Amanda Collins

Amanda Collins, PhD

Amanda’s general research interests are in the area of severe mental illness. She is especially interested in the treatment and rehabilitation of individual’s with severe mental illness. In the past she has worked on research examining the effects of auditory hallucination simulations on attention and memory tasks in non-clinical populations. In addition, she worked on research examining the coping strategies of individuals who engage in self-harm behaviors. Amanda completed an externship placement at the Lincoln Regional Center where she conducted cognitive, neurological, and violence risk assessments.

Prior to coming to UNL, Amanda received her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa in 2006. Her master’s thesis examined coping strategies and personality traits in association with relapse rates and quality of life in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. She also worked at the Independence Mental Health Institute (MHI) as a psychology intern while at the University of Northern Iowa. While working at MHI she provided therapy and completed cognitive and personality assessments. These experiences led to her interest in the treatment and rehabilitation of individual’s with severe mental illness. Amanda received her Bachelor of Science degree from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa in 2004.

Amanda completed a post-doc at the Des Moines VA and is now directing development of psychiatric rehabilitation programs for the Iowa and national VA systems.

Publications in Progress:

Brown, S. A., Williams, K., & Collins, A. L. (in progress). Past and recent deliberate self-harm: Emotion and coping strategy differences. Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior. Manuscript Submitted.

Publications:
Spaulding, W.D., Johnson, R.W., Nolting, J. R., Collins, A. (2008). Treatment resistant schizophrenia. In D. Castle, D. Copolov, T. Wykes, & K. T. Mueser (Eds.), Pharmacological & Psychosocial Treatments in Schizophrenia 2nd Edition. (pp. 221-235). Milton Park, Oxfordshire, UK: Informa Healthcare.

Brown, S. A. & Collins, A. L. (2005). Tell me your story: A brief exposure treatment for civilian war victims. PsycCRITIQUES, 50(24).

Conference Presentations:
Collins, A., Nolting, J., & Spaulding, W. (2006, November). Depot antipsychotics: A shorter time to discharge? Poster presented at the 40th Annual Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. Chicago, IL.

Collins, A ., Culbertson, T., Blackmer, A., & Brown, S. (2005). Are auditory hallucinations distressing? Coping strategies may help. Poster presentation at the 39 th Annual Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Washington, DC.

Williams, K., Schmitt, L., Collins, A., & Brown, S. (2005). Deliberate Self-Harm and Coping Strategies. Poster presentation at the 39 th Annual Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Washington, DC.

Mann, B., Collins, A., Blackmer, A.,& Brown, S. (2004). Can coping strategies buffer the effects of auditory hallucinations? Poster presentation at the 38 th Annual Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy Convention, New Orleans, LA.

Brown, S., Collins, A., Bergman, A., & Mann, B. (2004). The emotional impact of auditory hallucinations. Poster presentation at the 38 th Annual Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, New Orleans, LA.

Bergman, A., Collins, A., Blackmer, A., & Brown, S. (2005). Contact and attitudes towards mental illness. Poster presentation at the Annual Student Research Conference of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Cedar Falls, IA.