Christopher Drescher
Associate Professor
Academic Appointment(s)
Medical College of Georgia
Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior
Bio
Dr. Christopher F. Drescheris an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior and Training Director for the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University/Charlie Norwood VAMC Psychology Internship. He completed his doctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship through the Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior at Augusta University. He received his PhD and MA in clinical psychology from the University of Mississippi and his BA in psychology from West Virginia University. Clinically, Dr. Drescher specializes in psychotherapy with children, adolescents, and young adults. Additionally, he directs the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Adolescent Skills Group, and frequently implements DBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for mood and anxiety disorders. Dr. Drescher serves as a mental health coordinator for the Augusta University Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center and chairs the Education Committee for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He is the Director for the Holistic Patient Care component and Assistant Director for the Brain and Behavior module of the pre-clerkship medical school curriculum. Dr. Drescher is also the Training Director for the Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship. His scholarship spans a range of topics including positive youth development, LGBTQ mental health, DBT, and ACT. He is volunteer for and former President of the Equality Clinic of Augusta.
- (706) 446-0058
- (706) 721-3593
- EG 2023
Education
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Ph.D., Psychology, GeneralUniversity of Mississippi, 2015
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MA, Psychology, Other.University of Mississippi, 2011
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BA, Psychology, GeneralWest Virginia University, 2009
Certifications
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AUTHORITY TO PRACTICE INT ERJURISDICTIONAL TELEPSYCHOLOGYPSYPACT, 2022
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PsychologistGA Professional Licensing Brd, 2016
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Basic Life SupportAmerican Heart Association, 2023
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PSYCGA Professional Licensing Brd, 2016
Awards & Honors
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Educational Excellence AwardDepartment of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Augusta University, 2022
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Graduate Student Achievement AwardUniversity of Mississippi College of Liberal Arts, 2014
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John & Lillian Wolfe Graduate Award for ExcellenceUniversity of Mississippi Department of Psychology, 2012
Courses Taught Most Recent Academic Year
Teaching Interests
Case-based learning, psychotherapy, health psychology, behavioral principles
Scholarship
Selected Recent Publications
- ACT with Cystic Fibrosis: A multi-site, telehealth-delivered randomized controlled trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy vs supportive psychotherapy for adults with cystic fibrosis. , 2024
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Child mental health treatment access and retention in integrated primary care and traditional outpatient services, 2024
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Is positive youth development a pathway for sustaining peace in Tanzania? Predicting peace attitudes among adolescents, 2023
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- The Impact of Transgender Minority Stress and Emotion Regulation on Suicidality and Self-Harm, 2023
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Risk factors of homelessness among sexual and gender minorities in the Southeastern U.S. , 2023
Journal Article, Academic Journal
Research Interests
Youth development, LGBT health, health psychology, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Department Service
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Departmental Advisory Group2023 - Present
Role:Committee Member
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Promotion and Tenure Committee2022 - Present
Role:Committee Member
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Psychology Internship Core Committee2016 - Present
Role:Committee Member
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Grand Rounds Committee2021 - 2023
Role:Committee Member
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Steering Committee for the Cerner Behavioral Health Module2018 - 2018
Role:Committee Member
College Service
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Pre-Clerkship Committee2021 - Present
Role:Committee Member
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Pre-Clerkship Directors Committee2021 - Present
Role:Committee Member
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Assoc. Dean for Faculty Development Search Committee2022 - 2023
Role:Committee Chair
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Committee on Curriculum2022 - 2023
Role:Committee Member
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Case-Based Learning Case Writing Group2020 - 2020
Role:Committee Member
Professional Service
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Journal of Positive Psychology2024 - Present
Role:Editorial Review Board Member
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Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Education Committee2022 - Present
Role:Committee Chair
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Activate: The Collective to Bring Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Research to Youth-Supporting Professionals2021 - Present
Role:Member
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Cystic Fibrosis Mental Health Consultation Group2018 - Present
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American Journal of Orthopsychiatry2018 - Present
Role:Editorial Review Board Member
Public Service
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta2023 - Present
Role:Officer, President/Elect/Past
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Equality Clinic2016 - 2021
Role:Board Member
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National Alliance for Mental Illness2018 - 2018
Role:Guest Speaker
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2018
Role:Guest Speaker
