Dr. Alexandra Macdonald
Associate Professor
Dr. Macdonald is an Associate Professor of Psychology. She joined the faculty at The Citadel in 2015. Prior to coming to The Citadel, Dr. Macdonald worked as a clinical research psychologist in the VA Boston Healthcare System and with the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. She earned her Ph.D. at Boston University and completed her internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her research focuses on the intersection between individual psychopathology, with an emphasis on posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders, and interpersonal functioning, including intimate relationship adjustments and intimate partner aggression. In particular, her work seeks to understand how intimate relationships are affected by individual mental health disorders, and to help develop measures and disseminate interventions that utilize the beneficial aspects of social support to improve therapeutic outcomes.
Much of Dr. Macdonald’s work has been in support of military and veteran populations, addressing the unique needs of current and former service members. Dr. Macdonald’s teaching interests include evidence-based assessment and clinical practices, couple and family therapy, and trauma-related topics. She also participates in resilience and wellness efforts across campus.
Degrees
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology (Boston University)
M.A. Clinical Psychology (Boston University)
B.A. (Rutgers University)