Rachel L. Dyer, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Psychology. As a new professor (2024), Dr. Dyer is looking forward to establishing and directing the Pregnancy and Psychology Research (PAPR) Lab—continuing her research on the psychosocial impact of oppressive systems during pregnancy, pregnancy decision-making, and family-building. Dr. Dyer’s scholarship and activism has primarily focused on abortion. She published a chapter on “Emotions After Abortions” in the Handbook of Abortion Care for Mental Health Professionals and co-authored the forthcoming, first-ever American Psychological Association’s Professional Practice Guidelines on Sex and Reproduction. To date, Dr. Dyer has trained nearly 1,000 mental health clinicians in after-abortion support. Her work has also been featured in top journals of her field including American Psychologist and Psychology of Women Quarterly, as well as well as in popular press (Los Angeles Times, ELITE Daily, City Cast) and a Brooklyn art gallery. Dr. Dyer was the former Executive Director of Exhale Pro-Voice—a 20-year-old nonprofit organization providing research-driven, abortion-positive support to people who have had abortions. Dr. Dyer is also a practicing mental health clinician, currently pursuing licensure as a psychologist in Wisconsin. At Lawrence, Dr. Dyer teaches classes on psychopathology, the psychology of gender, and the clinical psychology lab course.
