Jacqueline Alfonso Barry
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Ph.D., M.S., University of Central Florida; B.A., Florida International University
Office hours: By appointment until spring break. Come check sign-up sheet outside of office.
Office: Administration Building, Room 421-B
Phone: (617) 735-9758
E-mail: alfonja@emmanuel.edu
Dr. Alfonso Barry completed her undergraduate education at Florida International University where she graduated summa cum laude from The Honors College with a B.A. in Psychology. She went on to pursue doctoral training in clinical psychology at The University of Central Florida, where she concentrated her research in the substance abuse area of health psychology. She has experience working in diverse clinical settings (i.e., inpatient, outpatient, corrections), with a variety of populations (i.e., children, adolescents, adults, couples, substance abuse, Spanish-speaking, and serious and persistent mental illness), and in various capacities (i.e., clinical provider, program coordinator, training supervisor, assessment specialist). After completing her predoctoral internship at the Greater Hartford Internship Consortium, Dr. Alfonso Barry joined the Emmanuel College faculty in the Fall of 2008.
Academic Interests
Dr. Alfonso Barry believes that individuals can excel to their maximum potential when they are invested co-creators of their learning experience, and considers it a privilege to be part of an individual's educational journey; because of this, she has made teaching a top priority. In an environment that fuels excitement not only about the subject matter at hand, but also about the process of learning itself, she places great emphasis on educational ownership by inviting students to participate in the experience. Once immersed in the process, it is inspiring to see students' increased investment, interest and abilities flourish.
As a scientist-practitioner in the field of clinical psychology, Dr. Alfonso Barry values how research influences the field and brings cutting-edge research into the classroom. As a practicing clinician, she recognizes the transformative role of human interaction and implements a number of assignments that utilize an experiential learning lens. As a faculty member who enjoys working with students, she has made a strong commitment to advising and mentorship, with research collaborations resulting in presentations at regional, national, and international conferences, as well as co-authored publications. Lab alumnae have received awards such as "Honorary Undergraduate Scholar" from the New England Psychological Association, and earned graduate degrees in a variety of human service professions.
In sum, Dr. Alfonso Barry believes an excellent teacher is one who continues their journey as a student throughout the duration of their career and continually grows and adapts to new challenges, discoveries, technologies, and student needs. She looks forward to opportunities where she can continue to contribute actively, and more importantly, to the satisfaction that only comes with knowing one has made a significant difference in the life of a student.
Current Research
Dr. Alfonso Barry's primary research interests center on studying factors related to substance abuse in adolescence and emerging adulthood, where she focuses on the empirical development and improvement of current prevention and intervention strategies within these populations. More specifically, Dr. Alfonso Barry is interested in strategies that incorporate harm reduction and motivational enhancement principles to modify existing (intervention), as well as future (prevention) high-risk behaviors. In order to blend her enthusiasm for teaching, research, and the mentorship of students, she created the Alfonso Research Lab (ARL) where she collaborates with talented Emmanuel College students on ongoing projects, as well as those of interest to her research assistants.
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Research Assistant, Spencer Deschenes, presenting as first author at NEPA 2012.
Research Assistant Makenzie Mulcahy presenting at NEPA 2011.
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Dr. Alfonso Barry receives the Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award.
Dr. Alfonso Barry and Dr. Lin with EC students presenting at NEPA 2011.
Courses Taught
- IDS 1401: Drugs, the Mind, and the Media
- PSYCH 1501: General Psychology
- PSYCH 3211: Theories of Personality
- PSYCH 3212: Abnormal Psychology
- PSYCH 3601: Counseling Theories and Techniques
- PSYCH 4494, 4495, 4496: Internship in Psychology I & II
Professional Highlights
- American Journal on Addictions, Reviewer
- American Psychological Association (APA), Division 2: Society for the Teaching of Psychology, Member and Ad-hoc Reviewer
- Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Addictive Behaviors Special Interest Group, Member
- British Journal of Developmental Psychology, Reviewer
- Journal of Substance Use, Reviewer
- Latina Researchers Network, Member
- New England Psychological Association (NEPA), Steering Committee Member
- Northeast Conference for Teachers of Psychology (NECTOP), Planning Committee Member
- Psi Chi, Emmanuel College Chapter, Faculty Advisor
- Psychology Learning Community, Emmanuel College, Co-Director
- Society for the Psychology of Women, Section 3: Concerns of Hispanic Women/Latinas, Member
Selected Awards/Honors Received
- Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, Emmanuel College
- Faculty-Student Research Funding, Emmanuel College
- Teaching with Technology Grant, Emmanuel College
- Interdisciplinary Course Development Grant, Emmanuel College
- Small Faculty Development Grant, Society for the Teaching of Psychology, American Psychological Association
- Early Career Scholarship, National Institute on the Teaching of Psychology
- Outstanding Research Poster, Addictive Behaviors Special Interest Group, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
- College of Sciences Graduate Student Teaching Excellence Award, University of Central Florida
Selected Publications & Presentations
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*indicates student co-author
Peer-Reviewed Manuscripts:
- Alfonso, J. & *Deschenes, S.D. (in press). Do drinking games matter? An examination by game type and sex in a mandated student sample. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
- Mehta, C. M., Alfonso, J., *Delaney, R. K. & Ayotte, B. J. (under revise and resubmit). Associations between mixed-sex friendships, gender identity and substance use in college students.
- Alfonso, J. (under review). The role of social norms in personalized alcohol feedback: A dismantling study with college freshmen.
- Alfonso, J., Hall, T.V., & Dunn, M.E. (2012). Feedback-based alcohol interventions for mandated students: An effectiveness study of three modalities. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. doi: 10.1002/cpp.1786
- Brown, P. C., Alfonso, J., & Dunn, M. E. (2011). Gamma Hydroxybutyrate use: Exploring the influence of outcome expectancies through memory modeling. American Journal on Addictions, 20, 127 - 136.
- Alfonso, J. & Dunn, M. E. (2007). Differences in the marijuana expectancies of adolescents in relation to marijuana use. Substance Use and Misuse, 42(6), 1009-1025.
Peer-Reviewed Presentations:
- *Deschenes, S. D. & Alfonso, J. (October, 2012). Do drinking games matter? An examination in a mandated student sample. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the New England Psychological Association, Worcester, MA.
- Alfonso, J., Smith, B., Licitra, D. & Brown, J. (January, 2012). Integrating empirically supported AOD programming using a multi-modal approach. Presented at the NASPA Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Prevention & Intervention Conference, Atlanta, GA.
- *Mulcahy, M. & Alfonso, J. (October, 2011). The relation of college student preference for mode of communication to social anxiety and loneliness. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the New England Psychological Association, Fairfield, CT.
- *Pontes, A. & Alfonso, J. (October, 2010). Perceived stress and coping styles: Differences between men and women. Poster accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the New England Psychological Association, Burlington, VT.
- *Burns, M. A. & Alfonso, J. (May, 2010). Brief physical activity improves auditory memory in late adolescents/young adults. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, Boston, MA.
- *Burns, M. A. & Alfonso, J. (April, 2009). Using drinking motives to predict alcohol-related harm in a mandated college student sample. Presented by mentored research assistant at the Boston Undergraduate Research Symposium, Cambridge, MA.
- Alfonso, J. & Dunn, M. E. (November, 2008). Feedback-based alcohol interventions for mandated students: A randomized clinical trial comparing individual, group, and electronic formats. Presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Orlando, FL.
- Mueller, S. & Alfonso, J. (February, 2007). Using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to provide ongoing screening and score-specific brief advice. Presented at the NASPA Strategies Conference: Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Intervention, Atlanta, GA.
- Alfonso, J., Alderson, R. M., *Shelton, T. M. , *Roth, A. J. , & Dunn, M. E. (November, 2006). Using feedback to reduce alcohol use: A meta-analytic review. Presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Chicago, IL.
- Alfonso, J. & Dunn, M. E. (November, 2006). Differences in marijuana expectancies of adolescents in relation to frequency of use. Presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Chicago, IL.
- Cruz, I. Y., Alfonso, J., & Dunn, M. E. (November, 2006). Decreasing alcohol use among high school students by challenging alcohol expectancies. Presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Chicago, IL.
- Brown, P. C., Alfonso, J., & Dunn, M. E. (November, 2006). Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) outcome expectancies: Do users and never-users differ? Presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Chicago, IL.
- Alfonso, J., Cruz, I. Y., *Wolfe, R. , *Azhar, A. , *Dorso, E., & Dunn, M. E. (November, 2004). Age and marijuana consumption differences in children assessed as first associates. Presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Alfonso, J., Cruz, I. Y., *Randall, R. J., Brown, P. C., & Dunn, M. E. (June, 2003). Are greeks unique? Comparing the alcohol expectancies of fraternity and sorority members to those of non-members. Presented at the annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
- Alfonso, J., Patton, E. C., Borjesson, W. I., & Dunn, M. E. (June, 2001). Alcohol expectancies prevalent among members of fraternities and sororities. Presented at the annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, Montreal, Canada.
Selected Invited Talks and Clinical Trainings:
- Invited talk, "Trends in College Student Substance Use, Abuse & Dependence, & Prevention & Intervention Models that Work" for Social Work Grand Rounds at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston, MA).
- Invited talk, "Misuse, Abuse & Dependence: College Students & Prescription Drugs" for the Housing Staff of Massachusetts College of Art & Design (Boston, MA).
- Provided 12-hour certification training, "How to Use Motivational Interviewing and the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS)" to the Counseling Center staff of the Colleges of the Fenway (Emmanuel College, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wentworth Institute of Technology and Wheelock College; Boston, MA).
- Invited talk, "Motivational Interviewing" for the clinical staff of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC; Cambridge, MA).
- Provided 8-hour training, "How to Use Motivational Interviewing & the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) " to the Counseling Services and Student Development staff of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (Boston, MA).
- Provided training, "Alcohol, Tobacco & Marijuana" to the Housing and New Stuent Orientation staff of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (Boston, MA).
- Provided colloquium, "Alcohol Interventions for Mandated College Students: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Individual, Group, and Electronic Formats" to the faculty, staff, and students of Emmanuel College (Boston, MA).
- Provided two-day workshop, "How to Use Motivational Interviewing and the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS)" to staff of the University of Central Florida Counseling Center (Orlando, FL).
- Provided four-day workshop," Working Effectively with Substance-Using College Students: Using Motivational Interviewing, Personalized Substance Feedback, and Alcohol Skills Training Individually and in Groups" for the staff of the University of Central Florida Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Programming Office (Orlando, FL).
- Invited talk, "Empirically Supported Substance Abuse Interventions: Finding What Works in High-Risk Populations" for the faculty, staff, and students of Barry University (Miami Shores, FL), the University of North Florida (Jacksonville, FL), and Trinity College (Hartford, CT).
- Invited talk, "Dissemination of Research Findings for Clinical Application: Providing Feedback to Reduce Alcohol Use" for the staff of the Center for Drug-Free Living (Orlando, FL).
