Chris Drescher

Professor

Chris Drescher

Professor

Academic Appointment(s)

Medical College of Georgia
Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior

Bio

Psychologist specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with youth and young adults; mental health coordinator for the Adult CF Center.

  • CDRESCHER@augusta.edu
  • (762) 375-0058
  • (706) 721-3593
  • EG 2023

Education

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

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

  • BA, Psychology, General West Virginia University, 2009

Certifications

  • Psychologist GA Professional Licensing Brd, 2016

  • AUTHORITY TO PRACTICE INT ERJURISDICTIONAL TELEPSYCHOLOGY PSYPACT, 2022

  • 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 6320

    Brain, Behavior, & Movement
  • PHAS 5200

    Essentials of Psychiatry
  • MEDI 6330

    Healthcare Across the Lifespan
  • MEDI 6220

    Cardiopulmonary/Heme
  • MEDI 6240

    GI/GU/Endocrine

Teaching Interests

I am the co-Training Director for the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University/Charlie Norwood VAMC Psychology Internship and the Training Director for the Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship. I am the Director for the Holistic Patient Care component and Assistant Director for the Brain and Behavior module of the pre-clerkship medical school curriculum. I also teach Case-Based learning to pre-clerkship medical students.

Scholarship

Selected Recent Publications

  • ACT with NMOSD: A targeted, telehealth-delivered mental health Intervention for patients & caregivers, 2025
    Journal Article, Academic Journal
  • Psychological flexibility, coping styles, and mood among individuals with cystic fibrosis, 2025
    Journal Article, Academic Journal
  • 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

Research Interests

My research interests include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, LGBTQ health, cystic fibrosis, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and positive youth development.

Department Service

  • Departmental Advisory Group 2023 - Present

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

    Role: Committee Member
  • Psychology Internship Core Committee 2016 - Present

    Role: Committee Member
  • Grand Rounds Committee 2021 - 2023

    Role: Committee Member
  • Steering Committee for the Cerner Behavioral Health Module 2018 - 2018

    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 Chair
  • 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