Marissa Falcone Email and Phone Number

Under the mentorship of Jeremy Pettit, PhD, I am a doctoral student in the Clinical Science program at Florida International University. At the Child Anxiety and Phobia Program, I assist in ongoing NIMH-funded research projects, conduct intake assessments, and provide cognitive behavioral therapy to children and adolescents.

Developed my research and clinical skills at the Anxiety and Mood Disorders Program, directed by Wendy Silverman, PhD, and Eli Lebowitz, PhD. Administered psychological assessments to children and their parents (including semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and behavioral tasks). Collected electroencephalogram (EEG) and eye-tracking data measures with pediatric anxiety populations. Assisted in recruitment of participants and other activities of the program.

Interviewed prospective students in a forty-five minute session. Provided detailed written feedback about the candidate for admissions counselors.

Completed psychology honors thesis: Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth in Mental Health Professionals Working with Traumatized Children. Explored vicarious post-traumatic growth as well as secondary traumatic stress and vicarious traumatization in mental health professionals working with child trauma. Both quantitative and qualitative results indicated that secondary traumatic stress can be an opportunity for vicarious post-traumatic growth. Defended thesis to the faculty panel. Advised by Susan Wenze, PhD.

Transcribed group therapy session recordings, explored literature on the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Questionnaire and other relevant topics, prepared presentations for conferences, and organized participant documents as a research assistant at the Connecting and Reflecting Experience (CARE) program, directed by Amanda Zayde, PsyD.

Mentored first year students in academics. Met with each assigned student at least three times each semester.

Trained in conducting interviews over the phone to decide eligibility for prospective participants, arranged participant documents, and distributed recruitment flyers, under the direction of Abby Fyer, MD.

Worked with caseworker to offer guidance for dependent and abandoned children at the agency two days each week for a semester. Attended caseworker meetings; visited clients’ foster families; accompanied caseworker and client at court, school meetings, appointments, and home visits; supervised family visits; tutored foster child after school; and observed individual art therapy sessions. Revised application for foster care and co-wrote newspaper article advocating for foster children. Completed training in mandated reporter and child abuse recognition, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, CPR/First Aid, and Risking Connection.