Ellora Vilkin

PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology

pronouns: she/her or they/them

Research Interests

Ellora studies relational and individual wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people and others with marginalized sexual identities/practices (e.g. consensual non-monogamy, kink). Ellora’s research examines novel means of conceptualizing, assessing, and supporting relationships and wellbeing among people in diverse relationships with the aim of improving public and scientific understanding and bolstering culturally-responsive treatment. Ellora serves as Co-Lead of the LGBTQIA+ Initiative of Division 44’s Committee on Consensual Non-Monogamy. She is currently completing her pre-doctoral internship at Montefiore Medical Center / Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Publications

Sullivan, T. J., Huang, H., Vilkin, E., Brandt, S., & Davila, J. (in press). A measurement invariance/equivalence study of sexual minority stress measures across sexual orientation, gender identity, and race/ethnicity. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.

McConnell, E., Smith, M.S., Vilkin, E., Arter, J, & Herbitter, C. (in press). Relationship Inclusivity in Sexual and Gender Minority Psychology. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. 

Vilkin, E. & Davila, J. (2023). Characteristics of relationship agreements and associations with relationship functioning among people with diverse relationship structures. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075231157772

Vilkin, E., Davila, J., Dyar, C., & Feinstein, B. A. (2022). Bi+ adults’ daily wellbeing: The roles of relationship status and partner gender. Personal Relationships, 29, 283–304. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12418

Vilkin, E.*, Sullivan, T. J.*, & Goldfried, M. R. (2022). Conceptualizing the therapeutic relationship: Mediator or moderator of change?. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000278

Vilkin, E., & Sprott, R. (2021). Consensual non-monogamy among kink-identified adults: Characteristics, relationship experiences, and unique motivations for polyamory and open relationships. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 50(4), 1521-1536. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02004-w

Sprott, R. A., Vivid, J., Vilkin, E., Swallow, L., Lev, E. M., Orejudos, J., & Schnittman, D. (2021). A queer boundary: How sex and BDSM interact for people who identify as kinky. Sexualities, 24(5-6), 708-732. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460720944594

Vilkin, E., Einhorn, L., Satyanarayana, S., & Eisu, A., Kimport, K., & Flentje, A. (2019). Elementary students’ gender beliefs and attitudes following a 12-week arts curriculum focused on gender. Journal of LGBT Youth. https://doi.org/10.1080/19361653.2019.1613282

*equal contribution

Invited Talks

  1. Vilkin, E. (2023, Oct). Developing a career supporting queer and trans relational wellbeing. Invited lecture as a “Pioneer in Medicine” to undergraduate and community college students. Bronx Mental Health Leaders, New York, NY.
  2. Vilkin, E.(2023, Sept). Measurement Invariance/Equivalence of Anxiety, Depression, and Relational Wellbeing Measures Across Sexual Orientation and Relationship Structure. Psychiatry Research Institute at Montefiore Einstein Center for Health Equity Brown Bag Series. Online.
  3. Vilkin, E. (2023, Sept). Affirming Mental Healthcare for LGBTQ+ People. Invited lecture to Consultation and Liaison Psychiatry didactic series. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Albert Einstein School of Medicine, New York, NY.
  4. Vilkin, E. (2023, Feb). Introduction to Sex Therapy for OB/GYNs: Assessing and treating sexual (dys)function. Invited lecture to resident didactic series. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Langone School of Medicine. New York, NY.
  5. Vilkin, E. (2022, June). Advancing the Science of Relationship Diversity: New Research on Relationship Agreements and Consensual Non-Monogamy among Kink-Identified People. Invited lecture to graduate-level sex therapy course. VA San Diego. Online.
  6. Vilkin, E. (2022, May). Consensual non-monogamy among kink-identified adults. Invited lecture at Beyond the Dyad: Understanding Sex, Love, and Stigma in Consensually Non-Monogamous Relationships. National Sexual Health Alliance. Online.
  7. Vilkin, E. (2020, June). Employment status, employment discrimination, and outness in the workplace among sexual and gender minorities. Invited lecture to PRIDENet Quarterly Webinar for National Community Partners of The PRIDE Study. Online.
  8. Vilkin, E. & Taggart, T. (2019, March). Sexual, Gender, and Relationship Diversity. Invited presentation at the Diversity in Clinical Psychology Seminar, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY.

Symposia

  • indicates mentored student
  1. Vilkin, E. & Davila, J. (2023, Nov). Invariance and Equivalence of Individual and Relational Wellbeing Measures Among Sexual and Relationship Minority People. Oral presentation accepted to present at Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, New Orleans, LA.
  2. Herbitter, C.,Vilkin, E., Tatum, A., & Vaughan, M. (2022, Nov). CNM-Affirming Mental Health Care: Considerations for Practice and Training. Workshop presented at Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Vancouver, BC.
  3. Vilkin, E., Sullivan, T.J., Huang, H., & Davila, J. (2022, Nov). Teaching Romantic Competence Skills to Emerging Adults: A Modular Adaptation for LGBTQ+ College Students. Oral presentation to Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, NY.
  4. Shen, J., Vilkin, E., Huang, H., Dobias, M., Ito, S.,* Jans, L.,* Rosenfeld, E., Medina-Devilliers, S., Vivian, D., & Gonzalez, A. (2022, Nov). A qualitative analysis of mental health concerns, treatment barriers, and experiences of discrimination among LGBTQ+ people of color. Oral presentation at Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, NY.
    *denotes equal authorship
  5. Vilkin, E. (2022, March). What Have We Learned Treating Sexual and Gender Minority People During the COVID-19 Pandemic? Discussion presented at Association for Women in Psychology, Chicago, IL.
  6. Vilkin, E., Catanuto, G.§, & Davila, J. (2021, Nov). Characteristics of Relationship Agreements Among Monogamous and Consensually Non-Monogamous People of Diverse Sexual Orientations. Oral presentation at Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. Online.
  7. Herbitter, C., Vilkin., E., Vaughn, M., Carter, A., & Pantalone, D. (2021, Nov). Assessing mental health provider bias toward consensually non-monogamous clients. Oral presentation at Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. Online.
  8. Huang, H., Sullivan, T.J., Vilkin, E., Brandt, S.A., & Davila, J. (2021, Nov). Do common measures of minority stress cover all who fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella? A measurement invariance study. Oral presentation at Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. Online.
  9. Vilkin, E., Feinstein, B.A., Dyar, C., & Davila, J. (2020, Nov). Relationship Status, Partner Gender, and Daily Affect Among Bisexual, Pansexual, and Queer Adults. Oral presentation at Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Online.
  10. Vilkin, E. & Sprott, R. (2019, Nov). Understanding relationship issues among kink-identified adults Oral presentation at Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Atlanta, GA.
  11. Herbitter, C., Brodt, M., Vilkin, E., & Pantalone, D.(2019, March). Opening up therapy: addressing psychologists’ biases towards consensual non-monogamy and asexuality. Discussion co-facilitated at Association for Women in Psychology, Newport, RI.
  12. Vilkin, E., Lunn, M., Obedin-Maliver, J., Capriotti, M., & Flentje, A. (2017, Nov). Rates and correlates of employment and employment-related discrimination among gender minority people.Oral presentation at National Transgender Health Summit, Oakland, CA.

 Posters

  • indicates mentored student
  1. Vilkin, E., & Davila, J. (2022, Nov.). Jealousy in Consensually Non-Monogamous Relationships: Universal or Distinct?. Poster presented at Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Vancouver, BC.
  2. Rosenberg, B.§, Dobias, M., Sung, J., Vilkin, E.,Schleider, J.L. (2020, June). Evaluating Mental Health Treatment Access in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual vs. Heterosexual Young Adulta. Poster presented at American Psychological Association and Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology Future Directions Forum, Washington, D.C. Pre-registration: https://osf.io/nq429/.
  3. Flentje, A., Vilkin, E.,Einhorn, L., Satyanarayana, S., & Eisu, A. (2018, Aug). 12 weeks of elementary arts education focused on gender is related to shifts in beliefs about gender. Poster presented at American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
  4. Vilkin, E., Lunn, M., Obedin-Maliver, J., Capriotti, M., & Flentje, A. (2018, August).        Employment status, employment discrimination, and outness in the workplace among sexual and gender minorities. Poster presented at American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.

Contact Information

Department of Psychology
SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY 11794-2500

Phone: (631) 632-7837
Email:ellora.vilkin@stonybrook.edu