Margaret D. Kasimatis, Ph.D.

Clinical Associate Professor of Health and Medicine 262.524.7356 mkasim@carrollu.edu

TEACHES IN THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM(S)

College of Health Sciences Behavioral Health Psychology Physical and Health Education

Biography

Before I entered academia, I worked primarily on inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, alcohol detox and rehab, and in an outpatient headache clinic in the VA system. As a faculty member at Carroll, I have taught a wide range of undergraduate psychology courses, as well as teaching mental health-related courses for graduate students in the PA and OT programs and undergraduates in nursing, public health, and health education. I developed our test-anxiety workshops, which have run every semester for over 15 years. As part of Carroll’s ties to the community, I have offered mental health programming or supervised student work at Curative Rehab, Avalon Manor, The UCC in Milwaukee, and the Waukesha Free Clinic.

Away from work, I enjoy our rescue dogs, gardening, and creative writing. I have published several poems and short stories, and my first novel came out in 2017. I have three grown children: two are living in California and one in England. My husband and I look forward to visiting them more often as Covid subsides.

Education

Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Loyola University of Chicago

Areas of Specialization

Adult mood disorders
Substance use disorders
Pain management
Group therapy
Anxiety/stress tolerance
Caregiver support
Mental health literacy
Wellness with aging

Scholarly and Professional Achievements

Certified trainer in Mental Health First Aid and QPR Suicide Prevention; currently working on a behavioral health textbook and my second novel.

PUBLICATIONS

Kasimatis, Margaret (2017). Not Pink. Debut novel, published on Amazon-Kindle.

Kasimatis, M.D., Rheingruber, K.M., Palmer, R.M. & Elst, R.A. (2013). Brief desensitization and skills training for test anxiety: A pilot program. Journal of Scholastic Inquiry: Behavioral Science, 1, 36-45.

Kasimatis, M.D. & Guastello, D.J. (2012). Parenting style trumps work role in life satisfaction of midlife women. Journal of Articles in Support of the Null Hypothesis, 9(1), 51-59.

Dorsher, M.R. (1990) “Alchemy Backwash.” Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar. Bailey’s Harbor, WI: The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets.

Dorsher, M.R. (1988) “Your Face.” Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar. Bailey’s Harbor, WI: The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets.

Dorsher, M.R. (1979) “Bed of Roses.” Kaleido Magazine, 1 (1). Charleston, SC: American Literary and Creative Arts Associates, Inc.

PRESENTATIONS

Evans, H.A., Kasimatis, M.D., Hoehnke, E.M., Kalmus, T.C., & Weber, J.V. (May, 2018). “Test
Anxiety Treatment and Pass Rates Developmental Math Students.” Invited Presentation, Wisconsin College Learning Center Association, Waukesha, WI.

Kasimatis, M.D., Kalmus, T.C., & Hoehnke, E.M. (April, 2018). “Effects of Gender and Anxiety Types on the Efficacy of a Test Anxiety Workshop.” Poster Presentation, Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Kasimatis, M.D., DenBoer, J.D., Garcia, N.M., Daniel, T.A., & Waite, B.J. (April, 2018). “Efficacy of the SMART Cognitive Training Program: A Pilot.” Poster Presentation, Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Kasimatis, M.D., Harken-Evans, H.A., Weber, J.V., & Kalmus, T.A. (April, 2017). "Test Anxiety Treatment in Math-Anxious Undergraduates." Poster Presentation, Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Simpson, D.S. & Kasimatis, M.D. (May, 2016). “Reducing Test Anxiety, State
Anxiety, & Trait Anxiety with Desensitization.” Poster Presentation, Midwest Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Kasimatis, M.D. (October, 2015). “Comparative Efficacy of Three Interventions on
Cognitive Test Anxiety.” Invited Presentation, The Center for Scholastic Inquiry International Conference, Charleston, S.C.

Simpson, D.S., Kasimatis, M.D., & Goerdt, M.M. (May, 2015). “Comparative Effects of Three Interventions on Test Anxiety.” Poster Presentation, Midwest Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Kasimatis, M.D. & Rheingruber, K.M. (May, 2014). “Effects of Brief Desensitization
On Test, State, and Trait Anxiety in an Undergraduate Population.” Poster Presentation, Association for Psychological Science National Conference, San Francisco, CA.

Kasimatis, M.D., Rheingruber, K.M., Bruins, B.S., & Hunt, J.J. (May, 2014).
“Differential Effects of Desensitization and Expressive Writing on Test Anxiety in an Undergraduate Population.” Poster Presentation, Midwest Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.

Jones, H.M., Kasimatis, M.D., & Rheingruber, K.M. (May, 2013). “Effectiveness of Expressive Writing versus Control in Reducing Symptoms of Test Anxiety.” Poster Presentation, Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL.

Kasimatis, M.D. & deOliviera, K.M. “Motivational Interviewing for Improved
Cultural Competency.” Twenty-six minute grant-funded film, presented online in collaboration with ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital’s CME program.

Kasimatis, M.D. (April, 2013). “Efficacy of Desensitization Strategies for Test
Anxiety Management.” Invited Presentation, The Center for Scholastic Inquiry International Conference, Scottsdale, AZ.

Guastello, D.J. & Kasimatis, M.D. (May, 2012). “Parenting Style and Life Satisfaction in Midlife Women.” Poster Presentation, Association for Psychological Science National Conference, Chicago, IL.

Jones, H.M., Kasimatis, M.D., Rafael, M.S., & Acken, K.A. (May, 2012). “Comparative Efficacy of Two Models of Test Anxiety Treatment.” Poster Presentation, Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL.

Kasimatis, M.D., Palmer, R.M., Rheingruber, K.M., & Elst, R.A. (April, 2010). “Efficacy of Skills Training and Desensitization for Test Anxiety.” Poster Presentation, Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL.

Kasimatis, M. D. & Guastello, D. J. (May, 2009). “Generativity and Life Satisfaction
in Midlife Women.” Poster Presentation, Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL.

Kasimatis, M.D. & Palmer, R.M. (April, 2009). “Efficacy of Brief Desensitization for Test Anxiety: Preliminary Analyses.” Poster Presentation, Wisconsin Psychological Association Conference, Madison, WI.

Kasimatis, M. D. & Durlak, J.A. (May, 1986). “Religious Orientation and Death Attitudes.” Poster Presentation, Midwestern Psychological Association Conference, Chicago, IL.

Service to Carroll University and Profession

I have chaired or been a member of a variety of university committees, including Clinical Faculty Promotion, Student-Faculty Ethics, Admissions, and Student Concerns Committee. I have also partnered with the Walter Young Center to offer a variety of campus-wide presentations on mental health, as well as been a regular guest presenter for undergraduate and graduate courses across the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts and Sciences. I’ve taken two student groups to Italy as part of the CCE program and mentored dozens of students in poster presentations at MPA, WCLCA, and WPA conferences. Supervising students in community settings in Waukesha and Milwaukee has been very interesting and very rewarding. The university’s test anxiety workshops, developed and run by me, have reached almost 1000 students in just over a decade.

Honors and Awards

1977 Kappa Gamma Pi National Scholastic Award

1975 National Merit Scholar

What is your teaching style?

I like to blend traditional lectures with more interactive formats in class, including flipped classroom student presentations, frequent self-assessments and reflections, small group work, expert guest speakers, applied projects, and basic clinical skill-building.

Why do you do what you do?

It’s unusual for a clinical psychologist to have made a career in academia, but I love teaching and I love learning from my colleagues and my students. My interests are broad and a great fit with a liberal arts tradition. A university campus is an energetic and fun place to go to work.

How do you make learning engaging?

I try to always bring material to lectures that extends and complements the key points in the text. I also find that mixing up the format regularly keeps energy and interest up.

What should students know about you?

I have had an unusual but rewarding career path. My work ethic is strong and I expect that from my students as well. That said, I am a firm believer in work-life balance and try to create (and model) that for my students. For me, that includes rescue dogs, creative writing, gardening, art, and travel.