Dr. Petra Kottsieper joined the clinical psychology faculty of PCOM in July 2008. Dr. Kottsieper received her bachelor's degree in 1990 from Birkbeck College, London University, U.K. In 1991, she came to the U.S. and worked in the developmental disabilities field in a variety of capacities before returning to school. In 1998, Dr. Kottsieper started working at the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research (CMHPSR) and coordinated several research studies, including two multi-site studies funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. She received a master's degree in educational psychology from Temple University in 2000, while continuing to work full time in the field. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology in 2006 from Drexel University, where she specialized in forensic psychology. She completed her psychology internship at University of Massachusetts & Worcester State Hospital (MA) in the forensic/correctional track and a 1-year clinical forensic post-doctoral fellowship at Eastern Virginia Medical School & Eastern State Hospital (VA). She also completed a 2-year research fellowship in psychiatric rehabilitation funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, School of Health Related Professions, and the University of Pennsylvania, CMHPSR.
Dr. Kottsieper's main research interests include forensic psychology, therapeutic process, mental health services research, professional development, ethics, and psychiatric rehabilitation for individuals with serious mental illnesses. Much of her clinical work has focused on the empirically-supported treatment and assessment of serious mental illnesses, co-occurring disorders (including developmental disabilities, and substance misuse issues), and forensic issues. Dr. Kottsieper also maintains her research collaborations with faculty members at the CMHPSR.
Dr. Kottsieper has served as an ad hoc reviewer for Law and Human Behavior, Mental Health Services Research, and the American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Together with Dr. Mark Salzer from the University of Pennsylvania, she is part of a NIMH funded multi-site research grant to establish a Developing Center for Intervention and Services Research (DCISR) on “Adherence and Empowerment: Service Participation and Meaningful Outcomes,” for individuals with psychiatric disabilities. She was also awarded a young investigator award from NARSAD, examining the role of a modified DBT program in reducing impulsive aggression in an inpatient forensic setting.
Dr. Kottsieper has largely been trained in behavioral and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, but describes herself as integrative, often combing evidence based practices with extensive attention to the therapeutic relationship and collaborative treatment approaches. She has taught at the graduate and undergraduate level and appreciates the opportunity to teach and advise/mentor graduate students at PCOM.
Professional Memberships:
American Psychological Association (APA), 2000-present
Publications:
Kaplan, K., Kottsieper, P., Scott, J., Salzer, M., & Solomon, P. (2009). Adoption and Safe Families Act state statutes regarding parents with mental illnesses: A review and targeted intervention, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 33, 91–94.
Kottsieper, P. (2008). Experiential knowledge of serious mental health problems: One clinician and academic's perspective. Journal of Humanistic Psychology.
Draine, J., Blank, A., Kottsieper, P., & Solomon, P. (2005). Contrasting jail diversion and in-jail services for mental illness and substance abuse: Do they serve the same clients? Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 23, 171-181.
Publications in press:
Co-editor with Drs. Swarbrick, Gill, Schmidt for 2nd edition of "Consumers as providers" published by United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (in press).
Kottsieper, P. (in press). Mental health professionals who are also consumers. In 2nd edition of "Consumers as providers" published by United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association.
Poster Presentations:
Kaplan, K., Kottsieper, P., Scott, J., Rogers, S., Riesler-Shawl, L., Baily-Null, M., & Salzer, M. (April 2008). Protecting the rights of individuals with psychiatric disabilities by targeting discriminatory legislation. From Innovations to Practice: The Promise and Challenge of Achieving Recovery for All. Hosted by Boston University, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Kottsieper, P., Draine, J., Solomon, P., Blank, A., & Heilbrun, K., (April 2003). Individuals with dual diagnosis who have come into contact with the criminal justice system: Results from the MacArthur violence instrument. Third Annual Meeting of the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services, Miami Beach, Florida.
