Brian A. Sharpless, Ph.D., M.A.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Welcome to my website! I am a licensed clinical psychologist and author. Though a good bit of my time is focused on writing, lecturing, and research, I have always maintained a private practice consisting of therapy / consultation / diagnostic assessment / clinical supervision. I also occasionally provide expert witness testimony for legal cases involving my areas of expertise (e.g., sleep paralysis; sleep-related hallucinations). I primarily see patients through "teletherapy" (i.e., assessment and therapy services via videoconferencing), but sometimes have the ability to see people at different locations (e.g., Frederick, MD; Jefferson, MD).
As a licensed psychologist and member of PSYPACT , I can provide services to residents of: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota (effective 07/01/2024), Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont (effective 07/01/2024), Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. If you are not residing in the United States I may be able to conduct specialty assessments or therapy depending upon your home country (e.g., Poland; the United Kingdom). Please contact me for details. Though trained to work with many many problems (e.g., anxiety disorders, depression), I have a particular interest in working with people suffering from personality disorders, sleep disorders, and psychological conditions that are rare, complex, or not well-understood. This includes both therapy and diagnostic assessment. A good bit of my clinical time is also devoted to providing psychotherapy and clinical supervision to other licensed psychologists, therapists, and doctoral students. Clinical supervision generally takes place from contemporary psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral perspectives. With regard to my training, I received my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and M.A. in Philosophy from Pennsylvania State University (top 10 program). My post-doctoral clinical (Pennsylvania Hospital) and research (Center for Psychotherapy Research) fellowships were completed at the University of Pennsylvania. In terms of academic appointments, I am currently a Visiting Research Fellow at Goldsmiths, University of London (United Kingdom). Prior to this position, I held full-time faculty appointments at Penn State (Clinical Assistant Professor), Washington State University (Assistant Professor), the American School of Professional Psychology (Associate Professor), and St. Mary's College of Maryland (Visiting Associate Professor). In terms if other training experiences, I received a clinical fellowship at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia and a teaching fellowship through the American Psychoanalytic Association's (APsaA) Teachers Academy. Over the years I have also trained and supervised diagnosticians for several NIMH-funded research grants. In order for patients to receive the best possible care, it is important for their providers to stay up-to-date with current research findings. My research, teaching, and clinical interests allow me to offer broad, current, evidence-based care. I have published a number of articles and chapters on common (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) and lesser-known psychological disorders (e.g., exploding head syndrome), psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, professional issues, and the history/philosophy of clinical psychology. I am also an author and reviewer for Oxford University Press. My first book, Sleep Paralysis: Historical Psychological, and Medical Perspectives ( co-authored with Dr. Karl Doghramji, M.D.) was published in 2015 and my first edited book, Unusual and Rare Psychological Disorders: A Handbook for Clinical Practice and Research, was released in 2017. Psychodynamic Therapy Techniques: A Guide to Expressive and Supportive Interventions was released in 2019. My first popular press book, Monsters on the Couch: The Real Psychological Disorders Behind your Favorite Horror Movies was released in October (Chicago Review Press). Relatedly, another service I provide is helping with academic writing (e.g., consulting on how to get a book published). In addition to publishing, I have presented my work at national and international conferences (e.g., the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Spain, Sweden). I particularly enjoy giving lectures for popular science organizations in the US (e.g., Mensa, National Capital Area Skeptics. Profs & Pints), United Kingdom (e.g., Skeptics in the Pub), and Bulgaria (Ratio Organization for Popular Science). I have also been interviewed for various media outlets (e.g., National Geographic, The Shocking Truth on Reelz TV, Mysteries Decoded on the CW, Huffington Post, The Boston Globe, New York Magazine, the British Broadcasting Corporation). Please feel free to contact me directly (basharpless@gmail.com) or via the Contact Page to discuss clinical services or interview requests. |
Books
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