Research

Program of Research

Full CV Here

My research aims to better understand how characteristics of trauma, gender, and emotion regulation interact to influence the development, maintenance, and treatment of PTSD, depression and suicidality, and moral injury. Overall, my program of research aims to examine whole-person (self-regulation, biology, cultural context) factors in order to better predict psychological illness and personalize treatment. I am particularly interested in the psychedelic-assisted therapy for healing difficult-to-treat trauma-related disorders.

For example, selected manuscripts recently published include:

• Psilocybin for Trauma-Related Disorders

• Physical disability and psychedelic therapies: An agenda for inclusive research and practice

Selected publications (*publications are under former unmarried name):

Killing in combat is associated with PTSD and suicidal thoughts and behaviors at 8-9 months, but not 2-3 months, post-deployment in active duty post 9/11 soldiers who deployed to Afghanistan

COVID-related moral injury is associated with pandemic-related perceived threat to future health and risky and protective behaviors.

Veterans who mask outward displays of their emotions are more likely to have PTSD than those who show how they feel to others.

Above and beyond PTSD, suppression, but not reappraisal, is associated with inflammation in trauma-exposed veterans.

Do gender and military sexual trauma impact the effectiveness of cognitive process therapy and prolonged exposure on PTSD symptoms?

How different types of military trauma impact suicidal ideation in women veterans

Anhedonia in anxiety disorders

Disruptions in family, unit, and social support increase odds of depression in veterans with combat PTSD

Pilot trial using mindfulness to enhance exposure therapy for anxiety

For the full list of published research, see my Google Scholar page.

Selected Conference Presentations and Symposiums

(*listed under former unmarried name)

Khan, A. J. (Chair) (November 2020). Evidence Based Treatments for PTSD in VHA Settings: Trends, Dosing, and Effectiveness. Symposium presented at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Annual Meeting (ISTSS), Virtual.

Khan, A. J. (Chair) (August 2020). Moral injury in military and veterans: Considerations for clinical supervision and consultation. Symposium sponsored by Division 56 Trauma Psychology presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association (APA). Virtual.

Khan, A. J., Holder, N., Li, Y., Shiner, B., Madden, E., Seal, K. H., Neylan, T. C., & Maguen, S. (2020). How do gender and military sexual trauma impact PTSD outcomes in prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy in post 9/11 veterans? Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). San Antonio, TX.

Khan, A. J., Bui, E. M., Goetter, E. M., Hoge, E., Charney, M. E., & Simon, N. (2018). Perceived social support mediates the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and non-remission of chronic major depressive disorder. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). Washington, DC.

Invited Talks & Trainings

Samadhi, E. J., Herzberg, G., Beachy, J., & Maxwell, Q. (April 2024). Touch in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Ethical Considerations and Harm Reduction. Expert panel at Chacruna Psychedelic Culture Conference, San Francisco, CA.

Samadhi, E. J. (June 24). How to Hold Space: Considerations for Psychedelic-Asssisted Therapy: An Expert Panel. Talk presented to training cohort for Beckley Academy.

Samadhi, E. J. (June 2023). Foundations of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: An Expert Panel. Talk presented to training cohort for Beckley Academy.

Samadhi, E. J. (March 2022). Treating Systemic Trauma with Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. Talk presented to training cohort at Sage Institute, Berkeley, CA.

Samadhi, E. J. (January 2020). Moral Injury: What Is It And How Do We Assess And Treat It? Talk presented to the Psychology Predoctoral Interns at the San Francisco VA Health Care System.

Mashal, N., Norona, J., Samadhi, E. J., Lawhon, D., & Watson, E. (October 2019). Intersectionality Conceptualization and Treatment. Workshop delivered to Mental Health Service staff at San Francisco VA Health Care System.