Skip to content
Home
Anthony R. Pisani, Ph.D.

Anthony R. Pisani, Ph.D.

About Me

Anthony R. Pisani, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide at University of Rochester. Dr. Pisani earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Virginia. He completed internship training at the Minneapolis Chil...
Anthony R. Pisani, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide at University of Rochester. Dr. Pisani earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Virginia. He completed internship training at the Minneapolis Children's Hospitals and Clinics, and postdoctoral fellowships in Primary Care Family Psychology and in Suicide Research at the University of Rochester. Dr. Pisani is a licensed psychologist and licensed marriage and family therapist.

Dr. Pisani developed and tested Commitment to Living: Understanding and Responding to Suicide Risk (CTL). CTL addresses common dilemmas, demands, and frustrations that sometimes accompany the rewarding experience of supporting individuals at risk for suicide in their journey toward recovery. Centered around a unifying framework for formulating and responding to suicide risk (Pisani, Murrie, & Silverman, 2014), CTL helps clinicians and administrators gain insight into where individual practice innovations fit in the overall flow of competent care for suicidal individuals. CTL is an evidence-based curriculum that has demonstrated improvements in assessment and documentation, based on objectively-rated samples collected from outpatient and inpatient clinicians across levels of experience. The workshop teaches core competencies in suicide risk assessment, documentation, and patient- and family-centered decision-making. Because CTL does not depend on any specific treatment protocol, busy clinicians in most settings can incorporate the model into patient care immediately after participating in the workshop. CTL is a core component of the New York State's efforts to support clinicians prevent suicide in high risk settings, and the workshop has been disseminated in health systems, service agencies, military installations, and schools around the country.

Dr. Pisani is a leader in national efforts to improve clinician education in suicide prevention. Dr. Pisani serves on the National Action Alliance Task Force for Workforce Preparedness and recently led a Curriculum Revision Task Force for the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. His publications include a highly influential study examining the state of workshop education in the assessment and management of suicide risk (Pisani, Gould, & Cross, 2011) and an article documenting the development and efficacy of his own approach to workshop education (Pisani, Cross, & Watts, & Conner, 2012).

Faculty Appointments

Professor - Department of Psychiatry, Research (SMD)

Professor - Department of Pediatrics (SMD) - Joint

Credentials

Post-doctoral Training & Residency

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY
Research Fellowship,
(NRSA T-32, PI-Y. Conwell), Suicide Prevention Research 2008 - 2011

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Primary Care Family Psychology 2001 - 2003

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY
Post-degree Certificate, Marriage and Family Therapy 2001 - 2003

Children's Hospitals and Clinics, Minneapolis, MN
Internship, Child Clinical/Pediatric Psychology 2000 - 2001

Education

Ph.D. | University of Virginia. Clinical Psychology. 2001

M.Ed. | University of Virginia. Clinical Psychology. 1997

A.B. | Bowdoin College. History and Spanish. 1993

Awards

Otto F. Thaler Teaching Development Award. 2007 - 2008

Research Fellowship. 2000 - 2001

Hayes Scholarship for Graduate Study in Social Science. 1996 - 1997

Summa Cum Laude. 1993

Phi Beta Kappa. 1993

Philip C. Bradley Prize in Spanish Language and Literature. 1993

Research

Dr. Pisani is devoted to reducing suicide among youth and young adults. To that end, he conducts research to develop and test public health interventions that will reach young people in their natural environments using preferred modes of communication and interaction. To this end, Dr. Pisani is invo...
Dr. Pisani is devoted to reducing suicide among youth and young adults. To that end, he conducts research to develop and test public health interventions that will reach young people in their natural environments using preferred modes of communication and interaction. To this end, Dr. Pisani is involved in a number of projects involving the safe and ethical (Pisani et al, 2016) use of technology in prevention.

Dr. Pisani developed Text4Strength, an automated text messaging intervention for high school students that aims to build help-seeking skills, youth-adult connections, and emotion self-regulation (Pisani et al, 2012; Pisani et al, 2013). Text4Strength is being developed as an extension to Sources of Strength (Wyman et al, 2010), a school-wide, NREPP-certified suicide prevention program. Dr. Pisani is collaborating with high schools in New York State to test the efficacy of the text messaging component.

Dr. Pisani participates in a research team that has partnered with the United States Air Force to develop a suicide prevention program for young enlisted airmen (PI: Peter Wyman). Dr. Pisani contributes to intervention development team and leads the integration of text messaging and social network technologies into the program.

Dr. Pisani and colleagues were recently awarded a grant from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to conduct research with Crisis Text Line, the nation's largest crisis text provider. The service texts with more than 700 adolescents and young adults daily. Dr. Pisani's group will study the needs of these young people, the potential for crisis text a suicide prevention platform, and the effectiveness of the service.

Publications

Journal Articles

Social network structure as a biopsychosocial suicide prevention target for young people at clinical high-risk for psychosis.

Schizophrenia research.. 2024 August 270 :63-67. Epub 06/11/2024.

Social support and suicidality during the COVID-19 pandemic among Brazilian healthcare workers: a longitudinal assessment of an online repeated cross-sectional survey.

Diaz AP, Pinto AB, Araújo MIC, Joaquim RM, Costa DS, Serpa ALO, Pisani AR, Conwell Y, Miranda DM, Malloy-Diniz LF, da Silva AG

Revista brasileira de psiquiatria : orga?o oficial da Associac?a?o Brasileira de Psiquiatria, Asociacio?n Psiquia?trica de la Ame?rica Latina.. 2024 April 8 Epub 04/08/2024.

Expanding the role of justice in secondary research using digital psychological data.

Herington J, Li K, Pisani AR

The American psychologist.. 2024 January 79 (1):123-136. Epub 1900 01 01.

The implementation of a zero-suicide framework in a child and youth mental health service in Australia: processes and learnings.

Branjerdporn G, McCosker LK, Jackson D, McDowell S, Williams P, Chand S, Joshi H, Pisani AR, Stapelberg C, Welch M, Turner K, Woerwag-Mehta S

Frontiers in psychiatry.. 2024 15 :1370256. Epub 05/16/2024.

Gone Too Soon: priorities for action to prevent premature mortality associated with mental illness and mental distress.

O'Connor RC, Worthman CM, Abanga M, Athanassopoulou N, Boyce N, Chan LF, Christensen H, Das-Munshi J, Downs J, Koenen KC, Moutier CY, Templeton P, Batterham P, Brakspear K, Frank RG, Gilbody S, Gureje O, Henderson D, John A, Kabagambe W, Khan M, Kessler D, Kirtley OJ, Kline S, Kohrt B, Lincoln AK, Lund C, Mendenhall E, Miranda R, Mondelli V, Niederkrotenthaler T, Osborn D, Pirkis J, Pisani AR, Prawira B, Rachidi H, Seedat S, Siskind D, Vijayakumar L, Yip PSF

The lancet. Psychiatry.. 2023 June 10 (6):452-464. Epub 05/11/2023.

Systems Approach to Suicide Prevention: Strengthening Culture, Practice, and Education.

Pisani AR, Boudreaux ED

Focus : journal of life long learning in psychiatry.. 2023 April 21 (2):152-159. Epub 04/14/2023.

Natural Language Processing in Electronic Health Records in relation to healthcare decision-making: A systematic review.

Hossain E, Rana R, Higgins N, Soar J, Barua PD, Pisani AR, Turner K

Computers in biology and medicine.. 2023 March 155 :106649. Epub 02/10/2023.

The Paradox of Suicide Prevention.

Turner K, Pisani AR, Sveticic J, O'Connor N, Woerway-Mehta S, Burke K, Stapelberg NJC

International journal of environmental research and public health.. 2022 November 1519 (22)Epub 11/15/2022.

Individuals who text crisis text line: Key characteristics and opportunities for suicide prevention.

Pisani AR, Gould MS, Gallo C, Ertefaie A, Kelberman C, Harrington D, Weller D, Green S

Suicide & life-threatening behavior.. 2022 June 52 (3):567-582. Epub 05/26/2022.

Wingman-Connect Program increases social integration for Air Force personnel at elevated suicide risk: Social network analysis of a cluster RCT.

Wyman PA, Pickering TA, Pisani AR, Cero I, Yates B, Schmeelk-Cone K, Hendricks Brown C, Gibbons RD, Simonson J, Pflanz SE

Social science & medicine.. 2022 March 296 :114737. Epub 01/22/2022.

Suicide risk classifications do not identify those at risk: where to from here?

Turner K, Stapelberg NJ, Sveticic J, Pisani AR

Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.. 2022 February 30 (1):139. Epub 08/02/2021.

A lived experience co-designed study protocol for a randomised control trial: the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) or Brief Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as additional interventions after a suicide attempt compared to a standard Suicide Prevention Pathway (SPP).

Stapelberg NJC, Bowman C, Woerwag-Mehta S, Walker S, Davies A, Hughes I, Michel K, Pisani AR, Van Engelen H, Delos M, Hageman T, Fullerton-Smith K, Krishnaiah R, McDowell S, Cameron A, Scales TL, Dillon C, Gigante T, Heddle C, Mudge N, Zappa A, Edwards M, Gutjahr S, Joshi H, Turner K

Trials.. 2021 October 2122 (1):723. Epub 10/21/2021.

Brief Video-Based Suicide Prevention Training for Primary Care.

Pisani AR, Cross WF, West JC, Crean HF, Caine ED

Family medicine.. 2021 February 53 (2):104-110. Epub 1900 01 01.

The Lymphoscintigraphic Study of Unpredictable Head and Neck Cutaneous Melanoma Lymphatic Drainage.

Lavelli V, Ferrari C, Santo G, Altini C, Ballini A, Sardaro A, Fanelli M, Pisani AR, Nappi AG, Giudice G, Rubini G

Biomedicines.. 2020 March 278 (4)Epub 03/27/2020.

Peer-adult network structure and suicide attempts in 38 high schools: implications for network-informed suicide prevention.

Wyman PA, Pickering TA, Pisani AR, Rulison K, Schmeelk-Cone K, Hartley C, Gould M, Caine ED, LoMurray M, Brown CH, Valente TW

Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines.. 2019 October 60 (10):1065-1075. Epub 08/08/2019.

Framework for Supporting Adolescent Peer Leaders: A Pilot Using Text Messaging in a School-Based Substance Use Prevention Program.

Pisani AR, Wyman PA, Petrova M, Judd E, Schmeelk-Cone K, Thiha P, Gurditta K

The journal of primary prevention.. 2019 April 40 (2):243-254. Epub 1900 01 01.

A randomized controlled trial of suicide prevention training for primary care providers: a study protocol.

Cross WF, West JC, Pisani AR, Crean HF, Nielsen JL, Kay AH, Caine ED

BMC medical education.. 2019 February 1419 (1):58. Epub 02/14/2019.

Protecting User Privacy and Rights in Academic Data-Sharing Partnerships: Principles From a Pilot Program at Crisis Text Line.

Ranney ML, Yen S, Turner S, Rousseau D, Pascal B, Marcotte JE, Levine R, Lehmann LS, Gould M, Gallo C, Filbin B, Kanuri N, Pisani AR

Journal of medical Internet research.. 2019 January 1721 (1):e11507. Epub 01/17/2019.

Mobile Phone Intervention to Reduce Youth Suicide in Rural Communities: Field Test.

Pisani AR, Wyman PA, Gurditta K, Schmeelk-Cone K, Anderson CL, Judd E

JMIR mental health.. 2018 May 315 (2):e10425. Epub 05/31/2018.

Diffusion of a Peer-Led Suicide Preventive Intervention Through School-Based Student Peer and Adult Networks.

Pickering TA, Wyman PA, Schmeelk-Cone K, Hartley C, Valente TW, Pisani AR, Rulison KL, Brown CH, LoMurray M

Frontiers in psychiatry.. 2018 9 :598. Epub 11/15/2018.

Efficacy of Web-Based Collection of Strength-Based Testimonials for Text Message Extension of Youth Suicide Prevention Program: Randomized Controlled Experiment.

Thiha P, Pisani AR, Gurditta K, Cherry E, Peterson DR, Kautz H, Wyman PA

JMIR public health and surveillance.. 2016 November 92 (2):e164. Epub 11/09/2016.

Reformulating Suicide Risk Formulation: From Prediction to Prevention.

Pisani AR, Murrie DC, Silverman MM

Academic psychiatry : the journal of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training and the Association for Academic Psychiatry.. 2016 August 40 (4):623-9. Epub 12/14/2015.

Human Subjects Protection and Technology in Prevention Science: Selected Opportunities and Challenges.

Pisani AR, Wyman PA, Mohr DC, Perrino T, Gallo C, Villamar J, Kendziora K, Howe GW, Sloboda Z, Brown CH

Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research.. 2016 August 17 (6):765-78. Epub 1900 01 01.

Efficacy of Web-Based Collection of Strength-Based Testimonials for Text Message Extension of Youth Suicide Prevention Program: Randomized Controlled Experiment

Thiha, P; Pisani, AR; Gurditta, K; Cherry, E; Peterson, D; Kautz, H; Wyman, PA.

JMIR: Public Health and Surveillance. 2016; .

Positive-Themed Suicide Prevention Messages Delivered by Adolescent Peer Leaders: Proximal Impact on Classmates' Coping Attitudes and Perceptions of Adult Support.

Petrova M, Wyman PA, Schmeelk-Cone K, Pisani AR

Suicide & life-threatening behavior.. 2015 December 45 (6):651-63. Epub 02/18/2015.

Measuring trainer fidelity in the transfer of suicide prevention training.

Cross WF, Pisani AR, Schmeelk-Cone K, Xia Y, Tu X, McMahon M, Munfakh JL, Gould MS

Crisis.. 2014 35 (3):202-12. Epub 1900 01 01.

Impact of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Gould MS, Cross W, Pisani AR, Munfakh JL, Kleinman M

Suicide & life-threatening behavior.. 2013 December 43 (6):676-91. Epub 07/25/2013.

Emotion regulation difficulties, youth-adult relationships, and suicide attempts among high school students in underserved communities.

Pisani AR, Wyman PA, Petrova M, Schmeelk-Cone K, Goldston DB, Xia Y, Gould MS

Journal of youth and adolescence.. 2013 June 42 (6):807-20. Epub 12/18/2012.

Evaluation of a suicide prevention training curriculum for substance abuse treatment providers based on Treatment Improvement Protocol Number 50.

Conner KR, Wood J, Pisani AR, Kemp J

Journal of substance abuse treatment.. 2013 January 44 (1):13-6. Epub 03/13/2012.

Associations between suicidal high school students' help-seeking and their attitudes and perceptions of social environment.

Pisani AR, Schmeelk-Cone K, Gunzler D, Petrova M, Goldston DB, Tu X, Wyman PA

Journal of youth and adolescence.. 2012 October 41 (10):1312-24. Epub 05/06/2012.

Three scales assessing high school students' attitudes and perceived norms about seeking adult help for distress and suicide concerns.

Schmeelk-Cone K, Pisani AR, Petrova M, Wyman PA

Suicide & life-threatening behavior.. 2012 April 42 (2):157-72. Epub 02/10/2012.

Evaluation of the Commitment to Living (CTL) curriculum: a 3-hour training for mental health professionals to address suicide risk.

Pisani AR, Cross WF, Watts A, Conner K

Crisis.. 2012 January 133 (1):30-8. Epub 1900 01 01.

The assessment and management of suicide risk: state of workshop education.

Pisani AR, Cross WF, Gould MS

Suicide & life-threatening behavior.. 2011 June 41 (3):255-76. Epub 04/07/2011.

Concordance of self- and proxy-reported suicide ideation in depressed adults 50 years of age or older.

Heisel MJ, Conwell Y, Pisani AR, Duberstein PR

Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie.. 2011 April 56 (4):219-26. Epub 1900 01 01.

Educating residents in behavioral health care and collaboration: comparison of conventional and integrated training models.

Garfunkel LC, Pisani AR, leRoux P, Siegel DM

Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges.. 2011 February 86 (2):174-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Educating residents in behavioral health care and collaboration: integrated clinical training of pediatric residents and psychology fellows.

Pisani AR, leRoux P, Siegel DM

Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges.. 2011 February 86 (2):166-73. Epub 1900 01 01.

A predoctoral field placement in primary care: Keeping it simple.

Pisani, A. R.; Berry, S. L.; Goldfarb, M.

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 2005; 36(2): 151-157.

Books

Caregiving for individuals with disabilities (2010)

Chapter: Family dynamics and caregiving for an individual with disabilities

Authors: McDaniel, S.H.; Pisani, A.R.

Publisher: Oxford University Press 2010

Textbook of Adolescent Healthcare (2010)

Chapter: Family systems approaches to adolescent health and illness

Authors: Spagnola, M Pisani, A.R. McDaniel, S.H.

Publisher: American Academy of Pediatrics, Elk Grove, IL 2010

Handbook of Clinical Family Therapy (2005)

Chapter: An integrative approach to health and illness in family therapy

Authors: Pisani, A.R.; McDaniel, S.H.

Publisher: Wiley & Company, New York 2005