The Exploring Community Empowerment Lab (EXCEL) focuses on family-centered prevention, treatment and recovery outcomes for women with substance use disorders. Our current research examines family and parenting relationships among women and mothers with substance use disorders. Other research investigates program development, implementation and evaluation for women and mothers enrolled in gender-specific substance use treatment.
We are also examining couple/marriage and family therapists training experiences in an effort to understand and support workforce development.
Principal Investigator
Jessica L. Chou, PhD, LPC, LMFT
Assistant Professor - Counseling and Family Therapy
Health Sciences Building, Room 11W25
60 N. 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 267.359.5524
Email: jlc563@drexel.edu
Publications
Google Scholar
Lab Manager
Doctoral Students
Research Assistants
- Sara Mayungo
- Emily Randle
- Julia Snyder
- Leah Thompson
- Viv Tyler
Maternal Mentalizing as Protective Factor Against Racism-Related Trauma and Maternal Substance Use
FUNDER: National Institute on Drug Abuse (1R03DA058838)
The purpose of the proposed study is to: 1) identify the contributions of specific risk factors, including experiences of racism-related trauma, to SUD outcomes in a sample of Black mothers seeking SUD treatment; and 2) to explore whether maternal mentalizing, an established maternal SUD protective factor and buffer against the effects of trauma, may serve as a potential protective factor in this sample.
Family Needs Assessment for Women with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) Re-Entering the Community
FUNDER: City of Philadelphia Criminal Justice Microgrant Fund
The purpose of this qualitative study is to conduct a family-centered needs assessment for women with SUDs who have been incarcerated and an identified family member in order to 1) understand gender-specific needs for women with SUDs reentering the community, and 2) Identify the needs of family members who may provide reentry support for women with SUDs.
Examining the Brief Family Intervention (BFI) for MOUD Adherence among Women
FUNDER: Pennsylvania Department of Health; Formula Care Grant
The purpose of this mixed methods study is to examine the acceptability and feasibility of the BFI and provide pilot efficacy data among women with an opioid use disorder (OUD) and their close family members to examine whether two potential change mechanisms of decreased stigma and enhanced family functioning are associated with greater medication for opioid use (MOUD) adherence.
Outreach Techniques for Family Members of Women in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
FUNDER: Partnership to End Addiction; Pilot Supplement to R24DA051946
The purpose of this mixed methods study is to collect and analyze cross-sectional data on attitudes toward, barriers to and facilitators of family member involvement in services for women with opioid use disorder (OUD), assessing the perspectives of women enrolled in treatment, family members, as well as treatment center staff.