Ph.D., University of Georgia, 1998 Assistant Professor Member, Clinical Psychology Program panderson@gsu.edu 404-413-6258 1180 Urban Life

My research is conducted within a scientist-practitioner model. Currently, the content of my research program focuses on clinical outcome research in the treatment of anxiety disorders. I have a particular interest in the use of technology to assist in the understanding of anxiety and the dissemination of empirically supported treatments. This program of research has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health since 1999. In one grant, we examined virtual reality as a tool for exposure therapy in the treatment of fear of flying and compared its efficacy to in vivo exposure therapy. Currently we are working on a NIMH-funded study to compare virtual audience within a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral treatment package for social anxiety to another cognitive-behavioral group treatment for social anxiety. A new area of interest is the relation of culture and anxiety. We are collecting preliminary qualitative data on the experience of the relation between cultural factors, such as racial identity and the experience of social anxiety.

The process by which I conduct research is influenced by my desire to conduct outcome research with practical applications for those suffering with psychological problems and to strengthen the connection between science and practice. I value creative and innovative approaches to clinical phenomenon and multidisciplinary approaches to development and implementation of treatment programs.

Clinical Interests

My clinical interests closely parallel my research interests, as I specialize in working with adults suffering with anxiety disorders. My clinical work is grounded in the scientist-practitioner model, and I am strongly committed to both research and clinical practice. I find that my clinical work inspires new research questions and that my research guides my practice. My theoretical orientation is primarily cognitive-behavioral.

Representative Grants

• Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in the Treatment of Social Anxiety
  NIMH, Principal Investigator, active
• Children’s mastery of a stressor: The use of virtual reality for preschoolers’ immunization injections
  GSU internal grant with Lindsey Cohen, Ph.D., active
• Computer-based exposure therapy for Social Anxiety
  NIMH, Principal Investigator, completed
• Impact of Prior Treatment on the Fear of Flying Subsequent to the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
  Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Principal Investigator, completed
• Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Social Phobia, Phase I
  NIMH, Co-Principal Investigator, completed
• Addressing culture in the treatment of social anxiety
  GSU internal grant, Principal Investigator

Representative Publications

(Student authors are in italics)

Anderson, P., Rothbaum, B. O., Zimand, E., & Hodges, L. F. (in press). Cognitive behavioral therapy for public speaking anxiety using virtual reality for exposure. Depression and Anxiety.

Anderson, P., Jacobs, C. H., Lindner, G. K., Edwards, S., Zimand, E., Hodges, L. F., & Rothbaum, B. O. (in press). Cognitive behavior therapy for fear of flying: Sustainability of treatment gains after September 11. Behavior Therapy.

Rothbaum, B. O., Anderson, P., Zimand, E., Hodges, L. F., Lang, D., & Wilson, J. (in press). Virtual reality exposure therapy and in vivo exposure therapy equally effective in the treatment of fear of flying. Behavior Therapy.

Ressler, K. J., Rothbaum, B. O., Tannenbaum, L. R., Anderson, P., Grapp, K., Zimand, E. Hodges, L. F., Davis, M. (2004) Cognitive enhancers as adjuncts to psychotherapy: Use of D-cycloserine in phobics to facilitate extinction of fear. Archives of General Psychiatry, 61, 1136-1144.

Anderson, P., Jacobs, C., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2004). Computer-supported cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60(3), 253-267.

Anderson, P., Rothbaum, B. O., & Hodges, L. F. (2003). Virtual reality in the treatment of social anxiety: Two case reports. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 10, 240-247.

Anderson, P., Rothbaum, B. O., & Hodges, L. F. (2003). Virtual reality exposure therapy in the treatment of fear of flying. In R. Bor & L. van Gerwin (Eds). Psychological perspectives on the fear of flying. (pp. 189-201). Aldershot, England: Ashgate Publishing Limited.

Anderson, P., Rothbaum, B. O., & Hodges, L. F. (2003). Virtual reality in the treatment of social anxiety: Two case reports. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 10, 240-247.

Anderson, P., Tiro, J. A., Price, A. W., Bender, M., & Kaslow, N. J. (2002). Additive impact of childhood emotional, physical, and sexual abuse on suicide attempts among low-income African American women. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 32(2), 131-138.

Rothbaum, B. O., Hodges, L. F., Anderson, P., Price, L., and Smith, S. (2002). 12-month follow-up of virtual reality and standard exposure therapies for the fear of flying. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70, 428-432.

Gershon, J., Anderson, P., Graap, K., Zimand, E., Hodges, L., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2002). Virtual reality exposure therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice, 1 (1), 76-81.

Zimand, E., Anderson, P., Gershon, J., Graap, K., Hodges, L., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2002). Virtual reality therapy: Innovative treatment of anxiety disorders. Primary Psychiatry, 9(7), 51-54

Logsdon Conradson, S. Sirl, K., Battle, J., Stapel, J. Anderson, P., Ventura-Cook, E., Zimand, E., Babat, N., & Kaslow, N. J. (2001). Formalized postdoctoral fellowships: A national survey of postdoctoral fellows. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 32(3), 312-318.

Anderson, P. & Kaslow, N. J. (2000). Suicidal behavior among youth. In E. Craighead and C. Nemeroff (Eds.), Encyclopedia of psychology and neuroscience. (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.

Anderson, P., Rothbaum, B. O., & Hodges, L. F. (2000). Virtual reality: Using the virtual world to improve quality of life in the real world. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 65, 78-91.

 Student Theses and Dissertations (chaired)

The impact of stereotypes on public speaking anxiety and performance, Simon Kim.

Speaking while black: The relationship between African Americans’ racial identity, fear of confirming stereotypes, and public speaking anxiety, Mayowa Obasaju.

The relation between self-report mindfulness and two performance tasks of sustained attention, Stefan Schmertz.

The relation of presence and virtual reality exposure for treatment of flying phobia, Matthew Price.