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Faculty Advisor: Joanna Arch

Education:

• BA, Hope College (Psychology & Neuroscience), 2010
• MA, Appalachian State University (Clinical Health Psychology), 2015
• MA, Â鶹ӰԺ, 2017
• PhD, Â鶹ӰԺ (Clinical Psychology & Neuroscience), expected 2021

Research interests

Alex is interested in the behavioral mechanisms of anxiety disorders (approach/avoidance behavior, experiential avoidance, inhibitory learning via exposure-based therapies), and how these mechanisms might regulate the relationship between anxiety and physical health concerns through neural and immunological pathways. Relatedly, he is also interested in the application of these behavioral mechanisms to chronic pain. Finally, he is interested in the dissemination of evidence-based practice.

Publications and Presentations

Kirk, A., Broman-Fulks, J. J., & Arch, J. J. (Under Review). A taxometric analysis of experiential avoidance.ÌýBehavior Therapy.

Arch, J.J., Fishbein, J., &ÌýKirk, A.Ìý(In Press). Innovations in ACT for cancer. In M. E. Levin, M. P. Twohig, & J. Krafft (Eds.),ÌýInnovations in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Clinical advancements and applications in ACT. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

Kirk, A., Rollins, V., & Arch, J. J. (Accepted). Is Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) effective in addressing psychosocial and behavioral outcomes associated with cancer survivorship?ÌýEvidence-Based Practice.

Arch, J. J., Genung, S., Ferris, M.,ÌýKirk, A., Slivjak, E., Fishbein, J., … Stanton, A. L. (Accepted). Presence and predictors of anxiety disorder onset following cancer diagnosis among anxious cancer survivors.ÌýSupportive Care in Cancer.

Meyer, J. M.,ÌýKirk, A., Arch, J. J., Kelly, P. J., & Deacon, B. J. (2019). Beliefs about safety behaviours in the prediction of safety behaviour use.ÌýBehavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 47(6), 631-644.

Kirk, A., Meyer, J. M., Whisman, M. A., Deacon, B. J., & Arch, J. J. (2019). Safety behaviors, experiential avoidance, and anxiety: A path analysis approach.ÌýJournal of Anxiety Disorders, 64, 9-15.

Kirk, A., Michael, K. D., Bergman, S., Schorr, M., & Jameson, J. P. (2019). Dose response effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy in a school mental health program.ÌýCognitive Behaviour Therapy, 48(6), 497-516.

Arch, J. J., Vanderkruik, R.,ÌýKirk, A., & Carr, A. (2018). A closer lens: Cancer survivors’ psychological support preferences and the support they received.ÌýPsycho-Oncology, 27(5), 1434-1441.

Arch, J.J.,ÌýKirk, A., & Craske, M.G. (2017). Panic disorder. In W. E. Craighead, D. J. Miklowitz, & L. W. Craighead (Eds.),ÌýPsychopathology: history, diagnosis, and empirical foundations, 3rd edition. New York, NY: Wiley.

Kirk, A., Sale, R., & Youngstrom, E. A. (2017).ÌýRural America & evidence-based assessment: The potential for a happy marriage. In Michael, K. D. & Jameson, J. P. (Eds.) Handbook of Rural School Mental Health. New York, NY: Springer.

Meyer, J. M.,ÌýKirk, A., Arch, J. J., Kelly, P. J., Deacon, B. J. (2017, November).ÌýThe development and validation of the Safety Behavior Scale. Poster session presented at the Annual Conference of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, San Diego, CA.

Hilton, D., C.,ÌýKirk, A., Wefelmeyer, M., Arch, J. J., Jarrett, M. A. (2017, November).ÌýThe effect of exposure to distressing and encouraging beliefs over time: A multilevel modeling analysis. Poster session presented at the Annual Conference of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, San Diego, CA.

Vanderkruik, R.,ÌýKirk, A., Carr, A., Arch, J. J. (2016, November).ÌýMental health needs and treatment preferences among cancer survivors. Poster session presented at the American Public Health Association 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo, Denver, CO.

Kirk, A., Hilton, D. C., Jarrett, M. A., & Arch, J. J. (2016, October).ÌýNaturalistic exposure to distressing self-statements versus encouraging self-statements: An ecological momentary assessment approach. Poster session presented at the Annual Conference of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, NY.

Kirk, A., Bergquist, J. J., & Broman-Fulks, J. J. (2016). National attitudes towards mental health treatment: The importance of research evidence.ÌýCognitive Behaviour Therapy, 45(6), 458-472.