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  • About Me

     

    Dr. Isha W. Metzger is a first generation American from Atlanta, Georgia by way of Sierra Leone, West Africa. Dr. Metzger is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Founder and Director of The EMPOWER Lab, Owner of Cultural Concepts, LLC, a Certified Therapist in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), and she is the Mental Health expert for Salone Health, an organization dedicated to improving the health of Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad.

     

    The overarching goal of Dr. Metzger’s career is to take a strengths based, anti-deficit approach to prevention for youth of color. Dr. Metzger stands against anti-Black racism and oppression through "Engaging Minorities in Prevention, Outreach, Wellness, Education, & Research" through community-based participatory methods and advocacy. Both personally and professionally, Dr. Metzger is heavily invested in mentoring and training the next generation of community based prevention scientists.

  • Assistant Professor
    Adjunct Assistant Professor, Graduate Faculty
    Visiting Research Faculty
    Director, The EMPOWER Lab
    "Engaging Minorities in Prevention, Outreach, Wellness, Education, & Research"
    Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) Certified Therapist

  • Education and Training

    Yale University School of Public Health

    2016-2017

    Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

    Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA)

    Research Education Institute for Diverse Scholars (REIDS)

    Medical University of South Carolina

    2015-2017

    Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

    National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center

    Department of Psychiatry

    Treatment Development and Dissemination Track

    University of South Carolina

    2011-2015

    Doctor of Philosophy

    Clinical-Community Psychology (APA Accredited)

    Department of Psychology

    Medical University of South Carolina

    2014-2015

    Clinical Psychology Predoctoral Internship

    Charleston Consortium Psychology

    Predoctoral Internship Training Program

    University of South Carolina

    2009-2011

    Masters of Arts

    Clinical-Community Psychology (APA Accredited)

    Department of Psychology

    Georgia State University

    2005-2008

    Bachelor of Arts

    Department of Psychology, Summa Cum Laude

    Advanced Research Honors Degree

  • Awards & Honors

  • 2022

    Georgia State University, 40 under 40 Class of 2022

    2022

    Article of the Year, 2021

    “Healing Interpersonal and Racial Trauma: Integrating Racial Socialization into Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for African American Youth.” Child Maltreatment, The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children and Sage Publishing

    2021

    Research Award in recognition of creativity and leadership on research studies that contribute meaningfully to clinical science, Clinical Psychology Program, University of Georgia

    Recognized as “faculty who had a significant, positive, impact on the career decision-making process of a graduate”, Career Center, University of Georgia

    2020

    Clinical Award for Outstanding Supervision, Clinical Psychology Program, University of Georgia

    2019

    Recognized as “faculty who had a significant, positive, impact on the career decision-making process of a graduate in the class of 2019”, Career Center, University of Georgia

    Certificate in Diversity & Inclusion, University of Georgia, Office of Institutional Diversity

    Faculty Mentor of the Year, University of Georgia, Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Program

    A Common Call Regional Faculty Conference Grant, Faculty Commons, University of Georgia

    APA Journals Article Spring Spotlight, American Psychological Association

    2018

    Leadership Innovation in the Franklin Multicultural Curriculum, University of Georgia Teaching Award for Outstanding Instruction, Clinical Psychology Program, University of Georgia

    2017

    Early Career Fellow, Owens Institute of Behavioral Research, University of Georgia

    Mentored Fellow, Center for Translational and Prevention Science (P30DA027827) University of Georgia

    40 Under 40 Leaders in Health, National Minority Quality Forum

    2016

    APA Dissertation Research Grant, American Psychological Association

    Community Engaged Scholars Program Inductee, Medical University of South Carolina

    APA Health Equity Ambassador, Health Disparities Initiative

    Research Education Institute for Diverse Scholars (REIDS), Yale University

    2013

    State Doctoral Scholars Program Dissertation Grant, Southern Regional Education Board

    Nora and William Smith Endowed Fellowship, University of South Carolina

    Laura Griffin Graduate Research Grant, University of South Carolina

    Exemplary Award for Outstanding Service, University of South Carolina

    2012

    Graduate Student Research Award, University of South Carolina

    Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) Credential, Center for Teaching Excellence, University of South Carolina

    2011

    Gamecock Scholars Academic Scholarship, University of South Carolina

    2010

    Continuing Graduate Incentive Fellowship, University of South Carolina

    FORD Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship Program, Honorable Mention

    2009

    Graduate Incentive Fellowship, University of South Carolina

  • Dr. Isha Metzger - Media Appearance - PTSD

    Media Appearance

    Peace of Mind with Taraji

    PTSD with Rapper G Herbo: Not Just from Combat  Each day on average 26 Black Americans are killed by guns. Rapper G Herbo reveals how he suffers from PTSD as a result of growing up around gun violence and why he is now using his platform to help other Black men seek mental health services. Community activist Harry Bell shares how witnessing multiple shootings left him struggling with alcohol and suicidal thoughts. Therapist Isha Metzger sheds light on the personal and community impacts of gun violence, and how these life-threatening weapons specifically cause harm to the Black community. Taraji P. Henson hosts; watch online.

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