Research interests
My program of research centers on the mental health and quality of life impacts of pelvic floor injuries and conditions. During my 2-year fellowship, my research involved both clinician-focused and patient-facing research. I first established partnerships with the Northern New England CO-OP Practice and Community Based Research Network (PCBRN) and Dartmouth colleagues. I explored patient and clinician perspectives on postpartum pelvic health educational needs in family medicine settings and presented this work at several conferences. This project (manuscript under review) combined with my graduate research findings reinforced the value of expanding pelvic floor education and support resources. In response to these identified needs, I formed a collaborative, interdisciplinary team (comprised of a pelvic floor physical therapist, urogynecologist, obstetrician, and health science researcher) to discuss quality improvement for pelvic health education during prenatal care.
I also developed and piloted a six-week, virtual, group-based psychoeducation and skills group for individuals managing pelvic floor injuries and conditions. Results demonstrated feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, as well as preliminary efficacy. I’m eager to expand this work in future studies.
The training I received as a T32 fellow also equipped me to move into a position of leadership, training the next generation of psychologists as Assistant Professor and Graduate Training Clinic Director, Idaho State University PsyD Program. I am eager to leverage my strengths to help develop a new clinical psychology training program with an integrated behavioral health and primary care focus and a commitment to closing care gaps. As I transition into this next stage of my career, I remain profoundly grateful for the foundation I was able to build through this HRSA-funded T32 fellowship.
Selected publications
Johnson, K., & Yen, R. W. (2026). Maternal role and bonding implications of postpartum pelvic floor symptoms: a quantitative and qualitative investigation. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2026.2657032
Gutierrez Chavez, M., Johnson, K. T., Coombs, J., Fortenberry, K. (2025). Psychology-led integration of psychosocial skills groups into PA student family medicine training. Journal of Physician Assistant Education. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1097/JPA.0000000000000665.
Johnson, K. T. & Leifker, F. (2025). A case study applying cognitive processing therapy to childbirth-related PTSD: Treatment considerations for the postpartum period. Cognitive Behavioral Practice, 32, 585-597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2024.04.007
Johnson, K. T. & Leifker, F. (2024). A case study applying Cognitive Processing Therapy to childbirth-related PTSD: Treatment considerations for the postpartum period. Cognitive Behavioral Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2024.04.007
Johnson, K. T., Williams, P. G., Aspinwall, L. G., Curtis, B. J. (2022). Resilience to sleep disturbance: Examination of early pandemic coping and affect [Special Issue: Development of Resilience in Response to Stress and Trauma]. Health Psychology, 45, 291-300. doi:10.1037/hea0001169
Johnson, K. T., Williams, P. G., Hill, A. J. (2022) The importance of information: Prenatal education surrounding birth-related pelvic floor trauma mitigates symptom-related distress. Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy. Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy, 36, 62-72. https://doi.org/10.1097/JWH.0000000000000229