Background

Cory J. Cascalheira, B.A. (he / they) is a doctoral student in the Department of Counseling & Educational Psychology at New Mexico State University. He is an NIH MBRS R25 RISE Fellow. His research interests include stigma-related experiences among sexual and gender minorities and people with diverse sexualities (e.g., BDSM), and how these experiences impact well-being and mental health outcomes. Cory focuses on factors conferring risk for and resilience against substance misuse and internalization processes. He uses both qualitative and quantitative methods, including the application of computational social science (e.g., machine learning).

Clinically, he has experience delivering cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, and relational-cultural interventions through individual and group modalities with people living with homelessness, addiction, recidivism, academic distress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, loss, and concerns about body image and identity development. Cory has worked in college counseling centers, community behavioral health settings, and integrated primary care. Currently, he serves as a behavioral health consultant, graduate research assistant, and research project coordinator.