Postdoctoral Fellow
Graduated DePaul University, 2024 (PhD, Community Psychology)
Specialty areas: recovery science, positive psychology, peer support
Dr. Justin S. Bell is a community psychologist dedicated to advancing the study of the recovery continuum, with a particular focus on non-traditional and lived-experience-based workforces. His research examines the working conditions, effectiveness, and formal integration of peer recovery support specialists and other non-traditional recovery professionals within treatment settings. Dr. Bell’s work has contributed to a deeper understanding of workforce outcomes among peer supports, the sustainability of recovery programs, and the broader societal factors that impact recovery trajectories. His interdisciplinary approach bridges psychology, public health, and implementation science to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of recovery support services.
Selected Publications:
Bell, J. S., Watson, D. P., Griffin, T., Castedo de Martell, S., Kay, E. S., Hawk, M., Ray, B., & Hudson, M. (2024). Workforce outcomes among substance use peer supports: A scoping review of individual and organizational influences. Frontiers in Public Health, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1515264
Appointments and Awards:
Affiliate Researcher, University of Pennsylvania’s Primals Project
Related Links:
Evaluation of the DOJ-funded Phoenix Low Barrier Recovery Home (LBRH)
Phoenix Recovery Support Services will implement a 15-bed recovery housing program in Cook County, Illinois. Utilizing a Low Barrier Recovery Home Model (LBRHM), the program will prioritize providing stable housing to individuals regardless of their substance use.
Bell, J. S., Clifton, J. D. W., Shadman, S., Ferrari, J. R., Snow-Hill, N., Jason., L. A. (2025). Primal world beliefs support substance use disorder recovery: Impact on recovery capital and spirituality. Journal of Prevention& Intervention in the Community. https://doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2025.2552087
Bell, J. S., Tillson, M., Anvari, M. S., Blonigen, D. M., McGovern, M., & Magidson, J. F. (2025). Implementation Factors Influencing Peer-Delivered Behavioral Evidence-Based Interventions for Substance Use Disorders: A Scoping Review. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 52(6), 1278–1295. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-025-01470-x
Clifton, J. D. W., & Bell, J. S. (2025, October 17). The mindset that helps people recover from addiction. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/primal-world-beliefs-unpacked/202510/the-mindset-that-helps-people-recover-from-addiction