Claudia Porras Pyland, Ph.D.

Contact

cporras@twu.edu
940-898-2312
CFO 805

Website

Biography

Dr. Claudia Porras Pyland is an Associate Professor at Texas Woman’s University (TWU) and the Coordinator of the Master’s Counseling Psychology program. With a deep commitment to neurodiversity, her clinical, educational, and research work focuses on affirming and supporting the neurodivergent community, particularly individuals with ADHD and Autism. She is especially interested in the intersection of neurodivergence, trauma, and marginalized identities, including diverse sexual, gender, and ethnic identities.
Dr. Pyland is the founder of Transcended Healing, a clinical practice dedicated to providing a safe and affirming space for neurodivergent individuals. Drawing from her personal experiences as someone who identifies as AuDHD, she is passionate about fostering positive identity development and enhancing mental health outcomes for neurodivergent populations.
As an educator, Dr. Pyland is dedicated to equipping her students with evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming approaches for recognizing and supporting Autism and ADHD in adults. She oversees two active research laboratories at TWU that focus on neurodivergence and the link between mindfulness and well-being, contributing to a growing body of scholarship in these areas. Her published work includes studies on attachment, relational violence, and sexual assault, reflecting her broader interest in mental health and well-being.

Education

Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
M.S., Educational Psychology, Specialization in Counseling Psychology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma
B.A., Psychology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas

Research Interests

Autistic Burnout; Relational Trauma in Neurodivergent Adults; Neuroaffirmative Assessment, Clinical, and Training Practices, Emotional Intelligence, Negative Self-Schemas; Romantic Attachment Styles; Intimate Partner Violence

Latest Articles

Ethical and diversity considerations of mandatory reporting: Implications for Training
Training and Education in Professional Psychology (2024)
Claudia Porras Pyland, M G Williams, D Mollen

Development and preliminary validation of the Gender Inclusive Rape Myth Acceptance Scale
Journal of Interpersonal Violence (2021)
Rebekah Urban, Claudia Porras Pyland

Unified psychotherapy for intimate partner violence: An integrative approach to treating relationally violent men.
The Neuropsychotherapist (2017)
D. Harris, Claudia Porras Pyland, J. Harris

Feminist Pioneer Annette Brodsky: Paving the way
Women & Therapy: A Feminist Quarterly (2017)
Claudia Porras Pyland, D. Mollen

Unified psychotherapy for intimate partner violence: An integrative approach to treating relationally violent men.
Journal of Unified Psychotherapy and Clinical Science (2016)
D. Harris, Claudia Porras Pyland, J. Harris

Criminal thinking: A fixed or fluid process?
Criminal Justice and Behavior (2015)
R. D. Morgan, A. B. Batastini, D. D. Murray, C. Serna, Claudia Porras Pyland

Chapters

Socio-Economic Considerations in Personality Assessment
in Diversity Sensitive Personality Assessment | Routledge (2018)
S. D. Stabb, Claudia Porras Pyland, S. R. Smith

Externally Funded Projects

Examining the Impact of Mindfulness on Neurological and Psychological Wellness
Morris L. Lichtenstein Jr. Medical Research Foundation | $366,000.00 | 2024
Role: Principal Investigator

Development and Validation of the Gender Inclusive Rape Myth Acceptance Scale
Texas Psychological Association, Jennifer Ann Crecente Memorial Grant | 2020
Role: Co-Investigator

Diversity Support Grant
$300.00 | 2017
Role: Principal Investigator

Internally Funded Projects

BIPOC Graduate Student Scholarship Fund
Jane Nelson Institute for Women's Leadership | $10,500.00 | 2023
Research Grant

Investigating the Relationship Between Age of Diagnosis and ADHD Identity Development
Woodcock Institute Research Grant Program | $15,000.00 | 2023
Research Grant

Digital Dating Abuse Among LGBTQIA+ Folx
Center for Student Research | 2021
Research Grant

Defining Violence and Exploring Factors that Impact Health-Seeking. Center for Student Research
Center for Student Research | 2021
Research Grant

Jane Nelson Institute for Women's Leadership
GOV-Texas Woman's University | 2021
Research Grant

BIPOC Women's Leadership in Psychology
Jane Nelson Institute for Women's Leadership | 2021
Research Grant

Development and Validation of the Gender Inclusive Rape Myth Acceptance Scale
Center for Student Research | 2020
Research Grant

Development and Validation of the Gender Inclusive Rape Myth Acceptance Scale
Center for Student Research | 2020
Research Grant

Innovation fund for Spanish Certification Program
$2,982.00 | 2016
Research Grant