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Jessica Ruth Lunsford-Avery

Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Psychiatry, Child & Family Mental Health & Community Psychiatry
2608 Erwin Road Suite 300, Durham, NC 27705
2400 Pratt Street, 7th Floor, Durham, NC 27705

Overview


I am a clinical psychologist who specializes in empirically supported evaluation and treatment of psychiatric and behavioral disorders across the lifespan. I offer a range of psychological interventions including parent behavior management training and academic skills training for youth and families impacted by ADHD and developmental disorders, as well as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) for adults with a range of psychiatric conditions, including ADHD, mood disorders and anxiety.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences · 2023 - Present Psychiatry, Child & Family Mental Health & Community Psychiatry, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Associate Director of Appointments, Promotions and Tenure in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences · 2025 - Present Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Clinical Science Departments

In the News


Published September 21, 2018
It’s Not Just for Kids -- Even Adults Appear to Benefit from a Regular Bedtime

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Recent Publications


Sleep and fatigue complaints during pregnancy versus perinatal depression: Impact on toddler cognition.

Journal Article J Affect Disord · January 1, 2026 BACKGROUND: Sleep and fatigue complaints during pregnancy may increase risk for cognitive impairment among offspring, yet this relationship is difficult to disentangle from related risk factors such as perinatal depression. This longitudinal study examined ... Full text Link to item Cite

Effects of initial nicotine exposure on cognition and nicotine reinforcement among non-smoking young adults with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Journal Article J Psychopharmacol · July 2025 BACKGROUND: People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) use nicotine products at higher rates than those without. Greater initial sensitivity to nicotine's cognitive effects may explain this association. AIMS: This study examined associatio ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Advancing Identification of Circadian Delay in ADHD Youth: Associations with Clinical Heterogeneity and Cognition

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2025 - 2029

Preschool Attention and Sleep Support (PASS): A Telehealth Intervention for Children at Risk for ADHD

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2023 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Colorado, Boulder · 2014 Ph.D.