Dr. R. Kathryn “Kate” McHugh ’99

Serves as Chief of Psychology at McLean Hospital and Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School.

Advancing Mental Health Research and Care

Dr. Kathryn McHugh is a nationally recognized psychologist, researcher, and academic leader whose work has advanced the understanding and treatment of anxiety, stress, and substance use disorders. A 1999 graduate of Austin Prep, she currently serves as Chief of Psychology at McLean Hospital, Director of the Stress, Anxiety, and Substance Use Laboratory, and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. Her research, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, focuses on improving behavioral therapies and understanding how stress and emotional regulation influence addiction. She has authored more than 100 publications and book chapters, developed new cognitive-behavioral therapies for opioid use disorder and anxiety, and serves as an associate editor of Behavior Therapy.

Recognized Leader in Clinical Psychology

Dr. McHugh’s pioneering research and clinical leadership have earned her several national honors, including the David Shakow Early Career Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Clinical Psychology from the American Psychological Association. She has received multiple NIH grants as a principal investigator and is regarded as one of the foremost experts on behavioral therapies for addiction and anxiety. Her work combines scientific rigor with compassion, bridging research and real-world application to improve patient outcomes.

Commitment to Excellence and Community

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. McHugh—known as “Kate” during her years at Austin Prep—was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame for her accomplishments in women’s basketball. Today, she continues to embody the school’s values of curiosity, leadership, and service through her mentorship of emerging psychologists and her dedication to advancing mental health research and care worldwide.

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We love to highlight Austin Prep alumni who have built meaningful careers and made a difference in their fields and communities. If you or someone you know has a story worth sharing, we’d love to feature it in our Alumni Spotlight series.

To be considered for a future feature, please contact Director of Alumni Engagement and Giving, Darren Stewart at darren.stewart@austinprep.org or 781.944.4900 x4862.