Biography
is Diné/Navajo; she/her/Asdzáán, is currently an Assistant Professor, Research Faculty in the Division of Community Behavioral Health in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at University of New Mexico. Dr. Yellowhair is also the current Chair for the Division Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee and the Project Director for the Trauma informed to build Resilient, Indigenous, Balanced communities Enhanced with Strength (T.R.I.B.E.S.) Project that focuses on raising the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families, and communities, particularly American Indian/ Alaskan Native communities throughout the United States
Yellowhair received a B.A. in Psychology and English from Fort Lewis College in 2005. She earned her Master of Arts (2009) and Doctoral (2020) degrees in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University. Yellowhair completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of New Mexico in the Integrated Behavioral Health Track (now the Multicultural Rural and Native American Behavioral Health Track). Yellowhair completed her post-doctoral training at UNM's Division of Community Behavioral Health where her training included direct mentorship from Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart.
Raised on the Diné reservation in Arizona, Dr. Yellowhair has lived and worked in various Native and non-Native communities and settings in New Mexico, Arizona, and Michigan. Yellowhair’s research has focused on Historical Trauma, working in American Indian communities both urban and rural. Yellowhair has worked in the service of urban and rural Native communities and has committed research and professional focus to promote cultural safety, competence, humility, inclusion, and collaboration with American Indian communities to promote resilience and healing Historical Trauma.
Personal Statement
Continuing to advance work in American Indian communities is a passion. The impetus for my clinical, research and training concentration comes from having the awareness of the paucity of resources for American Indian communities, especial those in rural areas where resources can be limited.
Areas of Specialty
American Indian populations, Historical Trauma & Resilience, culturally informed practices, Cultural Safety in Health Care