Jennifer F. Kelly, PhD, ABPP

Psychologist and Board Certified in Clinical Health Psychology

My Story

Dr. Kelly is a licensed psychologist and is Board Certified in Clinical Health Psychology. She served as the 2021 President of the American Psychological Association. Her presidential initiatives focused on Psychology’s Role in Achieving Health and Racial Equity. She is the director of the Atlanta Center for Behavioral Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Kelly addresses a variety of mental health concerns in her practice, with expertise in treating disorders that involve the relationship between physical and emotional conditions. A native of Gulfport, Mississippi, Dr. Kelly earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Florida State University.

Dr. Kelly is actively involved in numerous professional organizations. In addition to being a past president of the APA, she served on numerous Boards and Committees within the association. A past president of the Georgia Psychological Association, Dr. Kelly has served as the Federal Advocacy Coordinator of the Association for 24 years. She currently serves on the International Advisory Board for the Columbia – World Health Organization (WHO) Center for Global Mental Health. She recently served on the Committee with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine addressing Strategies to Improve Access to Behavioral Health Care Services through Medicare and Medicaid.

A graduate of the 2003 class of Leadership Atlanta, Dr. Kelly has been recognized for her advocacy on behalf of psychology, including recognition by APA Services, Inc. for her leadership in advancing the profession of psychology through Federal Advocacy, and the Legislative Award of the Georgia Psychological Association. Dr. Kelly is the 2024 recipient of the Raymond D. Fowler Award for Outstanding Contributions to APA, and the 2023 recipient of the Society of Health Psychology Nathan W. Perry, Jr. Award for Career Service to Health Psychology.

Dr. Kelly is a member of Lions Club International and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

Curriculum Vitae

Psychologist and Owner
Atlanta Center for Behavioral Medicine
2325 Log Cabin Drive SE, Suite 105
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
(770) 319-5677 (phone) 
(770) 433-2658 (fax)
www.DrJenniferKelly.com

UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION

1978
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Major: Psychology
Degree: Bachelor of Arts

GRADUATE EDUCATION

1987
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
Major: Clinical Psychology
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

1984
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
Major: Clinical Psychology
Degree: Master of Science

1980
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Major: Counseling Psychology
Degree: Master of Science

LICENSURE

1991
Georgia: PSY001523

CERTIFICATION

2010
Board Certified in Clinical Health Psychology
American Board of Professional Psychology

SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS AND HONORS

2024
Raymond D. Fowler Award for Outstanding Contributions to the American Psychological Association

2023
Nathan W. Perry, Jr. Award for Career Service to Health Psychology
Division 38: Society for Health Psychology

2021
Distinguished Alumni Award
Florida State University

2020
Austria-Robinson Distinguished Mentoring Award Advocacy Award
Division 45

2019
Federal Advocacy Award
American Psychological Association

2012
Timothy B. Jeffrey Award for Outstanding
Contributions to Clinical Health Psychology

2012
Diversity Award
Committee of State Leaders
American Psychological Association

2011
State Leadership Award
American Psychological Association

2007
Community Service Award
Georgia Psychological Association

2006
Outstanding Psychologist
Division 31, American Psychological Association

2004
Federal Advocacy Award
American Psychological Association

2003
Leadership Atlanta Class Graduate

2003
Diversity Leadership Academy of Atlanta Graduate

2000
Karl F. Heiser Advocacy Award
American Psychological Association

2000
Legislative Award
Georgia Psychological Association

1986 – 1987
Delores Auzenne Fellowship
Florida State University

1982 – 1985
Graduate and Professional Study Fellowship Program
Florida State University

1977 – 1978
University Scholarship
University of Southern Mississippi

1975
Pulley, Pulley & Gough Memorial Scholarship
University of Southern Mississippi

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

1987-Present
American Psychological Association
President-Elect 2020
Fellow: Divisions 12, 29, 31, 42, 45
Member: Divisions 51, 55
Co-Chair, Advocacy Coordinating Committee 2019
Board of Directors – Recording Secretary 2013-2018
Board of Directors – Member-at-Large 2010-2012
Co-Chair of APA Expanded Advocacy Model 2018
Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice 2008-2009
Council of Representatives 2004-2009
Board of Professional Affairs 2005-2007 (Past Chair)
Committee of State Leaders 2002-06 (Including Past-Chair and Past Chair of Diversity Subcommittee)
Division 31-Past President
Division 29-Member-at-Large 2007-2009
Women’s Caucus
Treasurer 2008-2009
Member-at-Large 2003-2005
Task Force: Future of Psychology Practice 2008
Task Force: Early Career Support Initiative 2006
Task Force: Infusing Multicultural Guidelines throughout APA 2006
Task Force: Education and Training Leading to Licensure in Psychology 2005
Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology
Advisory Committee 2015-2019
Faculty 2011-2017
Diversity Leadership Development Workshop Founder/Organizer 2009-Present

1991-Present
Georgia Psychological Association
Federal Advocacy Coordinator 1999-Present
Council of Representatives 2004-2009
Past President 1999-2000
Secretary 1995-1997
Past Chair-Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee
Past Chair-Membership Committee
Past Chair-Peer Review Committee

1991-Present
International Association for the Study of Pain
Member

2014-2019
American Board of Professional Psychology Foundation
Board of Directors Member-at-large

2008-2009
Association for the Advancement of Psychology
Chair of Board of Trustees

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

2024-2026
Columbia – World Health Organization (WHO)
Center for Global Mental Health
International Advisory Board

2023-2024
Committee on Strategies to Improve Access to Behavioral Health Care National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

2023-2025
Society of Black Neuropsychology Advisory Board

2008-2013
ChrisKids Board of Directors

2005-2010
SCLC-W.O.M.E.N. (Advisory Board)

1996-2012
Project Interconnections Executive Committee/Board of Directors

1977-Present
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

1993-Present
Atlanta Metro Lions Club

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1994 – Present
Owner
Atlanta Center for Behavioral Medicine
Atlanta, Georgia

1992 – 1994
Coordinator of Psychological Services
National Pain Institute
Atlanta, Georgia

1991 – 1992
Coordinator of Psychological Services
Southeastern Pain Institute
Atlanta, Georgia

1987 – 1991
Assistant Professor
Department of Anesthesiology
University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston

Coordinator of Psychological Services
University Center for Pain Medicine at Hermann
Houston, Texas

1986 – 1987
Psychology Intern
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas

1985 – 1986
Psychological Specialist
Florida State Hospital
Chattahoochee, Florida

1984 – 1985
Behavioral Specialist
Florida State University
Regional Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Consultation Center
Tallahassee, Florida

1983 – 1985
Psychology Trainee
Florida State University Psychology Clinic
Tallahassee, Florida

1980 – 1982
Mental Health Associate Gulf Coast Mental Health Center
Gulfport, Mississippi

EDITORIAL POSITIONS

2006-2011
Associate Editor
Professional Psychology: Research and Practice
Past Associate Editor, Pain Digest
Past Associate Editor, Pain Practice

PUBLICATIONS

Kelly, J. F. (2024). Political advocacy: Psychology’s most underutilized resource. Review of General Psychology, 28 (4), 357–365. https://doi.org/10.1177/10892680241257962

Akbar, M., Kelly, J. F., Shullman, S. L., Jernigan, M., & Faye, C. (2024). A historic apology: The American Psychological Association’s commitment to dismantling systemic racism and advancing racial equity in psychology. American Psychologist, 79 (4), 660–673.
https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001381

Presidential Task Force on Psychology and Health Equity. (2023). Report of the American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Psychology and Health Equity. American Psychologist, 78 (2), 259–267. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001125

Kelly, J. F. (2022). Building a more equitable society: Psychology’s role in achieving health equity. American Psychologist, 77(5), 633-645. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001019

VandenBos, G., Fu, M., and Kelly, J.F. (2016). Professional associations in clinical psychology. In J. C. Norcross, G. R. VandenBos, & D. K. Freedheim (Editors-in-chief), L.F. Campbell (Associate Editor), APA handbook of clinical psychology: Vol. 5. Education and profession. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Vasquez, M. J. T., & Kelly, J. F. (2016). Independent practices. In J. C. Norcross, G. R. VandenBos, & D. K. Freedheim (Eds.), APA handbook of clinical psychology: Vol. 1. Roots and branches. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Kelly, J.F. (2014). Chronic pain: Clinical application. In L. Grossman and S. Walfish (Eds.), Translating Psychological Research into Practice. New York: Springer.

Kelly, J.F. and Coons, H.L. (2012). Integrated health care and professional psychology: Is the setting right for you? Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 43 (6), 586-595.

Kelly, J.F. and Greene, B. (2010) Diversity within african american, female therapists: Variability in clients’ expectations and assumptions about the therapist, Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 47 (2), 186-197.

Kelly, J.F. (1999). Psychological approaches to treating chronic pain. In C. Germano and W. Cabot (Eds.), Nature’s Pain Killers. New York: Kensington.

Kelly, J.F. & Edwards, C. (1997). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Treatment of Acute Stress Disorder in a Patient Who Presents with Acute Pain Following a Motor-Vehicle Accident, Pain Digest, 7, 89-91.

Kelly, J.F. (1996). Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches to the Management of Chronic Pain, Pain Digest, 6, 359-363.

Kelly, J.F. (1996). Psychologic evaluation and treatment. In P. Raj (Ed.), Pain Medicine: A Comprehensive Review. Chicago: Mosby Yearbook.

Cabot, W.D., Miller, J.L., & Kelly, J.F. (1995). An algorithm for conservative back care, Pain Digest, 4, 269-275.

Kelly, J.F., & Raj. P. (1994). Chronic Pain in a Geriatric Patient, Pain Digest, 4, 285-290.

Kelly, J.F. (1994). Psychological approaches to management of chronic pain. In P. Raj (Ed.), Current Review of Pain. Philadelphia: Current Science.

Kelly, J.F. (1993). Use of hypnosis in the management of acute and chronic pain. Pain Digest, 3, 241-245.

Raj, P.P., Kelly, J.F., Cannella, S.J., & McConn, K. (1992). Multidisciplinary management of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Pain Digest, 2, 267-273.

Lynch, T., Kelly, J.F., & Vasudevan, S.V. (1992). Psychological examination and psychometric testing. In P. Raj (Ed.), Practical Management of Pain. Chicago: Mosby Yearbook.

Kelly, J.F. & Lynch, T. (1992) Psychological Techniques in Pain Management. In P. Raj (Ed.), Practical Management of Pain. Chicago: Mosby Yearbook.

Raj, P.P., Cannella, S.J., Kelly, J.F., McConn, K. & Lowry, P. (1990). Multidisciplinary management of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. In M. Stanton-Hicks, W. Janig & R. Boas (Eds.), Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. Boston: Kluwer Academic.

Heilburn, K., Bennett, W.S., White, A.J., & Kelly, J.F. (1990). An MMPI-Based empirical model of malingering and deception. Behavioral Sciences and The Law, 8, 45-53.

Featured Publications

Articles

VandenBos, G., Fu, M., and Kelly, J.F. (2016). Professional associations in clinical psychology. In J. C. Norcross, G. R. VandenBos, & D. K. Freedheim (Editors-in-chief), L.F. Campbell (Associate Editor), APA handbook of clinical psychology: Vol. 5. Education and profession. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Vasquez, M. J. T., & Kelly, J. F. (2016). Independent practices. In J. C. Norcross, G. R. VandenBos, & D. K. Freedheim (Eds.), APA handbook of clinical psychology: Vol. 1. Roots and branches. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Kelly, J.F. (2014). Chronic pain: Clinical application. In L. Grossman and S. Walfish (Eds.), Translating Psychological Research into Practice. New York: Springer.