Dr. Chris Sexton, PhD, MS-LSCSW, LSCSW
What have you—or your child—given up in an attempt to control anxiety and other difficult emotions? People collaborate with me because they are tired of suffering through their lives and want to live more fully—with passion, joy and satisfaction. I specialize in mindfulness-based CBT treatments for OCD, emotion dysregulation, and anxiety-spectrum disorders and draw from the Gottman Method for couples therapy. I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families. I have a PhD in developmental psychology and a master’s degree in clinical social work from Columbia University.
I have completed specialty training in a range of evidence-based modalities, including: CBT with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP); Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT); Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT); Trauma Focused treatments, including Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT); Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) Treatment for Skin Picking and Hair Pulling Disorders, and Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), including PCIT for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM); and Gottman Method Couples Therapy.
My therapy style is warm, genuine and direct and incorporates the principles of cultural humility to provide a welcoming space for all.
Outside of my role at Brookside Anxiety & Mental Health, I am a parent of two teenagers and enjoy CrossFit, tennis, yoga, travel, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Get in touch with Dr. Chris Sexton
If you have questions about my approach, availability, or whether I may be the right fit for your needs, please fill out the form. You’re welcome to share a little about what you’re looking for or what brought you here.
Research Informed Practice
I have 15 years of experience directing health and mental health research projects and have published over 50 scientific manuscripts in peer reviewed journals. Currently, I hold a position as Adjunct Professor at the University of Kansas City Missouri (UMKC). I am a member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and the International OCD Foundation and regularly give presentations in professional organizations as well as other settings, including schools, hospitals, and other nonprofits and general population settings.
A common thread in my research has been the dissemination of evidence-based modalities. I believe that everyone deserves to benefit from the science of psychology and well-being. Currently, I am working on a PCORI sponsored grant that aims to improve mental health screening and referrals for women who are pregnant or post-partum.
Selected Bibliography
Woods-Jaeger, B., Sexton, C.C., Branch, C., Bolenbaugh, M., Roth, L., Stelson, E.A., Braaten, N., & Ramirez, M.(2019). Engaging parent-child dyad and health care provider stakeholders in a patient-centered comparative effectiveness study, Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research, 8, 721-732
Woods-Jaeger, B. A., Cho, B., Sexton, C. C., Slagel, L., & Goggin, K. (2018). Promoting resilience: Breaking the intergenerational cycle of adverse childhood experiences. Health Education & Behavior, 45(5), 772–780.
Barnthouse, M, Sexton, CC, Vhylidal, C, Woods-Jaeger, BA, Jones, B. Characterization of the impact of Stress Exposure on Asthma in African American Children, February 2018, 141 (2)
Sexton CC, Woods-Jaeger BA, Cho B, Goggin K (2017) Clinician Attitudes about Health Care Services Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences. Fam Med Dis Prev 3:063.
Sexton, CC, Woods-Jaeger, BA. (2018). Trauma and Diversity: The Role of Health Care in Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Youth. International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. 1 June 2018.
Sexton, C, Gelhorn HL, Bell JA, Classi PM. The Co-occurrence of Reading Disorder and ADHD: Epidemiology, Treatment, Psychosocial Impact, and Economic Burden. J Learn Disabil. 2011 Jul 14.
Luthar SS, Sexton, C. Maternal drug abuse versus maternal depression: vulnerability and resilience among school-age and adolescent offspring. Dev Psychopathol. Winter 2007;19(1):205-25.
Luthar SS, Sexton, C. The high price of affluence. Adv Child Dev Behav. 2004;32:125-62.
Blanchard KA, Sexton, C, Morgenstern J, McVeigh KH, McCrady BS, Irwin TW. Children of substance abusing women on federal welfare: Implications for child well-being and TANF policy. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment. 2005;12(2/3), 89-110.
Kriegshauser, K, Sexton, C.C., Bozsik, F., Blossom, J.B., Wiese, A., Adams Larsen, M., Hale, L. The Feasibility of a Family-Focused CBT Skills App (In Progress).
Woods-Jaeger, B, Slagel, L, Sexton, C.C., O’Malley, D, Cho, B, Chaney, S, McGowan, K, Crawford, J Starr, D. Two Generations Thrive: A Case Study of Bidirectional Collaboration between Researchers, Practitioners, and Parents to Promote Culturally Relevant Practice and Policy (In Progress).
Sexton, C, Luthar SS. Resilience and vulnerability among at-risk mothers and youth: Relative contributions of maternal distress, quality of personal relationships, and intelligence. Doctoral Dissertation, Unpublished.