Carissa Dwiwardani is a Professor of Psychology and a licensed psychologist. She earned her PhD from Rosemead School of Psychology, and is board-certified in clinical psychology (ABPP). Her scholarly work explores the intersection of faith and mental health, with a particular focus on Asian and Asian American communities. She is committed to bridging research and clinical application, improving the accessibility of services that are culturally informed and honor the lived experience of faith. To this end, she co-directs the Culture and Mental Health research lab, which seeks to understand the unique mental health needs of underserved populations through mixed-method and qualitative studies. She contributes to the field as Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Psychology and Theology, through leadership roles in the American Psychological Association, and by partnering with organizations to promote mental health and whole-person integration. When she’s not in her office or teaching a class, she enjoys taking a walk while listening to an audiobook, spending time with her family outdoors, and trying new cuisines.
Book
- Whitney, W. B. & Dwiwardani, C. (2024). The integration journey: A student's guide to faith, culture and psychology. IVP Academic.
Special Issue
- The Integration of Psychology and Theology Within Asian American Contexts, Journal of Psychology and Theology, June 2025. Co-Editors: Jin, J., ChenFeng, J., Dwiwardani, C., & Wang, D. C.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
- Kwong, P., Dwiwardani, C., Kim, G. Y., Chin, E. G., Chang, N., & Cho, L. (2025). Mixed-Methods Needs Assessment of Mental Health Among Asian American Christians: A Pilot Study. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 53(2), 157-175.
- Dwiwardani, C., & Whitney, W. B. (2024). The Cycle of Cultural Integration: Toward hermeneutical justice in the integration of psychology and theology. Journal of Psychology and Theology, (52), 237-251.
- Dwiwardani, C., Shelton, A. J., & Oda, A. Y. (2022). Attachment and mental health in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Posttraumatic growth and religion as moderators. Religions, 13(5):470.
- Dwiwardani, C., Ord, A.S., Fennell, M., Eaves, D., Ripley, J.S., Perkins, A., Sells, J., Worthington, E. L., Jr., Davis, D. E., Hook, J. N., Garthe, R. C., Reid, C. A., & Van Tongeren, D. R. (2018). Spelling HUMBLE with U and ME: The role of perceived humility in intimate partner relationships, The Journal of Positive Psychology, 13(5), 449-459, doi: 10.1080/17439760.2017.1291849
- Dwiwardani, C., Hill, P. C., Bollinger, R. A., Marks, L. E., Steele, J. R., Doolin, H. N., Wood, S. L., Davis, D. E. & Hook, J. (2014). Virtues develop from a secure base: Attachment and resilience as predictors of humility, gratitude and forgiveness. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 42, 83-90.
Book Chapter
- Hill, P. C. & Dwiwardani, C. (2010). Measurement at the interface of psychiatry and religion: Issues and existing measures. In Peter J. Verhagen (Ed.), Psychiatry and religion: Pushing back the boundaries. Explorations at the interface. London: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selected Presentations
Invited Presentations
- Dwiwardani, C. (2025, March). Growth and transformation in the integrated professional: The transformative power of liminality. Invited Plenary Talk (CAPSx) at Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) International Conference, Denver, CO.
- Dwiwardani, C. (2025, January). Spiritual formation in the spaces-in-between: Liminality and relational wholeness in a fallen world. Invited Plenary Talk a the Center for Asian American Christianity Mental Health Conference, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ.
- Dwiwardani, C. (2024, May). Invited response to panel discussion, by Sim, C., Sim, E. Paek, L. & Rix, M. "Well-Being and Health in the Life of the Church." Well-Being Collaboratory Conference by Asian American Center, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA.
- Dwiwardani, C. (2015, May). Protecting our Profession: Addressing problems of professional competency and future directions. Invited Presentation at Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center's (VAMC) Supervisor Training, Hampton, VA.
Poster Presentations
- Kwong, P., Dwiwardani, C., & Chin, E.G. (2024, June 14). A needs assessment of mental health among Asian American Christians: A preliminary analysis. [Poster presentation]. APA Division 35 Section 5 Conference, Honolulu, HI.
- Kim, G. Y., Dwiwardani, C., Chin, E. G., & Shelton, A. J., (2023, July 14-15). Protective and risk factors of anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic. [Poster presentation]. Division 45 Research Conference 2023, San Diego, CA.
- Dwiwardani, C., Aguilar, A., & Kragt, T. J. (2018, March). Toward a robust foundational competency: Positive ethics in health service psychology training programs. [Poster presentation]. International Congress for Psychology Training Clinics 2018, Maui, HI.
National & International Conferences
- Whitney, W. B., & Dwiwardani, C. (2025, March 21). The integration journey: Developing one’s integrative identity in the Christian faith, culture and psychology. Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) International Conference, Denver, CO.
- Captari, L. E., Jankowski, P., Sandage, S., & Dwiwardani, C. (discussant). (2021, March). Exploring complexities of relational virtues and flourishing: Clinical dialectics in dialogue. Symposium at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) International Conference, Virtual.
- Dwiwardani, C. & Thiessen, J. (2020, March). Navigating the choppy waters of supervision: Addressing issues of professional competence among clinicians in training. A Post-Conference Workshop (3 CE Units) at Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) International Conference, Atlanta, GA.
- Panzarella, C., Fagan, C., Smith, L., Dwiwardani, C. (Chair), Fondacaro, K, & Rosa, D. (2016, March). Strategies and Ethical Challenges in the Sustainability of Training Clinics. Symposium conducted at the Association of Psychology Training Clinic Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA.
Biola University