Anxiety Disorders Research Program

Graduate Student
Graduate Assistant Director - Anxiety Disorders Research Program
University at Albany - SUNY
Social Sciences 399
1400 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12222
E-mail: cberghoff@albany.edu

Chris studies processes that may lead to psychological problems, such as experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion, and relational responding. He has also conducted cognitive research in the past, examining topics such as visual searching in a change blindness paradigm. Meditation and mindfulness-based techniques are of particular interest to him, and he keeps a regular Vipassana practice. He has employed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), in addition to other CBT techniques, in his clinical work as a scientist-practioner, and is looking forward to conducting outcome and process studies on ACT and related third-wave behavioral interventions. Chris also has an interest in professional issues such as ethics, diagnostic systems, and nosology. Additionally, he enjoys working on statistical and methodological issues related to the science of psychology. Chris attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he earned a BA in Psychology and a MA in Clinical Adult Psychology. He enjoys hiking and reading in his free time.

Chris is currently writing modules, directing the production and post-production of the video materials, and managing the technology-related components of the Modular Online Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Intervention for OIF/OEF Veterans.

Berghoff, C. R., Pomerantz, A. M., Segrist, D. J., Bedwell, D. R., & Russo, A. R. (November, 2010). Why do we avoid? The relationship between experiential avoidance and behavioral and self-reported impulsivity.  Paper presented at the 44th annual convention of the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, San Francisco, CA.

Russo, A.R., Forsyth, J.P., Sheppard, S.C., Berghoff, C.R., Clark, P., & Posey, J. (2010). The utility of ACT sans a therapist: An RCT evaluating ACT and traditional CBT self-help workbooks in an international sample of persons with anxiety disorders. Paper presented at the 8th annual world meeting of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), Reno, Nevada.

Sheppard, S. C., Forsyth, J. P., Berghoff, C. R., & Russo, A. R. (November, 2010). Reaching Clinically Anxious Individuals Who Do Not Seek Traditional Mental Health Services: Processes and Outcomes from an ACT Effectiveness Trial. Paper presented at the 44th annual meeting of the Association for Behavior and Cognitive Therapies, San Francisco, CA.

Berghoff, C. R. (2009). Towards a functional dimensional approach to the treatment of mental illness: The relationship between experiential avoidance and impulsivity. Masters thesis.

Bedwell, D. R., Berghoff, C. R., Fagin, C., Krause, W., Skelly, M. (2008). Levels of trait aggression in a video game trained population. Poster presentation, 80th annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Berghoff, C. R., Skelly, M., Wheeler, L., Renner, J. (2007). First-Person shooter video gamers appear more resistant to change blindness. Poster presentation, 79th annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.