Dr. Zalewski is interested in risk factors that predict the development of emotion regulation in children. She examines the development of emotion regulation in children whose parents struggle with psychopathology. Specifically, she focuses on mothers with symptoms of borderline personality disorder, as many of these individuals struggle with emotion dysregulation and have childhood trauma histories. Dr. Zalewski’s lab uses multimethod assessment tools such as observational coding, physiological recording (HPA-axis and parasympathetic measures), and subjective self-report tools.

Furthermore, Dr. Zalewski is formally trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), an evidence based approach to treating individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and other disorders involving high emotional dysregulation. Her lab is currently completing a 5 year clinical trial on DBT Skills for mothers of preschool aged children. She also supervises a DBT Skills practicum at the University of Oregon Psychology Training Clinic.

Dr. Zalewski will be accepting a new doctoral student in the upcoming admissions cycle.