Dr. Linda Dekker is an Assistant Professor of Clinical (Child & Adolescent) Psychology at the Department of Psychology of Erasmus University Rotterdam.

In 2019 she successfully defended her PhD thesis entitled "Tackling Teenage: Psychosexual functioning in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)" at the Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital. 

Dr. Dekker's current research focuses on two main themes, interventions and sexuality. Particularly, she is interested in sexuality in potentially vulnerable populations or potentially vulnerable situations, as well as supporting and optimizing support where possible, particularly vulnerable populations.

Dr. Dekker is also a founding member of the Erasmus Love Lab (ELL). This is an interdisciplinary research group with backgrounds in Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Clinical Psychology, Children's and Youth Psychology, and Sociology. Within the ELL, various topics related to intimate relationships, love, and sexuality are explored through several research projects. Specifically, Dr. Dekker is involved in the new T@ckle project, in which sexually transgressive behavior (both online and offline) and the prevention and reduction thereof will be investigated.

She is the founder of the Rotterdam Autism Consortium (R.A.C.), a collaboration between the EUR and clinical partners in the region of Rotterdam. In 2021, dr. Dekker together with the R.A.C. acquired a grant from ZonMw to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on families with children with ASD. Currently, the R.A.C. is piloting a novel treatment option for autistic youth, to improve care-variety and success in this group.

Her current teaching responsibilities focus on coordinating a practical on "Sexuality & Relationship therapy" (MSc), next to supervising clinical (GZ) and research internships. In addition, she provides guest lectures and supervises Honours students and Advanced Research Program students.

Clinical specialties: Diagnostics (specifically ADI-R & ADOS - research reliability achieved); Tackling Teenage training program (certificate), sexuality and relationships.

Keywords: sexuality; psychosexual functioning; adolescents; adolescence; developmental psychology; Autism Spectrum Disorder