Brian A. Sharpless, Ph.D., M.A.
​Licensed Clinical Psychologist

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Welcome to my website! I am a licensed clinical psychologist, researcher, and author.  I also do a good bit of science outreach via lectures and media appearances. My practice offers individual psychotherapy, consultation, diagnostic assessment, clinical supervision services, and occasional expert witness testimony for legal cases involving my areas of expertise. I primarily see patients through "teletherapy" (i.e., assessment and therapy services via videoconferencing), but have the ability to see people and supervisees at different locations (e.g., Frederick, MD; Jefferson, MD). 

I am currently licensed in Virginia and Maryland. However, as a  member of PSYPACT , I can provide professional psychological services to residents of 40 other states including the District of Columbia. Please click here to see the status of your home state. 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, trauma), I have extensive experience working with people suffering from personality disorders, sleep disorders, and psychological conditions that are rare, complex, or not yet well-understood.  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. 

As for my training, I received a 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 was most recently a  Visiting Research Fellow at Goldsmiths, University of London (United Kingdom).  Prior to this, 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). 

Other training experiences have included the completion of a clinical fellowship at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia and a teaching fellowship through the American Psychoanalytic Association's (APsaA) Teachers Academy.  I have also trained and supervised diagnosticians for several NIMH-funded research grants. 
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In order for patients to receive the best possible treatment, 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  (Chicago Review Press) is now available and I am currently under contract for a 5th book with Guilford Press.  You can find a link to all books on my amazon author page. 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, Czechia, 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.
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Copyright Brian Sharpless Inc. 2025