Leadership
Dr. Dyer (she/her) is a scholar, activist, and licensed psychologist working at the intersection of abortion and mental health. As a counseling psychologist trained as both a researcher and clinician, Dr. Dyer’s work examines how dominant sociocultural narratives impact pregnancy and family-building desires, decisions, and experiences—and how mental health and other care providers can support clients/patients around these experiences. For her day job, Dr. Dyer works as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Psychology at Lawrence University—a small liberal arts college in Appleton, Wisconsin. She also sees clients through a small therapy practice, Integrated Counseling, LLC, in Madison, Wisconsin.
Rachel Dyer, PhD, LP
In addition to her research and clinical work related to abortion, Dr. Dyer has facilitated dozens of trainings on abortion and mental health for undergraduate and graduate students, mental health professionals, abortion doulas, abortion providers, and partner hotlines including the HRSA National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. She also wrote a book chapter on “Emotions After Abortions” in The Handbook of Abortion Care for Mental Health Professionals. She has been quoted in the Los Angeles Times and ELITE Daily, developed the “Abortions & Mental Health” zine previously on display at the Field Project in Brooklyn, NY, and has been featured on numerous podcasts.
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From 2021-2023, Dr. Dyer served as the Executive Director of Exhale Pro-Voice, a nonprofit organization providing nonjudgmental support to people after their abortions. Under her leadership, Exhale Pro-Voice explicitly grounded its services in research evidence and cultivated strong partnerships with the mental health community, including organizations like Postpartum Support International. Dr. Dyer remains a member of the Exhale Pro-Choice Board of Directors to this day.
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But most importantly, Dr. Dyer’s path in life is significantly guided by having an abortion as a 15-year-old girl living in rural Wisconsin. Dr. Dyer believes that if her 15-year-old self could see her now, that she would be in awe of how far she has come—transforming the pain of stigma into growth, empathy, and a deep commitment to finding new paths toward liberation for all who have had abortions.
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Dr. Dyer is a White, bisexual/queer, cisgender woman from the Midwest. She is the eldest daughter and a big sister, a partner and wife, and a friend. She can usually be found hiking with her mom, playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends, trying a new restaurant with her husband, or practicing resting.