Kate Szymanski

Diplomas/Degrees

Diplomas/Degrees

Certificate in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Postdoctoral Programs in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Derner Institute for Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi University, (2007)

Ph.D., Northeastern University (1988)

M.A., Northeastern University, (1985)

M.A., Warsaw University (1979)

Licenses and Certifications

Licenses and Certifications

New York State License in Psychology

Personal Statement

Personal Statement

My research is dedicated to work on trauma and its clinical implications. I study risk and protective factors (intra and interpersonal) for PTSD, Complex Trauma and Traumatic Stress; adaptive and maladaptive ways of trauma coping and affect regulation; responsiveness to trauma-centered treatments; and trajectories for resiliency and Posttraumatic Growth (PTG). I am interested in trauma (acute and chronic) in the context of attachment, mentalization, object relations, and language use in adults and children. Over the years I explored a wide range of traumatizations such as suicide, sexual/physical abuse and neglect, rape, sudden loss, combat and war, cancer and mental illness. As a clinician I am also interested in trauma assessment and trauma-centered treatment effectiveness. With regard to assessment I am collaborating with linguists from Canada and Netherlands to evaluate structural characteristics of trauma narratives as clinical tools for trauma diagnosis. My research on trauma-centered psychotherapy concentrates on the impact of type of traumatization on treatment outcomes. I'm currently studying the process of therapeutic change in trauma treatment. I've also developed and implemented the model of interpersonal group therapy for traumatized adolescents. My current book titled "Expressions of the Unspeakable:Narratives of Trauma" (2014) reflects my multidimensional research interests in trauma by presenting a cross disciplinary approach to the understanding of traumatization.
Currently my work with doctoral students includes some of the following: suicidality and mentalization, sexual abuse and rape, parent-child dyad in 9/11 families, cancer and somatic regulation, therapeutic alliance in trauma-centerd psychotherapy, trauma integration and posttraumatic growth in trauma narratives. Some of my students are also involved in implementation of my psychodynamic model of group intervention for traumatized adolescents. In my workgroup we also pursue research on the impact of trauma on parenting and children psychological wellbeing, and transgenerational transmission of trauma.

Recent Courses

Recent Courses

S/T: Death,Grief And Dying

Concentration Case Conference I

Concentration Case Conference II

Doctoral Thesis Supervision I

Doctoral Thesis Supervision II

Doctoral Thesis Supervision III

Doctoral Thesis IV: Dissertation Supervision

Ongoing Dissertation Supervision

Ongoing Doctoral Thesis Supervision

Psychological Research I

Psychological Research II

Psychological Research III

Psychological Research IV

Psychotherapy Case Conference I

Psychotherapy Case Conference III

S/T: Psychodynamic Technique- Working With Counter- Transference And Mutuality

Trauma

Specialization/Interests

Specialization/Interests

Etiology, Assessment and Treatment of Trauma, Interpersonal Psychology, Psychopathology, Difficult Issues in Clinical Supervision, Advanced Research Methods

Research Interests

Research Interests

Trauma, psychopathology and resiliency are my general research interests. Within this framework I address trauma from developmental perspective (child/adolescent, adult) that is informed by interpersonal factors (e.g. family dynamics, attachment/dependency, social support) and cultural milieu (race/ethnicity, gender, cultural affiliation). In my scholarly work I explore a wide range of traumas (e.g. childhood maltreatment, domestic abuse, sexual assault/rape, parental loss, life-threatening illness, combat, terrorism), assess coping strategies (emotion regulation, cognitive flexibility), trauma risks (personality structure, interpersonal relating, social/internalized stigma) and resiliency (e.g. somatic awareness, posttraumatic growth). My studies address an impact of all these factors on mental health (PTSD, depression, anxiety, aggression, suicidality, addiction), sense of self (self-esteem, self-regulation) and interpersonal functioning (intimacy, role reversal). My research is based on models of attachment, affect regulation and cognitive processes to explore mechanisms of trauma transmission.  To expand an understanding of trauma, I’ve currently developed projects that address trauma treatment, with particular interest in a role of therapist in treatment’s efficacy (therapeutic alliance, therapist’s self-disclosure).

 The most recent projects that my Trauma Lab is working on are: role of attachment (particularly to fathers) in intergenerational transmission of trauma and moderating impact of race, gender and trauma type  ; relationship between object relations and suicidality in traumatized children and adolescents; culture as a moderator in experiencing shame/stigma in traumatized young adults and its impact on psychopathology; implicit assessment of therapist’s self-disclosure on affect regulation in trauma treatment.

My students’ dissertation work explored such areas as: role of family environment on child’s mental health in 9/11 families; relationship between personality and coping and rape experience; mentalization as a mediator between childhood trauma and suicidality and impact of social support and PTSD on war narratives of Israeli soldiers.

I’m interested in quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

International Experience

International Experience

I collaborate with Polish clinical psychologists on work on traumatic impact of cancer on mental health.

I work with prof Magda Stroinska from McMaster University on language analysis of trauma narratives.

Books

Books

Stroinska, M., Cecchetto, V., Szymanski, K. (Eds) (2014). Expressions of the Unspeakable:Narratives of Trauma. Peter Lange International.

Chapters

Chapters

Szymanski, K. (2017). Trauma. In Amy E. (Elizabeth) Wenzel (Ed.). The SAGE Encyclopedia of Abnormal and Clinical Psychology. Sage Publishing

Szymanski, K., Rosenfeld, N. (2014). Trauma Narrative: Recovery and Posttraumatic Growth. In Cecchetto, V., Stroinska, M., Szymanski, K. (Eds.). Expression of Unspeakable: Narratives of Trauma. New York, NY: Bergham Books.

De La Fontaine, N., Szymanski, K (2014). Transmission of Jewish/Israeli Collective Memory as Evident in the Narratives of Israeli Soldiers. In O’Loughlin, M. (Eds.). The Ethics of Remembering and the Consequences of Forgetting: Trauma, History and Memory. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield..

Gordon, A., Szymanski, K. (2014). Breaking the Silence: Reevaluating What Makes an Experience Trauma. In V. Cecchetto, M. Stroinska, K. Szymanski (Eds.). Expression of the Unspeakable: Narratives of Trauma. New York, NY: Bergham Books.

Sanders, A., Szymanski, K. (2014). Having a Relative with Mental Illness: Beyond the Traditional Definition of Trauma. In V. Cecchetto, M. Stroinska, K. Szymanski (Eds.). Expression of the Unspeakable: Narratives of Trauma. New York, NY: Bergham Books.

Szymanski, K. (1991). The potency and fragility of self-evaluation. In Curtis, R.C. (Eds.). The self in relationship: Convergences in social, personality and clinical psychology. (pp. 51-72). New York Guilford.

Harkins, S., & Szymanski, K. (1987). Social loafing and social facilitation: New wine in old bottles. In C. Hendrick (Eds.). Review of Personality and Social Psychology. (pp. 167-186). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Articles

Articles

Szymanski, K., Hartman, V., Springer, C., Bornstein, B. (2023). Suicidality and Implicit Dependency in Child and Adolescent Inpatients with Histories of Trauma- Moderating Effect of Gender. Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases

Adelya A. Urmanche & Kate Szymanski (2021) Love In The Time Of Covid-19: Experiences Of A Psychology Trainee, Psychoanalysis, Self and Context, DOI: 10.1080/24720038.2021.1995389

Genovese, J., & Szymanski, K. (2020). You might die tomorrow. Journal of Women and Aging. DOI:10.1080/08952841.2021.1877099

Stroinska, M, Szymanski, K (2017). Metafora i Trama ( in Polish).  Tekst i Dyskurs, 10.

Szymanski. K., Springer, C., (2014, Fall), Trauma, Aggression and Object Relations in Children and Adolescent Inpatient Sample. Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma.

Sanders, A., Szymanski, K., & Fiori, K. (2013), Heroes and Lost Children: The Family Roles of Individuals with Siblings Diagnosed with a Mental Disorder. International Journal of Psychology.

Sanders, A., & Szymanski, K. (2013), Having a sibling diagnosed with a mental disorder: implications for attachment with parental figures. Social Work in Mental Health, in press.

Sanders, A., & Szymanski, K. (2012), Siblings of people diagnosed with mental disorder and posttraumatic growth. Community Mental Health Journal.

Sanders, A., & Szymanski, K. (2012), Emotional intelligence in siblings of patients diagnosed with mental disorder. Social Work in Mental Health.

Conway, F., Oster, M., Szymanski, K. (2011), ADHD, complex trauma and mentalization. Journal of Infant, Child and Adolescent Psychology, 10.

Szymanski, K., Sapanski, L., Conway, F. (2011), Trauma and ADHD: Association or diagnostic confusion? A clinical perspective. Journal of Infant, Child and Adolescent Psychology, 10.

Szymanski, K., Fleishman, J., Harkins, S. (2001), The contribution of the potential for evaluation to coaction effects. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 3, 269-283.

Szymanski, K., & Harkins, S. (1993), The effect of experimenter evaluation on self-evaluation within the social loafing paradigm. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 29, 268-286.

Szymanski, K., Harkins, S (1992), Self-evaluation and creativity. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 18, 259-265.

Harkins, S., & Szymanski, K (1989), Social loafing and self-evaluation with an objective standard. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 24, 354-365.

Harkins, S., & Szymanski, K. (1988), Social loafing and group evaluation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 934-941.

Bartis, S., Szymanski, K., & Harkins, S. (1988), Evaluation of performance: A two-edged knife. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 14, 242-251.

Szymanski, K., & Harkins, S (1987), Social loafing and self-evaluation with a social standard. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53, 891-897.

Kofta, M., & Szymanski, K (1980), Freedom of choice of role and resistance to social pressure. Studia Psychologiczne, XIX, 25-35.

Szymanski, K, Hartman, V, Springer , C, Bornstein, B (in press).Suicidality and Implicit Dependency In Child and Adolescent Inpatients With Histories of Trauma - Moderating Effect of Gender. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

Conference Presentations

Conference Presentations

Rissman, A., Szymanski. K. (August, 2024). Emotional Creativity: The Impact of Emotional Honesty and Insight on Posttraumatic Growth in a Traumatized Sample. Poster to be presented at the meeting of American Psychological Association, Seattle

Rissman, A., Szymanski. K. (May, 2024). The Relationship Between Emotional Creativity and Domains of Posttraumatic Growth in a Truamatized Sample - the Moderating Impact of Gender. Poster to be presented at the meeting of American Psychological Association, San Francisco.

Wild, M., Szymanski, K., Springer, C. (March, 2024). Relationship Between Executive Functioning and Implicit Assessement of Aggression in a Inpatient Sample of Children and Adolescents with Trauma History. Paper presented at the meeting of Society for Personality Assessement, San Diego, CA

Zylstra, M., Szymanski, K. (March, 2024). Is Individual Trauma History a Risk Factor for COVID-19 Death Anxiety? Paper presented at the meeting of Society for Personality Assessement, San Diego, CA

Szymanski, K (March, 2024). Impact of Interpersonal Trauma and Death Awareness in Diverse Populations of Children and Adult Survivors. Symposium (Organizer and Chair) presented at the meeting of Society for Personality Assessement, San Diego, CA

Leung, M., Szymanski, K (August, 2023). The Moderating Impact of Insecure Attachment on Psychological Wellbeing in Biracial Asian/White Population. Poster presented at the meeting of American Psychological Association, Washington DC

Szymanski, K., Springer, C., Spiel, S. (June, 2023). Trust as a Protective Factor in the Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma. Paper presented at the meeting of European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Belfast, Ireland.

Leung, M., Szymanski, K (June, 2023). The Moderating Impact of Insecure Attachment on Psychological Wellbeing in Biracial Asian/White Population. Poster presented at the meeting of New York State Psychological Association, Saratoga Springs, NY

Zylstra, M., Szymanski, K. (October 2022). The Impact of Loneliness and Spirituality on Suicidal Behavior in Young Adults During COVID-19 Pandemic. Poster presented at the meeting of New York State Psychological Association, awarded Roy Aranda Social Justice Award

Zylstra, M., Szymanski, K (September 2022). The Impact of Loneliness and Spirituality on Suicidal Behavior in Young Adults During COVID-19 Pandemic. Poster presented at the meeting of 2nd International Conference on Trauma and Mental Health, Jerusalem

Viswanath, P., Szymanski, K. Springer, C. (August 2022). The Impact of Childhood Trauma and Insecure Attachment on Reflective functioning of Indian Immigrant Mothers   Poster presented at the meeting of American Psychological Association, Minneapolis.

Fayyaz, S., Szymanski, K., Springer, C., Melara, R. (August 2022). The Impact of Culture on a Relationship Between Trauma, Shame and Attachemnet in Non-Clinical Sample. Poster presented at the virtual meeting of American Psychological Association.

Viswanath, P., Szymanski, K. Springer, C. (May 2022). The Impact of Childhood Trauma and Insecure Attachment on Emotion Regulation Indian Immigrant Mothers. Poster presented at the meeting of Association for Psychological Science, Chicago

Fayyaz, S., Szymanski, K., Springer, C., Melara, R. (November 2021). Cross- Cultural Perspective on Experience of Shame and Psychopathology in a Traumatized College Sample. Poster presented at the virtual meeting of International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Marte, C., Szymanski, K., Springer, C. Spiel, S. (November, 2021). Intergenerational Trauma: The Impact of Fathers' Traumatization on Children's Wellbeing. Poster presented at the virtual meeting of International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Schwartz, Y, & Szymanski, K (November, 2021). Assessing the Relationship between Childhood Maltreatment Subtypes and PTSD, Dissociation and Anhedonia. Poster presented at the virtual meeting of International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Schwartz, Y, & Szymanski, K (October, 2021). Assessing the Relationship between Childhood Maltreatment Subtypes and PTSD, Dissociation and Depression. Poster presented at the virtual meeting of New York State Psychological Association, awarded Academic Division Student Poster Award 

Genovese, J., Szymanski, K., Gorman, B., Spiel, S. (March, 2021). Mediating Role of Type of Parental Attachment in Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma. Paper presented at the virtual meeting of Society for Personality Assessment.

Hartmann, V., Szymanski, K., Fayazz, S., Loughlin, L. (March 2021). Deciding to Report Sexual Harassment at Work: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Paper presented at the virtual meeting of Association for Women in Psychology.

Loughlin, L., Szymanski, K., Spiel, S. (March, 2021). Role of Gender in the Intergenerational Trauma Transmission with Parental Attachment as a Mediator. Paper presented at the virtual meeting of Society for Personality Assessment

Fayyaz, S., Szymanski, K., Springer, C., Melara, R. (November, 2021). Cross-Cultural Perspective on Experience of Shameand Psychoptahology in a Trumatized College Sample. Poster presented at the virtual meeting of International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Genovese, J., Szymanski, K., Gorman, B., Spiel, S. (November, 2020). Mediating Role of Parental Attachment in Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma: The Impact of Paternal Communication and Alienation on Trauma Symptoms for Young Adult. Poster presented at the virtual meeting of International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Loughlin, L., Szymanski, K., Spiel, S. (November, 2020). Paternal Attachment as a Mediator in Trauma Transmission: Gender Effects. Poster presented at the virtual meeting of International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Wild, M., Szymanski, K., Spiel, S. (November, 2020). Impact of Race/Ethnicity in Intergenerational Trauma: Parental attachment and Trauma Symptoms for Asian Sample. Poster presented at the virtual meeting of International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Hartmann, V., Szymanski, K., Fayazz, S., Loughlin, L. (March 2020). Deciding to Report Sexual Harassment at Work: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Poster presented at the meeting of Division 39 (Psychoanalysis) of American Psychological Association, New York.

Loughlin, L., Szymanski, K. (February 2020). The Impact of Body Shame and Body Surveillance on Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Functioning in Young Females. Poster presented at the meeting of Society for Personality and Social Psychology, New Orleans.

Szymanski, K., Springer, C., Spiel, S. (November 2019). The Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma. Poster presented at the meeting of International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Boston.

Szymanski, K., Stroinska, M. Schwartz, Y., Wild, M. (June, 2019). Linguistic Mechanisms of Therapist's Self-Disclosure. Paper presented at 16th international Pragmatics Conference, Hong Kong

Belleti, N., Szymanski, K. (April, 2019). Vicarious Traumatization of Therapists: Implicit Assessement via Langugae Use. Poster presented at the meeting of Division 39 of american Psychological Association, Philadelphia

Szymanski, K. Springer, C., Bornstein, B (March, 2019). Interpersonal Dependency and Suicidality in Inpatient Chlidren with Trauma History, Paper presented at the meeting of Society for Personality Assessement, New Orleans.

Szymanski, K., Stroinska, M (July 2017). The Bumpy Road to Recovery: The Use of Deliberate versus Non-deliberate Metaphors in Trauma Narratives. Paper presented at 15^th International Pragmatics Conference, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Spiel, S., Szymanski, K., Huselid, R.F. (November, 2016). The Intergenerational Effects of Parental Trauma on Young Adults' Mental Health and Interpersonal Functioning. . Poster presented at the meeting of International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Dallas.

Eidlitz, L., Szymanski, K., Hien, D. (October, 2016). Attending to the Relationship: Examining the Impact of Observed Therapeutic Alliance on Treatment Outcomes in a Traumatized, Alcohol-Misusing Racial-Ethnic Minority Sample. In K. Szymanski (Chair) panel on Reading Between The Lines – Implicit Understanding Of Trauma Experiences. Paper presented at the meeting of the 2^nd Washington Conference on Trauma, Washington, DC.

Forrester, E., Szymanski, K. (October, 2016). The Effect of Trauma Integration on the Use of Metaphors and Sentence Structure: A Developmental Approach. In K. Szymanski (Chair) panel on Reading Between The Lines – Implicit Understanding Of Trauma Experiences. Paper presented at the meeting of the 2^nd Washington Conference on Trauma, Washington, DC.

Gurgenidze, A ., Szymanski, K., Hien, D. (October, 2016). Referential Activity and Relational Trauma: A Preliminary Exploration of Language and Symbolization in Two African American Males. In K. Szymanski (Chair) panel on Reading Between The Lines – Implicit Understanding Of Trauma Experiences. Paper presented at the meeting of the 2^nd Washington Conference on Trauma, Washington, DC.

Kovler, J., Szymanski, K. (October, 2016). The Vicissitudes of Life: A History of the Conceptualization of Bodily Trauma as Disorder. In K. Szymanski (Chair) panel on Illness: When Body Is a Culprit – Clinical Approach to Bodily Trauma. Paper presented at the meeting of the 2^nd Washington Conference on Trauma, Washington, DC.

Shiffrin, L., Szymanski, K. (October, 2016). The Relationship between Spirituality and Posttraumatic Distress in Cancer Patients. In K. Szymanski (Chair) panel on Illness: When Body Is a Culprit – Clinical Approach to Bodily Trauma. Paper presented at the meeting of the 2^nd Washington Conference on Trauma, Washington, DC.

Spiel, S., Szymanski, K., Huselid, R.F. (October, 2016). "The Intergenerational Effects of Parental Body Trauma on Young Adult’s PTSD Symptomatology. In K. Szymanski (Chair) panel on Illness: When Body Is a Culprit – Clinical Approach to Bodily Trauma. Paper presented at the meeting of the 2^nd Washington Conference on Trauma, Washington, DC.

Szymanski, K., Springer, C., Zecevic, L. (October, 2016). Implicit Assessment of Object Relations in Traumatized Adolescents. In Chair for panel on Reading Between The Lines – Implicit Understanding Of Trauma Experiences. Paper presented at the meeting of the 2^nd Washington Conference on Trauma, Washington

Szymanski, K., Springer, C., Zecevic, L. (October, 2016). Somatic Awareness and Mental Health Functioning in Breast Cancer Patients. In Chair for panel on Illness: When Body Is a Culprit – Clinical Approach to Bodily Trauma.. Paper presented at the meeting of the 2^nd Washington Conference on Trauma, Washington, DC.

Gurgenidze, A., Szymanski, K., Hien, G. (2016). Language Use in Relational Trauma: An Exploratory Study of Referential Process in Prolonged Exposure Therapy. In Society for Psychotherapy Research. Jerusalem, Israel.

Gurgenidze, A., Szymanski, K., Hien, G. (2016). Language Use in Relational Trauma: An Exploratory Study of Referential Process in Prolonged Exposure Therapy. In Society for Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration. Dublin, Ireland.

Szymanski, K., Springer, C., & Zecevic, L (2016). Body Awareness - A Friend or Foe; The Impact of Somatic Awareness on Psychological Distress in Breast Cancer Patients. In Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology. Halifax, Canada.

Shiffrin, L., & Szymanski, K. (2016). Personality Correlates of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Cancer Paitents. In Society for Personality Research. Chicago.

Szymanski, K., Springer, C., & Lemley-Craver, C. (2015). Does the Label Matter? - The Impact of Acknowledged and Unacknowledged Rape on Mental Wellbeing. In European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Vilnius, Lithuania.

Szymanski, K., Springer, C., & Zecevic, L. (2015). The Impact of Somatic Awareness on Posttraumatic Stress and Posttraumatic Growth in Cancer Patients“. In European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Vilnius, Lithuania.

Forrester, E., & Szymanski, K (2015). The Effect of Trauma Integration on the Use of Metaphors and Sentence Structure: A Narrative Analysis. In Society for Personality Assessment,. New York, NY.

Zecevic, L., & Szymanski, K. (2014). Interrelatedness of Risk Factors in a Sample of Individuals with a History of Suicidal Behavior. In Association for Psychological Science. San Francisco., CA.

Szymanski. K., Springer, C., Zecevic, L. (2014). Assessment of Object Relations in Clinical Sample of Traumatized Adolescents – a Normative Analysis. In Society for Personality Assessment. Arlington, VA.

Eidlitz, L., Szymanski, K., & Hien, D. (2014). Assessment of Treatment Efficacy for Patients with child and Adult Abuse Onset. In Society for Personality Assessment,. Arlington, VA.

Szymanski, K., Stroinska, M., Sawyer, S. (2013). The use of metaphors in analysing trauma narratives. In International Pragmatics Conference. Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India.

Jones, M., Craver-Lemley, C., Szymanski, K., & McCue, A. (2013). Enhanced object imagery in ADD/ADHD Disorder. In Association for Psychological Science. Washington D.C..

Szymanski, K., Springer, C., & Goldstein, C. (2013). TAT as an implicit assessment of trauma in children and adolescents. In Society for Personality Assessment. San Diego, CA.

Stobbs, J. & Szymanski, K. (2012). PTSD, Secondary Trauma and Burnout Among International Humanitarian Aid Workers – Prevalence and Differential Diagnosis. In International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Los Angeles, CA.

Sanders, A., & Szymanski, K. (2012). Emotional Intelligence in Siblings of Patients Diagnosed with Mental Disorder. In American Psychological Association. Orlando.

Szymanski, K., Gordon, A., & Clark, A. (2012). TAT Narratives as an Implicit Assessment of Trauma. In American Psychological Association. Orlando.

Stroinska, M. & Szymanski, K . (2012). The use of metaphor in trauma narratives. In International Association for Researching and Applying Metaphor. Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.

Clark, A., & Szymanski, K. (2012). Narrative impairment in children with chronic trauma. In New York State Psychological Association. Saratoga Springs, NY.

Stobbs, J. & Szymanski, K. (2012). Stress and trauma related disorders among international humanitarian aid workers – prevalence and different diagnosis. In New York State Psychological Association. Saratoga Springs, NY.

Sanders, A., & Szymanski, K. (2012). Siblings of the Mentally Ill: Impact on Attachment with Parents. In Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago.

Klein, M., Szymanski, K. (2012). Witnessing a romantic partner psychotic break: A clinical picture for adolescents. In Division 39 (Psychoanalysis) of American Psychological Association. Santa Fe.

Gordon, A., & Szymanski, K. (2012). A Fresh Perspective on Trauma: Survivors Define Their Experience. In Society for Personality Assessment (pp. 25). Chicago.

Szymanski, K., Springer, C., & Goldstein, C. (2011). Attachment Trauma and Interpersonal Relationships of Child and Adolescent Inpatients. In The International Society for Traumatic Stress (pp. 20). Baltimore.

de la Fointaine, N., Szymanski, K. (2010). A Cross-cultural evaluation of the effect of war trauma on the wellbeing of soldiers. In The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Montreal.

Jeanette, E., & Szymanski, K. (2010). Creativity in the collaborative arts: interpretive artists' unique personality profile. In American Psychological Association. San Diego.

Clavedesther, J., & Szymanski, K. (2010). Development of the Somatic Awareness Scale (SOMAS). In American Psychological Association. San Diego.

Baxter, A., Szymanski, K., & Springer, C. (2010). Rorschach assessment of aggression in child and adolescent inpatients. In Society for Personality Assessment. San Jose.

Szymanski, K., Andriano, L., Springer, C., Cloitre, M., Kamboukos, D., & Cucharo, C. (2009). Parent-child dyad and child's pathology in 9/11 families. In The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Atlanta.

Szymanski, K., & McCarthy, J. (2009). Early parental loss and interpersonal functioning in child and adolescent inpatients. In The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Atlanta.

Sapanski, L., & Szymanski, K (2009). Factors that influence the perception of blame in an acquaintance rape. In American Psychological Association. Toronto.

Andriano, L., Szymanski, K., Springer, C., Cloitre, M., Kamboukos, D., & Cucharo, C (2009). Parenting and psychopathology in bereaved 9/11 families. In Division 39 of American Psychological Association. San Antonio.

Shapiro, J., Szymanski, K., & Springer, C. (2009). Rorschach assessment of affect regulation in children and adolescents who self-injure. In Society for Personality Assessment. Chicago.

Steinberg, A., & Szymanski, K. (2008). Resilience, attachment and depression in bereavement. In American Psychological Association. Boston.

Sakowicz, K., Szymanski, K., & McCarthy, J. (2008). Rorschach assessment of trauma in a clinical sample. In Society for Personality Assessment. New Orleans.

Kopp-Smith, A., & Szymanski, K. (2007). Trauma of parental loss, fear of intimacy and adult attachment. In American Psychological Associatonn. San Francisco.

Rosenfeld, N., & Szymanski, K (2007). Factors associated with resilience in the aftermath of difficult life events. In Research Conference on Religion and Spirituality, Division 36 of American Psychological Association. Loyola.

Szymanski,K. (2006). The power of mutual healing, a clinical perspective. In Division 39 (Psychoanalysis) of American Psychological Association. Philadelphia.

Masteyeva, Y., & Szymanski, K (2004). The difference in self-concept between working and non-working single mothers of low SES. In New York State Psychological Association. Saratoga Springs.

Salgado, N., Szymanski, K. (2002). Unconscious processes and dream recall. In American Psychological Association. Boston.

DeSantos, T., & Szymanski, K. (2001). The impact of partner’s abuse on a rate of mental illness in a welfare population of single mothers. In Eastern Psychological Association. Washington D.C..

Szymanski, K., & Repetto, S. (2000). How does mood affect creativity? In American Psychological Association. NY.

Szymanski, K., Goodry, E., & Garczynski, J. (1998). Depression and creativity - a correlational perspective. In American Psychological Association. San Francisco, CA.

Garczynski, J., & Szymanski, K. (1995). Creativity, feedback and choice: The effects of feedback and self-evaluation on creativity. In American Psychological Society. NY.

Szymanski, K. (1995). Motivational effect of partner's evaluation on performance. In Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, Il.

Szymanski, K., & Garczynski, J. (1995). Negative effects of experimenter and self-evaluation. In Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, Il.

Garczynski, J., & Szymanski, K. (1994). Self and partner evaluation -an additive effect? In Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, Il.

Szymanski, K. (1993). Two sides of the coin: The effect of evaluation on creativity. In Management Conference,. Atlanta, GA.

Szymanski, K. (1993). The effect of self-evaluation on creativity within a choice paradigm. In Nags Head Conference on Groups Networks and Organizations. Nags Head Conference Center, Highland Beach, FL.

Szymanski, K., & Garczynski, J. (1993). Enhanced evaluation as moderator of increased effort. In Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, Il.

Szymanski, K., & Garczynski, J. (1992). Partner evaluation and social loafing. In American Psychological Association. Washington.

Szymanski, K. (1992). Differential influence of evaluation on quality and quantity of performance. In Nags Head Conference on Groups, Networks and Organizations. Nags Head Conference Center, Highland Beach, FL.

Szymanski, K., Austin, S., & Virgile, C. (1992). The effect of experimenter status on performance. In Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, Il.

Szymanski, K. (1992). Attitudes and Persuasion. In Eastern Psychological Association. Boston, MA.

Szymanski, K., Virgile, C., & Germano, D. (1991). The effect of evaluation and identifiability on performance. In Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, Il.

Virgile, C., & Szymanski, K. (1990). Self-set goals as a standard for self-evaluation. In American Psychological Association. Boston, MA.

Harkins, S., & Szymanski, K. (1990). The effect of doubling signal density on the self-evaluation effect in the social loafing paradigm. In Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, Il.

Szymanski, K., & Harkins, S. (1990). The effect of self-evaluation on creativity. In Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, Il.

Szymanski, K. (1990). Evaluation and social loafing. Implications for private and public selves. In The Self in Relationship. Adelphi University, Garden City, NY.

Szymanski, K., & Harkins, S. (1989). The effect of experimenter evaluation on self-evaluation in the social loafing paradigm. In Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, Il.

Szymanski, K., & Harkins, S. (1988). Why two is not more than one: The potency of multiple sources in social loafing. In Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, Il.

Szymanski, K., & Harkins, S. (1987). Effects of self-evaluation on social loafing. In American Psychological Association. NY.

Szymanski, K., & Harkins, S. (1987). The effect of group evaluation on social loafing. In Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, Il.

Szymanski, K., & Harkins, S. (1986). Task difficulty and social loafing. In Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, Il.

Szymanski, K. (1985). External evaluation as a means of reducing social loafing. In Conference on Persuasion and Attitude Change. Adelphi University, Garden City, NY.

Szymanski, K. & Harkins, S. (1985). Self -evaluation and performance. In Midwestern Psychological Association,. Chicago, Il.

Harkins, S. & Szymanski, K. (1984). More cells for social facilitation. In American Psychological Association. Toronto, Canada.

Harkins, S. & Szymanski, K. (1984). Partner evaluation as a means of eliminating social loafing. In Midwestern Psychological Association. Chicago, Il.

Invited Presentations

Invited Presentations

Szymanski, K. (2015, April). SCORS and TAT – psychometric properties and clinical utility. MercyFirst, Residential Treatment, Syosset, NY.

Szymanski, K. (2014, November). Clinical approach to stigma in the aftermath of war-related traumas. Interdisciplinary Forum on Trauma: Changing Nature on War and Peace, Adelphi University, NY.

Szymanski, K. (2012, November). Understanding trauma: myths and misconceptions. Center for Health Innovation, Adelphi University, NY.

Szymanski, K (2012, April). Coping with traumatic impact. Elizabethtown College: Department of Psychology.

Szymanski, K. (2011, November). Tips for Healthy Grieving. Adelphi University.

Szymanski, K. (2011, August). Witnessing Trauma and Recovery - Myths and Misconceptions. Department of Linguistics and Languages, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.

Szymanski, K. (2011, May). On the Edge of Trauma: The Journey to Posttraumatic Growth. Adelphi University.

Szymanski, K. (2010, June). Trauma of Parental Loss - A Guide to Interacting with Traumatized Adolescents. Tuesday's Children, Project Common Bond, Staff Training, New York, NY.

Szymanski, K. & Rosenfeld, N. (2010, May). Trauma Narrative: Recovery and Posttraumatic Growth - A Clinical Perspective. West Dean College, England.

Szymanski, K. (2009, November). Common Bond: Group Treatment of Traumatized Adolescents. MercyFirst, Residential Treatment, Syosset, NY.

Szymanski, K. (1998, March). Motivational processes in a group decision. University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Szymanski, K. (1992, April). Extrinsic constraints and their effects on creativity. Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA.

Harkins, S., & Szymanski, K. (1987, October). Social loafing and evaluation. Conference of Applied Social Psychology, Adelphi University, NY.

Szymanski, K. (1986, April). Social loafing. Social Psychological Research Group at Brandeis University, Waltham, MA.

Grants

Grants

2020-2021 Faculty Development Grant, $1,800

"A Multimethod Assessement of Shame - A Novel Approach to AddressGender and Trauma Biases"

2014-2015 Faculty Development Grant, $2,000
"The Impact of Affect Regulation and Somatic Awareness on adjustment and Posttraumatic Growth"

2013 - International Faculty Development Grant,
“Disability in Situation: French Notions of Disability and Difference.”

2000-2001 Faculty Development Grant, $4500
“Longitudinal Study of Single Mothers Welfare Recipients”.

1987- Biomedical Research Support Grant (with S. Harkins), Northeastern University, “Increased Motivation Means Better Performance: Social Loafing Revisited”.

Honors and Accomplishments

Honors and Accomplishments

2010 - Professor of the Year , Psychology Club, Adelphi University

Professional Activities

Professional Activities

Adelphi Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy
American Psychological Association
Division 39 of APA (Psychoanalysis)
Division 56 of APA (Trauma Psychology)
Division 8 of APA (Personality and Social Psychology)

Reviewer: Journal of Applied Social Psychology
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Ad hoc reviewer for conventions of the Eastern Psychological Association, and American Psychological Association

Lua Zoo Community Cooperative for Africa - fundraiser organizer
Tuesday's Children of 9/11 Families- member of Advisory Board
Project Common Bond, an international summer camp for children who lost a caregiver to an act of terrorism - psychologist
Child Activity Center (currently known as Alice Brown Learning Center)- board member
Brennan Inn Soup Kitchen - drive organizer