Biography

The research focus of the CatholicU Suicide Prevention Lab (SPL) centers
on clinical risk assessment (using both quantitative and qualitative
methods) with different populations of people who are suicidal across
different clinical settings. We are particularly focused on a suicide-focused
clinical treatment developed in the SPL called the "Collaborative
Assessment and Management of Suicidality" (CAMS). We are presently
engaged in funded randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate the
effectiveness of CAMS with patients in the US and abroad. There are now
eleven published open clinical trials, seven published RCTs, and two meta-
analyses demonstrating the effectiveness of CAMS. There are five
ongoing RCTs and several other trials are being developed abroad.

I have been working in suicidology since graduate school across various
domains—public health, clinical research, epidemiology, and theory-
building. I have also worked extensively within Veterans Affairs at both the
local and national level. I have been a consultant to each branch of the US
military. In recent years my lab has become increasingly focused on
teenagers who are suicidal as we continued to adapt CAMS for other
populations. I am also deeply involved in suicide and mental health policy,
advocacy, and legislation at the national, state, and local levels.
 
As a professor I teach courses in clinical psychology, ethics and
professional practice, psychotherapy, research methods, clinical theory,
and assessment interviewing. I have a passion for teaching and my
courses are infused with real-world examples and case studies that help
bring the course material to life.