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Laura
Dreer is originally from Birmingham, Michigan. She received
her B.S. degree frem Central Michigan University (1995)
majoring in psychology and triple minoring in gerontology,
family studies, and child development. She continued
her training by completing an M.A. degree in Clinical
Psychology from the university of Hartford in Connecticut
(1997) and then returned to Central Michigan University
to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (1997-2002).
She specialized in two complementary areas, rehabilitation
and neuropsychology. As part of her doctoral requirements,
she completed several practica at major academic medical
centers (i.e. Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan) and
a clinical medical psychology internship at Duke University
Medical Center (concentrating in neuropsychology). After
obtaining her Ph.D., Laura completed a one-year Postdoctoral
Fellowship in Neuropsychology at Duke University Medical
Center (2002-2003) followed by an NIH Fellowship in Medical
Rehabilitation Psychology (T32-HD07420) through the University
of Alabama at Birmingham's Department of Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation (2006).
Laura's areas of clinical-research concentration are two
fold: examining the role of problem solving strategies
and psychoeducational interventions in the adjustment process
to serious chronic medical conditions and evaluating impairment
and recovery of competency (i.e., medical decision making,
finances) in chronic health conditions. Her previous clinical-research
has included spinal cord injury, chronic pain, brain tumors,
traumatic brain injury, stroke, congestive hear failure,
and Alzheimer's disease, and she is now extending her expertise
in rehabilitation and neuropsychology to the field of low
vision rehabilitation. Low vision rehabilitation as a field
has not typically focused on the integration of psychological
services into comprehensive rehabilitation care models
for persons with irreversible vision impairment. Thus,
Laura's focus in this area will be a welcome addition to
the field. Laura also continues to collaborate with other
neuropsychologists and psychologists to exam important
aspects of competency related issues in medical populations.
Dr. Dreer is an expert in problem-solving training (PST) which is an empirically-based training program used to enhance well-being and improve outcomes for various problems in everyday living. Applications of this training program have been successfully delivered by health professionals, researchers, and business professionals. Dr. Dreer is available on a consultation basis to train individuals or organizations interested in learning how to skillfully deliver PST. To schedule a training date or for further inquiries, please contact Dr. Dreer at dreer@uab.edu or (205) 325-8681.
