Bonnie J. Gorscak, PhD

Red Bank, New Jersey 07701

Phone: (412) 370-4522

Email:

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy, Clinical Psychology (1997)

Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Master of Arts, Psychology (1982)

Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology (1980)

Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio

ACCREDITATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS

Licensed Psychologist, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania(1995 - Present)

Member, New Jersey Psychological Association (2015-Present)

Member, Pennsylvania Psychological Association (1998 - 2016)

PPA Electronic Media Coordination Committee (2014 – 2016)

Member, Association for Death Education and Counseling, ADEC (2014 - Present)

Member, Greater Pittsburgh Psychological Association (1999 – 2007, 2014 - 2016)

Member, American Psychological Association (1996 - 2008)

Secretary, Pittsburgh Relationship Enhancement Therapy Interest Group (1998 – 2007)

CURRENT CLINICAL POSITION

CENTER FOR COMPLICATED GRIEF

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

NEW YORK, NY

M.K. Shear, MD, Director

Director of Clinical Training 05/16-Present

Therapist Trainer and Supervisor 12/12-Present

Guide the Center’s efforts to educate and train clinicians about grief, its complications, and effective treatment. Oversee and implement training workshops, work with team to develop accessible training programs, work with team and Center Director in developing training initiatives in technology; supervise Center students and affiliated trainees.

PUBLICATIONS

1.Shear, M.K., Zuckoff, A.,Melhem, N., & Gorscak, B.J. (2006). The syndrome of traumatic grief and its treatment. In L.A. Schein, H.I. Spitz, G.M. Burlingame, & P.R. Muskin (Eds.), Psychological effects of catastrophic disasters: Group approaches to treatment (pp. 287-333). New York: Haworth Press.

2.Shear, K., Gorscak, B., & Simon, N. (2006). Treatment of complicated grief following violent death. In E.K. Rynearson (Ed.), Violent death: Resilience and intervention beyond the crisis (pp. 157-174). New York: Routledge.

3.Shear, M.K., Simon, N., Wall, M., Zisook, S., Neimeyer, R., Duan, N., Reynolds, C., Lebowitz, B., Sung, S., Ghesquiere, A., Gorscak, B., Clayton, P., Ito, M., Nakajima, S., Konishi, T., Melhem, N., Meert, K., Schiff, M., O'Connor, M.-F., First, M., Sareen, J., Bolton, J., Skritskaya, N., Mancini, A.D., & Keshaviah, A. (2011). Complicated grief and related bereavement issues for DSM-5. Depression and Anxiety, 28, 103-117.

4.Zuckoff, A. with Gorscak, B. (2015). Finding your way to change: How the power of motivational interviewing can reveal what you want and help you get there. New York: The Guilford Press.

PRESENTATIONS AT PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS
  1. Shear, M.K., Zuckoff, A., Frank, E., & Gorscak, B.J. (2003, March). Traumatic grief treatment: Model, procedures, and preliminary data. In P. Norton (chair), Integrated treatment approaches across anxiety and related disorders. Paper presented at the 23rd National Conference of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, Toronto, Canada.
  2. Shear, M.K., and Gorscak, B.J. (2004, June). Traumatic Grief: Working with grief when grief isn’t working. Workshop presented at the Annual Convention of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, Pittsburgh, PA.
  3. Shear, M.K., Gorscak, B.J., Simon, N., & Zuckoff, A. (2005, May). Recognition and treatment of complicated grief. Workshop presented at the 158th Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, Atlanta, GA.
  4. Shear, M.K., & Gorscak, B.J. (2006, May). Recognition and treatment of complicated grief. Workshop presented at the 159th Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, Toronto, Canada.
  5. Shear, M.K., Dennard, S., Crawford, M., Cruz, M., Gorscak, B., Oliver, I., (2006, November). Developing a two-session intervention for church-based bereavement support: A pilot project. Paper presented at the meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies conference, Hollywood, CA.
  6. Gorscak, B.Zuckoff, A. (2015, June). Complicated grief and its treatment: An overview. PPA 2015, Pennsylvania Psychological Association, Harrisburg, PA.
PROFESSIONAL TRAININGS
  1. Traumatic Grief Treatment (M. Katherine Shear, MD, Lead Trainer), New York Consortium for Effective Trauma Treatment, New York, NY – January 22-24, 2002.
  2. Traumatic Grief Treatment: Training for Trainers (M. Katherine Shear, MD, Lead Trainer), New York Consortium for Effective Trauma Treatment, New York, NY – March 17-18, 2003.
  3. Grief and Survivor Guilt Intervention Training (M. Katherine Shear, MD, Lead Trainer), Project Liberty Enhanced Services, New York, NY—July 14-15, 2003.
  4. Grief and Survivor Guilt Intervention Training (M. Katherine Shear, MD, Lead Trainer), Project Liberty Enhanced Services, New York, NY—August 4-5, 2003.
  5. Traumatic Grief Treatment (with M. Katherine Shear, MD), Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Related Disorders, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA—April 14, 2004.
  6. Grief and Psychotherapy (with Allan Zuckoff, PhD), Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care, Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, Pittsburgh, PA—October 9, 2004.
  7. Train the Trainer Workshop(M. Katherine Shear, MD, Lead Trainer), Center for Complicated Grief, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY—May 10, 2013.
  8. Advanced Workshop in Complicated Grief Treatment (M. Katherine Shear, MD, Lead Trainer), Center for Complicated Grief, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY—July 11, 2014.
  9. Introduction To Complicated Grief and complicated Grief Treatment(M. Katherine Shear, MD, Lead Trainer), Center for Complicated Grief, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY—January 9, 2015.
  10. Complicated Grief Treatment Principles and Procedures(M. Katherine Shear, MD, Lead Trainer), Center for Complicated Grief, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY—February 6-7, 2015.
  11. Introduction To Complicated Grief and complicated Grief Treatment(M. Katherine Shear, MD, Lead Trainer), Center for Complicated Grief, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY—April 24, 2015.
  12. Complicated Grief Treatment Principles and Procedures(M. Katherine Shear, MD, Lead Trainer), Center for Complicated Grief, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY—June 5-6, 2015.
  13. Understanding Grief, Complicated Grief, and its Treatment (with Allan Zuckoff, PhD), Relationships Australia Queensland, Brisbane, Australia – August 17-20, 2015.
  14. Introduction to Complicated Grief and complicated Grief Treatment(M. Katherine Shear, MD, Lead Trainer), Center for Complicated Grief, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY—September 18, 2015.
  15. Complicated Grief Treatment Principles and Procedures(M. Katherine Shear, MD, Lead Trainer), Center for Complicated Grief, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY—September 25-26, 2015.
  16. Introduction to Complicated Grief Treatment – An Evidence-Based Approach, The Ecumenical Center for Education, Counseling, and Health, San Antonio, TX—October 29, 2015.

PREVIOUS CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

CENTER FOR COMPLICATED GRIEF 05/16 – Present

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

NEW YORK, NY

M.K. Shear, MD, Director

Director of Clinical Training

Guide the Center’s efforts to educate and train clinicians about grief, its complications, and effective treatment. Oversee and implement training workshops, work with team to develop accessible training programs, work with team and Center Director in developing training initiatives in technology; supervise Center students and trainees.

CENTER FOR COMPLICATED GRIEF 12/12 – Present

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

NEW YORK, NY

M.K.Shear, MD, Director

Complicated Grief Treatment Supervisor

Provide training workshops and supervise trainees in the Center for Complicated Grief’s train-the-trainer program. Review tapes of patient therapy sessions and provide therapist with feedback. Complete treatment adherence rating scales. Provide individual supervision and case consultation to therapists learning CGT (20 therapists supervised).

LATE LIFE DEPRESSION PREVENTION AND TREATMENT CENTER 10/09 – 04/14

WESTERN PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE AND CLINIC

PITTSBURGH, PA

C.F. Reynolds III, MD, Director

Research Clinical Supervisor

In-person and telephone supervision, via audiotape review, of research psychotherapists: Optimizing Treatment for Complicated Grief (C.F. Reynolds III, MD, PI, and M.K. Shear, MD, Coordinating Center PI).

COMPLICATED GRIEF TREATMENT RESEARCH PROGRAM 5/01 – 12/05

WESTERN PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE AND CLINIC

PITTSBURGH, PA

M.K. Shear, MD, Director

Consulting Supervisor/Trainer

Training workshops, in-person and telephone supervision, via videotape review, of research psychotherapists:

  • Complicated Grief Treatment: Randomized Controlled Trial (M.K. Shear, MD, PI)
  • New York Consortium of Trainers for Effective Trauma Treatment, New York, NY
  • Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Related Disorders, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
  • Optimizing Effectiveness of Church-Based Grief Management:A Partnership in Care, a Staunton Farms Supported Collaboration (M.K. Shear, MD, PI)

Research Psychotherapist

Individual psychotherapy to persons with the newly conceptualized syndrome “complicated grief,”as part of an NIMH-funded randomized controlled trial (M.K. Shear, MD, Principal Investigator).

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE 01/96 – 04/16

PITTSBURGH, PA

Psychologist

Individual psychotherapy with adults with adjustment, anxiety, and mood disorders; brief and longer-term approaches employing dynamic, cognitive, and behavioral interventions.

Couples therapy with adults; time-limited, structured, communication skills-building approach.

NORTH HILLS PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES, INC. 7/00 – 8/02

ALLISON PARK, PA

Psychologist

Couples therapy with adults, utilizing a time-limited, structured, communication skills-building approach. Individual psychotherapy with adults.

COMPREHENSIVE CARE PROGRAM 12/92 – 12/94

WESTERN PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE AND CLINIC, PITTSBURGH, PA

Outpatient Psychotherapist

Individual, couples, and group psychotherapy with adults with mood, anxiety, and personality disorders. Diagnostic intake interviews. Attendance at inservice training program. Weekly psychiatric supervision.

STAUNTON CLINIC 6/92 – 11/92

SEWICKLEY, PA

Outpatient Psychotherapist

Individual psychotherapy with adults with mood, anxiety, and personality disorders. Diagnostic intake interviews.

COUNSELING AND TESTING CENTER 9/88 – 5/92

DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY

PITTSBURGH, PA

Associate Director/Psychotherapist

  • Intake interviews and referrals, long and short-term psychotherapy, and crisis intervention with students, faculty, and staff. Time-limited psychotherapy group for survivors of sexual assault.
  • Workshops for students in areas including date rape, relationship issues, eating disorders, test anxiety, and stress management. Workshops for residential staff and faculty in areas including date rape, eating disorders, and identifying students at risk.
  • Training and supervision of 2-5 graduate assistants and interns yearly, preparing them to provide vocational testing and counseling, conduct intake interviews, and counsel survivors of sexual assault and their family members.
  • Participation in development of campus programming in areas of drug and alcohol awareness, student retention, coordination of student services.
  • Preparation of annual statistical report describing functioning of the Center.
  • Training of freshman seminar instructors and instruction of freshman seminar course.

OUTPATIENT UNIT 11/87 – 10/88

STAUNTON CLINIC

BELLVUE, PA

Outpatient Psychotherapist

Individual and couples therapy with personality disordered and chronically mentally ill adults on a part-time basis. Diagnostic intake interviews and treatment planning. Participation in case conference and psychotherapy supervision program.

NORTHERN COMMUNITIES MH/MR 4/87 – 10/88

WEXFORD, PA

Outpatient Psychotherapist

Individual and couples therapy with personality disordered, chronically mentally ill adults on a part-time basis. Diagnostic intake interviews and treatment planning.

STAUNTON CLINIC PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION PROGRAM 4/87 – 1/87

BELLVUE, PA

Therapeutic Specialist

Individual and group psychotherapy with chronically mentally ill adults on a full-time basis.

Participation in case conference and psychotherapy supervision program.

WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER 9/84 – 3/86 GREATER PITTSBURGH YWCA

PITTSBURGH, PA

Mental Health Therapist

Individual and group psychotherapy, workshops, outreach and program planning, primarily focused on women’s issues.

LEARNING SKILLS CENTER 7/83 – 8/84

DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY

PITTSBURGH, PA

Counselor

Assistance to the educationally disadvantaged through academic, vocational, and psychological testing and counseling under Pennsylvania ACT 101. Design and implementation of student workshops. Close monitoring of student progress.

COUNSELING AND TESTING CENTER 8/82 – 5/83

DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY

PITTSBURGH, PA

Graduate Assistant

Individual psychotherapy and vocational, academic, and psychological testing with undergraduate students.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY 1/06 – 5/07

CARLOW UNIVERSITY

PITTSBURGH, PA

Adjunct Instructor

Counseling Theory and Practicumcourse taught to graduate students in the Counseling program.

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY 1/98 – 3/00, 8/05-12/05

SETON HILL COLLEGE

GREENSBURG, PA

Adjunct Instructor

Interpersonal Process in Psychotherapy course taught to graduate students in Art Therapy and Marriage and Family Therapy programs. Counseling and Interpersonal Relations and Abnormal Psychology courses taught annually to undergraduate and continuing education students.

PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT 8/82 – 5/83

DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY

PITTSBURGH, PA

Graduate Assistant

Introduction to Psychology course taught each semester to undergraduate students. Teaching assistant for Research Methods course taught each semester to psychology graduate students.

ADVANCED TRAINING (Highlights)

MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING

Advanced Training – Solvang, CA

2 day program

Instructors: William R. Miller, PhD and Theresa Moyers, PhD

05/13/14 – 05/14/14

EMOTION FOCUSED COUPLES THERAPY

Externship in Couples Therapy

Ackerman Institute, New York City, NY

4 day training program

Instructor: Sue Johnson, PhD

06/22/09 – 06/25/09

RELATIONSHIP ENHANCEMENT COUPLES THERAPY

Advanced Topics in Relationship Enhancement Therapy

National Institute of Relationship Enhancement, Bethesda, MD

Working With Affairs

8 hour workshop training

Instructor: Robert F. Scuka, PhD

03/12/05

Advanced Topics in Relationship Enhancement Therapy

National Institute of Relationship Enhancement, Bethesda, MD

44 hours workshop training

Instructor: Bernard Guerney, Jr., PhD

05/22/05, 05/16/04, 10/22/03, 06/08/02

6/19/99 – 6/20/99

6/17/00 – 6/18/00

Certification in Relationship Enhancement Couples Therapy

26 hours direct supervision

Supervisor: Ray Naar, PhD, ABPP

Certification: 4/99

Relationship Enhancement: A Brief Couple / Family Therapy

National Institute of Relationship Enhancement, Bethesda, MD

20 hours workshop training

Instructors: Bernard Guerney, Jr., PhD, and Robert F. Scuka, PhD

5/30/97 - 6/1/97

GROUP THERAPY

Outpatient Psychotherapy / Psychodrama Group Co-leadership

75 hours clinical time, 25 hours direct supervision

Supervisor: Ray Naar, PhD, ABPP

7/95 - 8/96

Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama

200 hour certification

Instructor: Ray Naar, PhD, ABPP

9/90 - 8/91

9/91 - 8/92

OTHER

Treating Survivors of Sexual Assault and Abuse

Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR), Pittsburgh, PA

12 week course

Instructor: Robin Connors, PhD

1987

REFERENCES

Available upon request

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