Amanda Kerbrat, MSW, LICSW
Research Scientist
ahm2@uw.edu
(206) 744-1716
Amanda Kerbrat, a licensed clinical social worker and Research Scientist for the Center for Suicide Prevention and Recovery, has worked with high-risk individuals in a research or clinical capacity at Harborview Medical Center for over 17 years. Her clinical training focused on dialectical behavior therapy as well as the treatment of substance use disorders; subsequent clinical work brought both to bear in revamping a multidisciplinary program of medication-assisted treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder. She is a long-time collaborator on Kate Comtois’ health services, treatment development, and clinical trials research to prevent suicide. In the Military Continuity Project, she worked with Dr. Comtois and Dr. Rick Ries to adapt Jerome Motto’s “caring letters” intervention for text message delivery to active duty military personnel, with a resulting reduction in suicidal ideation and attempts. Her continuing interest in caring contacts is driven by its simplicity as well as its stark contrast to how clinicians ordinarily interact with suicidal patients—proactively reaching out to patients where they are with non-demanding expressions of concern and interest, conveying a genuine sense of kinship—vs. reactively assessing and responding to suicide risk during clinical encounters. Other areas of expertise include the assessment of suicidal ideation and behavior and data management. She serves as the science lead across Dr. Comtois’ studies.
Research Scientist
ahm2@uw.edu
(206) 744-1716
Amanda Kerbrat, a licensed clinical social worker and Research Scientist for the Center for Suicide Prevention and Recovery, has worked with high-risk individuals in a research or clinical capacity at Harborview Medical Center for over 17 years. Her clinical training focused on dialectical behavior therapy as well as the treatment of substance use disorders; subsequent clinical work brought both to bear in revamping a multidisciplinary program of medication-assisted treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder. She is a long-time collaborator on Kate Comtois’ health services, treatment development, and clinical trials research to prevent suicide. In the Military Continuity Project, she worked with Dr. Comtois and Dr. Rick Ries to adapt Jerome Motto’s “caring letters” intervention for text message delivery to active duty military personnel, with a resulting reduction in suicidal ideation and attempts. Her continuing interest in caring contacts is driven by its simplicity as well as its stark contrast to how clinicians ordinarily interact with suicidal patients—proactively reaching out to patients where they are with non-demanding expressions of concern and interest, conveying a genuine sense of kinship—vs. reactively assessing and responding to suicide risk during clinical encounters. Other areas of expertise include the assessment of suicidal ideation and behavior and data management. She serves as the science lead across Dr. Comtois’ studies.
