Summary
Kristina DePue, Ph.D. is a professor of Counselor Education at the University. DePue's research goals are motivated by her clinical observations within the addictions counseling field, which has resulted in two research areas: (a) chemical and process addictions, specifically concentrating on the role of negative experiences in behavioral change; and (b) counselor development and supervision, focusing on how both counseling trainees and clients change.
DePue’s scholarly work related to addictions began as her master’s thesis at Vanderbilt University, which was a qualitative study on the bottoming out experience (BOE) in addiction. She has continued this research by expanding on the notion of BOEs as the culmination of negative experiences during addiction, rather than a one-time event, and how these negative experiences relate to behavioral outcomes. An inclusionary factor of the BOE is the notion of shame, which can be influenced by internalized stigma. Consequently, DePue also examines public stigma and implicit bias in an effort to understand the barriers to treatment for individuals with addiction, specifically focusing on underserved populations (i.e., individuals with criminal justice histories, gender minorities) and Opioid Use Disorder. Lastly, DePue studies the utility of technology based interventions to reduce the harm of substance use in college students.
Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Nevada, Reno, DePue was an assistant professor at the University of Florida, where she also held an Affiliate appointment with UF Psychiatry. DePue is active in the American Counseling Association, serves on multiple editorial review boards, and has held various leadership positions for the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC). In her spare time, she and her husband love traveling, skiing and live music.
Education
- Ph.D., Counselor Education, University of Central Florida
- M.Ed., Human Development and Counseling, Vanderbilt University
- B.A., Sociology, Vanderbilt University