Ph.D., Michigan State
Shalonda Kelly's primary research foci are couples and racial and
cultural issues, which she investigates in the contexts of normal
families, therapy, and substance abuse settings. She studies couples
prevention, assessment, and therapy. She is involved in the
understanding and measurement of racial constructs, such as
Afrocentricity, racial identity, and biculturalism. Dr. Kelly seeks to
understand how people of color are affected by experiences of racism
and how racial and cultural perspectives affect individual, couple, and
family adjustments. Dr. Kelly teaches child and family therapy and
diversity courses and conducts couple and family therapy within a
cognitive behavioral and systems orientation. She has a background in
urban studies and is interested in programs designed to have a positive
impact on minority communities and families.
