Erlanger (Earl) Turner, PhD
Erlanger A. Turner, PhD, is a distinguished licensed psychologist, media consultant, and owner of Turner Psychological & Consulting Services. He is also a tenured associate professor at Pepperdine University. He earned his BS degree in psychology from Louisiana State University, MS and PhD in clinical psychology from Texas A&M University. Dr. Turner has been featured in major media outlets such as CNN, USA Today, The New York Times, NPR, and the Dr. Phil Show. His international influence includes significant contributions to racial justice initiatives with prominent organizations like Sesame Street, the National Football League, and Instagram.
With over 15 years of leadership experience, Dr. Turner has served pivotal roles on several boards and committees within the American Psychological Association (APA) including chairing the APA Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest and serving on the APA Presidential Task Force on Police Use of Force Against Black People. He also served on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Behavioral Health National Project Advisory Committee, where he helped develop an e-learning program for behavioral health providers. More recently, he provided valuable input as a member of the advisory board for the inaugural Black Boys & Men Mental Health Summit.
Dr. Turner is the founder of Therapy for Black Kids, an initiative focused on promoting resilience and emotional well-being among Black youth through educational workshops and resources. His scholarly work includes influential journal articles, book chapters, and books such as Mental Health among African Americans and his new book, Raising Resilient Black Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children Cope with Racial Stress, Manage Emotions, and Thrive. He’s received numerous awards including the Judy E. Hall Early Career Psychologist Award by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists, Emerging Professionals Contributions to Service Award by the Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race (APA Division 45), and the 2025 Outstanding Advocate for Boys Award by the Society for the Psychology of Men and Masculinities (APA Division 51).
As a former President of the Society for Child and Family Policy and Practice, Dr. Turner was the first Black male to hold the position, where he created a task force on “Advancing Social and Emotional Development of Black Boys Through Research, Advocacy, and Community Engagement”. Dr. Turner's contributions continue to advance the discourse on mental health, cultural competency, and racial justice, underscoring his profound impact on the field.
