Dr. Minera Laiza C. Acosta, RPsy, RPm, is a clinical psychologist, psychology educator, researcher, and mental health advocate whose work integrates clinical practice, psychological research, higher education, and community engagement. With extensive experience in psychological assessment, counseling, teaching, and digital mental health services, she has dedicated her career to advancing evidence-based mental health practice and promoting psychological well-being across academic and community settings.

Dr. Acosta earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology with specialization in Clinical Psychology from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, where her dissertation explored the relationships among stress, resilience, and life satisfaction among women in the sandwich generation using a mixed-methods approach. She also holds a Master in Psychology with specialization in Industrial Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from the same institution. Her academic preparation has equipped her with expertise in clinical psychology, psychological assessment, mental health intervention, research methodology, and behavioral sciences.

Currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines–Santa Rosa Campus, Dr. Acosta teaches undergraduate psychology courses while mentoring student researchers and supervising psychology-related academic projects. She also practices as a licensed clinical psychologist, providing psychological consultations, mental health assessments, psychoeducation, and supportive counseling through both face-to-face and digital platforms. Her work reflects a commitment to making mental health services ethical, culturally responsive, and accessible to diverse populations.

As an active researcher, Dr. Acosta's scholarly interests encompass clinical psychology, psychological resilience, trauma recovery, women's mental health, community psychology, digital mental health, and psychological well-being. She has presented her research at national and international conferences in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Her studies have explored resilience among women in the sandwich generation, post-traumatic growth, phenomenological experiences of single mothers, and technology-assisted solutions in tourism and language accessibility, demonstrating the breadth of her interdisciplinary research collaborations.

Her research contributions extend beyond conference presentations through publications in international journals and conference proceedings, including papers indexed by IEEE and the GATR Journal of Business and Economics Review. In addition to publishing scholarly work, Dr. Acosta actively contributes to the advancement of research through mentoring undergraduate researchers, integrating research into psychology education, and promoting evidence-based approaches to mental health practice.

Driven by a passion for research, education, and community service, Dr. Acosta continues to strengthen the integration of psychological science and professional practice. Her work contributes to expanding the understanding of mental health, resilience, and human behavior while supporting the development of research-informed interventions that improve individual well-being and community mental health outcomes.