Dr. Kelly Moore Obituary, NEW JERSEY — Dr. Kelly Moore, a respected psychologist, educator, mentor, clinician and leader within the Rutgers, New Jersey and Pennsylvania psychology communities, has died, according to a statement shared by Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP). Her passing has prompted an outpouring of grief from colleagues, friends, professional communities and those who knew her personally.
Moore’s connection to Rutgers GSAPP extended across much of her professional life. She graduated from the school’s Clinical Psychology doctoral program in 2011 before returning to her alma mater in December 2020 as Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Psychological Services. During her tenure, she helped expand the center’s outreach and services while strengthening campus and community partnerships and supporting the training of future mental health practitioners.
Beyond her work at Rutgers, Moore maintained a private practice and consultation business, Moore Wellness, LLC. She specialized in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma and perinatal disorders among youth and adults, with a commitment to providing care through a cultural humility lens. Before returning to GSAPP, she served as Principal Investigator and Program Manager for Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care’s Children’s Center for Resilience and Trauma Recovery, a SAMHSA-funded center focused on trauma-informed care for children and families.
Her professional contributions were recognized through several honors. In 2026, Moore received the NJPA Stanley Moldawsky Mentor Award and the NCSPP-ERDC Award for Excellence in Advancing Ethnic and Racial Diversity. In 2025, she was selected for the American Psychological Association’s Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology. She also contributed to psychological literature, including co-authoring Racial Trauma in Black Clients: Effective Practice for Clinicians and contributing a chapter to Culturally Informed Approaches to Behavioral and Educational Assessment.
Moore was also known for sharing her expertise beyond the classroom and clinical setting. She appeared in media and educational programs, participated in conferences and podcasts, and provided training and consultation to mental health professionals and organizations. She taught in Rutgers’ Juvenile Justice and Youth Development programs and served as a national trainer in the Attachment, Regulation, and Competency framework for treating complex trauma.
Her commitment to community extended into organizations outside Rutgers. In 2025, she helped launch the GSAPP Book Club, creating opportunities for dialogue and connection. She was an active member of the Pi Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and served as President of the Burlington County chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc. According to Rutgers GSAPP, however, her greatest pride and joy was her family, including her husband, Melvin, and their three sons, Miles, Mason and Matthew.
Friends and colleagues have remembered Moore for her warm demeanor, calming presence, vibrant spirit and ability to make people feel seen and welcomed. A personal tribute also remembered her as a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, sorority sister and friend, while recalling shared moments and a mutual love of Beyoncé.
As the Rutgers community and those who knew Moore continue to mourn her passing, her professional and personal legacy remains reflected in the students she trained, colleagues she inspired and individuals and families she served. Rutgers GSAPP has invited those wishing to honor her memory to support her sons’ college fund. Her family, friends, colleagues and wider communities continue to remember Dr. Kelly Moore for the lasting impact she made throughout her life and work.