Photo of Kristyn Zajac, PhD

Kristyn Zajac, PhD

Assistant Professor of Medicine
Academic Office Location:
Medicine
UConn Health
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030-3940
Phone: 860-679-8572

Dr. Kristyn Zajac is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Calhoun Cardiology Center, Behavioral Cardiovascular Prevention Division, and Department of Medicine at UConn Health. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Delaware and completed an NIMH-funded postdoctoral research fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina’s (MUSC) National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center. Prior to her appointment at UConn Health, she was an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC’s Family Services Research Center and the director of MUSC’s Adolescent and Family Services clinic.

Education
DegreeInstitutionMajor
MAUniversity of DelawarePsychology
PhDUniversity of DelawareClinical Psychology

Post-Graduate Training
TrainingInstitutionSpecialty
FellowshipMedical University of South Carolina (MUSC)NIMH-funded postdoctoral fellowship, National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center

Awards
Name of Award/HonorAwarding Organization
Recognized Research InnovatorMedical University of South Carolina University Research Council
Best Child Supervisor AwardMUSC Clinical Psychology Interns Class of 2014
John R. Raymond FellowshipMUSC Women Scholars Initiative
Service Award for work with the Survivor of Homicide Support GroupCharleston County Sheriff's Office
Robert Magwood, Jr. Crime Victims Service AwardMedical University of South Carolina
Outstanding Scientist-Practitioner Award, Psychology Internship ProgramMedical University of South Carolina
Competitive Research FellowshipUniversity of Delaware

Dr. Zajac’s research focuses on the development and evaluation of interventions for substance abuse and mental health disorders among high-risk adolescents and young adults. She currently has a career development award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to study treatments for co-occurring substance abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder among young adults. Her work has also been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the American Psychological Foundation.

Journal Articles

Book Chapters

  • Internet gaming disorder
    Zajac, K., Ginley, M. K., Kelly, L. M., & Chang, R. Handbook of Clinical Child Psychology: Integrating Theory and Research into Practice 2023 Jun;961-986
  • Assessment and treatment of internalizing disorders (depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD).
    Kaminer, Y., Zajac, K., & Winters, K. C. 2020 Jan;
  • Management of youth with substance use disorders in the juvenile justice system.
    Zajac, K., Drazdowski, T. K., & Sheidow, A. J. Clinical Manual of Youth Addictive Disorders 2020 Jan;
  • Pharmacological treatment of behavioral addictions.
    Ginley, M. K., Zajac, K., Rash, C. J., & Petry, N. M. APA Handbook of Psychopharmacology 2019 Jan;631-646
  • Contingency management approaches
    Zajac, K., Alessi, S. M., & Petry, N. M. The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy and Science of Addiction 2018 Jan;
  • Conduct disorders and substance use problems in rural school settings
    Zajac, K., Andrews, A. R., & Sheidow, A. J. Handbook of Rural School Mental Health 2017 Jan;183-198
  • Attachment disruptions, reparative processes, and psychopathology: Theoretical and clinical applications
    Kobak, R. R., Zajac, K., & Madsen, S. D. Handbook of Attachment: Theory, Research, and Clinical Applications 2016 Jan;
  • Victims of violence: Evaluation and management.
    McCart, M. R., & Zajac, K. The Oxford Handbook of Behavioral Emergencies and Crises 2016 Jan;
  • Treating young adult behavioral health challenges
    Munson, M., Narendorf, S., Zajac, K., & Cole, A. Counseling Across the Life Span: Prevention and Treatment 2015 Jan;
  • Adolescent sexual assault: Prevalence, risk associates, outcomes, and intervention.
    McCauley, J. L., Zajac, K., & Begle, A. M. Handbook of Adolescent Health Psychology 2013 Jan;175-190
  • Rethinking adolescent states of mind: A relationship/lifespan view of attachment and psychopathology.
    Kobak, R., & Zajac, K. Minnesota Symposium on Child Psychology: The Origins and Organization of Adaptation and Maladaptation. 2011 Jan;
  • Genetics of posttraumatic stress disorder: Extant research and neurobiologically informed future directions.
    Amstadter, A. B., Zajac, K., Nugent, N. R., & Koenen, K. C. Neurobiology of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. 2010 Jan;
  • Attachment.
    Zajac, K., & Kobak, R. Children’s Needs III: Understanding and Addressing the Developmental Needs of Children 2006 Jan;

Editorials

Other

  • Transition age youth with mental health problems in the juvenile justice system.
    Zajac, K., Sheidow, A. J., & Davis, M. Washington, DC: Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health. 2013 Jan;
Title or AbstractTypeSponsor/EventDate/YearLocation
Implementation of a brief targeted mentoring program for women faculty at two medical universities.PosterAcademy of American Medical Colleges2019Phoenix, AZ
Relationship between internalizing problems and internet gaming disorder symptoms among treatment-seeking youth.PosterAssociation for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies2019Atlanta, GA