College of Arts and Sciences

Education:

• PhD, Family Therapy, Saint Louis University, 2014
• MA, Clinical Psychology , Roosevelt University, 2010
• BS, Psychology, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2007

Curriculum Vitae:

Research Interests:

• Substance use disorders
• Women and Families
• Trauma
• Family Therapy
• Family-Centered Treatment

Bio:

I am a family therapist whose work centers on community-based research with marginalized populations. My research aims to advance understanding of prevention, treatment, and recovery support processes among women and families impacted by substance use disorders (SUDs), as well as the training experiences of couple and family therapists. My emphasis on family-centered approaches to substance use treatment is grounded in my professional experience within a gender-specific community organization, where I contributed to research, program development, and program evaluation. This work underscored the critical role of family systems and community-informed interventions in supporting recovery outcomes. My current research agenda includes examining barriers and facilitators to engaging family members in treatment for women with opioid use disorders, exploring experiences of racial trauma on recovery among mothers with SUDs, and identifying family-centered considerations for women with SUDs reentering the community.

My teaching interests include family therapy models, trauma-informed care and practices, and the supervision of couple and family therapists.

Selected Publications:

Chou, J., Muruthi, B., Krauthamer Ewing, E., Lynch, L., Feeney, E., Avula, D.S., Rutherford, T., Tyler, V. (2025). Couple/Marriage And Family Therapists (C/MFTs) Extent Of Training Experiences For Race-related Stress And Racial Trauma. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. [Special Issue].

Muruthi, B., Ewing-Krauthamer, E.S., Chou, J., Slaughter-Acey, J. Bennett, D.S., & McCrell, A. (2025). The impact of Maternal Mentalizing on Racial Trauma and Substance Use Risk for Black Mothers in the United States. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. DOI: 10.1007/s40615-025-02714-0.

Chou, J., Patton, R., Aletraris, L., Zaarur, A., Grella, C., Roman, P., & Feeney, E. (2024). Examining utilization and trends of family-based treatment in substance use treatment. Contemporary Family Therapy.

Patton, R., Chou, J., Kester, T., & Feeney, E. (2024). Exploring social connectedness, isolation, support, and recovery factors among women seeking substance use treatment. Women & Health, 64, 202-215. doi: 10.1080/03630242.2024.2308518.

Patton, R., Chou, J., Brown, D., & Zaarur, A. (2024). One size does not fit all: the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on graduate-level health professions students. Journal of American College Health.

Patton, R., Chou, J., Katafiasz, H., & Ingrid, W. (2024). Screening for co-occurring substance use and intimate partner violence victimization among college students: Exploring the intersections. Journal of Substance Use.

Chou, J. Patton, R., Zaarur, A., Katafiasz, H., Swint, P., Dang, Y., & Feeney, E. (2023). Understanding families impacted by opioid use: Outcomes of a therapist training program. Families, Systems, and Health, 41, 425-433, https://doi.org/10.1037/fsh0000818.

Patton, R., Chou, J., Dang, Y., Zaarur, A., Katafiasz, H., & Swint., P. (2023). Exploring MFT and counseling trainees’ substance use knowledge and perceptions upon entering an opioid use disorder training program. International Journal of Systemic Therapy. Doi org.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/10.1080/2692398X.2022.2123692.

Chou, J. Herbert, D., Bennett, D., Patton, R., Dilks-Webb, K., Zaarur, A., & Schindler, B. (2022). Family support and medication for opioid use treatment among women: A mixed methods study. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions. doi-org.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/10.1080/1533256X.2022.2109271.

Chou, J., Noel, J., Williams, C., Spruell, S., Nixon, K., Riedel, E., & Zaarur, A. (2022). Examining outcomes and the impact of COVID-19 for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders participating in residential treatment services. Journal of Nursing Scholarship [Special Edition]. doi: 10.1111/jnu.12803

Chou, J. Patton, R., Cooper-Sadlo, S., Swan, C., Bennett, D., Herbert, D., Patton, R., Zaarur, A., & Schindler, B. (2022). Examination of stigma and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) among women. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, Special Call. doi:10.1007/s11469-022-00768-3.

Chou, J., Lynch, L., Brooks, S., Krauthamer Ewing, S., Jordal, C., Herbert, D., & James, V. (2022). Couple/marriage and family therapist extent of training and preparedness for working with individuals and families impacted by substance use. Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Science.