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David Sells, PhD

Associate Research Scientist in Psychiatry

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David Sells, PhD

Research Summary

Therapeutic relationships—broadly considered—are my passions in research. My studies have included client perception of acceptance in counseling, peer support in cancer survivorship, and mentored community reentry, and throughout each, I have felt inspired by the capacity to connect with others in ways that can ameliorate distress and galvanize meaningful action. While squarely in the realm of clinical psychology, the topic also converges with sociology, anthropology, medicine, and literature, and I am fortunate to have collaborated with authorities from all these areas. Correspondingly I feel most enthusiastic when employing mixed methods designs, integrating data from "numbers to narratives," and assessing how findings inform stories of personal and collective significance.

Coauthors

Research Interests

Psychological Phenomena

Selected Publications

  • Group drumming for incarcerated men may improve community reintegration: a mixed methods pilot studyRojiani, R., Junn, A., Wood, M., Gordon, K. L., & Sells, D. (2021). Group drumming for incarcerated men may improve community reintegration: a mixed methods pilot study. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 1-22. doi:10.1007/s11292-021-09460-3
  • Peer-mentored community reentry reduces recidivismSells, D., Curtis, A., Abdur-Raheem, J., Klimczak, M., Barber, C., Meaden, C., . . . Emigh-Guy, M. (2020). Peer-mentored community reentry reduces recidivism. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 47(4), 437-456. doi:10.1177/0093854820901562
  • The Connection's approach: A model for integrating criminal justice, mental health, and other social services in the U.S. state of ConnecticutLee B, Sells D, Hasson J, Klimczak M, Barber C. The Connection's approach: A model for integrating criminal justice, mental health, and other social services in the U.S. state of Connecticut Aggression And Violent Behavior 2019, 47: 240-244. DOI: 10.1016/j.avb.2019.02.001.
  • The Connection’s approach: a model for integrating criminal justice, mental health, and other social services in the U.S. state of ConnecticutLee BX, Sells D, Hasson J., Klimczak M, & Barber C. (2019). The Connection’s approach: a model for integrating criminal justice, mental health, and other social services in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 47, 240-244. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2019.02.001
  • Outcomes of a Peer Mentor Intervention for Persons With Recurrent Psychiatric HospitalizationO'Connell MJ, Sledge WH, Staeheli M, Sells D, Costa M, Wieland M, Davidson L. Outcomes of a Peer Mentor Intervention for Persons With Recurrent Psychiatric Hospitalization Psychiatric Services 2018, 69: 760-767. PMID: 29656708, DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.201600478.
  • Connecting criminal justice, mental health, and family support for better delivery of human servicesLee BX, Sells D, Klimczak M, Barber C, DeMatteis-Lepore L. Connecting criminal justice, mental health, and family support for better delivery of human services International Journal Of Public Health 2018, 63: 897-898. PMID: 29520433, DOI: 10.1007/s00038-018-1080-z.
  • Citizenship programs for persons with mental health and/or co-occurring disorders: Mechanisms of action and clinical implicationsRakfeldt, J., Rowe, M., & Sells, D. (2018). Citizenship programs for persons with mental health and/or co-occurring disorders: Mechanisms of action and clinical implications. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 21(1-2), 1-15.
  • Pushing, Patience, and Persistence: Peer Providers' Perspectives on Supportive RelationshipsMourra S, Sledge W, Sells D, Lawless M, Davidson L. Pushing, Patience, and Persistence: Peer Providers' Perspectives on Supportive Relationships American Journal Of Psychiatric Rehabilitation 2014, 17: 307-328. DOI: 10.1080/15487768.2014.967601.
  • Pushing, patience, and persistence: Peer providers’ perspectives on supportive relationshipsMourra S, Sledge WS, Sells D, Lawless M, Davidson L. (2014). Pushing, patience, and persistence: Peer providers’ perspectives on supportive relationships. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 17, 307-328.
  • Homelessness and mental illnessSells D, Barber C. (2013). Homelessness and mental illness. In M. Shally-Jensen (Ed.), Mental Health Care Issues in America: An Encyclopedia (pp. 322-329). Santa-Barbara: ABC-CLIO.
  • Peer support groupsSells D, Barber C. (2013). Peer support groups. In M. Shally-Jensen (Ed.), Mental Health Care Issues in America: An Encyclopedia (pp. 510-517). Santa-Barbara: ABC-CLIO.
  • Recovery movementBarber C, Sells D, Raven S. (2013). Recovery movement. In M. Shally-Jensen (Ed.), Mental Health Care Issues in America: An Encyclopedia (pp. 661-667). Santa-Barbara: ABC-CLIO.
  • Mental health advocacySells D, Barber C, Klimczak M. (2013). Mental health advocacy. In M. Shally-Jensen (Ed.), Mental Health Care Issues in America: An Encyclopedia (pp. 439-445). Santa-Barbara: ABC-CLIO.
  • Effectiveness of Peer Support in Reducing Readmissions of Persons With Multiple Psychiatric HospitalizationsSledge WH, Lawless M, Sells D, Wieland M, O'Connell MJ, Davidson L. Effectiveness of Peer Support in Reducing Readmissions of Persons With Multiple Psychiatric Hospitalizations Psychiatric Services 2011, 62: 541-544. PMID: 21532082, DOI: 10.1176/ps.62.5.pss6205_0541.
  • Qualitative study of high-cost patients in an urban primary care centreSledge WH, Wieland M, Sells D, Walden D, Holmberg C, Zhenqiu Lin, Davidson L. Qualitative study of high-cost patients in an urban primary care centre Chronic Illness 2011, 7: 107-119. PMID: 21273219, DOI: 10.1177/1742395310388673.
  • Enabling or Engaging? The Role of Recovery Support Services in Addiction RecoveryDavidson L, White W, Sells D, Schmutte T, O'Connell M, Bellamy C, Rowe M. Enabling or Engaging? The Role of Recovery Support Services in Addiction Recovery Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 2010, 28: 391-416. PMID: 30880870, PMCID: PMC6419765, DOI: 10.1080/07347324.2010.511057.
  • Becoming expert and understanding mental illness.Strauss J, Lawless MS, Sells D. Becoming expert and understanding mental illness. Psychiatry 2009, 72: 211-21. PMID: 19821645, DOI: 10.1521/psyc.2009.72.3.211.
  • Cascading crises, resilience and social support within the onset and development of multiple chronic conditionsSells D, Sledge WH, Wieland M, Walden D, Flanagan E, Miller R, Davidson L. Cascading crises, resilience and social support within the onset and development of multiple chronic conditions Chronic Illness 2009, 5: 92-102. PMID: 19474232, DOI: 10.1177/1742395309104166.
  • Citizenship, community, and recovery: A group- and peer-based intervention for persons with co-occurring disorders and criminal justice historiesRowe M, Benedict P, Sells D, Dinzeo T, Garvin C, Schwab L, Baranoski M, & Bellamy C. (2009). Citizenship, community, and recovery: A group- and peer-based intervention for persons with co-occurring disorders and criminal justice histories. Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, 4: 224-244.
  • Self-Efficacy and Self-Care: Missing Ingredients in Health and Healthcare among Adults with Serious Mental IllnessesSchmutte T, Flanagan E, Bedregal L, Ridgway P, Sells D, Styron T, Davidson L. Self-Efficacy and Self-Care: Missing Ingredients in Health and Healthcare among Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses Psychiatric Quarterly 2008, 80: 1-8. PMID: 19048375, DOI: 10.1007/s11126-008-9088-9.
  • Beyond Generic Support: Incidence and Impact of Invalidation in Peer Services for Clients With Severe Mental IllnessSells D, Black R, Davidson L, Rowe M. Beyond Generic Support: Incidence and Impact of Invalidation in Peer Services for Clients With Severe Mental Illness Psychiatric Services 2008, 59: 1322-1327. PMID: 18971409, DOI: 10.1176/ps.2008.59.11.1322.
  • A Peer-Support, Group Intervention to Reduce Substance Use and Criminality Among Persons With Severe Mental IllnessRowe M, Bellamy C, Baranoski M, Wieland M, O'Connell MJ, Benedict P, Davidson L, Buchanan J, Sells D. A Peer-Support, Group Intervention to Reduce Substance Use and Criminality Among Persons With Severe Mental Illness Psychiatric Services 2007, 58: 955-961. PMID: 17602012, DOI: 10.1176/ps.2007.58.7.955.
  • Sober Housing and Motivational Interviewing: The Treatment Access ProjectFisk D, Sells D, Rowe M. Sober Housing and Motivational Interviewing: The Treatment Access Project Journal Of Prevention 2007, 28: 281-293. PMID: 17551837, DOI: 10.1007/s10935-007-0096-6.
  • Using qualitative methods in clinical researchDavidson L, Wieland M, Flanagan E, Sells D (2007). Using qualitative methods in clinical research. In D. McKay (Ed.), Handbook of Research Methods in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Troubled youth in transition: An evaluation of Connecticut's special services for individuals aging out of adolescent mental health programsStyron T, O'Connell M, Smalley W, Rau D, Shahar G, Sells D, Frey J, Davidson L. Troubled youth in transition: An evaluation of Connecticut's special services for individuals aging out of adolescent mental health programs Children And Youth Services Review 2006, 28: 1088-1101. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2005.10.010.
  • The Treatment Relationship in Peer-Based and Regular Case Management for Clients With Severe Mental IllnessSells D, Davidson L, Jewell C, Falzer P, Rowe M. The Treatment Relationship in Peer-Based and Regular Case Management for Clients With Severe Mental Illness Psychiatric Services 2006, 57: 1179-1184. PMID: 16870970, DOI: 10.1176/ps.2006.57.8.1179.
  • Arenas of recovery for persons with severe mental illnessSells D, Borg M, Marin I, Mezzina R, Topor A, Davidson L (2006). Arenas of recovery for persons with severe mental illness. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 9: 3-16.
  • From participation to citizenship: How to regain a role, a status, and a life in the process of recoveryMezzina R, Borg M, Marin I, Sells D, Topor A, Davidson L (2006). From participation to citizenship: How to regain a role, a status, and a life in the process of recovery. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 9: 39-61.
  • Others: The role of family, friends, and professionals in the recovery processTopor A, Borg M, Mezzina R, Sells D, Marin I, Davidson L (2006). Others: The role of family, friends, and professionals in the recovery process. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 9: 17-37.
  • The social nature of recovery: Discussion and implication for practiceMezzina R, Davidson L, Borg M, Marin I, Topor A, Sells D (2006). The social nature of recovery: Discussion and implication for practice. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 9: 63-80.
  • Troubled youth in transition: An evaluation of Connecticut's special services for individuals aging out of adolescent mental health programsStyron TH, O'Connell M, Smalley W, Rau D, Shahar G, Sells D, Frey J, Davidson L (2006). Troubled youth in transition: An evaluation of Connecticut's special services for individuals aging out of adolescent mental health programs. Children and Youth Services Review, 28: 1088-1101.
  • Peer Support Among Adults With Serious Mental Illness: A Report From the FieldDavidson L, Chinman M, Sells D, Rowe M. Peer Support Among Adults With Serious Mental Illness: A Report From the Field Schizophrenia Bulletin 2005, 32: 443-450. PMID: 16461576, PMCID: PMC2632237, DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbj043.
  • Contexts and narratives of recoverySells D, Andrés-Hyman R, Staeheli-Lawless M, Borg M, Topor A, Mezzina R, Marin I, Davidson L (2005). Contexts and narratives of recovery. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 8: 203-221.
  • What makes a house a home: The role of material resources in recovery from severe mental illnessBorg M, Sells D, Mezzina R, Marin I, Topor A, Davidson L (2005). What makes a house a home: The role of material resources in recovery from severe mental illness. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 8: 243-256.
  • Processes of recovery in serious mental illness: Findings from a multi-national studyDavidson L, Borg M, Marin I, Topor A, Mezzina R, Sells D (2005). Processes of recovery in serious mental illness: Findings from a multi-national study. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 8: 177-201.
  • The person’s role in recoveryMarin I, Mezzina R, Borg M, Topor A, Sells D, Davidson L (2005). The person’s role in recovery. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 8: 223-242.
  • Qualitative studies of recovery: What can we learn from the person?Davidson L, Sells D, Sangster S, O’Connell M (2005). Qualitative studies of recovery: What can we learn from the person? In R. O. Ralph & P. W. Corrigan (Eds.), Recovery and Mental Illness: Consumer Visions and Research Paradigms (pp. 147-170). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
  • Recovering the Self in Schizophrenia: An Integrative Review of Qualitative StudiesSells DJ, Stayner DA, Davidson L. Recovering the Self in Schizophrenia: An Integrative Review of Qualitative Studies Psychiatric Quarterly 2004, 75: 87-97. PMID: 14992305, DOI: 10.1023/b:psaq.0000007563.17236.97.
  • Trauma and Adaptation in Severe Mental Illness: The Role of Self-Reported Abuse and Exposure to Community ViolenceShahar G, Wisher A, Chinman M, Sells D, Kloos B, Tebes J, Davidson L. Trauma and Adaptation in Severe Mental Illness: The Role of Self-Reported Abuse and Exposure to Community Violence Journal Of Trauma & Dissociation 2004, 5: 29-47. DOI: 10.1300/j229v05n01_03.
  • Generating coherence out of chaos: Examples of the utility of empathic bridges in phenomenological researchSells D, Topor A, Davidson L (2004). Generating coherence out of chaos: Examples of the utility of empathic bridges in phenomenological research. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, 35: 253-271.
  • Trauma and adaptation in severe mental illness: The role of self-reported abuse and exposure to community violenceShahar G, Wisher A, Chinman M, Sells D, Kloos B, Tebes JK, Davidson L (2004). Trauma and adaptation in severe mental illness: The role of self-reported abuse and exposure to community violence. Journal of Trauma and Dissociation. 2004, 5: 29-47.
  • Language, suffering, and the question of immanence: Toward a respectful phenomenological psychopathologyDavidson L, Staeheli Lawless M, Stayner D, Sells D (2004). Language, suffering, and the question of immanence: Toward a respectful phenomenological psychopathology. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, 35: 197-232.
  • Violent Victimization of Persons With Co-occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use DisordersSells DJ, Rowe M, Fisk D, Davidson L. Violent Victimization of Persons With Co-occurring Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders Psychiatric Services 2003, 54: 1253-1257. PMID: 12954942, DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.54.9.1253.
  • Is there an outside to mental illness?Davidson L, O’Connell M, Sells D, Staeheli M (2003). Is there an outside to mental illness? In L. Davidson, Living Outside Mental Illness (pp. 31-60). New York: NY University Press.
  • Gender and modality differences in experiencing and emotional expressionSells D, Martin RB (2001). Gender and modality differences in experiencing and emotional expression. Canadian Journal of Counselling, 35: 176-188.
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