Jason A Nieuwsma | Scholars@Duke

Jason A Nieuwsma
Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Dr. Nieuwsma is a clinical psychologist whose interests are broadly related to different aspects of integrative mental health care. He has conducted work in the areas of health psychology, primary care-mental health integration, cross-cultural psychology, implementation science, and extensive work focused on integration of spirituality and health. In addition to being an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke, Dr. Nieuwsma has served for over a decade as Associate Director for Integrative Mental Health (formerly Mental Health and Chaplaincy) in the Veterans Health Administration. He has helped lead multiple projects aimed at more effectively integrating chaplaincy and mental health care services across large healthcare systems, as well as conducting extensive work and training on moral injury, health psychology, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Dr. Nieuwsma has authored over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles & book chapters; he serves on the editorial board for the APA journal Spirituality in Clinical Practice; he is Associate Editor for the Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy; and he is a co-editor and author on the books ACT for Clergy and Pastoral Counselors and Addressing Moral Injury in Clinical Practice.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences 2021

Contact Information

3022 Croasdaile Dr., Suite 301, Durham, NC 27705
Visn 6 Mirecc, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC 27705
jason.nieuwsma@duke.edu (919) 384-8582
Psychiatry Profile

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., University of Wyoming 2009
Medical Licensure
- 4064. North Carolina. 2010
Previous Appointments & Affiliations
- Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Clinical Science Departments 2016 - 2020
- Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Clinical Science Departments 2013 - 2016
- Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Medical Psychology, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences 2010 - 2013
Recognition
In the News
- APR 11, 2022 Duke Health News
  
  Study: COVID Health Care Workers Face Moral Injury at Rates Similar to Combat Veterans
Expertise
Subject Headings
Global Scholarship
- Expertise
  - India (Country)
  - United States of America (Country)
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Smigelsky, Melissa A., Justin L. Maynard, C Graham Ford, Ryan Parker, Jennifer H. Wortmann, Keith G. Meador, Anna Fink, and Jason A. Nieuwsma. “Increasing chaplain support for veterans at high risk for suicide through targeted outreach: A quality improvement initiative.” J Health Care Chaplain, October 26, 2022, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2022.2136466.
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  - Ford, Christopher Graham, Melissa A. Smigelsky, Jennifer Y. Yi, Victoria M. Trimm, Jennifer H. Wortmann, Keith G. Meador, and Jason A. Nieuwsma. “Measuring morality: Analyzing the factor structure of the moral foundations questionnaire in veterans.” J Clin Psychol, October 21, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23448.
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  - Nieuwsma, Jason A., Emily C. O’Brien, Haolin Xu, Melissa A. Smigelsky, Melissa A. VISN 6 MIRECC Workgroup, Melissa A. HERO Research Program, and Keith G. Meador. “Patterns of Potential Moral Injury in Post-9/11 Combat Veterans and COVID-19 Healthcare Workers.” J Gen Intern Med 37, no. 8 (June 2022): 2033–40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-022-07487-4.
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  - Nieuwsma, Jason A., Melissa A. Smigelsky, and Daniel H. Grossoehme. “Introduction to the special issue "Moral injury care: Practices and collaboration".” J Health Care Chaplain 28, no. sup1 (2022): S3–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2022.2047564.
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  - Smigelsky, M. A., V. Trimm, K. G. Meador, G. L. Jackson, J. H. Wortmann, and J. A. Nieuwsma. “Core Components of Moral Injury Groups Co-Facilitated by Mental Health Providers and Chaplains.” Spirituality in Clinical Practice 9, no. 3 (January 1, 2022): 159–74. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000297.
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  - Wortmann, Jennifer H., Jason A. Nieuwsma, Heather A. King, Paola Fernandez, George L. Jackson, Melissa A. Smigelsky, William Cantrell, and Keith G. Meador. “Collaborative spiritual care for moral injury in the veterans Affairs Healthcare System (VA): Results from a national survey of VA chaplains.” J Health Care Chaplain 28, no. sup1 (2022): S9–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2021.2004847.
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  - Wortmann, Jennifer H., Jason A. Nieuwsma, William Cantrell, Paola Fernandez, Melissa Smigelsky, and Keith Meador. “Chaplain Training in Evidence-Based Practices to Promote Mental Health and Improve Care for Suicidality in Veterans and Service Members.” Arch Suicide Res, September 14, 2021, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2021.1972884.
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  - Nieuwsma, Jason A., Mira Brancu, Jennifer Wortmann, Melissa A. Smigelsky, Heather A. King, Heather A. VISN 6 MIRECC Workgroup, and Keith G. Meador. “Screening for moral injury and comparatively evaluating moral injury measures in relation to mental illness symptomatology and diagnosis.” Clin Psychol Psychother 28, no. 1 (January 2021): 239–50. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2503.
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  - Smigelsky, Melissa A., Jason A. Nieuwsma, Keith Meador, Ryan J. Vega, Blake Henderson, and George L. Jackson. “Dynamic Diffusion Network: Advancing moral injury care and suicide prevention using an innovative model.” Healthc (Amst) 8, no. 3 (September 2020): 100440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hjdsi.2020.100440.
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  - Smigelsky, Melissa A., Charles Jardin, Jason A. Nieuwsma, Mira Brancu, Keith G. Meador, Kiera G. Molloy, Kiera G. VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Workgroup, and Eric B. Elbogen. “Religion, spirituality, and suicide risk in Iraq and Afghanistan era veterans.” Depress Anxiety 37, no. 8 (August 2020): 728–37. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23013.
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  - Kopacz, Marek S., Jason A. Nieuwsma, Jennifer H. Wortmann, Iza L. B. Reyes, and Keith G. Meador. “Examining faith-based collaboration in U.S. States' suicide prevention guidelines.” J Prev Interv Community 48, no. 1 (2020): 81–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2019.1617524.
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  - Kopacz, M. S., J. A. Nieuwsma, J. H. Wortmann, J. L. Hanson, K. G. Meador, and M. M. Thiel. “The role of chaplaincy in LGBT veteran healthcare.” Spirituality in Clinical Practice 6, no. 3 (September 1, 2019): 213–17. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000196.
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  - Farnsworth, Jacob K., Lauren M. Borges, and Jason A. Nieuwsma. “What Ought We to Do With "Thick Terms"? A Response to Frankfurt & Coady's "Bringing Philosophy to Bear on Moral Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Construct Validation".” J Trauma Stress 32, no. 4 (August 2019): 642–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22424.
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  - Sun, Delin, Rachel D. Phillips, Hannah L. Mulready, Stephen T. Zablonski, Jessica A. Turner, Matthew D. Turner, Kathryn McClymond, Jason A. Nieuwsma, and Rajendra A. Morey. “Resting-state brain fluctuation and functional connectivity dissociate moral injury from posttraumatic stress disorder.” Depress Anxiety 36, no. 5 (May 2019): 442–52. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22883.
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  - Drescher, Kent D., Joseph M. Currier, Jason A. Nieuwsma, Wesley McCormick, Timothy D. Carroll, Brook M. Sims, and Christine Cauterucio. “A Qualitative Examination of VA Chaplains' Understandings and Interventions Related to Moral Injury in Military Veterans.” J Relig Health 57, no. 6 (December 2018): 2444–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-018-0682-3.
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  - Meador, Keith G., and Jason A. Nieuwsma. “Moral Injury: Contextualized Care.” J Med Humanit 39, no. 1 (March 2018): 93–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10912-017-9480-2.
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  - Kopacz, M. S., J. A. Nieuwsma, J. H. Wortmann, S. D. Sullivan, and K. G. Meador. “Veteran Narratives and Suicide Prevention: A Missed Opportunity for Research?” Military Behavioral Health 6, no. 4 (January 1, 2018): 355–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2018.1477638.
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  - Stolldorf, Deonni P., Alice G. Fortune-Britt, Jason A. Nieuwsma, Jennifer M. Gierisch, Santanu K. Datta, Clyde Angel, Dick D. Millspaugh, and George L. Jackson. “Measuring sustainability of a grassroots program in a large integrated health care delivery system: the Warrior to Soul Mate Program.” J Mil Veteran Fam Health 4, no. 2 (2018): 81–90. https://doi.org/10.3138/jmvfh.2017-0007.
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  - Nieuwsma, Jason A., Heather A. King, George L. Jackson, Balmatee Bidassie, Laura W. Wright, William C. Cantrell, Mark J. Bates, et al. “Implementing Integrated Mental Health and Chaplain Care in a National Quality Improvement Initiative.” Psychiatr Serv 68, no. 12 (December 1, 2017): 1213–15. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201700397.
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  - Nieuwsma, Jason A., John W. Williams, Natasha Namdari, Jeffrey B. Washam, Giselle Raitz, James A. Blumenthal, Wei Jiang, et al. “Diagnostic Accuracy of Screening Tests and Treatment for Post-Acute Coronary Syndrome Depression: A Systematic Review.” Ann Intern Med 167, no. 10 (November 21, 2017): 725–35. https://doi.org/10.7326/M17-1811.
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  - Nieuwsma, Jason A., Laura O. Wray, Corrine I. Voils, Jennifer M. Gierisch, Margaret Dundon, Cynthia J. Coffman, George L. Jackson, et al. “A problem-solving intervention for cardiovascular disease risk reduction in veterans: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.” Contemp Clin Trials 60 (September 2017): 42–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2017.06.001.
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  - Kopacz, Marek S., Jason Nieuwsma, and Keith Meador. “A Next Step in Suicide Prevention.” Psychiatr Serv 68, no. 4 (April 1, 2017): 422. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201600506.
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  - Currier, Joseph M., Kent D. Drescher, Jason A. Nieuwsma, and Wesley H. McCormick. “Theodicies and professional quality of life in a nationally representative sample of chaplains in the veterans' health administration.” J Prev Interv Community 45, no. 4 (2017): 286–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2016.1197748.
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  - Kopacz, Marek S., Cathleen P. Kane, Wilfred R. Pigeon, and Jason A. Nieuwsma. “Chaplaincy Encounters Following a Suicide Attempt.” J Health Care Chaplain 23, no. 4 (2017): 167–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2017.1312813.
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  - McCormick, Wesley H., Timothy D. Carroll, Brett A. Slagel, Kent D. Drescher, Jason A. Nieuwsma, and Joseph M. Currier. “Professional Quality of Life and Changes in Spirituality Among VHA Chaplains: A Mixed Methods Investigation.” J Health Care Chaplain 23, no. 3 (2017): 113–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2017.1295675.
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  - Kopacz, Marek S., Jason A. Nieuwsma, George L. Jackson, Jeffrey E. Rhodes, William C. Cantrell, Mark J. Bates, and Keith G. Meador. “Chaplains' Engagement with Suicidality among Their Service Users: Findings from the VA/DoD Integrated Mental Health Strategy.” Suicide Life Threat Behav 46, no. 2 (April 2016): 206–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12184.
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  - Spoont, M. R., J. W. Williams, S. Kehle-Forbes, J. A. Nieuwsma, M. C. Mann-Wrobel, and R. Gross. “Erratum: Does this patient have posttraumatic stress disorder? Rational Clinical Examination systematic review (JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association (2015) 314:5 (501-510)).” Jama Journal of the American Medical Association 315, no. 1 (January 5, 2016): 90. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.16955.
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  - Spoont, Michele R., John W. Williams, Shannon Kehle-Forbes, Jason A. Nieuwsma, Monica C. Mann-Wrobel, and Raz Gross. “Does This Patient Have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?: Rational Clinical Examination Systematic Review.” Jama 314, no. 5 (August 4, 2015): 501–10. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.7877.
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  - Nieuwsma, J. A., R. D. Walser, J. K. Farnsworth, K. D. Drescher, K. G. Meador, and W. P. Nash. “Possibilities within acceptance and commitment therapy for approaching moral injury.” Current Psychiatry Reviews 11, no. 3 (August 1, 2015): 193–206. https://doi.org/10.2174/1573400511666150629105234.
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  - Fortune-Britt, Alice G., Jason A. Nieuwsma, Jennifer M. Gierisch, Santanu K. Datta, Deonni P. Stolldorf, William C. Cantrell, A Keith Ethridge, et al. “Evaluating the implementation and sustainability of a program for enhancing veterans' intimate relationships.” Mil Med 180, no. 6 (June 2015): 676–83. https://doi.org/10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00336.
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  - Nieuwsma, Jason A. “Moral Injury: An Intersection for Psychological and Spiritual Care.” N C Med J 76, no. 5 (2015): 300–301. https://doi.org/10.18043/ncm.76.5.300.
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  - Nieuwsma, Jason A., George L. Jackson, Mark B. DeKraai, Denise J. Bulling, William C. Cantrell, Jeffrey E. Rhodes, Mark J. Bates, et al. “Collaborating across the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense to integrate mental health and chaplaincy services.” J Gen Intern Med 29 Suppl 4, no. Suppl 4 (December 2014): 885–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-014-3032-5.
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  - Nieuwsma, Jason A., Alice K. Fortune-Greeley, George L. Jackson, Keith G. Meador, Jean C. Beckham, and Eric B. Elbogen. “Pastoral care use among post-9/11 veterans who screen positive for mental health problems.” Psychol Serv 11, no. 3 (August 2014): 300–308. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037065.
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  - Gierisch, Jennifer M., Jason A. Nieuwsma, Daniel W. Bradford, Christine M. Wilder, Monica C. Mann-Wrobel, Amanda J. McBroom, Vic Hasselblad, and John W. Williams. “Pharmacologic and behavioral interventions to improve cardiovascular risk factors in adults with serious mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” J Clin Psychiatry 75, no. 5 (May 2014): e424–40. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.13r08558.
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  - Van Voorhees, Elizabeth E., Kim Hamlett-Berry, Dana E. Christofferson, Jean C. Beckham, and Jason A. Nieuwsma. “No wrong door to smoking cessation care: a Veterans Affairs Chaplain survey.” Mil Med 179, no. 5 (May 2014): 472–76. https://doi.org/10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00380.
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  - Zullig, Leah L., George L. Jackson, Dawn Provenzale, Joan M. Griffin, Sean Phelan, Jason A. Nieuwsma, and Michelle van Ryn. “Utilization of hospital-based chaplain services among newly diagnosed male Veterans Affairs colorectal cancer patients.” J Relig Health 53, no. 2 (April 2014): 498–510. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-012-9653-2.
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  - Allen, J. P., J. A. Nieuwsma, M. J. Pollitt, and D. G. Blazer. “Recovery on higher ground: Spirituality in the treatment of substance abuse.” Current Psychiatry 13, no. 2 (February 1, 2014): 24–40.
  - Allen, J. P., J. A. Nieuwsma, and K. G. Meador. “The Role of Military and Veterans Affairs Chaplains in the Treatment of Alcohol Problems.” Pastoral Psychology 63, no. 1 (February 1, 2014): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-012-0501-9.
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  - Brown, Vanessa M., Kevin S. LaBar, Courtney C. Haswell, Andrea L. Gold, Andrea L. Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Workgroup, Gregory McCarthy, and Rajendra A. Morey. “Altered resting-state functional connectivity of basolateral and centromedial amygdala complexes in posttraumatic stress disorder.” Neuropsychopharmacology 39, no. 2 (January 2014): 351–59. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2013.197.
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  - Fitchett, George, Jason A. Nieuwsma, Mark J. Bates, Jeffrey E. Rhodes, and Keith G. Meador. “Evidence-based chaplaincy care: attitudes and practices in diverse healthcare chaplain samples.” J Health Care Chaplain 20, no. 4 (2014): 144–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2014.949163.
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  - Farnsworth, J. K., K. D. Drescher, J. A. Nieuwsma, R. B. Walser, and J. M. Currier. “The role of moral emotions in military trauma: Implications for the study and treatment of moral injury.” Review of General Psychology 18, no. 4 (January 1, 2014): 249–62. https://doi.org/10.1037/gpr0000018.
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  - Bulling, D., M. DeKraai, T. Abdel-Monem, J. A. Nieuwsma, W. C. Cantrell, K. Ethridge, and K. Meador. “Confidentiality and mental health/chaplaincy collaboration.” Military Psychology 25, no. 6 (January 1, 2013): 557–67. https://doi.org/10.1037/mil0000019.
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  - Nieuwsma, Jason A., Jeffrey E. Rhodes, George L. Jackson, William C. Cantrell, Marian E. Lane, Mark J. Bates, Mark B. Dekraai, et al. “Chaplaincy and mental health in the department of Veterans affairs and department of defense.” J Health Care Chaplain 19, no. 1 (2013): 3–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/08854726.2013.775820.
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  - Allen, J. P., J. A. Nieuwsma, and K. G. Meador. “The Role of Military and Veterans Affairs Chaplains in the Treatment of Alcohol Problems.” Pastoral Psychology, 2012, 1–11.
  - Nieuwsma, Jason A., Ranak B. Trivedi, Jennifer McDuffie, Ian Kronish, Dinesh Benjamin, and John W. Williams. “Brief psychotherapy for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Int J Psychiatry Med 43, no. 2 (2012): 129–51. https://doi.org/10.2190/PM.43.2.c.
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  - Nieuwsma, Jason A., Carolyn M. Pepper, Danielle J. Maack, and Denis G. Birgenheir. “Indigenous perspectives on depression in rural regions of India and the United States.” Transcult Psychiatry 48, no. 5 (November 2011): 539–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363461511419274.
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  - Trivedi, Ranak B., Jason A. Nieuwsma, and John W. Williams. “Examination of the utility of psychotherapy for patients with treatment resistant depression: a systematic review.” J Gen Intern Med 26, no. 6 (June 2011): 643–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-010-1608-2.
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  - Nieuwsma, Jason A., and Carolyn M. Pepper. “How etiological explanations for depression impact perceptions of stigma, treatment effectiveness, and controllability of depression.” J Ment Health 19, no. 1 (February 2010): 52–61. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638230903469095.
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  - Pepper, C. M., V. M. Thompson, and J. A. Nieuwsma. “Providers' perceptions of barriers to the treatment of emotional disorders in non-urban primary care clinics.” Primary Care and Community Psychiatry 13, no. 2 (December 1, 2008): 59–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/17468840802048973.
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Education, Training, & Certifications

Medical Licensure

Previous Appointments & Affiliations

In the News

Subject Headings

Global Scholarship

Expertise

Selected Publications

Academic Articles