FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, October 22, 2025
In a landmark recognition that underscores the growing importance of social justice within scientific and clinical research, Dr. Jillian C. Shipherd, a distinguished professor of psychiatry at Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, has been honored with the 2025 Charles Silverstein Lifetime Achievement Award in Social Justice. This prestigious accolade, bestowed by the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), celebrates her extensive and sustained contributions toward social justice initiatives, particularly in advancing mental health equity for sexual and gender minority populations.
Dr. Shipherd’s career has uniquely positioned her at the vital intersection of trauma-related mental and physical health research, with a highly focused lens on the experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ communities. Her expertise is internationally recognized, not only for the clinical and policy implications of her work but for her innovative integration of behavioral and cognitive therapeutic methods tailored to trauma recovery within these underserved populations. This award commends decades of advocacy and scientific inquiry that have shaped health policy and educational practices on a global scale.
Throughout her career, Dr. Shipherd has adeptly secured over four million dollars in research funding, enabling the development of comprehensive studies that elucidate the complex challenges faced by sexual and gender minority individuals following traumatic experiences. Her prolific academic output exceeds 150 peer-reviewed publications and numerous book chapters, reflecting her status as a thought leader in the nuanced dynamics of trauma recovery and mental health disparities.
Her editorial influence extends beyond authorship; she has served on the editorial boards of prominent journals including LGBT Health, shaping the discourse and direction of research in LGBTQ+ health. Moreover, she co-edited the groundbreaking volume, “Adult Transgender Care: An Interdisciplinary Approach for Training Mental Health Professionals,” a seminal resource that has set new educational standards in transgender healthcare and mental health service provision.
Dr. Shipherd’s accolades are numerous and prestigious. Among a dozen honors recognizing her impactful work in LGBTQ+ health, she notably received the American Psychological Foundation Gold Medal Award for Impact, which honors her transformative contributions to psychological research and practice, resulting in tangible improvements in health outcomes for marginalized communities.
Her academic foundation was laid with a PhD in clinical psychology from the State University of New York at Buffalo, coupled with a rigorous pre-doctoral internship at the Boston Consortium at the VA Boston Healthcare System. This training underpins her evidence-based approach, combining rigorous clinical science with a deep commitment to social equity in health care delivery.
The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, tasked with advancing scientific methods to understand and address human psychological difficulties, plays a crucial role in fostering research and intervention strategies that promote behavioral and cognitive health. The Charles Silverstein Lifetime Achievement Award specifically honors activists and practitioners embedded within marginalized communities who employ cognitive and behavioral therapies as tools for social justice and healing.
Dr. Shipherd’s research transcends traditional psychiatric inquiry by embedding social justice as a core theoretical and practical framework, thereby challenging the systemic barriers to care experienced by sexual and gender minorities. Her work pioneers new paradigms that consider intersecting identities and sociocultural factors impacting trauma recovery, advocating for health systems that are both inclusive and scientifically validated.
Her contributions have facilitated not only empirical advancements but have significantly influenced mental health policies, ensuring that trauma-informed care models are equitable and reflect the lived realities of LGBTQ+ individuals. This includes advocacy for comprehensive training of mental health professionals in culturally competent care that addresses the unique stressors and resilience mechanisms of sexual and gender minorities.
The research led by Dr. Shipherd emphasizes the biobehavioral mechanisms through which trauma affects both psychological well-being and physical health, highlighting the interplay between chronic stress, minority stress theory, and neurobiological outcomes. Her work supports integrative treatment approaches that encompass cognitive-behavioral therapy alongside community-based supports.
In addition to her scientific and clinical achievements, Dr. Shipherd’s career exemplifies a relentless dedication to mentorship, fostering a new generation of researchers and clinicians committed to social justice imperatives within behavioral health sciences. Her leadership amplifies the voices of those historically marginalized in mental health research, efforts that embody the very essence of the ABCT’s mission.
This recognition also carries significant implications for the broader scientific community, signaling a critical need to embed equity and social justice more deeply into behavioral and cognitive therapy research and practice. By honoring Dr. Shipherd’s trailblazing career, the ABCT highlights the transformative potential of aligning rigorous science with activism to yield societal change.
As mental health challenges continue to disproportionately affect minority populations, the importance of Dr. Shipherd’s work becomes ever more evident. Her pioneering research and clinical innovations model how interdisciplinary approaches can dismantle barriers and provide evidence-based, culturally attuned care that promotes healing and social inclusion.
Subject of Research: Trauma recovery and mental and physical health in sexual and gender minority populations, with a focus on LGBTQ+ health policy and behavioral cognitive therapy.
Article Title: BU Researcher Receives Social Justice Award
News Publication Date: October 22, 2025
Keywords: Health and medicine, LGBTQ+ health, trauma recovery, social justice, behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, mental health disparities, sexual and gender minorities
