Petra Kottsieper
Research Investigator

Organization: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Dr. Petra Kottsieper joined the clinical psychology faculty of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in July 2007, where she is a full time core faculty member of the PsyD program. Dr. Kottsieper received her bachelor's degree in 1990 from Birkbeck College, London Unviversity, U.K. In 1991, she came to the U.S. on an exchange program and worked in the developmental disabilities field in a variety of capacities before returning to graduate school. She received a master’s degree in educational psychology from Temple University in 2000, while continuing to work full time in the field. In 1998, Dr. Kottsieper took a position at the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research. At CMHPSR she coordinated several research studies, including two multi-site SAMHSA funded studies. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology in 2006 from Drexel University, where she specialized in forensic psychology. She completed her psychology internship at the University of Massachusetts & Worcester State Hospital, Worcester, MA in the forensic/correctional track. Following her graduation, Dr. Kottsieper completed a 1-year clinical forensic post-doctoral fellowship at Eastern Virginia Medical School/Eastern State Hospital, Norfolk & Williamsburg, VA. She also completed a 2-year research-teaching fellowship in psychiatric rehabilitation funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, School of Health Related Professions, and the University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research.

Dr. Kottsieper’s main research interests include forensic and correctional psychology, mental health services research, therapeutic process, professional development, ethics, and psychiatric rehabilitation for individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Much of her clinical work has focused on the treatment and assessment of serious mental illnesses, co-occurring disorders (including developmental disabilities, and substance misuse issues), correctional and forensic issues. Dr. Kottsieper is currently in the process of obtaining her PA psychology license.

Dr. Kottsieper has served as an ad hoc reviewer for Law and Human Behavior, Mental Health Services Research, and the American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation. As a UMDNJ team member, she has worked as a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Mental Health, implementing evidenced based practices in the New Jersey state hospital system. She recently obtained a young investigator award from NARSAD, examining the role of a modified DBT program in reducing impulsive aggression in an inpatient forensic setting. She is also, with Mark Salzer, PhD, the recipient of a NIMH DCISR grant on developing innovative programs to increase treatment adherence through empowerment in individuals with serious mental illnesses.

Dr. Kottsieper has largely been trained in behavioral and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, but describes herself as integrative, often combing evidence based practices with extensive attention to the therapeutic relationship and collaborative treatment approaches. She has taught at the graduate and undergraduate level, and is teaching and advising/mentoring graduate students at PCOM.

Contact Information:
The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Department of Psychology
4190 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131-1693
Telephone: 215-871 6546
Fax: 215-871 6458

Email petrako@pcom.edu

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