Publications by authors named "M Kushner"

Background: Anxiety disorders are common in alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment patients. Such co-occurring conditions ("comorbidity") have negative prognostic implications for AUD treatment outcomes, yet they commonly go unaddressed in standard AUD care. Over a decade ago, we developed and validated a cognitive behavioral therapy intervention to supplement standard AUD care that, when delivered by trained therapists, improves outcomes in comorbid patients.

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Plasma treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminated water is a potentially energy efficient remediation method. In this treatment, an atmospheric pressure plasma interacts with surface-resident PFAS molecules. Developing a reaction mechanism and modeling of plasma-PFAS interactions requires fundamental data for electron-molecule reactions.

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Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is defined by the presence of at least five of nine symptoms in Section II of the , fifth edition. In the fifth edition, Section III Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD), BPD is defined by deficits in self and/or interpersonal functioning (Criterion A), elevated negative affectivity, and elevated antagonism and/or disinhibition (Criterion B). However, it is unclear if these definitions describe the same people and if the AMPD criteria explain unique variability in treatment outcomes in this population.

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Exposure therapy is a first-line, empirically validated treatment for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and trauma-related disorders. Extinction learning is the predominant theoretical framework for exposure therapy, whereby repeated disconfirmation of a feared outcome yields fear reduction over time. Although this framework has strong empirical support and substantial translational utility, extinction learning is unlikely to be the sole process underlying the therapeutic effects of exposure therapy.

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Cognitive behavior therapies (CBTs) are the gold standard treatment for many psychiatric conditions. However, relatively little is known about how CBTs work. By characterizing these mechanisms, researchers can ensure CBTs retain their potency across diagnoses and delivery contexts.

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