Research
My research focuses on qualitative and quantitative examination of the clinical and ethical implications of biological (genetic) attributions of psychiatric and neurologic disorders (epilepsy) for illness and treatment perceptions and decision-making. I also engage in psychotherapy research investigating the impacts of evidence-based treatments on symptom change, the therapeutic alliance, and treatment outcomes.​
I serve as the Co-Director of the VA Psychotherapy Research and Development Program - a research lab comprising psychologists, clinical psychology doctoral students, and a team of undergraduate and graduate-level research assistants.
Select Publications
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Lebowitz, Matthew S., Shawn T. Sorge, and Rachel N. Rattenni.
Addiction Research and Theory, 2025
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Implications of genetic attributions for addiction among addiction professionals.
Lebowitz, Matthew S., Rachel N. Rattenni, and Shawn T. Sorge.
Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2024
Reproductive decision-making in families containing multiple individuals with epilepsy.
Nakamura, Jacquelyn, Shawn T. Sorge, Melodie R. Winawer, Jo C. Phelan, Wendy K. Chung, and Ruth Ottman.
Epilepsia, 2021
Genetic attribution and perceived impact of epilepsy in multiplex epilepsy families.
Garofalo, Diana C., Shawn T. Sorge, Dale C. Hesdorffer, Melodie R. Winawer, Jo C. Phelan, Wendy K. Chung, and Ruth Ottman.
Epilepsia, 2019
Parents’ interest for genetic testing of their offspring in multiplex epilepsy families.
Caminiti, Courtney B., Dale C. Hesdorffer, Sara Shostak, Jeff Goldsmith, Shawn T. Sorge, Melodie R. Winawer, Jo C. Phelan, Wendy K. Chung, and Ruth Ottman.
Epilepsia, 2016
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Depression and genetic causal attribution in multiplex epilepsy families.
Sorge, Shawn T., Dale C. Hesdorffer, Jo C. Phelan, Melodie R. Winawer, Sara Shostak, Jeff Goldsmith, Wendy K. Chung, and Ruth Ottman.
Epilepsia, 2016
Genetic causal attribution of epilepsy and its implications for felt stigma.
Sabatello, Maya, Jo C. Phelan, Dale C. Hesdorffer, Sara Shostak, Jeff Goldsmith, Shawn T. Sorge, Melodie R. Winawer, Wendy K. Chung, and Ruth Ottman.
Epilepsia, 2015
Genetic testing preferences in families containing multiple individuals with epilepsy.
Okeke, Janice O., Virginia E. Tangel, Shawn T. Sorge, Dale C. Hesdorffer, Melodie R. Winawer, Jeff Goldsmith, Jo C. Phelan, Wendy K. Chung, Sara Shostak, and Ruth Ottman.
Epilepsia, 2014
Select Presentations
Ethical and clinical considerations of precision medicine for PTSD among Veterans: A case for shared decision-making.
Sorge, S. T., Rosen, M.A., Sherman, S., Geppert, C., & Chen, C.K. (2024, June).
6th Annual ELSI Congress: Reimagining the Benefits of Genomic Sciences, New York, NY.
Genetic testing for addiction: A qualitative examination of interest, motivations, and concerns among patients with gambling disorder and alcohol use disorder.
Sorge, S. T. & Lebowtiz, M. S. (2022, June).
5th Annual ELSI Congress: Innovating for a Just and Equitable Future, New York, NY.
Genetic attributions of psychiatric disorders: Clinical implications for mental health clinicians.
Sorge, S. T. (2021, September).
Long Island University, Brooklyn Clinical Psychology colloquium series. Brooklyn, NY.
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Psychotherapy and precision medicine: A qualitative examination of the perceived clinical impacts of genetics among mental health clinicians.
Sorge, S. T., Kaplan, S., Meehan, K. B., Ottman, R., & Samstag, L.W. (2020, June).
Society for Psychotherapy Research Conference, Amherst, MA
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