Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (May 1988), American University, Washington, DC. M.A. in General Psychology (December 1984), American University, Washington, DC. B.A. in Psychology (May 1981), University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado. As a professor I teach courses in clinical psychology, ethics and professional practice, psychotherapy, research methods, clinical theory, assessment interviewing, and a graduate seminar on suicide. 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.

The research focus of the CUA Suicide Prevention Lab is centered on clinical risk assessment (using both quantitative and qualitative methods) with different suicidal populations in different clinical settings. In recent years we have become particularly focused on clinical interventions for suicidal patients. My group at CUA has developed a novel therapeutic approach called the "Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality" (CAMS). We are currently engaged in funded clinical trials to investigate the effectiveness of CAMS with suicidal patients in the US and other countries. There are various published studies providing solid correlational support for CAMS. Two randomized controlled trials demonstrating the causal effectiveness of CAMS with suicidal outpatients have been published. Four additional randomized controlled trials of CAMS are now underway.