Biography
Faculty Bio
Dr. Kocas is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Clinical Psychology PhD (Health Care Emphasis) program and a New York licensed psychologist. She completed her clinical psychology internship at NYU Rusk Rehabilitation, focused on physical rehabilitation and neuropsychology, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Neurology at NYU Langone Health.
Education
PhD, The New School, New York, 2024
Clinical Psychology
MA, The New School, New York, 2019
Psychology
MS, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom, 2012
Health, Community, and Development
Master of Pharmacy (MPharm), University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom, 2010
Pharmacy
Research and Creative Works
Research Interest
Dr. Kocas’ research centers on understanding and addressing health inequities, particularly among individuals living with under-recognized, stigmatized, and under-treated health conditions. Drawing on training in clinical, health, and rehabilitation psychology, she examines how social, cultural, and systemic forces shape mental health, health behaviors, and healthcare access, with a primary focus on reproductive health conditions such as endometriosis and infertility. Her recent work includes the development of a scale to assess endometriosis-related stigma, as well as an examination of the relationship between endometriosis stigma, menstrual stigma, and depressive symptoms. Informed by her background in rehabilitation psychology, she also maintains a research interest in psychosocial adjustment and caregiving within neurological populations, including dementia and acquired brain injury. Across these domains, her overarching goal is to generate research that informs practice, shapes health policy, and advances equity in healthcare.
Professional Contributions and Service
Professional Memberships
- Society for Health Psychology (American Psychological Association, Division 38)
Professional Service
Health Psychology Open [Reviewer, Journal Article]
Social Sciences Endometriosis Network [Regional Coordinator]
Societ for Health Psychology - Women's Health Interest Group (SfHP - WHIG) [Leadership Council Member]