Kristen Gurdak, PhD, LCSW

 

 

Dr. Kristen Gurdak received her PhD in Social Work from New York University, her MSW from Barry University, and her BSW from Florida Atlantic University. She is a licensed clinical social worker and qualified supervisor with the State of Florida.

Dr. Gurdak’s research examines stigma and community integration among marginalized populations, including individuals with mental illness and those experiencing homelessness, using participatory, qualitative, and cross-cultural approaches. Her work explores how culture and context shape identity formation, resilience, spatial navigation, and social inclusion across diverse geographic settings. Engaged in scholarship on an international stage, she collaborates with partners and institutions in the U.S., U.K., and Europe, to conduct comparative studies and share findings that resonate across cultural and policy contexts. Through this global lens, she seeks to generate theories and insights that inform effective policies, guide intervention development, enhance behavioral health services and housing initiatives, and ultimately shift the societal narrative toward greater understanding and inclusion of marginalized communities.

In addition to her tenure in academia, Dr. Gurdak brings a rich background in behavioral healthcare, having served in both clinical and leadership roles. She has held positions such as Director of Outpatient Services and Director of Clinical Services for mental health treatment centers in South Florida, and she is the founder of Seeking Self - a practice by women, for women - focused on women-specific issues, trauma, and identity formation. Her clinical expertise is further strengthened by intensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), and Internal Family Systems (IFS), which inform her work with women navigating complex mental health needs. This integration of academic scholarship, clinical practice, and leadership underpins her commitment to bridging the gap between research and real-world application, ensuring that her work not only advances knowledge but also drives meaningful, lasting change in the communities she serves.