
About Me
Professional Background
Dr. West's research is focused on using innovative educational methodology, particularly standardized patients, to train providers and other interventionists. She was a co-PI on a randomized controlled trial focused on the use of standardized patients for suicide prevention training for providers in primary care. In 2020, Dr. West was a Dean's Teaching Fellow and developed a project focused on improving healthcare providers' skills in firearm injury prevention. Dr. West has expertise on observational coding and has collaborated on projects assessing implementer fidelity.
Dr. West has extensive experience in the clinical treatment of children, adolescents, and families. As a member of several interdisciplinary teams in the Department of Pediatrics, she specializes in the assessment and therapeutic treatment of children with acute and chronic medical conditions, especially asthma, vocal cord dysfunction, Type I diabetes, craniofacial anomalies, abdominal pain, and encopresis. Dr. West also has expertise in the treatment of anxiety, mood disorders, bereavement, and adjustment disorders with children, adolescents, and adults. She has specialized training and expertise in the using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people develop skills to improve their psychological flexibility and build meaningful lives in the face of difficult emotions, thoughts and situations.
Dr. West is a member of the American Psychological Association (Divisions 53 and 54), the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, the Rome Foundation, and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.
Faculty Appointments
Associate Professor (Part-Time) - Department of Psychiatry, Child & Adoles Serv (SMD)
Credentials
Post-doctoral Training & Residency
University of Rochester Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry 2002-2003 Postdoctoral Fellow, Psychology (Pediatrics) 2002 - 2003
University of Rochester Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry 2001-2002 Postdoctoral Fellow, Leadership Education in Adolescent Health 2001 - 2002
University of Rochester Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry 2000-2001 Psychology Intern 2000 - 2001
Education
PhD | University of Denver. Child Psychology. 2001
MA | University of Denver. Child Psychology. 1997
BA | Mount Holyoke College. Psychology. 1992
Awards
Award for Excellence in Teaching. 2022
Dean's Teaching Fellowship. 2020 - 2022
Genesee Valley Psychological Association Outstanding Psychologist. 2017
Babineau Award for Excellence in Psychotherapy Education. 2016
Emerald Literati Network Award. 2012
Award for Excellence in Teaching. 2009
Award for Excellence in Teaching. 2005
Psychology Internship Predoctoral Training Award for Excellence. 2001
National Research Service Award. 1997 - 2000
Teaching Assistantship (merit based). 1995
Colorado Graduate Fellowship. 1995 - 1997
Sarah Williston Prize. 1992
Alumnae Scholar Athlete Award. 1992
Sigma Xi Scientific Honor Society. 1992
Phi Beta Kappa. 1991
Psi Chi Honor Society. 1991
Publications
Journal Articles
Cross WF, West JC, Crean HF, Rosenberg E, LaVigne T, Caine ED
Suicide & life-threatening behavior.. 2022 January 17 Epub 01/17/2022.
Pisani AR, Cross WF, West JC, Crean HF, Caine ED
Family medicine.. 2021 February 53 (2):104-110. Epub 1900 01 01.
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.
Observational measures of implementer fidelity for a school-based preventive intervention: development, reliability and validity.
Cross, W., West, J., Wyman, P.A., Schmeelk-Cone, K., Xia, Y., Tu, X., Teisl, M., Brown, CH., & Forgatch, M.
Prevention Science. 2015; 16(1): 122-132.
Examining implementer fidelity: Conceptualizing and measuring adherence and competence
Cross, W.; West, J.
Journal of Child Services. 2011; 6(1): 18-33.
Wyman PA, Gaudieri PA, Schmeelk-Cone K, Cross W, Brown CH, Sworts L, West J, Burke KC, Nathan J
Journal of abnormal child psychology.. 2009 October 37 (7):917-28. Epub 1900 01 01.