“Psychosocial problems in children and adolescents cannot be understood in isolation from the environments in which they grow up. To better understand and address these problems, we need to consider the dynamic interplay between young people, their families, schools, and the broader society.”

Odilia Laceulle is Professor of Clinical Child and Family Studies (Hoogleraar Orthopedagogiek) at Utrecht University, holding the chair Diagnosis and Treatment of Psychosocial and Parenting Problems.

Research. Laceulle studies the development of children and young people with psychosocial problems. Her research examines how individual characteristics (“Who are you?”) and the social environment (“What do you experience, and with whom?”) continuously shape one another, and how this interplay contributes to the emergence, persistence, and recovery of psychosocial problems. Her work is aimed at improving our understanding of these processes and contribute to the development of better assessment, treatment, and prevention.

Teaching. Laceulle teaches across all levels, from undergraduate to postgraduate education. In her teaching, she encourages students to connect theory, scientific methods, and clinical practice. She coordinates and teaches courses in the Bachelor's programme, the (Research) Master's programmes (e.g., Development and Socialisation in Children and Adolescents), and the Graduate School of Child and Adolescent Studies (including the course Person–Environment Transactions). She also supervises Bachelor's, Master's, Research Master's, and doctoral students.

Connecting research and practice. A defining feature of Laceulle’s work is the close connection between research and clinical practice. Since 2018, she has been affiliated as Senior Researcher with the Center for Adolescent Psychiatry at Reinier van Arkel in ’s-Hertogenbosch and with HYPE (Helping Young People Early) at GGz Centraal in Amersfoort. Since 2023, she has also served as Chair of Thriving & Healthy Youth within Utrecht University's strategic theme Dynamics of Youth.

Background. Laceulle studied Developmental Psychology at Utrecht University and obtained her PhD cum laude from the University of Groningen. After positions at Tilburg University and Utrecht University, she was appointed Professor of Clinical Child and Family Studies at Utrecht University in 2026.