Christopher Drescher
Associate Professor
Academic Appointment(s)
Medical College of Georgia
Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior
Bio
Dr. Christopher F. Drescher is 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, General
University of Mississippi, 2015
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MA, Psychology, Other.
University of Mississippi, 2011
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BA, Psychology, General
West Virginia University, 2009
Certifications
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AUTHORITY TO PRACTICE INT ERJURISDICTIONAL TELEPSYCHOLOGY
PSYPACT, 2022
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Psychologist
GA Professional Licensing Brd, 2016
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Basic Life Support
American Heart Association, 2023
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PSYC
GA Professional Licensing Brd, 2016
Awards & Honors
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Educational Excellence Award
Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Augusta University, 2022
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Graduate Student Achievement Award
University of Mississippi College of Liberal Arts, 2014
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John & Lillian Wolfe Graduate Award for Excellence
University of Mississippi Department of Psychology, 2012
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 Group
2023 - Present
Role: Committee Member
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Promotion and Tenure Committee
2022 - Present
Role: Committee Member
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Psychology Internship Core Committee
2016 - Present
Role: Committee Member
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Grand Rounds Committee
2021 - 2023
Role: Committee Member
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Steering Committee for the Cerner Behavioral Health Module
2018 - 2018
Role: Committee Member
College Service
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Pre-Clerkship Committee
2021 - Present
Role: Committee Member
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Pre-Clerkship Directors Committee
2021 - Present
Role: Committee Member
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Assoc. Dean for Faculty Development Search Committee
2022 - 2023
Role: Committee Chair
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Committee on Curriculum
2022 - 2023
Role: Committee Member
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Case-Based Learning Case Writing Group
2020 - 2020
Role: Committee Member
Professional Service
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Journal of Positive Psychology
2024 - Present
Role: Editorial Review Board Member
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Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Education Committee
2022 - Present
Role: Committee Chair
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Activate: The Collective to Bring Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Research to Youth-Supporting Professionals
2021 - Present
Role: Member
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Cystic Fibrosis Mental Health Consultation Group
2018 - Present
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American Journal of Orthopsychiatry
2018 - Present
Role: Editorial Review Board Member
Public Service
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta
2023 - Present
Role: Officer, President/Elect/Past
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Equality Clinic
2016 - 2021
Role: Board Member
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National Alliance for Mental Illness
2018 - 2018
Role: Guest Speaker
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2018
Role: Guest Speaker
