Bonacquisti, Alexa

Assistant Professor

Education

Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Drexel University
MS, Psychology, Drexel University
BS, Psychology, Drexel University

Courses Taught

Advanced Research Methods
Advanced Data Analysis
Advanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Biological Bases of Behavior
Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior
Professional Identity and Ethical Practice
Intellectual Assessment
Group Psychology

Teaching Focus/Philosophy

My teaching philosophy emphasizes interaction, collaboration, critical thinking, and contextual understanding to cultivate an appreciation and enthusiasm for psychology as a discipline and a science. I aim to create a learning environment that is interdisciplinary, engaging, and flexible, allowing students to be active participants in the learning process. My courses are discussion-based, focused on real-world applications, and strive to introduce new perspectives to facilitate student’s learning and growth.

Recent Presentations/Publications

Papers

Bonacquisti, A., Geller, P.A., & Patterson, C.A. (2020). Maternal depression, anxiety, stress, and maternal-infant attachment in the neonatal intensive care unit. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 38(3), 297-310. doi: 10.1080/02646838.2019.1695041

Grunberg, V.A., Geller, P.A., Bonacquisti, A., & Patterson, C.A. (2019). NICU infant health severity and family outcomes: a systematic review of assessments and findings in psychosocial research. Journal of Perinatology, 39(2), 156-172. doi: 10.1038/s41372-018-0282-9

Geller, P.A., Posmontier, B.P., Horowitz, J.A., Bonacquisti, A. & Chiarello, L.C. (2018). Introducing Mother Baby Connections: A model of intensive perinatal mental health outpatient programming. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 41(5). doi: 10.1007/s10865-018-9974-z

Bonacquisti, A., Cohen, M.J., & Schiller, C.E. (2017). Acceptance and commitment therapy for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders: Development of an inpatient group intervention. Archives of Women’s Mental Health. doi: 10.1007/s00737-017-0735-8

Geller, P.A., Bonacquisti, A., Barber, J., & Yeakel, L.H. (2017). Increasing racially and ethnically underrepresented women in medical school through an innovative program. International Journal of Medical Education, 8, 187-189. doi: 10.5116/ijme.5918.b789

Book Chapters

Geller, P.A., Bonacquisti, A. & Patterson, C.A. (2018). Maternal experience of neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization: trauma exposure and psychosocial responses. In M.Muzik & K.L. Rosenblum (Eds.), Motherhood in the Face of Trauma: Pathways of Healing and Growth. Springer.

Awards and Honors

2021 Ray and Mildred Taylor Award for Faculty Development, Holy Family University
2019 Instructional Resource Award (Division 22, American Psychological Association)
2019 American Psychological Association Emerging Leaders in Psychology Academy
2015 Graduate Research Award, Humanities and Social Sciences, Drexel University Research Day 

Research Interests

My program of research is focused on reproductive psychology and perinatal mental health. Primarily, I investigate the physical and mental health outcomes that occur in the context of reproductive functioning, with an emphasis on psychological responses to adverse reproductive events (e.g., infant admission to a neonatal intensive care unit, infertility, pregnancy loss). I am also interested in developing and evaluating innovative treatments for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Licensure

Licensed Psychologist in Pennsylvania