Dr. Caitlin Elsaesser (she/her) is an Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work and a licensed clinical social worker whose work centers youth, community wisdom, and collective healing. Trained at the University of Chicago, Caitlin partners with communities to co-create accessible wellness practices, drawing on critical race and feminist theories as well as community-based participatory methods.

A mindfulness practitioner since 2014, Caitlin’s approach is rooted in the belief that our bodies carry deep wisdom about how we heal and grow. She integrates contemplative practice, trauma-informed care, internal family systems, and creative expression to support people in reconnecting with vitality, purpose, and inner safety. Her current CDC-funded research collaborates with Hartford youth and violence-prevention partners to design health supports that help young people navigate social media conflict and stress.

Caitlin is a mother of two, a mindfulness teacher with Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, and a longtime advocate for weaving contemplative practice with social justice. She brings a grounded, compassionate presence to her work with communities, helping people move toward greater authenticity, resilience, and connection.