University of Rochester Sleep & Neurophysiology Research Laboratory

About Us

Research Associate
   Sara Matteson-Rusby Psy.D.
             

Dr. Matteson-Rusby is a clinical psychologist specializing in health psychology with adults. She joined the UR-SNRL full time in May of 2005 and is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester. 

Having completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Charleston Area Medical Center in West Virginia, she is well versed in the psychosocial aspects of injury and both chronic and acute illness. She trained as a post-doctoral fellow in the University of Rochester Cancer Center where she conducted research regarding methods of controlling side effects associated with cancer treatment, including nausea, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. She has examined the use of complementary and alternative interventions to control these adverse effects and continues to pursue this line of research.   Dr. Matteson-Rusby has co-authored several articles on these topics and presented some of her findings at national conferences. 

Her areas of expertise include methods of coping with pain, grief, and trauma, and the relationship between sleep disturbance and these issues are of particular interest to her. She has received training in cognitive/neuropsycholgoical assessment, the use of relaxation, guided imagery, bibliotherapy, and biofeedback. Her knowledge in these areas complements a strong background in the basic theories behind and interventions for altering human behavior. In addition, Dr. Matteson-Rusby completed an intensive training in the use of cognitive-behavior therapy for insomnia with Dr. Michael Perlis. She currently puts these skills to use as the Director of the Insomnia and Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic at the Strong Sleep Disorders Center, a service she began in September of 2006.