- Impact of trauma on clients/patient coping mechanisms
- Impact of provider social attitudes and myth adherence on clinical outcomes
- Impact of stress and adversity on providers and their decision making
- Focus on well-being of family units during and post complex trauma exposure
Stephen DiDonato, PhD, LPC
Associate Professor
Associate Professor
RESEARCH & CLINICAL INTERESTS
Education
- PhD, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, International Psychology (2017)
- MS, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Counseling/Clinical Psychology (2012)
- Certification, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy Therapist, TFCBT.org (2012)
- Certification, Child and Family Trauma Secondary Intervention, Yale University (2012)
- BS, Drexel University, Behavioral Health Counseling (2010)
Publications (LAST FIVE YEARS)
- Tobias, J., DiDonato, S., Whitfield-Harris, L., Okupniak, C., Santulli, G., Das, N., & Marino, M. (2025). Creation of a novel virtual reality simulation to increase nursing skills in management of workplace violence. Journal of Nursing Administration. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000001548
- Appel, G., Shahzad, A.T., Reopelle, K., DiDonato, S., Rusnack, F., & Papanagnou, D. (2024). Exploring medical students experiences of trauma in the emergency department: Opportunities for trauma-informed medical education. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine: Integrating Emergency Care with Population Health. https://doi.org/10.5811/westjem.18498
- McCarthy, C. J., Lynch, R. J., & DiDonato, S. (2024). Research on College Stress and Coping. IAP
- Roettger, L., Tobias, J., DiDonato, S., Wenocur, K., Paige, A., & Wycoff, K. (2024). Interprofessional simulation learning using pediatric nurse practitioner and counseling students. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2024.105269
- Weppner, C., McCarthy, C. J., Miller, T., Tian, Y., Di Renzo, F., Lynch, R. J., & DiDonato, S. (2024). A rapid scoping review of collegiate student’s stress, coping, and help-seeking during COVID-19. In C. J. McCarthy, R. J. Lynch, & S. DiDonato (Eds.), Research on College Stress and Coping (pp. 225–230). IAP.
- DiDonato, S., Thiel, V., Felter, J., Philips, R., Jimenez, L., Riordan, K., Banegas, A., & Frasso, R. (2023). Utilizing focus groups to inform the development of a standardized pre-certification resource parent training curriculum. Journal of Child Public Welfare. https://doi.org/10.1080/15548732.2023.2282539
- Gannon M, Hand D, Short V, McLaughlin K, Flood T, Shaffer K, Lenegan N, Abatemarco D, DiDonato S. (2023) Maternal Perspective of Inpatient Methadone Initiation: Opportunities to Increase Retention in Treatment. Journal of Addiction Medicine.
- Kates, J., King, A., DiDonato, S., Hass, R., Randazzo, A., & vonDohlen, A. (2023). The Power of Storytelling: Impact of an Interprofessional Substance Use Disorder Symposium on Stigma and Bias in Health Professions Students Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice.
- Ryan, J.E., McCabe, S.E., DiDonato, S., Voepel-Lewis, T., Ploutz-Snyder, R.J. & Veliz, S. (2023). Racial/ethnic disparities in mental healthcare in youth with incarcerated parents. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2023.03.008
- Felter, J., Chung, H.L., Guth, A. & DiDonato, S. (2023). Implementation and outcomes of the Trauma Ambassadors Program: A case study of trauma-informed leadership development. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-022-00910-z. 9.
- Felter, J., DiDonato, S., Johnson, N., Moh, Y. S., Richardson, A., & Czerny, A. (2022). Creating sanctuary: A DiDonato, Stephen PhD, LPC programmatic approach for integrating trauma competencies across graduate counselor education and supervision. Counselor Education & Supervision. https://doi.org/10.1002/ceas.12249
- Becker-Haimes, E., Wislocki, K., DiDonato, S., & Jensen-Doss, A. (2021). Predictors of clinician-reported self-efficacy in treating trauma-exposed youth. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22688
- Becker-Haimes, E.M., Wislocki, K., DiDonato, S., Beidas, R.S., & Jensen-Doss, A. (2021). Youth trauma histories are associated with under-diagnosis and under-treatment of co-occurring youth psychiatric symptoms. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2021.1923020
- Centrone, W., Greenman, W., Zavala Thompson, C.E., & DiDonato, S. (2021, May). A Center of Excellence model for serving marginalized youth and young adults. International Psychology Bulletin
- DiDonato, S. & Jack, D. (2021). Behavioral and psychosocial conditions. In Fitzgerald, M. & Jack, D. (Eds). Pediatric Nurse Certification Review. Springer Publishing
- LaRosa, J., Doran, C., Guth, A., Varshney, K., Anaele, B., Davis, K., DiDonato, S., Romney, M., Keddem, S., & Frasso, R. (2021). Life during COVID-19: The student experience. Pedagogy in Health Promotion: The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. https://doi.org/10.1177/23733799211017562
- Alderfer, M.A., Logan, B.A., DiDonato, S., Jackson, L., Hayes, M.J., Sigmon, S.T. (2020). Change Across Time in Cancer-Related Traumatic Stress Symptoms of Siblings of Children with Cancer: A Preliminary Investigation. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings 27, 48–53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-019-09618-2
LICENSURE
- Licensed Professional Counselor, Pennsylvania and New Jersey
FUNDING (last five years)
- 2024-2027, DiDonato, S. (PI), Ryan, J., Hand, D., McLaughlin, K., Bellot, J., & Gannon, M. (Co-I’s) Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) PCSS-U Project TINES (Trauma-Informed Nursing Education on Substance Use)
- 2022-2024, DiDonato, S. (PI), Banegas, A., Jimenez, L., & Felter, J. (Co-I’s) Caroline A. Buck Foundation. Transformational Support Grant Standardized Trauma-Informed Resource Parent Pre-Certification Training Curriculum
- 2022-2023, DiDonato, S. (PI), Banegas, A., Jimenez, L., & Felter, J. (Co-I’s), Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood Standardized Trauma-Informed Resource Parent Pre-Certification Training Curriculum
- 2022-2023, Co-PI, Thomas Scattergood Foundation Jefferson Trauma Education Center Development
- 2022-2023, Co-PI, Thomas Jefferson University SEED Grant Perinatal Support Needs of Women in Maternal OUD Treatment
- 2021-2022, Co-PI, Stratton Foundation Primary Stakeholder Evaluation of Acute Care Induction Period Women Entering Substance Use Treatment
- 2019-2020, Investigator, Methodist Hospital Foundation Fortifying Furness: Building Capacity to Address the Trauma-Related Needs of Students
AWARDS & HONORS (selected)
- 2022-2023, Fellow, Jefferson Smart & Healthy Cities Fellowship: Designing a center of excellence for urban child welfare in Peru, Thomas Jefferson University