Psychology Department

Education

• Ph.D. University of Nevada, Reno, Clinical Psychology
• Ph.D. Temple University, Philadelphia, Experimental Psychology

Postdoctoral Fellowships

• University of Michigan Health System, Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, South Central MIRECC

Interests and Expertise

• Clinical geropsychology -- maintaining health and wellness in later life
• Health behavior change
• Living with neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy Body's disease, stroke, brain tumors, and other diseases that lead to problems with thinking, attending, reasoning, remembering, or problem-solving
• Care partner skills training (e.g., behavior management, dialectical behavioral therapy skills group)
• Training in clinical geropsychology, focusing on evidence-based therapies

Courses

• PSY 203 Self-analysis and self-control (self-directed behavior change)
• PSY 627 Behavioral and other evidence-based therapies
• PSY 671 Practicum in behavioral and other evidence-based therapies
• PSY 710 Neuropsychological assessment
• PSY 723 Psychopharmacology
• PSY 762 Cognitive assessment

Publications and Presentations

Selections:

• Drossel, C., Bruzek, J., & VanPutten, R. (2021). Behavioral gerontology. In A. Maragakis, C. Drossel, & T. Waltz (Eds.), Applications of behavior analysis in healthcare and beyond. Springer International.
• Drossel, C. , and Trahan, M. (2015). Behavioral interventions are first-line treatments for managing changes associated with cognitive decline. The Behavior Therapist, 38(5), 126–131.
• Drossel, C. , and McCausland, C. (2015). Akzeptanz und Commitment Therapie in der Betreuung Angehöriger von Menschen mit Neurokognitiven Störungen. In J. Martz, A. Gloster, and M. Waadt (Eds.), Arbeiten mit der Akzeptanz- und Commitment-Therapie: Ein Fallbuch (pp. 97–129). Bern, Switzerland: Verlag Hans Huber.
• Drossel, C., McCausland, C., Schneider, N., and Cattavelli, R. (2014). Functional adaptation of acceptance and mindfulness-based therapies: An ethical imperative. In Masuda, A. (Ed.), Mindfulness and acceptance in multicultural competency: A contextual approach to sociocultural diversity in theory and practice (pp. 129–146). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
• Drossel, C., Fisher, J. E., and Mercer, V. (2011). A DBT skills training group for caregivers of persons with dementia. Behavior Therapy, 42(1), 109–119.
• McCurry, S., and Drossel. C. (2011). Treating dementia in context: A step-by-step guide to working with individuals and families. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.

Advising

Grants, Honors and Awards

Professional

Neurobehavioral health services for individuals with cognitive difficulties and their family members: Please call 734.627.7620

Additional Information

Aging and Behavioral Health in Context -- ABC Research Lab (with Thomas Waltz, Ph.D., Ph.D.): Thursdays, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. until December 17, 2021

Lab Doc Students:
Brenton Abadie, M.S., Jocelyn Hansson, Kate Krautbauer, M.S., Jacqueline Pachis, M.S., BCBA, Kayla Rinna, M.S., Rachel VanPutten, M.S., Samantha Zohr, M.S.

Lab Clinical Behavioral Masters Students:
Kailey MacDonald, Daniel Johns, Peiqi Lu, Efi Orkopoulou, Jessica Riley, Kimiya Shahzadi

Lab Fellow Travelers:

Stephanie Lin, M.S., Brandon Miller, M.S.