Project Team Leads
About CSTS
The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) is one of the nation’s oldest and most highly regarded, academic-based organizations dedicated to advancing trauma-informed knowledge, leadership and methodologies. The Center’s work addresses a wide scope of trauma exposure from the consequences of combat, operations other than war, terrorism, natural and humanmade disasters, and public health threats. CSTS is a part of our nation’s federal medical school, Uniformed Services University (USU), and its Department of Psychiatry. These affiliations represent the Center’s history, mission and future directions as a major contributor to our country’s understanding of the impact of trauma and the advancement of trauma-informed care.
Meet the CSTS Team Lead
Stephen J. Cozza, MD
COL, USA (Ret.)
Director, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics
Uniformed Services University
Stephen J. Cozza, MD is Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the Uniformed Services University where he serves as Director, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) and is responsible for the Child and Family Program. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He received his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He completed his residency in General Psychiatry and fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.
Dr. Cozza is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in the specialties of General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He has served in a variety of positions of responsibility in the Department of Psychiatry at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to include Chief, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service, Program Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program and Chief, Department of Psychiatry. He retired from the U.S. Army in 2006 after 25 years of military service. Dr. Cozza’s professional interests have been in the areas of clinical and community response to trauma in both military and civilian communities, including the impact of deployment and combat injury, illness and death on military service members, their families and their children.
Dr. Cozza has highlighted the impact of deployment, injury, illness and death on the children and families of military service members. He has also examined the risk for prolonged grief disorder, a unique grief-related clinical condition, in families affected by sudden and violent deaths, including those bereaved due to combat, suicide, homicide, accident, and terrorism. He is published in the scientific literature and has presented on these topics at multiple national and international scientific meetings. Dr. Cozza serves as a scientific advisor to several national organizations that focus on the needs of military children and families.
About Reach
The Reach Institute works with communities to develop, evaluate, and scale evidence-based programs and resources to promote well-being for individuals, families, and communities.
Research Behind ADAPT
The ADAPT research team, led by Dr. Abigail Gewirtz, has tested the effectiveness of the program with close to one thousand military families, including the National Guard and Reserve. The team has published a significant body of work on ADAPT's benefits and continues to modify program offerings to meet the changing needs of military families.
Meet the Reach Team Lead
Dr. Abigail Gewirtz
Director of Reach and Professor, Psychology
Arizona State University
Abigail H. Gewirtz, PhD, is Foundation Professor of Psychology and Director of the Reach Institute at Arizona State University, as well as Professor in the School of Social Work at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. An internationally recognized clinical psychologist and prevention scientist, her research focuses on strengthening resilience in children and families exposed to trauma, war, displacement, and chronic stress. Dr. Gewirtz is widely known for developing and evaluating evidence-based parenting interventions for military families, First Responder families, and families affected by adversity.
Over the course of her career, she has led federally funded research initiatives supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, SAMHSA, and other national and international agencies. Her work has significantly advanced understanding of how parenting supports children’s mental health and resilience in high-stress environments. She has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and several influential books, including When the World Feels Like a Scary Place, recipient of multiple national awards.
Dr. Gewirtz is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science, and has received honors for her contributions to military family research, trauma prevention, and translational science. Her work bridges research, policy, and practice, with a commitment to improving the wellbeing of children and families worldwide.
