Christopher Drescher

Associate Professor

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 consultant for the Augusta University Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center and serves on 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 a supervisor for the Child 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 2022

Education

  • Ph.D., Psychology, General University of Mississippi, 2015

  • MA, Psychology, Other. University of Mississippi, 2011

  • BA, Psychology, General West Virginia University, 2009

Certifications

  • AUTHORITY TO PRACTICE INT ERJURISDICTIONAL TELEPSYCHOLOGY PSYPACT, 2022

  • Basic Life Support American Heart Association, 2023

  • Psychologist GA Professional Licensing Brd, 2016

  • PSYC GA Professional Licensing Brd, 2016

Awards & Honors

  • Educational Excellence Award Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Augusta University, 2022

  • Graduate Student Achievement Award University of Mississippi College of Liberal Arts, 2014

  • John & Lillian Wolfe Graduate Award for Excellence University of Mississippi Department of Psychology, 2012

Courses Taught Most Recent Academic Year

  • MEDI 6220

    Cardiopulmonary/Heme
  • MEDI 6240

    GI/GU/Endocrine
  • MEDI 6150

    MCG YOU+
  • MEDI 6320

    Brain, Behavior, & Movement
  • MEDI 6340

    Capstone in Medicine 1
  • MEDI 6330

    Healthcare Across the Lifespan

Teaching Interests

Problem-based learning, psychotherapy, psychological assessment

Scholarship

Selected Recent Publications

  • 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
  • Suicidality and discriminatory experiences with healthcare providers in LGBT emerging adults, 2023
    Journal Article, Academic Journal
  • Differences in Health Care Access, Utilization, and Experiences Among LGBTQ+ Subgroups in the Southern United States., 2023
    Journal Article, Academic Journal

Research Interests

Youth development, LGBT health, health psychology

Department Service

  • Departmental Advisory Group 2023 - Present

    Role: Committee Member
  • Promotion and Tenure Committee 2022 - Present

    Role: Committee Member
  • Grand Rounds Committee 2021 - Present

    Role: Committee Member
  • General Rotation for Psychology Internship 2017 - Present

    Role: Other
  • Psychology Internship Core Committee 2016 - Present

    Role: Committee Member

College Service

  • Pre-Clerkship Committee 2021 - Present

    Role: Committee Member
  • Pre-Clerkship Directors Committee 2021 - Present

    Role: Committee Member
  • Assoc. Dean for Faculty Development Search Committee 2022 - 2023

    Role: Committee Chair
  • Committee on Curriculum 2022 - 2023

    Role: Committee Member
  • Case-Based Learning Case Writing Group 2020 - 2020

    Role: Committee Member

Professional Service

  • Journal of Positive Psychology 2024 - Present

    Role: Editorial Review Board Member
  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Education Committee 2022 - Present

    Role: Committee Member
  • Activate: The Collective to Bring Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Research to Youth-Supporting Professionals 2021 - Present

    Role: Member
  • Cystic Fibrosis Mental Health Consultation Group 2018 - Present

  • American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 2018 - Present

    Role: Editorial Review Board Member

Public Service

  • Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta 2023 - Present

    Role: Officer, President/Elect/Past
  • Equality Clinic 2016 - 2021

    Role: Board Member
  • National Alliance for Mental Illness 2018 - 2018

    Role: Guest Speaker
  • 2018

    Role: Guest Speaker