My work focuses on the understanding and treatment of anxiety disorders and stress in both general and cancer contexts. In studies of anxiety disorders, we have rigorously evaluated the utility of mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions, and sought to understand the pathways by which such interventions operate and for whom they may be most effective. In the last decade, we have translated mindfulness and acceptance based interventions such as acceptance and commitment therapy to address anxiety and related distress, advance care planning needs, and medication adherence issues among cancer survivors. Our work also examines the behavioral impact and biopsychological mechanisms of specific intervention components, including self-compassion, acceptance, and mindfulness, on reducing anxiety and stress reactivity and increasing well-being. Finally, we study novel applications and adaptations of exposure therapy for cancer survivors and adult anxiety disorders.
keywords
anxiety disorders, mindfulness, compassion, and acceptance-based interventions for anxiety disorders, anxiety (more generally), cancer-related anxiety, psycho-oncology, cancer-related fatigue, cancer-related medication adherence, exposure therapy, experimental psychopathology focused on anxiety
PSYC 3303 - Clinical Psychology: Psychological Disorders
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2023
Examines etiological, theoretical, clinical,diagnostic, and experimental perspectives of major mental health disorders, with an emphasis on the main symptoms and diagnostic criteria associated with these disorders.
PSYC 4011 - Senior Thesis
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023
Critically reviews some aspect of psychological literature, scholarly analysis of a major psychological issue, and/or empirical research project. See the psychology honors director for further information.
PSYC 4263 - Psychological Treatment: An Evidence-Based Approach
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021 / Fall 2023
Provides an intensive introduction to behavioral interventions for common mental health problems and the framework of evidence-based practice in psychology, including helping students to acquire, critically evaluate and communicate about clinical psychological science intervention research and become familiar with applied skills that are relevant to a broad range of clinical settings.
PSYC 7693 - Personality Measurement
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Fall 2022
Covers theory and basic applications of psychological assessment, with an emphasis on measurement theory and the assessment of psychopathology and personality.
