchione, T., Cardona, N., Reinosa Segovia, F., Casas, J., & Reyes, S. (2023). Exploring the Effectiveness of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders with Latinxs: A Record-Review Study at a Culturally Specific Clinic for Latinxs. Cognitive & Behavioral Practice.
Benuto, L. T., Done, M., Zepeda, M., Fitzgerald, J., & Leany, B. (2023). A Systematic Review of Ethnic and Racial Minority Participation in First Episode Psychosis Randomized Controlled Trials. Psychiatry Research.
Benuto, L.T., & Reinosa Segovia, F. (2022). Acceptability of Behavioral Activation for Depression Among Latinas: A Mixed Methods Study. Behavior Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2022.02.002
Benuto, L. T., Casas, J., Chavez Najera, R., & Reinosa Segovia, F. (2022). Acceptability of Exposure Based Treatments for PTSD Among Latinxs: A Mixed Methods Study. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy.
Reinosa Segovia, F. A., & Benuto, L. T. (2022). A systematic review of ethnoracial participation in randomized clinical trials of behavioral activation. Behavior Therapy, 53(5), 927–943. https://doi-org.unr.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.beth.2022.03.003
Denning, D.M., Newlands, R.T., Bennet, N., & Benuto, L.T. (2022). Sexual education experience and curriculum recommendations from female college student survivors of sexual violence: A mixed methods study. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, & Trauma. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2022.2146558
Denning, D.M., Newlands, R., Gonzales, A., & Benuto, L.T. (2022). Borderline personality disorder symptoms in a community sample of sexually and gender diverse adults. Journal of Personality Disorders.
Olavarrieta, G. & Benuto, L. (2022). Narrative Exposure Therapy: A Case for Use with Refugees via Telehealth with the use of an Interpreter. Clinical Case Studies.
Newlands, R. T., Denning, D. M., Massey, K. S., & Benuto, L. T. (2022). Safe Dating in the Digital Era: Protective Behavioral Strategies in Dating Behaviors Facilitated by Dating Applications. Violence and victims, 37(2), 185–200. https://doi.org/10.1891/VV-D-19-00173
Gonzalez, F., & Benuto, L.T. (2021). ¡Yo no Estoy Loca! A Behavioral Health Telenovela Style Entertainment Education Video: Increasing Mental Health Literacy Among Latinas. Community Mental Health Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00892-9
Benuto, L.T., Zimmerman, M., Casas, J., Gonzalez, F., & Newlands, R. (2021). ¡No me duele cuando me deprimo! An examination of ethnic differences in depression symptoms among Latinx and non-Latinx Primary Care Patients. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-021-01238-z
Casas, J., & Benuto, L.T. (2021). Work-related traumatic stress spillover in first responder families: A systematic review of the literature. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy.
Casas, J., & Benuto, L.T. (2021). Breaking the Silence: A Qualitative Analysis of Trauma Narratives Submitted Online by First Responders. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy.
Newlands, R. T. & Benuto, L. T. (2021). Enhancing Mental Health Services for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Stage One Pilot. Community Mental Health Journal.
Newlands, R. T. & Benuto, L. T. (2021) A Modified Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Victims of Intimate Partner Violence with Intellectual Disabilities: A Case Study. Clinical Case Studies.

Community Engagement

Board President, Nevada Board of Psychological Examiners (2026)
President-Elect, National Latinx Psychological Association (2026)
Task Force Member, Revision of Multicultural Guidelines, American Psychological Association (2026)

Dr. Lorraine Benuto wears a vibrant blue traditional Mexican folklórico dress with a rainbow-striped skirt and matching hair ribbons, smiling and holding out the skirt on a campus walkway with brick buildings and trees in the background.

Wholeness

I am a mother of four, and spending time with my children and extended family is a central part of my life. I also love traveling, particularly experiencing different cultures and traditions with my family. I also dance Mexican folklórico, which keeps me connected to culture through movement, music, and community. I recently completed my first novel, The Moon Flower's Promise: A Story of Memory, Myth, & Resistance, which weaves Mexican and Indigenous mythology, folklórico, ancestral memory, and a story about confronting injustice. I am currently working toward publication.

Dr. Lorraine Benuto