Emily B Kroska Ph.D.

Emily B. Kroska, Ph.D., is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Iowa.

Dr. Kroska focuses on developing accessible and effective interventions for at-risk populations. Her research examines brief behavioral health interventions based in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She studies intervention strategies for people who have experienced trauma – both to prevent adverse mental or physical symptoms and to promote resilience and thriving.

She is also the director of the THRIVE Lab (Trauma and Health Research: Interventions for Vitality and Engagement Lab) at Iowa, which strives to develop and evaluate interventions that facilitate vitality and well-being. For example, the THRIVE Lab is currently evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention for pregnant women who are experiencing anxiety.

In addition to her research, Dr. Kroska is a clinical psychologist, providing clinical care, supervising and mentoring graduate trainees, and teaching therapeutic skills, modalities, and theories. In each of these settings, she aims to help individuals to connect with what matters most, even in the face of adversity.

Dr. Kroska received her B.A. from the University of Kansas and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. Emily completed her internship at the University of Kansas Medical Center and post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.