Background
As Director of two clinics, I am committed to providing the best possible care for our patients, 95% of whom have an opioid use disorder. Our award-winning treatment model--Adaptive Stepped-Care--is firmly rooted in psychological and psychiatric treatment. Substance use disorders are mental health disorders and treatment must address the inherent changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors if it is to be successful.
My research focuses on assessment and treatment of the problem triad of substance use disorders, traumatic events, and posttraumatic stress disorder. I develop and evaluate novel treatment approaches for substance use and comorbid disorders, especially adaptive treatment models, and interventions to improve patient adherence to treatment. I am also interested in gender differences in the expression and consequences of substance use and comorbid psychiatric disorders.
As a clinician, I use evidence-based treatment strategies with my patients and am committed to applying our own research findings to our clinical work whenever possible. My clinical experience, in turn, informs my research questions. This is the essence of the scientist-practitioner model.