It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Kelly Moore, a friend, colleague, mentor, teacher, trainer, and beloved member of the GSAPP, Rutgers, NJ and PA psychology communities.
Kelly’s connection to GSAPP spanned nearly every chapter of her professional life. As a student, alumna, faculty member, clinician, and leader, she helped shape and strengthen the community she so deeply valued. Kelly graduated from GSAPP’s Clinical Psychology doctoral program in 2011 and returned to her alma mater in Dec. 2020 as Clinical Associate Professor and Director of our Center for Psychological Services (CPS). Under her visionary leadership, CPS continued to thrive. Together with her dedicated, small but mighty team, she expanded outreach and service provision and fostered vital campus and community partnerships, all while maintaining the highest standard of excellence for training the next generation of competent, compassionate mental health practitioners.
She simultaneously maintained a small private practice and consultation business, Moore Wellness, LLC. A specialist in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and perinatal disorders in youth and adults, Kelly was committed to providing care through a cultural humility lens. Before returning to GSAPP, she served as Principal Investigator and Program Manager for Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care’s Children’s Center for Resilience and Trauma Recovery (CCRTR), a SAMHSA-funded center dedicated to advancing trauma-informed care for children and families.
Kelly's professional accomplishments were numerous and reflected both her scholarly contributions and her dedication to advancing the field of psychology. Among her recent honors, she received the 2026 NJPA Stanley Moldawsky Mentor Award and the 2026 NCSPP-ERDC Award for Excellence in Advancing Ethnic and Racial Diversity. In 2025, she was selected for APA's Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology, recognizing both her emerging leadership and impact within the profession.
Additionally, Kelly contributed meaningfully to psychological literature. She co-authored the clinical guide Racial Trauma in Black Clients: Effective Practice for Clinicians with fellow GSAPP alumna Dr. Jennifer Jones-Damis (with foreword by Dr. Nancy Boyd-Franklin) and co-contributed a chapter to Culturally Informed Approaches to Behavioral and Educational Assessment, advancing equitable and culturally responsive assessment and trauma treatment practices.
Kelly frequently lent her expertise to public conversations on mental health through media appearances and educational outreach, helping bring evidence-based psychological knowledge to mainstream audiences. She was a sought-after speaker, instructor, and subject matter expert who generously shared her knowledge through conferences, interviews, podcasts, community engagement efforts, and workforce development initiatives.
Her dedication to educating and supporting future professionals extended to teaching in Rutgers' Juvenile Justice and Youth Development programs, serving as a national trainer in the Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) framework for treating complex trauma, and providing training and consultation to mental health professionals and organizations. In every setting, Kelly brought intellectual rigor, authenticity, and a steadfast commitment to equity and inclusion.
In 2025, Kelly helped to launch the GSAPP Book Club, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue, thoughtful connection, and community-building. She was also an active member of the Pi Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and served as President of the Burlington County chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc. Undoubtedly, however, Kelly’s greatest pride and joy was personal - being a devoted wife (husband Melvin) and loving mother to her three sons (Miles, Mason, and Matthew).
To say that Kelly will be missed is an understatement. Her warm demeanor, melodic voice, vibrant spirit, and calming presence made all who met, and were fortunate enough to know her, feel seen, welcomed, and heard. The impact of her work will continue to be felt through the students she trained, the colleagues she inspired, the communities she served, and the countless individuals and families whose lives she touched. In a profession devoted to understanding the human experience, few gifts are greater than helping others feel less alone.
That gift, along with her family, remains Kelly’s enduring legacy. As we remember Kelly's extraordinary life, we invite those who are able to honor her memory by supporting her sons' college fund.
