Undergraduate School
University of California at Davis
Graduate School
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Interests & Career Goals
As an emerging perinatal and reproductive health psychologist, my work branches from the central idea that psychological, social, and other multi-level contextual factors influence the way that individuals experience pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, and consequently, affect physical and mental health outcomes. My background as a birth doula for vulnerable populations care offers a unique positionality from which I conduct relevant and responsive research and clinical work. I view all my work through health equity and social justice lenses, or more specifically, birth equity and reproductive justice lenses, and I’m deeply committed to a lifelong career in service of these areas. I anticipate that my career path will include 1) delivery of specialized psychotherapy for individuals during the perinatal period, 2) basic and applied reproductive health psychology research, 3) education and supervision, and 4) thought leadership. In addition to supporting individuals one-on-one, I hope to contribute to broad-level changes in our understanding and awareness of psychosocial determinants of reproductive health and drive improvements to current medical practice and care delivery.
Favorite Pastimes
In my free time, I enjoy live music, jigsaw puzzles, jumping into lakes and oceans, and spending time with my two Mini Australian Shepherds exploring the outdoors and learning new tricks!
Why I Chose Duke
I was absolutely thrilled to match at Duke! I was drawn to Duke’s internship program for its breadth of training opportunities within health psychology, especially the Perinatal Mental Health and Duke Fertility Center elective rotations, as well as its emphasis on health equity and culturally responsive care for diverse patient populations, its outstanding faculty, the multidisciplinary academic medical setting in which it takes place, and the institution’s reputation for innovation in reproductive health care.
Research Interests
Core areas of interest include perinatal and reproductive health, psychosocial influences on labor progression, birth doula care, clinical interventions for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and obstetric health care practice. My dissertation research is focused on intrapartum decision-making processes surrounding labor dystocia.
Publications
- Lisenbee, J., Gil-Rivas, V., Webb, J. B., Dahl, A. A., & Quinlan, M. M. (2022). Birth Doula Care in California During COVID-19: The Impacts of Social Distancing on a High-Touch Helping Profession. Qualitative Health Research, 32(10), 1477–1486. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323221110807
- Lisenbee, J., Dahl, A., Shih, S.F., & Lunde, C. (2021, May 3). A Guide to Preconception Health Considerations. Society of Behavioral Medicine: Healthy Living. https://www.sbm.org/healthy-living
- Mooney, J. & Lisenbee, J. (2020, July). Maternal Health and Race: Policy Recommendations for Mitigating & Preventing Disparities [Fact Sheet]. Research-to-Policy Collaboration. https://www.research2policy.org/maternal-health-and-race
Poster Presentations
- Lisenbee, J., Bickett, A., & Oni, K. (2022, July 16). Enriching Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes via Whole-Person Engagement and Resources: The EMPOWER Intervention [Poster session]. Postpartum Support International 35th Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
- Lisenbee, J., Oni, K., & Bickett, A. (2022, May 3). Implementation of Perinatal Group Therapy in Family Medicine: Enriching Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes via Whole-Person Engagement and Resources (The EMPOWER Intervention) [Poster session]. Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) 2022 Annual Spring Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
- Lisenbee, J., Webb, J. B., Gil-Rivas, V., Dahl, A. A., & Quinlan, M. M. (2021, April 12-16). Doula Care in California during COVID-19: The Impacts of Social Distancing on a High-Touch Helping Profession [Research spotlight]. Society of Behavioral Medicine's 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions. (Virtual)
- Lisenbee, J. & Uri, R. (2020, April 1-4). Exploring the Impact of Maternal Perceived Discrimination During Childbirth on Labor Duration [Poster session]. Society of Behavioral Medicine's 41st Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions, San Francisco, CA. (Conference canceled)
- Jafari, N., Webb, J. B., Lisenbee, J., Mooney, J., & Uri, R. (2019, November). Mindful-Eating Smartphone Application for Binge Eating: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy [Poster session]. 29th Annual Renfrew Center Foundation Conference for Professionals, Philadelphia, PA.
- Webb, J. B., Scritchfield, R., Vinoski Thomas, E., Lisenbee, J., Mooney, J., & Rogers, C. B. (2019, March). Exploring a Model of Depressive Symptoms, Negative Body Image, and Mindful Self-care in Pregnancy and Mothers of Young Children [Poster session]. Society of Behavioral Medicine's 40th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions, Washington, DC.
Invited Talks
- Lisenbee, J., (2023, May). Understanding Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Doula Brunch & Learn. Presentation hosted by the NC Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC.
- Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J., Armstrong, L., Lisenbee, J., & Snapper, L. (2023, March). Launching the Behavioral Health and Resiliency (BeHealthieR) Psychology Training Clinic: Expanding our ability to address students’ behavioral health needs while training the next generation of mental health professionals. Presentation at the 2023 Behavioral Health Convening, UNC System, Raleigh, NC.
- Hart, B., Lisenbee, J., Martinez, C., Ranger-Murdock, G., Mejia, K., Day, R., Friday-Gilbert, K., Palmer, S., & Rizan, B. (2022, July 16). Keynote 2: PSI Community Engagement Grant Programs [Keynote address]. Postpartum Support International 35th Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
- Oni, K., Bickett, A., & Lisenbee, J. (2022, May 3). Mind Over Mothering: Promotion of Mental Health as a Multidisciplinary Prenatal Care Model Within a Residency Practice Site [Roundtable presentation]. Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) 2022 Annual Spring Conference, Indianapolis, IN.