At the Health Empowerment and Adjustment Lab (HEAL) in the Psychology Department at Western Washington University, our mission is to illuminate the lived experiences of individuals navigating chronic illness and trauma. We are dedicated to understanding the complex interplay of physical health, mental health, and life experiences, with a particular focus on how individuals find meaning, cultivate wisdom, and develop resilience in the face of adversity.
In our pursuit of knowledge, we are committed to infusing multiculturalism and social justice principles into our research. We recognize the profound impact of cultural, societal, and systemic factors on health and wellbeing, and we strive to honor the diverse identities and experiences of our research participants.
Through rigorous research, compassionate inquiry, and a commitment to equity and inclusivity, we aim to empower individuals, inform healthcare practices, and influence policy to enhance overall wellbeing and quality of life for those living with chronic illness and trauma. We believe in the power of human resilience, the importance of cultural competence, and the necessity of social justice in health research.
At HEAL, we are not just studying the journey through chronic illness and trauma, we are advocating for a healthcare system that is responsive to the diverse needs of all individuals.
About the Director: Aaron Smith, Phd, LMHC, NCC, CCATP is a fully Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, a board Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional, and an Associate Professor of Counseling in the Psychology Department at Western Washington University. He is also the director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program at Western, an Associate Editor for the Journal of Humanistic Counseling, and a Co-Host of The Thoughtful Counselor Podcast. He is also the former co-director of Western’s Center for Cross Cultural Research (CCCR) and an 8-year Veteran of the United States Marine Corps infantry.
