Kelly Rohan, Professor of Psychology
Central dogma in the field of winter depression has previously viewed seasonal affective disorder (SAD) as a purely biological subtype of depression. Professor Rohan’s research suggests that psychological models and treatments for depression are relevant to SAD. She will explain how thoughts and behaviors play a role in triggering the winter blues and how a form of psychotherapy called cognitive-behavioral therapy can effectively treat and even prevent SAD episodes. She will also present new data from her clinical trial comparing light therapy to cognitive-behavioral therapy in adults with SAD.
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Kelly Rohan has been a faculty member at the University of Vermont since 2005. Her primary research interests are the psychopathology and treatment of adult mood disorders. She is the director of the clinical psychology graduate program and a licensed psychologist in Vermont. Her books include Coping with the Seasons: A Cognitive Behavioral Approach to Seasonal Affective Disorder, Therapist Guide (Oxford University Press, 2008). She is the author of numerous journal articles and book chapters.
The College of Arts and Sciences Full Professor Lecture Series was designed to give newly promoted faculty an opportunity to share with the university community a single piece of research or overview of research trajectory meant to capture the spark of intellectual excitement that has resulted in their achieving full professor rank.