Associate Professor; Director, Psychological & Neuropsychology Clinical Research Services

Areas of Interest
adjustment to chronic health conditions; development of health promotion interventions for patients and family caregivers

Dr. Dreer’s areas of clinical research concentration are threefold: (1) examining the role of social cognitive (e.g., problem-solving abilities) and lifestyle factors on adjustment to chronic health conditions, (2) development of health promotion and lifestyle interventions to improve health outcomes and adjustment, and (3) evaluating competency-related issues (i.e., medical decision-making, management of finances, driving). She holds secondary appointments in the departments of physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, and psychology.

Dr. Dreer has two subspecialty areas of postdoctoral training in rehabilitation psychology (UAB) and neuropsychology (Duke University). Her doctorate is in clinical psychology from Central Michigan University. 

She has been awarded several grants through the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Research to Prevent Blindness, the Brain Tumor Network, and the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama. She has also received numerous awards in recognition of her research and service. Lastly, she serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings and is on the editorial board for Rehabilitation Psychology. 

Education & Training

Undergraduate Degree
Central Michigan University, Psychology

Graduate Degrees
University of Hartford, Clinical Psychology (M.A.); Central Michigan University, Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.)

Postdoctoral Fellowships
Duke University Medical Center (neuropsychology); University of Alabama at Birmingham (Medical Rehabilitation Psychology)