ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) is pleased to announce that Dr. Courtney Welton-Mitchell has been hired as director of evaluation and research, to lead a team of globally based experts who support clinical work and the rights of survivors of torture through scientific evidence and analysis. In this role, she will set research strategy and advance the work of measuring the impacts of CVT’s mental health, rehabilitative care and service provider capacity development projects, as well as supporting programming focused on justice and human rights.

Courtney Welton-Mitchell has extensive experience in applied research and as a leader of multi-national teams, specializing in global traumatic stress and mental health related to complex crises, conflict and human rights violations. She has particular expertise in evaluation related to torture, gender-based violence, disaster psychology and human rights abuses.

“I’m excited that Courtney will join our team,” said Emily Hutchinson, vice president of global programs. “She brings deep knowledge of best research practices, not only related to effective mental health care, but also to interventions we provide in the aftermath of armed conflict, torture and catastrophic events our clients face around the world. Because CVT helps people rebuild their lives after surviving extremely traumatizing experiences, it’s critical that our research methods allow us to understand the best and most responsive approaches to care. Courtney is a true innovator in the field, and I’m thrilled that she is bringing her expertise to CVT.”

CVT’s Research and Evaluation Department ensures that effectiveness of care is measured across programs and that this practice is an integral part of therapeutic interventions and processes. The department strives to advance the humanitarian sector through proven trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.

Welton-Mitchell holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Denver, were she also earned a Master of Arts degree in Affect/Social Psychology. In addition, she holds a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of New Mexico, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the New School for Social Research and Parson’s School of Design.

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The Center for Victims of Torture is a nonprofit organization with offices in Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Uganda, United States and additional project sites around the world.