The TRUST Lab

Treatment and Research for the Underserved with Stress and Trauma

Welcome to the TRUST Lab at the UCLA Department of Psychology. 

The TRUST lab uses research to improve access to, and quality of, care for diverse, low-resource, and underserved populations affected by traumatic and stressful events. The lab is led by Dr. Lauren Ng in collaboration with colleagues, students, and research team members throughout the world. She currently has research projects in the US, Ethiopia, and Rwanda.

Dr. Lauren Ng will be accepting a graduate student for the 2025-2026 Academic Year

Prospective PhD Student information Here.

Recent News

New Publication:
In PLOS Mental Health:

Experiences of trauma among persons living with psychosis in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
Citation and Article can be found Here.

New Publication:
In the BMC Health Services Research:

Marketing mental health services a mixed-methods analysis of racially and ethnically diverse college students’ engagement with and perspectives on U.S. university mental health clinics’ websites.
Citation and Article can be found Here.

New Publication:
In the Journal of Behavioral Health Service & Research:

A Qualitative Investigation of Characteristics Impacting Clinical Decision-making in Integrated Behavioral Health Care.
Citation and Article can be found Here.

New Publication:
In Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy:

“Being Who I Am Means Everything Bad Can Happen” Chronic Structural Stressors in Trauma Focused Therapy Sessions With Marginalized Adolescents
Citation and Article PDF can be found Here.

Congratulations Christine Bird for receiving the UCLA 2024 Life Sciences Excellence Award in the category of Excellence in Promotion of Diversity & Inclusion, PhD Candidate!

New Publication:
In the Journal of Counseling Psychology:

Mental Health Disparities of Sexual Minority Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Provider Perspectives on Trauma Exposure, Symptom Presentation, and Treatment Approach
Citation and Author Article can be found Here.

Congratulations Ibukun Olabinjo on receiving the 2024 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) for her ongoing research!

New Article:
In the International Journal of Mental Health Systems:

Experience of traumatic events in people with severe mental illness in a low-income country: a qualitative study.
Citation and Open Access Article can be found Here.

New Article:
In the Trauma Psychology News:

Integrating familismo in evidence-based trauma therapies to increase treatment engagement among Latine youth.
Citation and Open Access Article can be found Here.

More news and announcements here.