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Training
Training
I am a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience. I received a B.A., with Distinction in All Subjects, from Cornell University in 1992, and my M.A., with Distinction, and Ph.D. at the University of Rochester in 1999. I completed my residency training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, with a specialty in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and DBT, under Lata McGinn, PhD, and then a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School with a specialty in traumatology and PTSD, under Judith Herman, MD. I received further training in a fellowship and associateship at the University of Pennsylvania and the Beck Institute under Aaron T. Beck, MD, and and Judith Beck, PhD, with specialties in cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Due to my expertise and accomplishments I was named Fellow of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) in 2017, and Fellow of The Obesity Society (FTOS) in 2016.
Treatment Research
Treatment Research
I am a Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Drexel University (academic webpage). I have been a national leader in developing, improving, and evaluating psychological treatments, and have been funded by the National Institutes of Health for over 10 years. I have led several groundbreaking research projects that investigate the effectiveness and mechanisms of action for CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) and ACT. For instance, I conducted the first rigorous study comparing CBT and ACT for depression and anxiety, and revealing ways in which their mechanisms are similar and different, thus setting the stage for evidence-based approaches to synthesizing the two therapies. I also am a national leader in developing and evaluating mindfulness- and acceptance-based behavioral treatments for weight management and lifestyle modification. I also have served as chair of the Committee of Science and Practice for APA Division 12 (Society for Clinical Psychology), and in that role also served as editor of the APA Division 12 Evidence-Based Treatments website. I have won a number of prestigious awards, authored over 220 scientific papers, and several books including a clinician guide and workbook called Effective Weight Loss: An Acceptance-based Behavior Approach for Oxford Press’s Treatments that Work series.
Clinical Expertise
Clinical Expertise
I have considerable expertise in the treatment of depression and anxiety, including social anxiety, panic, PTSD, blood/injury phobia, and OCD. I also specialize in weight loss and binge eating treatments. In addition, I have successfully helped dozens of people reconnect with their core values, and improve the quality of their relationships and well-being. I have experience treating adolescents and adults, and have treated a large number of emerging adults who are in college. I have deep knowledge of cognitive and behavioral treatments, as well as mindfulness and acceptance-based treatments such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). I have developed science-backed methods of integrating multiple approaches, pulling together effective and relevant components to fit particular needs.
Leadership Experience
Leadership Experience
I have had a number of significant leadership roles. For instance, I have served as the Director of the Clinical Psychology Program at Drexel University as well as the Director of Graduate Studies for Psychology. I have also served as President of the Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Associate, Chair of the Committee on Science and Practice for American Psychological Association Division 12. In addition, I have served a Principal Investigator of a number of multimillion-dollar National Institute of Health clinical trials. I also was the founding director of the Center for Weight, Eating and Lifestyle Science (the WELL Center) which I grew to house 6 productive faculty labs with approximately 20 large-scale projects, representing a $36 million portfolio. Finally, I am a Co-Founder of TheraClosure, which provides mental health clinicians with a comprehensive and tailored professional will and an expert practice executor on retainer.
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