Women in Medicine: Debra Kaysen, PhD

Why did you pursue a career in medicine?

I joke that I am the embodiment of nature/nurture for the scientist/practitioner model. My father is an MD PhD, who worked as a Nephrologist and had a career in academic medicine. My mother was a PsyD and clinical psychologist in private practice. It seemed like destiny for me to become a clinical psychologist.

In all seriousness though, I was drawn to the field by my interests in women's health and desire to help improve people's quality of life.

What is your work focused on?

My research is focused on treatment for those who have been exposed to traumatic events. A great deal of this work is focused on improving treatments for PTSD but also depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use. Many of those affected by these reactions will never get access to effective care, so, much of my research is also focused on ways to get effective treatments to more people, especially to populations who often have the most trouble accessing care. My clinical work is focused on treatment of PTSD.

What is the most fulfilling part of your work?

One of the most fulfilling parts of my clinical work is watching people recover from PTSD. The traumatic events have often taken so much away from people that it feels like a gift seeing them let go of some of the burdens they have been carrying with them. It is seeing them reclaim the rest of their lives. With my research, seeing this happen on a larger scale is immensely fulfilling.

What advice would you give yourself when you started in the field, knowing what you know now?

I would tell myself to relax, be a little bit kinder, and be a bit more patient with myself.