Psychology

Dr. Spokas received her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Gender Studies from Saint Joseph’s University. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology from Temple University. Her clinical training focused on utilizing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. She completed a post-doctoral training program at the University of Pennsylvania, funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She has also served as a trainer/ consultant for the national training initiative in CBT for depression within the Veterans Affairs healthcare system. Her current interests focus on improving suicide prevention efforts, as well as understanding how experiencing traumatic events can increase suicide risk.

Dr. Spokas joined La Salle University in 2009. She teaches primarily in the Psy.D. program, including supervision of the adult anxiety treatment team in the La Salle Community Center for Counseling and Psychological Services. She is a licensed psychologist in PA, and an active member of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.

In her free time, Dr. Spokas enjoys spending time with family, baking, and hiking in the Wissahickon Park.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Anxiety disorders
• CBT
• Suicide prevention
• Reactions to trauma
• Training and consultation in evidence-based treatments

EDUCATION

• Licensed Psychologist (Pennsylvania)
• Aaron T. Beck Psychopathology Research Center, University of Pennsylvania
• Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Temple University
• M.A., Clinical Psychology, Temple University
• B.A., Psychology, St. Joseph’s University

TEACHING

• PSY 220: Psychopathology
• PSY 702: Mechanisms of Change in Psychotherapy
• PSY 704: Adult Psychopathology
• PSY 782/783: Practicum Seminar

REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS

Madnick, D. & Spokas, M. (2022). Reporting and Inclusion of Specific Sociodemographic Groups in the Adult PTSD Treatment Outcome Literature Within the United States: A Systematic Review. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cps0000067

Brooks, E., Spokas, M., & Goldschmidt, D. (2020). Suicide exclusion from randomized controlled trials for posttraumatic stress disorder: a meta-analysis. Journal of Traumatic Stress. doi:10.1002/jts.22610

Spokas, M. (2019). Cultural considerations in defining emotional disorders. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice.

Spokas, M., Wenzel., A., Brown, G. K., & Beck, A. T. (2012). Characteristics of individuals making impulsive suicide attempts. Journal of Affective Disorders, 136, 1121-1125.

Wiltsey Stirman, S., Bhar, S. S., Spokas, M., Creed, T. C., Perivoliotis, D., Farabaugh, D., Brown, G. K., & Beck, A. T. (2010). Training and consultation in evidence based psychosocial treatments in public mental health settings: The ACCESS Model. Professional Psychology: Research andPractice, 41, 48-56.

Spokas, M., Luterek, J., & Heimberg, R.G. (2009). Social anxiety and emotional inhibition: The mediating role of beliefs. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 40, 283-291.

Spokas, M., Wenzel, A., Wiltsey Stirman, S., Brown, G. K., & Beck, A. T. (2009). Suicide risk factors and mediators between childhood sexual abuse and suicide ideation among male and female suicide attempters. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 22, 467-470.

Spokas, M., & Heimberg, R.G. (2009). Overprotective parenting, social anxiety, and external locus of control: Cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 33, 543-551.

REPRESENTATIVE PRESENTATIONS

Madnick, D., Perez, A., Rajesh, N., Burgin, B., Wakschal, E., Walden, Z. & Spokas, M. (November 2021). A systematic review of reporting and representation of sociodemographic groups in RCTs of Psychotherapy for Adults with PTSD. Poster presented at International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.
*Madnick et al. was also selected as the winner of the 2021 Student Poster Award (First Place)

Pierraccini, A., & Spokas, M. (April 2018). Socially prescribed perfectionism mediates the relationship between locus of control and hopelessness among college students. Poster presented at Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Washington, DC.

Ziegelbaum, B., Spokas, M., Carlquist, A., Holzman, J., Mattei, S., & Goldbacher, E. (November 2015). The relationships between difficulties with emotion regulation and suicide ideation and attempts.  Poster presented at Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Chicago, IL.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)
• Philadelphia Behavioral Therapy Association (PBTA)
• Society for the Science of Clinical Psychology (SSCP)
• American Psychological Association (APA)