Stacy R Freiheit

Professor and General Education Director

CB 32
612-330-1200
freiheit@augsburg.edu

Stacy Freiheit, Ph.D., L.P., is a clinical psychologist who teaches abnormal psychology, counseling psychology, research methods and statistics, and introductory psychology in the undergraduate department of psychology. She believes it is important for students to apply their classroom learning to real world situations through service learning opportunities and faculty-student research. She coordinates the Clinical Psychology Concentration, and she is committed to preparing the next generation of mental health care providers.

Interested in the dynamic interplay between science and clinical practice, Stacy’s primary research focus is the examination of evidence-based practice among mental health care practitioners. She also conducts research that examines the relationship between religious coping and mood. Through one-on-one research advising with students, Stacy shares her enthusiasm for research and helps students develop skills that will help them succeed in the future.

Education

  • Ph.D. Case Western Reserve University
  • M.A. Case Western Reserve University
  • B.A. University of Central Florida

Selected Scholarship

Publications:

van Ingen, D., Freiheit, S., Steinfeldt, J. A., Moore, L. L., Wimer, D. J., Knutt, A. D., et al. (2015). Intervening in response to helicopter parenting: Considering the effect of an overbearing caregiving style on peer attachment and self-efficacy. Journal of College Counseling, 18, 7-20.

van Ingen, D., Freiheit, S., & Vye, C. (2009). From the lab to the clinic: A review of effectiveness studies of cognitive-behavioral treatments for anxiety disorders. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 40, 69-74.

Freiheit, S., Sonstegard, K., Schmitt, A., & Vye, C. (2006). Religiosity and spirituality: A psychometric evaluation of the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith questionnaire. Pastoral Psychology, 55, 27-33.

Freiheit, S., Vye, C., Swan, R., & Cady, M. (February 2004). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety: Is dissemination working? the Behavior Therapist, 27, 25-32.

Overholser, J., Stockmeier, C., Dilley, G., & Freiheit, S. (2002). Personality disorders in suicide attempters and completers: Preliminary findings. Archives of Suicide Research, 6, 123-133.

Freiheit, S., Overholser, J., & Lehnert, K. (1998). The association between humor and depression in adolescent psychiatric inpatients and high school students. Journal of Adolescent Research, 13, 32-48.

Freiheit, S., & Overholser, J. (1997). Training issues in cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 28, 79-86.

Overholser, J., Freiheit, S. & DiFillippo, J. (1997). Emotional distress and substance abuse as risk factors for suicide attempts. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 42, 402-408.

Freiheit, S., Overholser, J., & Brinkman, D. (1996). Utility of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Personality Disorder scales with adolescent psychiatric inpatients. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 25, 805-817.

Freiheit, S., Overholser, J., & Silverman, E. (1994). Assessment of personality problems among anxiety disorder patients. Anxiety Disorders Practice Journal, 1, 113-126.

Overholser, J., & Freiheit, S. (1994). Assessment of interpersonal dependency using the MCMI-II and the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire. Personality and Individual Differences, 17, 71-78.

Recent presentations:

Freiheit, S., *King, S., Lancaster, S., & Provost, S. (April 2017). Institutional differences in religious and psychological functioning. Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association conference in Chicago, IL.

*Clark, B. & Freiheit, S. (August 2016). The impact of gratitude journaling on anxiety. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association conference in Denver, CO.

Freiheit, S. & *Burger, K. (May 2016). Religious coping, responses to depression, and emotion: A test for mediation effects. Poster presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association conference in Chicago, IL.

*Hinz, C., & Freiheit, S. (March 2013). Spiritual struggles and their unique relationship to guilt, shame, and hopelessness in young adults. Poster presented at the mid-year conference for Division 36 of the American Psychological Association in Baltimore, MD.

Freiheit, S. (May 2012). Evidence-based practice in the United States. Invited talk at the University of Ljubljana in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

*Hinz, C., & Freiheit, S. (March 2012). Spiritual struggles, guilt, shame, and depression in young adults. Poster presented at the mid-year conference for Division 36 of the American Psychological Association in Baltimore, MD.

Freiheit, S., & *Yussuf, D. (August 2011). The relationship between religious coping, rumination, and depressed mood. Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association in Washington, DC.

Freiheit, S. (August 2010). Education about gay, lesbian, and bisexual clients: A survey of graduate students. Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association in San Diego, CA.

Freiheit, S., & *Praska, D. (August 2010). Do psychologists use evidence-based practices to help children with OCD? Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association in San Diego, CA.

Freiheit, S., *Gauthier, J., & *McManus, E. (August 2009). Does religiosity matter? Religious coping, attributions, and depressed mood. Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

*McManus, E., & Freiheit, S. (August 2009). Has sexual assault reporting changed in the last 20 years? Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Freiheit, S., & *Christenson, P. (August 2008). What are graduate students learning about evidence-based practice for anxiety? Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association in Boston, MA.

Freiheit, S., & *Mely, J. (August 2007). Do anxiety specialists use exposure-based treatments more than non-specialists? Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association in San Francisco, CA.

Freiheit, S., *Esser, C., Vye, C., & Swan, R. (August 2007). Do psychologists use evidence-based therapies for anxiety disorders? Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association in San Francisco, CA.

* Indicates Augsburg student

Frequently Taught Courses

  • PSY 385 – Counseling Psychology
  • PSY 262 – Abnormal Psychology
  • PSY 215 – Research Methods and Statistics I
  • PSY 105 – Principles of Psychology

Primary Research Interests

  • Evidence-based practices for anxiety disorders
  • Exposure therapies
  • Religious coping and mood

Professional Society Memberships

  • Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
  • American Psychological Association
  • Society of Clinical Psychology
  • Society for the Teaching of Psychology

Awards

2014 Distinguished Contributions to Teaching, Augsburg University