Peter M. Vernig, Ph.D.

Friends Hospital
4641 Roosevelt Blvd - Philadelphia, PA 19124
pete@drvernig.com - 215-600-3557

EDUCATION
2012 to 2013

Post-Doctoral Fellowship
Anxiety Treatment Center of Austin, Austin, TX

2011 to 2012

Internship (Chief Intern), APA Accredited

Friends Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

2012

Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology), APA Accredited

Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Advisor: Susan M. Orsillo, PhD
Dissertation Title: Drinking Motives and College Alcohol Problems: A
Prospective Study

2007

Master of Arts (Psychology)

Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Advisor: Susan M. Orsillo, PhD
Thesis Title: Emotional Responding Among Alcohol Dependent
Individuals: The Effects of a Brief Acceptance/Mindfulness Induction

2003

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Summa cum Laude, with Distinction

University of Colorado, Denver, CO
Advisor: David Albeck, PhD
Thesis Title: The Japanese Written Language and its Implications for the
Study of Developmental Dyslexia: Background, Critical Analysis, and
Directions for Future Research

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Licensed Psychologist (Number PS017475), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
National Register of Health Service Psychologists (Number 54075)

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Peter M. Vernig, Ph.D.

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
2014-Present

Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychology

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

2010

Adjunct Instructor, Department of Psychology

Newbury College, Brookline, MA

2008 to 2011

Adjunct Instructor, Division of Western Biomedical Sciences

New England School of Acupuncture, Watertown, MA

2007 to 2011

Adjunct Instructor, Department of Psychology

Suffolk University, Boston, MA

AWARDS AND HONORS

2012

Advanced Graduate Teaching Certificate

Suffolk University, Boston, MA

2010

Psychology Department Graduate Student Publication Award

Suffolk University, Boston, MA

2002 to 2003

Psi Chi
University of Colorado, Denver, CO

2002 to 2003

Golden Key Honor Society

University of Colorado, Denver, CO

PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS
2014-Present

Chief Clinical and Innovation Officer

Friends Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

2013-2014

Supervising Clinical Specialist

Friends Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

2011

Director
Camp Triumph, Reading, MA

2011

Group Facilitator
Aspergers Association of New England, Watertown, MA

2010

Assistant Director/Health Supervisor

Camp Triumph, Reading, MA

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Peter M. Vernig, Ph.D.

2009 to 2010

Psychology Practicum Student

Mens Addiction Treatment Center
High Point Treatment Center, Brockton, MA

2009

Interventionist
CAMI Project, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies
Brown University, Providence, RI

2008 to 2011

Group Facilitator
Triumph Center, Reading, MA

2008 to 2009

Psychology Teaching Fellow

Bournewood Hospital, Chestnut Hill, MA

2008 to 2009

Head Counselor
Camp Triumph, Reading, MA

2007 to 2008

Psychology Practicum Student

Empowerment and Family Services Center
Veterans Administration Hospital, Bedford, MA

2006 to 2007

Psychology Practicum Student

Bournewood Hospital, Chestnut Hill, MA

2005 to 2010

Residential Counselor
MAB Community Services, Brookline, MA

2003 to 2005

Clinical Case Manager

Enhanced High-Intensity Treatment Team
Mental Health Center of Denver, Denver, CO

2003 to 2005

Direct Care Counselor

Urban Peak Denver, Denver, CO

PUBLICATIONS
Vernig, P. M., & Orsillo, S. M. (in press). Drinking motives and college alcohol problems: A
prospective study. Journal of Substance Use.
Theodore-Oklota, C., Lee, J. K., Vernig, P. M., & Orsillo, S. M. (in press). A pilot of an
acceptance-based risk reduction program for relational aggression. Journal of Contextual
Behavioral Sciences.
Vernig, P. M., & Repique, R. J. R. (2015). Short Message Service can be a promising tool for
psychiatric patients and clinicians. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association,
21(1), 31-33.

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Peter M. Vernig, Ph.D.

Hill, J. M., Vernig, P. M., Lee, J. K., Brown, C., & Orsillo, S. M. (2011). The development of a
brief acceptance and mindfulness-based program aimed at reducing sexual
revictimization among college women. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67(9), 969-980.
Vernig, P. M. (2011). Family roles in homes with alcohol dependent parents: An evidence-based
review. Substance Use and Misuse, 46(4), 535-542.
Vernig, P. M. (2011). The state of the APS Student Caucus. Observer, 24(1), 29-30.
Vernig, P. M., & Orsillo, S. M. (2009). Psychophysiological and self-reported emotional
responding in alcohol dependent college students: The impact of brief
acceptance/mindfulness instruction. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. 38, 174-183.
Vernig, P. M. (2009). Champions of psychology: Philip Zimbardo. Observer, 22(1), 27-28.
Lee, J. K., & Vernig, P. M. (2009). Conceptual, methodological, and ethical challenges of
internet-based data collection: Examples from the behavioral sciences. In M. Pagani
(Ed.), Encyclopedia of multimedia technology and networking (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 240246). Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference.
Vernig, P. M. (2008). Champions of psychology: Traci Mann. Observer, 21(9), 33-34.
Vernig, P. M. (2007). From science to practice: Bridging the gap with translational research.
Observer, 20(2), 29-30.
TRAININGS AND INVITED TALKS
Vernig, P. M. (2014, December). Helping children and adolescents with alcohol misusing
parents. St. Christophers Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA.
Vernig, P. M. (2013, February). Diagnosis and treatment of anxiety in clinical settings.
University of Texas Department of Educational Psychology, Austin, TX.
Vernig, P. M. (2012, September). CBT-based anger management. Friends Hospital, Philadelphia,
PA.
Smithyman, T. F., & Vernig, P. M. (2012, October). DSM-5 changes and OCD and Related
Disorders category. In D. Damer (Chair). The simple, unwashed truth Dispelling myths
and stereotypes about OCD, related disorders and co-occurring conditions. Panel
conducted at the annual meeting of OCD Texas, Austin, TX.
Vernig, P. M. (2012, May). Acceptance-based behavior therapy for substance use disorders.
Friends Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.

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Peter M. Vernig, Ph.D.

Vernig, P. M., & Lovelock, K. (2012, April). Group facilitation: Making groups work. Friends
Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.
Vernig, P. M. (2012, April). Relationships and recovery: The effects of relationship satisfaction
on quality of life. Friends Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.
Vernig, P. M., & Coccia, B. (2011, November). Mental Health 101. Friends Hospital,
Philadelphia, PA.
Vernig, P. M., & Smith, R. (Chairs). (2011, October). Gay, lesbian, transgender issues with the
AS adult. Panel conducted at the annual meeting of the Aspergers Association of New
England, Marlborough, MA.
Vernig, P. M. (2010, February). Using the web for data collection: The classroom and beyond.
Suffolk University Center for Teaching Excellence, Boston, MA.
Coyne, L. & Vernig, P. M. (2009, November). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): An
overview. High Point Treatment Center, Brockton, MA.
PRESENTATIONS
Vernig, P. M., & Orsillo, S. M. (2012, November). Experiential avoidance and alcohol-related
problems among college students: A prospective investigation. Poster presented at the
annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, National
Harbor, MD.
Katz, A. M., Czech, S. J., Vernig, P. M., Lee, J. K., & Orsillo, S. M. (2012, November). Values
and personality: Relationships between valued action and the big five personality traits.
Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive
Therapies, National Harbor, MD.
Vernig, P. M. (2012, May). The naked truth part III: Navigating the job market after graduate
school. Panel discussion conducted at the annual meeting of the Association for
Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.
Smithyman, T. F., Vernig, P. M., & Morse, C. C. (2011, June). Real anxiety in the virtual world:
Internet-based outreach for socially anxious students. Presentation conducted at the
annual meeting of the Association for University and College Counseling Center
Outreach, Park City, UT.
Vernig, P. M. (2011, May). The science of clinical psychology in the 21st century: Where do we
go from here? Panel discussion conducted at the annual meeting of the Association for
Psychological Science, Washington, DC.

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Peter M. Vernig, Ph.D.

Vernig, P. M., & Smithyman, T. F. (2010, November). Predictors of relationship status and
dating satisfaction among first year college men. Poster presented at the annual meeting
of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, San Francisco, CA.
Czech, S. J., Vernig, P. M., Glick, D. G., Katz, A. M., & Orsillo, S. M. (2010, June). Does values
affirmation affect anticipatory and response anxiety to a stressful task? Poster presented
at the World Congress of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Boston, MA.
Vernig, P. M., & Ring, N. S (Chairs). (2010, May). The naked truth part I: Getting into graduate
school. Panel discussion conducted at the annual meeting of the Association for
Psychological Science, Boston, MA.
Vernig, P. M. (Chair). (2009, May). How to get published: Guidance from journal editors. Panel
discussion conducted at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science,
San Francisco, CA.
Vernig, P. M., & Orsillo, S. M. (Chairs). (2008, November). Where the rubber meets the road:
Developing and disseminating brief behavioral interventions for substance misuse. Panel
discussion conducted at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and
Cognitive Therapies, Orlando, FL.
Lee, J. K., & Vernig, P. M. (Chairs). (2008, November). Supercharging research using internetbased data collection: Methodological and ethical challenges. Panel discussion
conducted at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive
Therapies, Orlando, FL.
Berube, S. J., Vernig, P. M., Lee, J. K., & Orsillo, S. M. (2008, November) Values and positive
outcome: The effect of values affirmation on psychological stress. Poster presented at the
annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Orlando, FL.
Hill, J., Lee, J. K., Vernig, P. M., & Orsillo, S. M. (2008, November). An acceptance-based risk
reduction program for women with a history of sexual assault. Poster presented at the
annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Orlando, FL.
Vernig, P. M., Lee, J. K., & Orsillo, S. M. (2008, May). Avoidance and acceptance as predictors
of readiness to change among alcohol misusers. Poster presented at the annual meeting of
the Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL.
Orsillo, S. M., & Vernig, P. M. (Chairs). (2007, November). Acceptance and mindfulness in the
treatment of alcohol and nicotine use disorders: Evidence from the translational
spectrum. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral
and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.
Klump, M. C., Vernig, P. M., Theodore-Oklota, C. R., & Orsillo, S. M. (2007, November).
Emotional reactivity and avoidant coping in the prediction of posttraumatic stress
disorder diagnosis in a sample of bereaved veterans. Poster presented at the annual
meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.

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Peter M. Vernig, Ph.D.

Kamensky, A. M., Vernig, P. M., & Orsillo, S. M. (2007, October). Emotional

reactivity/numbing as a predictor of substance misuse severity in an alcohol dependent
sample. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the New England Psychological
Association, Danbury, CT.
Vernig, P. M. (2007, May). Navigating the mentor/mentee relationship. In L. Hasel (Chair). The
naked truth: Deciphering graduate school: Research, coursework, teaching, and life.
Panel discussion conducted at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological
Science, Washington, DC.
Vernig, P. M., Parcell, T., & Orsillo, S. M. (2006, November). Bringing acceptance and
mindfulness into the lab: Methodological issues for consideration. In J. Block-Lerner
(Chair). Facilitating mindfulness in the laboratory: Shedding light on processes of
change and novel outcome measures. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Chicago, IL.
Hill, J. M., Vernig, P. M., Lee, J. K., & Orsillo, S. M. (2006, November). The potential utility of
an acceptance-based risk reduction program for women with a history of sexual assault.
Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive
Therapies, Chicago, IL.
Theodore-Oklota, C., Lee, J. K., Vernig, P. M., Luterek, J., & Orsillo, S. M. (2006, November).
Preliminary validation of the Emotional Numbing Scale with three ethnic groups. Poster
presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive
Therapies, Chicago, IL.
Vernig, P. M., Lee, J. K., Theodore-Oklota, C. R., & Orsillo, S. M. (2006, October). A pilot study
of experiential avoidance and substance abuse: Evidence for substance-specific
heterogeneity. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the New England Psychological
Association, Manchester, NH.
DISSERTATION COMMITTEES
R John Repique (in progress), Duke University
Beau Brendley (in progress), Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Jacob Firestone (in progress), LaSalle University
CONSULTING
2012

Friends Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

2008

Suffolk University SOULS Office, Boston, MA

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Peter M. Vernig, Ph.D.

2007

Xplana Learning, Boston, MA

2007

University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA

2007

Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership, Boston, MA

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Ad-hoc Reviews:

Behavior Therapy
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
Journal of Clinical Psychology
Drug and Alcohol Review

Textbook Reviews:

Cengage Learning
Worth Publishers

2014-Present

Ex Officio Member, Board of Governors

Friends Hospital

2014-Present

Web Chair
Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association

2013

Co-Chair, Fall Conference

OCD Texas

2013

Membership Coordinator
OCD Texas

2013

Public Education and Media Dissemination Committee

Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies

2012

Clinical Psychology Internship Interview Committee

Friends Hospital

2011 to 2012

Ad-hoc Member, Readmission Reduction Committee

Friends Hospital

2011 to 2012

Past-President
Association for Psychological Science Student Caucus

2010 to 2011

Program Committee, Sexuality, Relationships, and Aspergers Conference

Aspergers Association of New England

2010 to 2011

President
Association for Psychological Science Student Caucus

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Peter M. Vernig, Ph.D.

2010 to 2011

Ex Officio Member, Board of Directors

Association for Psychological Science

2009 to 2010

Communications and Marketing Officer

Association for Psychological Science Student Caucus

2008 to 2009

Editor, Student Notebook

Association for Psychological Science Student Caucus

2008 to 2009

Associate Editor, Undergraduate Update

Association for Psychological Science Student Caucus

2007 to 2008

Co-Chair, Online Funding Database Committee

Association for Psychological Science Student Caucus

2007 to 2010

Member, Professional Issues Committee

Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies

2006 to 2007

Reviewer, Student Grant Competition and Student Research Award

Association for Psychological Science Student Caucus

2006 to 2011

Suffolk University Student Liaison

Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology

2005 to 2011

Representative, Graduate Student Association

Suffolk University

2004 to 2005

Member, Client Trust Fund Task Force

Mental Health Center of Denver

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association
Association for Psychological Science
Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology
Association for Contextual Behavioral Science

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