Jessica Griffin

Dr. Griffin is a clinical and forensic psychologist and Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at UMass Chan Medical School. She has expertise in childhood trauma, resilience, and relationships. She is the Executive Director of Lifeline for Kids at UMass Chan.

Dr. Griffin is a nationally recognized expert and certified national trainer in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). She developed the UMass Child Trauma Training Center (now Lifeline for Kids), which has trained over 300,000 thousand professionals in trauma, trauma-informed care, and trauma sensitive practices.

In 2012, Dr. Griffin created LINK-KID, a highly innovative access solution for trauma-exposed youth. LINK-KID is recognized by the U.S. government as a promising practice to address childhood trauma. Dr. Griffin has more than 15 years of continuous federal funding to support her work in service delivery. She has also served in leadership positions in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) and routinely consults with policymakers and legislators on trauma-informed care.

Dr. Griffin is a highly sought-after public speaker and go-to expert for national media. She co-authored the first textbook on trauma-informed care for pediatrics Childhood Trauma and Resilience A Practical Guide (AAP Press) as well as a book on romantic relationships Relationship Rx: Prescriptions for Lasting Love and Deeper Connection (Rowman and Littlefield/Bloomsbury Publishing) and has also published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and other outlets; she has provided hundreds of national and international presentations. Passionate about relational health, as a mother of 3 children, Dr. Griffin’s first love is her family—and her role as a parent deeply inspires and influences her work.