VISN 2 Center for Integrated Healthcare (CIH)
Kyle Possemato, PhD
Associate Director for Research
Biography
Mentorship
Biography
Dr. Kyle Possemato received her PhD in Clinical Health Psychology from Drexel University. She joined the VA Center for Integrated Healthcare in 2007. Dr. Possemato’s research focuses on developing, testing and implementing interventions for trauma, PTSD, and substance use disorders with an emphasis on interventions that can be delivered in non-traditional ways in order to increase patient engagement. Examples include brief interventions delivered in the primary care setting, technology-based (e.g., web and smart phone) interventions, and services delivered by peer-support specialists. Much of Dr. Possemato’s research focuses on testing and implementing cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness interventions to increase engagement in care and reduce PTSD symptoms and alcohol use among Veterans. Dr. Possemato holds faculty appointments in the Department of Psychology, Syracuse University and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and SUNY Upstate Medical University.
To view a list of Dr. Possemato’s publications visit: https://scholar.google.com
Mentorship
Why do I mentor? “My experience of receiving and offering mentorship has been greatly rewarding, and one that I view as critical to professional development as a scientist-practitioner. My hope is that the individuals I mentor will continue growing as professionals, advancing their own lines of work to improve Veterans’
How do I go about mentoring? “My mentoring style is highly flexibly based on the needs and goals of the mentee. Early on in a mentoring relationship, I am happy to provide opportunities for new learning opportunities and more intensive feedback and supervision. Ultimately, I want to see all my mentees become increasingly more independent and enable them to develop their own research path. As a mentor, I tend to be highly available for both scheduled meetings and ad-hoc consultation. I strive to form a highly collaborative and supportive relationship with mentees that focuses on a thoughtful plan to systematically work toward the mentee’s career development goals.”
Areas I tend to Emphasize within Mentorship:
- Helping mentees to develop their own research interests
- Professional writing skills for manuscripts and grant applications
- Hands-on experience with the day-to-day conduct of clinical research in medical settings
- Development of professional milestones and long-term goals
- Participation in professional conferences and seminars
- Successful management of research staff
- Building a professional network of colleagues
- Balancing work and life commitments
Accomplishments of Previous Students
- Awarded pilot grants as well as large external grant funding
- Increased collaboration and professional network
- APublications and presentations
Accepting New Mentees
As part of the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program, I am currently accepting new mentees.
