- 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
Assistant Dean, Faculty Engagement and Development
Associate Professor
Assistant Dean, Faculty Engagement and Development
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