Scholarly Works and Media Engagement

Dr. Veronica Viesca’s Contributions to Relational Well-being

Dr. Veronica Viesca, Executive Director of the Institute for Relational Well-being (IRWB), is dedicated to advancing the field of relational mental health through rigorous research, innovative clinical practice, and public engagement. Her work spans peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and media appearances, reflecting a commitment to both academic excellence and practical application.

Dr. Viesca also serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Mental Health Excellence (CFMHE), a California-based non-profit dedicated to advancing mental health care. This affiliation enhances IRWB’s ability to provide cutting-edge, research-informed care to our clients.

Explore the sections below to learn more about Dr. Viesca’s research, writing, and media engagements.

Peer Reviewed Publications:

1. Woods, S. B., Priest, J. B., Kuhn-Viesca, V., & Signs, T. (2019). Close Relationships as a Contributor to Chronic Pain Pathogenesis: Predicting pain etiology and persistence. Social Science & Medicine, 237, 112452.
2. Kuhn-Viesca, V. P., Freitas, C., France, B., & Distelberg, B. (2014) Getting Parents Involved: The Influence of Parental Engagement on Emergency Care Use in Children with Asthma. Families, Systems and Health, 32(4), 389.

Book Chapters:

1. Viesca, V., Leukart, P., Rausch, A., & Wirth, W (2024). Bumpin’ into therapy: Planning for parental leave. In The Therapist’s Notebook for Systemic Teletherapy: Creative Interventions for Effective Online Therapy. Routledge Publishing
2. Viesca, V., & Leukart, P., (2024). Assessing and Managing Virtual Burnout. In The Therapist’s Notebook for Systemic Teletherapy: Creative Interventions for Effective Online Therapy. Routledge Publishing
3. Viesca, V., & Leukart, P., (2024). Structural and Strategic Interventions for Couple Therapy: Capitalizing on the Limitations of Telehealth. In The Therapist’s Notebook for Systemic Teletherapy: Creative Interventions for Effective Online Therapy. Routledge Publishing
4. Estrella, J., Kuhn-Viesca, V. P., Freitas, C. J., & Wells, M. A. (2015). Expanding the Lens: How SERT Therapists Develop Interventions that Address the Larger Context. In Socio-Emotional Relationship Therapy (pp. 53-65). Springer International Publishing.
5. Wells, M. A., & Kuhn-Viesca, V. P. (2015). Couple therapy with adult survivors of child abuse: Gender, power, and trust. In Socio-Emotional Relationship Therapy (pp. 107-119). Springer International Publishing.

Media Contributions:

• Highlight her podcast appearances on “The Radical Therapist”