Brianna Turner

My research focuses on understanding when and why some people engage in risky or self-damaging behaviors, including non-suicidal self-injury, suicidal behaviors, disordered eating, substance abuse, and aggression. I use longitudinal and micro-longitudinal (e.g., daily diaries; ecological momentary assessment) methods to understand the emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal contingencies that influence these behaviors as they unfold over hours, days, months and years. The goal of this research is to improve our ability to predict and prevent self-damaging behaviors.

Clinically, I am intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. My clinical work focuses on helping adolescents and adults learn to effectively manage emotions, relationships, and risky behaviors. I have extensive experience in the delivery of evidence-based treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as in the assessment and management of suicidal behavior.

Interests

• Suicide and self-harm
• Behavioral psychology
• Ecological momentary assessment
• Dialectical behavior therapy

Representative publications

Turner, B. J., Robillard, C. L., Ames, M. E., Craig, S. G. Prevalence and correlates of  suicidal ideation and deliberate self-harm in Canadian adolescents during the COVID 19 pandemic. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Advance Online Publication. doi:10.1177/07067437211036612

Dean-Boucher, A., Robillard, C. L., & Turner B. J. (2020). Chronic medical conditions and suicidal behaviors in a nationally representative sample of American adolescents. Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology. 

Turner, B. J., Baglole, J. S., Gratz, K. L., & Chapman, A. L. (2019). Experiencing and resisting strong urges for non-suicidal self-injury in everyday life. Suicide and Life-threatening Behavior, 49(5), 1332-1346. doi: 10.1111/sltb.12510.

Robillard, C. L., Dixon-Gordon, K. L., & Turner, B. J. Teaching dialectical thinking to  enhance graduate trainees’ competence in outpatient psychotherapy for adolescents  experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Canadian Psychology, Advance Online  Publication. doi:10.1037/cap0000297