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Sarah Meshberg-Cohen, PhD

Associate Professor of Psychiatry
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Additional Titles

Clinic Director, Outpatient Addiction Recovery Service (OARS), VA Connecticut Healthcare System, VA Connecticut Healthcare System

About

Titles

Associate Professor of Psychiatry

Positions outside Yale

Clinic Director, Outpatient Addiction Recovery Service (OARS), VA Connecticut Healthcare System, VA Connecticut Healthcare System

Biography

Sarah Meshberg-Cohen, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist with a background in behavioral medicine, and specializes in the treatment of substance use disorders, chronic depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and dual diagnosis. Dr. Meshberg-Cohen serves as the Director of the VACHS Outpatient Addiction Recovery Service and Program Manager of VACHS Addiction Firm. Her clinical work utilizes evidence-based treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement, cognitive processing therapy, written exposure therapy, and cognitive behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy (CBASP). Her research focuses on improving evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders and comorbid psychiatric conditions, often involving trauma. She is the Principal Investigator on a grant-funded randomized clinical trial investigating the feasibility and efficacy of written exposure therapy (WET) for veterans seeking SUD treatment who present with comorbid PTSD. Dr. Meshberg-Cohen also serves as co-Investigator on a clinical trial examining the impact of cognitive processing therapy with buprenorphine maintenance for veterans with comorbid opioid use disorder and PTSD.

Appointments

  • Psychiatry

    Associate Professor on Term
    Primary

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

Post-Doctoral Associate
Yale University School of Medicine (2012)
PhD
Virginia Commonwealth University (2010)
Pre-Doctoral Fellow
Yale University School of Medicine (2010)
MS
Virginia Commonwealth University (2006)
BA
Skidmore College, Psychology (2002)

Research

Overview

My primary research interest involves the field of addictions, with a specific focus on health and psychiatric problems co-occurring with substance use disorders (SUD), disability compensation for veterans, interventions targeting SUD and comorbid trauma-related conditions, and treatment addressing opioid use disorders (OUD) among veterans with trauma-related conditions. I have dedicated my work to exploring, developing and enhancing evidence-based treatments targeting the unique experiences of individuals presenting with co-occurring SUD and PTSD. Consequently, there is a great deal of overlap between my clinical, educational, and research interests.

Prior to coming to the VA, I obtained a NIH/NIDA grant and a VCU Institute for Women’s Health grant investigating whether Expressive Writing could augment treatment for women seeking SUD treatment, with an emphasis on co-occurring trauma and dual-diagnoses. I have also participated in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) examining treatments for use with addictive disorders and co-occurring diagnoses.

Since coming to the VA, I have become increasingly invested in research involving disability compensation for Veterans’ with substance use and mental health conditions. My role as Director of VACHS' Outpatient Addiction Recovery Service (OARS) as well as my clinical work and research in treating individuals with co-occurring addictions and trauma, has led to increased interest in improving treatment engagement and adherence for returning service members. To this end, I am involved in research examining the role of PTSD Compensation and Pension (C&P) claims on Veterans’ overall treatment engagement, quality of life, and mental health outcomes.

In addition to examining treatment engagement, I am dedicated to bringing evidence-based trauma care into SUD treatment settings and making it more acceptable and feasible in these settings. I am a co-investigator on a randomized clinical trial examining the impact of cognitive processing therapy with buprenorphine maintenance for veterans with comorbid OUD and PTSD. My current work also examines the feasibility and efficacy of a brief trauma-focused narrative exposure therapy for veterans seeking SUD treatment who present with comorbid PTSD. I am the Principal Investigator on a grant-funded randomized clinical trial investigating written exposure therapy (WET) for veterans seeking outpatient SUD treatment who present with comorbid PTSD, with a goal of improving trauma and substance use outcomes for veterans.

Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Sarah Meshberg-Cohen's published research.

Publications

2024

2022

2021

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

  • honor

    Distinguished Psychologist for Contributions to Clinical Care

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