Description:

As an American Indian psychologist working with American Indians in a rural setting, my clinical work has focused on trauma (victims and offenders of physical and sexual abuse), grief, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse and addiction, and crisis intervention. My clinical work orientation had been influenced primarily by holistic, cognitive-behavioral, and interpersonal approaches. My research has focused on trauma, grief, acculturation stress, behavioral health, and coping and resilience in American Indians and elderly American Indians. My research has been influenced by the methodological challenges that research with American Indians presents (e.g., traditional knowledge, traditional methodology, tribal/community based participatory research, and ethics).

Notice to Applicants for Fall, 2010:

I do plan to accept a graduate student for the clinical Ph.D. program under my mentorship to begin in Fall, 2010.

Office Hours:

Office Hours for Autumn 2009 are Mondays 1 - 3 p.m., Thursdays 3 - 4 p.m., or by appointment.

Field Of Study:

Multicultural and Cross-cultural psychology, Trauma, Grief, Resilience and Coping, Acculturative Stress, Grief. Expertise in American Indian mental health.

Courses:

• Psych 113, Intergroup Dialogues
• Psych 352, Multicultural Psychology
• Psych 534, Applied Clinical Methods
• Psych 631, Multicultural Psychology

Education:

PhD, The University of Montana, 1997 

Minor, Forensic Psychology

Clinical Internship, Boston City Hospital/Boston University School of Medicine, 1986-1987

Emphasis: Multicultural Training

MA, The University of Montana, 1986

BA, The University of Montana, 1981 

Double Major: Sociology and Psychology

Selected Publications:

 

Angstman, S. E., Harris, K. J., Golbeck, A., & Swaney, G. (2007). Cultural identification and smoking among American Indian adults in an urban setting. (submitted).           

Morsette, A., Swaney, G., Stolle, D., Schuldberg, D., van den Pol, R., & Young, M. (2007). Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS): School-based treatment on a rural American Indian reservation. (submitted).           

Morsette, A., Schuldberg, D., van den Pol, R., Swaney, G., & Stolle, D. (2007). Culturally informed Cognitive Behavioral therapy for trauma symptoms: Group therapy in rural American Indian reservation schools. (submitted).

Wallace, K. A., & Swaney, G. I. (2007). Resilience and optimal functioning in a sample of Native American older adults. Manuscript being revised.           

Wallace, K. A., & Swaney, G. I. (2007). A qualitative study of coping strategies in Native American older adults. Manuscript in preparation.           

Wallace, K. A. & Swaney, G. I. (2007). The conduct of research within specialized populations: Recommendations from research with Native American older adults. Manuscript in preparation.         

Kirby, H. L., Wallace, K. A., & Swaney, G. I. (2007). The relationship between level of empathy and stress contagion. Manuscript in preparation.           

Swaney, G., Harris, K. J., Pepper, A., Angstman, S., Marcus, B., & Maxson, J. Understanding tobacco use from a Native American Tribal College student perspective: A preliminary qualitative study. Manuscript in preparation.           

Paper/Poster Presentations:           

Shunkamolah, W. & Swaney, G. (2007, November). Coping with the death of a family member: An exploration of American Indian people’s experience—preliminary data. Poster presented at the 41st Annual ABCT Convention, Philadelphia, PA. This poster was awarded 1st Place  by the Native American Special Interest Group.           

Gray, B. F., Swaney, G. I., & Wallace, K. A. (2007, September). Elderly American Indians and traditional spiritual ways. Poster presented at Bridges to Baccalaureate Poster Session, Missoula, MT.           

Calica, V., Swaney, G., & Fiore, C. (2007, September). Analysis of American Indian intimate partner violence. Poster presented at Bridges to Baccalaureate Poster Session, Missoula, MT.         

Angstman, S., Swaney, G., Harris, K. J., Golbeck, A., & Reddies, K. (2007, February). Cultural identification and smoking among urban American Indians. Poster presented at the 13th annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Conference, Austin, TX.           

Wallace, K. A. & Swaney, G. (2006, November). Conducting research within specialized populations: Recommendations from research with Native American older adults. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Dallas, TX.          

Wallace, K. A. & Swaney, G. (2006, August). Coping strategies identified by Native American older adults. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.          

Wallace, K. A. & Swaney, G. (2006, April). Resilience in Native American older adults. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Montana Gerontology Society, Big Sky, MT.           

Wallace, K. A., Swaney, G., & Lahti, E. (2005, November). An examination of stressors and sources of strength in a sample of older Native americans. Paper presented a thte annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Orlando, FL.

Billow, R. H., Wallace, K. A., Swaney, G., & Blanchard-Fields, F. (March, 2006). Culture as a protective factor in a sample of Native American older adults. Poster session presented at The University of Montana Conference for Undergraduate Research, Missoula, MT.           

DeBerry, M. J., Wallace, K. A., Swaney, G., & Blanchard-Fields, F. (2004, September). Preliminary examination of Native American Resilience Study. Poster presented at Bridges to Baccalaureate Poster Session, Missoula, MT.           

Swaney, G. & Harris, K. J. (November, 2004). Understanding tobacco use from a Native American Tribal College student perspective: A preliminary qualitative study. Poster presented at the 38th annual convention of the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, New Orleans, LA.    

Swaney, G. (1993, August). American Indian Issues in Therapy. In Sandra K. Bennett   (Chair), Issues in the Psychological Treatment of American Indian   Families, a Presidential Invited Symposium. Symposium presented at the   annual meetings of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Ontario,   Canada.           

Swaney, G. (1990, August). Thoughts and recommendations on the contemplated merger of  the IHS Alcohol/Substance Abuse Program and the Mental Health Program.  National Tribal and Indian Health Service Consultation Conference. St. Paul, MN.