Stephen DiDonato, PhD, LPC, NCC
Associate Professor
Associate Professor
Research & Clinicail Interests
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
Education
PhD, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (2017)
MS, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (2012)
Publications
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
DiDonato, S. & Berkowitz, S.J. (2018). Childhood stress and trauma. In Driver, D. & Thomas, S. (Eds.). Severe Childhood Psychiatric Disorders. Elveiser.
DiDonato, S. (2017). Comparing medical students’ adherence to child sexual abuse myths in South Africa and the United States of America. Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis database. (UMI No. 10640648).
Felter, J., DiDonato, S., Baker, A., Hass, R., & Gorenberg, M. (2017). Using trauma case-based learning to inspire interprofessional readiness among future health professionals. Collaborative Healthcare: Interprofessional Practice, Education, and Evaluation, 8(2), 2-4.
Mudzanapabwe, J. & DiDonato, S. (2017, September). APA President’s International Initiative: Perspectives from a relationship formed between Namibia and the U.S. Psychology International. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/international/pi/2017/09/president-initiative.aspx.
Kazak, A.E., Abrams, A.N., Banks, J., Christofferson, J., DiDonato, S., … Kupst, M.J. (2015). Psychosocial assessment as a standard in of care in pediatric cancer. Pediatric Blood and Cancer, 62(Suppl 5), S426-459. doi: 10.1002/pbc.25730.
Kazak, A.E., DiDonato, S., Schneider, S. & Pai, A. (2015). Assessing family psychosocial risks in pediatric cancer. In Weiner, L., Muriel, A. & Abrams, A. (Eds). Pediatric Psychosocial Oncology: A Textbook of Multidisciplinary Care (51-65). New York: Springer.
Kazak, A.E., Schneider, S., DiDonato, S. & Pai, A.L.H. (2015). Family psychosocial risk screening guided by the Pediatric Psychosocial Preventative Health Model (PPPHM) using the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT). Acta Oncologica, 54(5), 574-580.
Certifications
- Licensed Professional Counselor, State of PA
- Nationally Certified Counselor
Professional Organizations
- International Society for Traumatic Stress (co-chair Trauma in Higher Education and Training SIG)
- American Psychological Association (editor International Psychology Bulletin, Publication of Division 52 International Psychology)
- American Public Health Association
- American Educational Research Assocation
Presentations
McGrath, B., Erickson, L., Yip Green, J., Mayes, F., DiDonato, S. & Rexilius, A. (2019, August). Explorations in international psychology: A transformational identity model. Presentation at the annual American Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL.
Felter, J. & DiDonato, S. (2018, October). Using Child Trauma Case Studies to Inspire Interprofessional Practice among Front-line Providers Serving Children and Families. Presentation at Annual Charleston Child Trauma Conference, Charleston, SC.
DiDonato, S. (2018, August). Trauma-informed higher education curriculum. Presentation at the annual American Psychological Association Conference, Sane Francisco, CA.
DiDonato, S., Yip Green, J., Rexilius, A., Mayes, F., Erickson, L., & McGrath, B. (2018, August). Internationalizing efforts in psychology to address global issues: Perspectives from ECP’s. Presentation at the annual American Psychological Association Conference, Sane Francisco, CA.
DiDonato, S., Msall, K., Civiljak, K., Yip Green, J., & DeHoff, L. (2018, August). Conversation Hour: Early Career Psychologists lived experiences of leading international psychology research. Presentation at the annual American Psychological Association Conference, Sane Francisco, CA.
DiDonato, S. (2017, November). Comparing medical students’ adherence to child sexual abuse myths in South Africa and the United States of America. Poster Presentation at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Conference, Chicago, IL.
DiDonato, S. (2017, August). Comparing medical students’ adherence to child sexual abuse myths in South Africa and the United States of America. Poster Presentation at the American Psychological Association Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.
DiDonato, S., Zinny, A., Strickland, C., & Rubin, R. (2017, July). Trauma 101 and 102: Mental health providers. Presented at the Greater Philadelphia Trauma Training Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
DiDonato, S., Baker, A., Gorenberg, M., Hass, R., & Felter, J. (2017, June). Trauma-informed interprofessional education among health science graduate students. Presentation at the Thomas Jefferson University Faculty Days. Philadelphia, PA.
DiDonato, S., Baker, A., Gorenberg, M., Hass, R., & Felter, J. (2017, January). Trauma-informed interprofessional education among health science graduate students. Presentation at the Scholarship of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Conference. West Chester, PA.
DiDonato, S. & Inserra, A. (2016, November). Race in society and its impact on trauma exposed youth. Presentation at the Teaching Family Association Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
DiDonato, S. & Nashold, B. (2016, October). Understanding the impact of childhood sexual abuse on victims, families, and communities. Presentation at the Northeast Adoption Summit, Lancaster, PA.
DiDonato, S. & Christofferson, J. (2016, October). Supporting school-aged children by developing a trauma-informed culture in schools. Presentation at the Delaware Teachers Association Annual Meeting, Wilmington, DE.
DiDonato, S., Christofferson, J. & Walsh, J. (2016, April). Supporting trauma-informed care practices in pastoral care. Presentation at the Annual Meeting for the Pennsylvania Association of Chaplains, Carlisle, PA.
Kazak, A., Schneider, S., DiDonato, S. & Pai, A. (2014, February). Developing, implementing and disseminating the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT). Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society, Tampa, FL.