Biography
Dr. Elizabeth Thomas is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Temple University’s College of Public Health. She is a psychologist and mental health services researcher with a background in psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery-oriented treatment for individuals with serious mental health conditions. She serves as co-Director of the Community Inclusion and Reflective Collaboration Center and an investigator within the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion. Her research focuses on promoting mental health and community participation among young adults with serious mental health conditions, including those experiencing first-episode psychosis, college students, and other populations requiring enhanced psychosocial support. Her work has received funding from the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. She also serves as an associate editor for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal.
Google Scholar: Elizabeth Thomas's Google Scholar profile
Courses Taught
Number | Name | Level |
|---|---|---|
SBS 2201 | Health Communication | Undergraduate |
SBS 3103 | Counseling Techniques for Health Professionals | Undergraduate |
Selected Publications
Recent
Thomas, E.C., Lucksted, A., Siminoff, L.A., Hurford, I., O'Connell, M., Penn, D.L., Casey, I., Smith, M., Suarez, J., & Salzer, M.S. (2025). Case Study Analysis of a Decision Coaching Intervention for Young Adults with Early Psychosis. Community Ment Health J, 61(5), 874-889. United States. 10.1007/s10597-024-01425-w
Thomas, E.C., Brusilovskiy, E., O'Shea, A., & Salzer, M.S. (2025). Self-determination and self-efficacy as predictors of campus engagement among college students with serious mental illnesses. Psychiatr Rehabil J, 48(2), 99-105. United States. 10.1037/prj0000600
Thomas, E.C., Hefron, N., Zagorac, S., Hewlett, A., Wenzel, R.M., Kramer, I., Walker, L., & Read, H. (2025). Novel Occupational Therapy Program (Step Up) to Facilitate the Transition from Early Intervention in Psychosis Services. Community Ment Health J, 61(1), 50-54. United States. 10.1007/s10597-024-01324-0
Thomas, E.C. (2024). Collaborative approaches in psychiatric rehabilitation: Innovations in practice. Psychiatr Rehabil J, 47(2), 91-93. United States. 10.1037/prj0000624
Thomas, E.C., Read, H., Neumann, N., Zagorac, S., Taylor, C., Kramer, I., Fisher, R.M., & Angelis, T.D. (2023). Implementation of occupational therapy within early intervention in psychosis services: Results from a national survey. Early Interv Psychiatry, 17(7), 652-661. Australia. 10.1111/eip.13359
Thomas, E.C., Jones, N., Shern, D.L., & Salzer, M.S. (2022). Identifying indicators of community participation-promoting efforts within coordinated specialty care: A modified e-Delphi study of stakeholder perspectives. Early Interv Psychiatry, 16(12), 1376-1390. Australia. 10.1111/eip.13282
Walter, O., Thomas, E.C., & Salzer, M.S. (2022). Exploring peer specialists' experiences with spirituality in their work: Recommendations for future directions. Psychiatr Rehabil J, 45(1), 95-102. United States. 10.1037/prj0000495
Thomas, E.C., Suarez, J., Lucksted, A., Siminoff, L., Hurford, I., Dixon, L., O'Connell, M., & Salzer, M. (2022). Treatment decision-making needs among emerging adults with early psychosis. Early Interv Psychiatry, 16(1), 78-90. Australia. 10.1111/eip.13134
Thomas, E.C., Ben-David, S., Treichler, E., Roth, S., Dixon, L.B., Salzer, M., & Zisman-Ilani, Y. (2021). A Systematic Review of Shared Decision-Making Interventions for Service Users With Serious Mental Illnesses: State of the Science and Future Directions. Psychiatr Serv, 72(11), 1288-1300. United States. 10.1176/appi.ps.202000429
Thomas, E.C., Suarez, J., Lucksted, A., Siminoff, L.A., Hurford, I., Dixon, L.B., O'Connell, M., Penn, D.L., & Salzer, M.S. (2021). Facilitating treatment engagement for early psychosis through peer-delivered decision support: intervention development and protocol for pilot evaluation. Pilot Feasibility Stud, 7(1), 189. England. 10.1186/s40814-021-00927-8
Shaffer, V.A., Brodney, S., Gavaruzzi, T., Zisman-Ilani, Y., Munro, S., Smith, S.K., Thomas, E., Valentine, K.D., & Bekker, H.L. (2021). Do Personal Stories Make Patient Decision Aids More Effective? An Update from the International Patient Decision Aids Standards. Med Decis Making, 41(7), 897-906. United States. 10.1177/0272989X211011100
Oren, R.R., Roe, D., Hasson-Ohayon, I., Roth, S., Thomas, E.C., & Zisman-Ilani, Y. (2021). Beliefs About the Causes of Psychosis Among Persons With Psychosis and Mental Health Professionals: A Scoping Review. Psychiatr Serv, 72(10), 1178-1192. United States. 10.1176/appi.ps.202000460
Thomas, E.C., Bass, S.B., & Siminoff, L.A. (2021). Beyond rationality: Expanding the practice of shared decision making in modern medicine. Soc Sci Med, 277, 113900. England. 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113900
Zisman-Ilani, Y., Hurford, I., Bowen, A., Salzer, M., & Thomas, E.C. (2021). Evaluating the feasibility of a decision aid to promote shared decision making among young adults with first-episode psychosis: protocol for a pilot study. Pilot Feasibility Stud, 7(1), 22. England. 10.1186/s40814-020-00757-0
Snethen, G., Jeffries, V., Thomas, E., & Salzer, M. (2021). Welcoming places: Perspectives of individuals with mental illnesses. Am J Orthopsychiatry, 91(1), 76-85. United States. 10.1037/ort0000519
Thomas, E.C., Snethen, G., O'Shea, A., Suarez, J., Hurford, I., & Salzer, M.S. (2020). An Examination of the Community Participation Interests of Young Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses. J Behav Health Serv Res, 47(4), 526-543. United States. 10.1007/s11414-019-09678-0
Thomas, E.C., Snethen, G., & Salzer, M.S. (2020). Community participation factors and poor neurocognitive functioning among persons with schizophrenia. Am J Orthopsychiatry, 90(1), 90-97. United States. 10.1037/ort0000399