Laura R. Lander MSW, LICSW

Laura Lander, MSW, AADC is an Associate Professor Social Work Section Chief and Addiction Therapist in the Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry, and Department of Neuroscience, at West Virginia University, School of Medicine. She graduated with a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University in 1994, and currently holds licensure as an Independent Clinical Social Worker under the West Virginia Board of Social Work Licensure. Ms. Lander has over 25 years of clinical experience in the field of mental health and substance abuse and has worked to develop a nationally recognized innovative model of group-based (MAT) with buprenorphine for individuals with OUD, and an integrated MAT Centering model specifically for the treatment of pregnant women. Ms. Lander’s primary research focus is clinical translational research in the area of opioid use disorders (OUD) and developing effective ways to measure and improve clinical outcomes.

Ms. Lander is a Co-Investigator in the NIDA Clinical Trials Network Appalachian Node. Her research over the last 15 years has primarily focused on developing effective therapeutic interventions for the treatment of substance use disorders among both men and women, pregnant women, and adolescents. She has incorporated the use of genetics, neuroimaging and adjunctive treatments such as yoga and mindfulness-based relapse prevention to measure and improve treatment effectiveness. The treatment of pregnant women with OUD and assessment of neonatal outcomes is also an area of clinical and research focus. She is currently Co-Investigator on several SAMHSA SOR grants including MAT expansion in WV, initiation of buprenorphine in the ED using Peer Recovery Support Specialists and is a member of the Addictions Center of Excellence at WVU. Through her research efforts she strives to develop ways to develop evidence-based treatments for patients struggling with substance use disorders.