James McGraw

Background

About James McGraw

I am a dedicated quantitative researcher and skilled clinician, seeking to help solve complex real-world mental health problems. As a budding scholar, I regularly conduct cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, analyze complex datasets, and publish/disseminate research findings with the explicit purpose of providing mental health professionals needed information on clinical topics. My research tends to revolve around four domains:(a) Suicide & Self Injury - examining predictors of suicidal thoughts and behaviors;(b) Sexual & Gender Minority Mental Health – examining protective and risk factors related to LGBTQ mental illness;(c) Religion & Spirituality – exploring ways in which religion and spirituality relate to psychopathology and psychotherapy; and (d) Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) – implementing EBP into psychotherapy and psychological assessment in order to best guide treatment. Over the last four years, I have distinguished myself as one of the first researchers to examine mental health disparities among LGBTQ youth and adults in Utah, including publishing the first known research articles on LGBTQ youth and adult suicide in the state (for information on these publications, please visit my ResearchGate page: Furthermore, as a clinician, I seek to implement empirically supported treatments and follow evidence-based practice guidelines in order to provide the best care for children, families, and adults experiencing mental illness. I am especially passionate about working with child and adult patients experiencing mood/anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, suicidal or self-harming thoughts and behaviors, behavioral problems and addictions (e.g, problematic pornography use), LGBTQ issues, and religious/spiritual struggles. I tend to work from a cognitive-behavioral lens and have experience providing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive-processing therapy (CPT), and trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) to adult and child clients.