MIRECC / CoE

Biography

Biography: 

Dr. Gregory P. Beehler is a licensed psychologist and the Associate Director for Research at the VA Center for Integrated Healthcare in Buffalo, NY. He received his MA in applied medical anthropology and PhD in counseling psychology from the University at Buffalo.  He completed his pre-doctoral internship in clinical health psychology at the VA Western New York Healthcare System. He is a also a research assistant professor in the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior in the School of Public Health and Health Professions at the University at Buffalo.

Research Interests: 

Dr. Beehler’s research interests are in integrated care and health psychology. His primary area of interest is the development and evaluation of behavioral interventions for chronic pain and related comorbidities.  He is the lead developer of Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (Brief CBT-CP), a 6-session treatment developed for integrated primary care providers.  He is also the creator of the Primary Care Behavioral Health Provider Adherence Questionnaire v. 2 (PPAQ-2), a validated assessment of integrated care fidelity.  He has additional research interests focused on improving the implementation of primary care-mental health integration by identifying and promoting best practices and promoting wellness among cancer survivors. Trained in grounded theory and related techniques, he also has expertise in applying qualitative and mixed methods approaches in research and evaluation. 

Publications

Recent Publications (past 5 years):

King, P. R., Beehler, G. P., Donnelly, K., Funderburk, J. S., Wray, L. O. (in press). A practical guide to applying the Delphi technique in mental health treatment adaptation: The example of Enhanced Problem-Solving Training (E-PST). Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

Kearney, L. K., Dollar, K. M., Beehler, G. P., Goldstein, W. R., Grasso, J., Wray, L. O., & Pomerantz, A. S. (in press). Creation and implementation of a national interprofessional integrated primary care competency training program: Preliminary findings and lessons learned. Training and Education in Professional Psychology.

Beehler, G. P., Funderburk, J. S., King, P. R., Possemato, K., Maddoux, J. A., Goldstein, W. R., & Wade, M. (2020). Validation of an expanded measure of integrated care provider fidelity: PPAQ-2. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 27, 158-172.

Polaha, J., Hinde, J. M., Beehler, G. P., & Sunderji, N. (2019). Evaluating time in health care: What are we busy about? Families, Systems, & Health, 37, 277-281.

Beehler, G. P., Murphy, J. L., King, P. R., Dollar, K. M., Kearney, L. K., Haslam, A., Wade, M., Goldstein, W. R. (2019). Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain: Results from a clinical demonstration project in Primary Care Behavioral Health. Clinical Journal of Pain, 35, 809-817.

King, P. R., Beehler, G. P., Buchholz, L. J., Johnson, E. M., & Wray, L. O. (2019). Functional concerns and treatment priorities among veterans receiving VHA Primary Care Behavioral Health Services. Families, Systems, & Health, 37, 68-73.

King, P.R., Beehler, G.P., Wade, M., Buchholz, L.J., Funderburk, J.S., Lilienthal, K.R., & Vair, C.L. (2018). Opportunities to improve measurement-based care practices in mental health care systems: A case example of electronic mental health screening and measurement. Families, Systems, & Health, 36, 427-438.

Possemato, K., Wray, L. O., Johnson, E., Webster, B., & Beehler, G. P. (2018).  Facilitators and barriers to seeking mental health care among primary care veterans with PTSD. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 31, 742-752.

Wray, L. O., Ritchie, M. J., Oslin, D. W., & Beehler, G. P. (2018). Enhancing implementation of measurement-based mental health care in primary care: A mixed-methods randomized effectiveness evaluation of implementation facilitation. BMC Health Services Research, 18, 753.

Possemato, K., Johnson, E.M.,  Beehler, G. P., Shepardson, R. L., King, P., Vair, C. L., Funderburk, J. S., Maisto, S. A.,  Wray, L. O. (2018). Patient outcomes associated with Primary Care Behavioral Health Services: A systematic review. General Hospital Psychiatry, 53, 1-11.

Funderburk, J. S., Shepardson, R. L., Wray, J., Acker, J., Beehler, G. P., Possemato, K., Wray, L. O., & Maisto, S. A. (2018). Behavioral medicine interventions for adult primary care settings: A review. Families, Systems, & Health, 36, 368-399.

Corcoran, K., Dunn, A., Greene, B. A., Formolo, L., & Beehler, G. P. (2018). Changes in female veterans’ neck pain following chiropractic care at a hospital for veterans. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 30, 91-95.

King, P. R., Beehler, G. P., Vest, B. M., Donnelly, K., & Wray, L. O. (2018). Qualitative exploration of traumatic brain injury-related beliefs among U.S. military veterans. Rehabilitation Psychology, 63, 121-130.

Lilienthal, K. R., Buchholz, L. J., King, P. R., Vair, C. L., Funderburk, J. S., & Beehler, G. P. (2017). Mental health measurement among women veterans receiving co-located, collaborative care services. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 10, 1192-1202.

Corcoran, K., Dunn, A., Formolo, L., & Beehler, G. P. Chiropractic management for female Veterans with low back pain: A retrospective study of clinical outcomes. (2017). Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 40, 573-9.

Beehler, G. P., Lilienthal, K. R., Possemato, K. P., Johnson, E. M., King, P. R., Shepardson, R. L., et  al. (2017). Narrative review of provider behavior in Primary Care Behavioral Health: How process data can inform quality improvement. Families, Systems, & Health, 35, 257-270.

King, P. R., Beehler, G.P., Vair, C.L., Gass, J., Funderburk, J.S., Lilienthal, K.R., & Novi, J. (2017). Identifying measurement-based care practices of VHA co-located, collaborative care providers. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 48, 236-242.

Beehler, G. P., Novi, J., Kiviniemi, M. T., & Steinbrenner, L. (2017). Military veteran cancer survivors’ preferences for a program to address lifestyle change and psychosocial wellness following treatment.  Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 35, 111-127. 

Beehler, G. P., & Lilienthal, K. R. (2017). Provider perceptions of an integrated primary care quality improvement strategy: The PPAQ Toolkit.  Psychological Services, 14, 50-56.

Lilienthal, K. R., Possemato, K., Funderburk, J. S., Wade, M., Eaker, A., & Beehler, G. P. (2017).  Predisposing characteristics, enabling factors, and need as predictors of integrated behavioral health utilization. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 44, 263-273.

Wray, L.O., Pikoff, E., King, P. R., Hutchison, D., Beehler, G. P., & Maisto, S. A. (2016). Veterans’ mental health beliefs : Facilitators and barriers to Primary Care-Mental Health use. Families, Systems, & Health, 34, 404-413.

Beehler, G. P., King, P. R., Vair, C. L., Gass, J., & Funderburk, J. S. (2016). Measurement of common mental health conditions in VHA co-located, collaborative care. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 23, 378-388.

Beehler, G. P., Funderburk, J. S., King, P., Wade, M., & Possemato, K. (2015). Using the Primary Care Behavioral Health Provider Adherence Questionnaire (PPAQ) to identify practice patterns. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 5, 384-392.

King, P. R., Beehler, G. P., & Wade, M. (2015). Self-reported pain and pain management strategies among veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI): A pilot study. Military Medicine, 180, 863-868.

Presentations

Conference Presentations (past 5 years):

Beehler, G. P., Funderburk, J. S., King, P. R., Dollar, K. M., Murphy, J., Goldstein, W. R., Wade, M. & Heapy, A. (November, 2020). Feasibility outcomes from a pilot trial of Brief CBT for Chronic Pain: Extending the reach of biopsychosocial treatment for chronic pain.  In Robyn Shepherdson, Ph.D. (Chair), Expanding access to CBT through primary care: Pilot data on brief interventions for mental and behavioral health concerns, 54th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (Virtual conference).

Beehler, G. P., Polaha, J., Funderburk, J. S., & Corso, K. (October, 2020). Warm hand offs 2020: Refocusing on a research agenda. Oral presentation at the 22^nd annual Collaborative Family Healthcare Association annual conference (virtual).

Funderburk, G. P., Polaha, J., & Beehler, G. P. (October, 2020). What is the Primary Care Behavioral Health model? A logic model helping us define it. Oral presentation at the 22^nd annual Collaborative Family Healthcare Association annual conference (virtual).

Heavey, S. C., Hoopsick, R. A., Beehler, G. P., & Conner, K. R. (October, 2020). Cascading effects of the opioid epidemic: A multi-year epidemiological analysis of serious opioid-related infections across the United States. Paper presented at the American Public Health Association, San Francisco, CA. 

Heavey, S. C, Hoopsick, R., Beehler, G.P., & Conner, K.R. (June, 2020) National epidemiological characterization of opioid overdose by event intentionality for inpatient stays across the United States, 2013-2015. Poster presented at the College on Problems of Drug Dependence 80th Annual Scientific Meeting, Miami, FL.

Beehler, G. P., Dollar, K. M., Kearney, L. K., Murphy, J., King, P. R., Goldstein, W. R. (2020, February). Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain: Perspectives of VA Integrated Care Providers. Poster presented at the American Academy of Pain Medicine National Conference, National Harbor, D.C.

King, P., Beehler, G. P., Donnelly, K., Funderburk, J., & Wray, L. (2019, December). Applying the Delphi technique in mental health treatment adaptation: Enhancing cultural relevance while maintaining fidelity. Poster to be presented at the Academy Health 12^th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health. Arlington, VA.

Wray, L. O., Oslin, D. W., Beehler, G. P., Vest, B., Brady, L., Hull, L., Thase, M. E., Chapman, S., & Ford, A. (2019, December). Integrating implementation science (IS) into an RCT: PRIME Care. 12th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health, Arlington, VA.

Loughran, T., Beehler, G. P., King, P. R., Dollar, K. M., Murphy, J., Kearney, L. K., & Goldstein, W. R. (October, 2019). Patients’ perspectives of Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain: Treatment satisfaction, perceived utility, and global assessment of change. Poster to be presented at the 21st Annual Conference of the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, Denver, CO.

Beehler, G. P., King, P. R., Goldstein, W. R. (March, 2019). Using a continuum of qualitative data to advance Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain. In Jennifer Funderburk, Ph.D. (Chair), Development of Brief Interventions For Integrated Primary Care: A Focus on Qualitative Data, 40th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Washington, D. C.

Beehler, G. P., King, P. R., Dollar, K. M., Kearney, L. K. (October, 2018). Leveraging partnerships to develop Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain: Addressing the needs of the system, provider, and patient.  Paper to be presented at the 20^th Annual Conference of the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, Rochester, NY.

Johnson, E.M., King, P.R., Beehler, G.P., Buchoholz, L.J., Wray, L.O. (2018, October). Welcome to the team! Engaging patients as team members through shared decision making. Paper to be presented at the 20^th Annual Conference of the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, Rochester, NY.

Kearny, L. K., Beehler, G. P., Dobmeyer, A. C., Dollar, K. M., Grasso, J., Hunsinger, D., Hunter, C., Pomerantz, A., VanTreese, K., & Wray, L. O. (2018, October). Integrated Primary Care behavioral health competency training in two large healthcare systems: Practical lessons learned. (2018). Paper to be presented at the 20^th Annual Conference of the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, Rochester, NY.

Possemato, K., Johnson, E., Beehler, G. P., & Shepherdson, R. (2018, October). Patient outcomes associated with Primary Care Behavioral Health: A systematic review. Paper to be presented at the 20^th Annual Conference of the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association, Rochester, NY.

Beehler, G. P., Murphy, J., King, P. R., Dollar, K. M., Kearney, L. (2018, April). Brief CBT for Chronic Pain: Development and implementation of a protocol for Integrated Primary Care.  In Jennifer Funderburk, Ph.D. (Chair), Interventions for Chronic Pain in Primary Care: A Focus on Evaluation, 39th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, New Orleans, LA.

Beehler, G. P., Funderburk, J. S., Possemato, K., King, P. R., Maddoux, J. A., Goldstein, W., & Wade, M.  Measuring practice variation in Integrated Primary Care: Validation of the PPAQ-2.  (2018, April). Poster to be presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 39th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions. New Orleans, LA.

King, P. R., Beehler, G. P., Buchholz, L. J., Johnson, E. M., & Wray, L. O. (2018, April). Veterans’ presenting concerns in Primary Care Mental Health services differ by gender. Poster to be presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 39th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions. New Orleans, LA.

Corcoran, K. L., Dunn, A. S., Green, B. N., Formolo, L. R., Beehler, G. P. (2018, March). Changes in female veterans' neck pain following chiropractic care at a hospital for veterans. Platform presentation accepted for the Association of Chiropractic Colleges Research Agenda Conference, Dallas, TX.

Corcoran, K. L., Dunn, A. S., Formolo, L. R., Beehler, G. P. (2018, March). Chiropractic management for female Veterans with low back pain: A retrospective study of clinical outcomes. Poster accepted for presentation at the Association of Chiropractic Colleges Research Agenda Conference, Dallas, TX.

Wray, L. O., Vair, C. L., Beehler, G. P., & McCarten, J. R. (2017, December). Understanding complexity of stakeholder views across a system: Outcomes of primary care for dementia. Poster accepted for presentation at the 10^th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation, Arlington, VA.

Beehler, G. P., Dollar, K. M., & King, P. R. (2017, October). Mind your Ps and Qs: Conducting QI in PCBH using the PPAQ and PDSA.  Paper accepted for presentation at the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association's 19th Annual Conference, Houston, TX.

Funderburk, J. S., Shepardson, R. L., Wray, J. M., Acker, J., Possemato, K., Beehler, G. P., Wray, L. O., & Maisto, S. A. (2017, March). Brief Behavioral Interventions for Behavioral Medicine Concerns for use in Adult Primary Care Settings: a Systematic Review. Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Diego, CA.

Johnson, E.M., Possemato, K., Webster, B., Beehler, G.P., Wray, L.O. (2016, November). Veteran perspectives on primary care treatment services for PTSD. Poster presented at the 2016 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies 32nd Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX.

Vair, C. L., Beehler, G. P., Funderburk, J. S. (2016, March/April). Identifying clinical practice patterns of integrated primary care psychology interns and postdocs: Implications for training.  In Jennifer Funderburk, Ph.D. (Chair), Addressing the Challenges of Translating Evidence-Based Practices in VA and DoD Integrated Healthcare. 376th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Washington, DC.

Beehler, G. P. (2016, March/April). Development and evaluation of a distress screening program for veterans with cancer.  Poster accepted for presentation at the 37th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Washington, DC.

Lilienthal, K., & Beehler, G. P. (2016, March/April). Primary care behavioral health provider perceptions of the PPAQ Toolkit for quality improvement.  Poster accepted for presentation at the 37th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Washington, DC.

Buchholz, L.J., Lilienthal, K.R., Beehler, G.P., King, P.R., Vair, C.L., & Funderburk, J.S. (2016, March/April). Disparity in mental health measurement among female veterans in VA integrated care. Poster accepted for presentation at the 37^th annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Washington, D.C.

King, P.R., Beehler, G.P., Wade, M., Buchholz, L.J., Lilienthal, K.R., Vair, C.L., & Funderburk, J.S. (2016, March/April). Comparing rates of mental health measurement across VHA treatment settings. Poster accepted for presentation at the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 37^th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions. Washington, DC.

Wray, L. O., McCarten, J. R., Vair, C. L., & Beehler, G. P. (November 2015). Identifying gaps in primary care for veterans with dementia: A qualitative study. Poster presented at the Gerontological Society of America’s Annual Scientific Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Wray, L. O., Vair, C. L., McCarten, J. R., & Beehler, G. P. (2015, October). Engaging important stakeholders to assess gaps in primary care for dementia: Considering the forest as well as the trees.  Paper presentation at the Collaborative Family Healthcare Association's 17th Annual Conference, Portland, OR.   

Lilienthal, K., Beehler, G. P., King, P. R., Vair, C. L., Gass, J., Funderburk, J. S., & Novi, J. (2015, April) Identifying measurement-based care practices of VA integrated behavioral health providers.  Poster presentation at the 36th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Antonio, TX.

Beehler, G. P., Funderburk, J. S., King, P. R., Wade, M., & Possemato, K. (2015, April). Supporting high fidelity practice with the Primary Care Behavioral Health Provider Adherence Questionnaire Toolkit. In Jennifer Funderburk, Ph.D. (Chair), Using Evidence-Based Measures in Integrated Primary Care to Improve Quality of Service. 36th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Antonio, TX.

Beehler, G. P., King, P. R., Vair, C. L., Gass, J., & Funderburk, J. S. (April, 2015). Identifying measurement-based care practices of VA integrated primary care providers. In Jennifer Funderburk, Ph.D. (Chair), Using Evidence-Based Measures in Integrated Primary Care to Improve Quality of Service. 36th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Antonio, TX.

Grants

Recent Grants:

Principal Investigator. Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain to Improve Functional Outcomes among Primary Care Veterans. VA RR&D. $1,105,930. (4/1/2021 – 3/31/2025).

Principal Investigator. A modified hub and spoke model to improve access to MOUD. VA HSR&D Pain/Opioid CORE Rapid Response Proposal. $29,936. In progress/TBD.

Consultant (Methodological Mentor). Optimizing cardiac rehabilitation by integrating sleep therapeutics. (PI: C. Tighe). VA RR&D Career Development Award 2. $705,905. 10/1/2020-9/30/2025.

Co-Investigator. An exploration of the prevalence and contributing factors for at-risk alcohol use in VA primary care patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. (PI: T. Loughran). VA CIH. $10,000. 3/1/2020-2/28/2021.

Co-Investigator. A pragmatic randomized comparator trial of eszopiclone and brief behavioral therapy for insomnia in CPAP non adherent Veterans with PTSD and complex insomnia. (PI: A. El-Solh). VA CSR&D. 10/1/2019-9/30/2020.

Consultant (Methodological Mentor). Developing a team-delivered intervention for smoking and hazardous drinking for primary care veterans with cardiovascular diseases. (PI: J. Gass). VA HSR&D Career Development Award 2. (2019-2024).

Site Principal Investigator. Improving sleep as a strategy to reduce suicide risk among at-risk Veterans: A real world clinical trial (MPI: Pigeon & Funderburk). VA HSR&D. $1,098,875. (1/1/19-12/31/22).

Principal Investigator. RCT of Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain. VA RR&D. $199,961. (7/1/2018 – 6/30/2020).

Co-Mentor. Enhanced Problem-Solving Training (E-PST) to improve recovery from mTBI. (PI: P. King). VA RR&D Career Development Award-2. $847,945. (10/1/18-9/30/23).

Co-Investigator: Primary care based mindfulness for Veterans with PTSD. (PI: K. Possemato). NIH (NCCIH). $450,000. 2018-2021.                                           

Co-Investigator. Precision medicine in mental health care. (PI: D. Oslin). VA HSR&D $2,108,196. (4/1/2017-3/1/2022).

Consultant. An RCT of a primary care-based PTSD intervention: Clinician-supported PTSD Coach. (MPIs: E. Kuhn & K. Possemato). VA HSR&D IIR. $1,082,594. (4/1/2016-3/31/2021).

Co-Investigator. Expanding the implementation of measurement based care for mental health conditions in PACT. (MPIs: D. Oslin & L. Wray). VA QUERI IP1 Programs.  $964,090. 10/1/2016-9/30/2020.

Mentorship

Why do I mentor? “I have personally benefitted from being mentored by a variety of prior and current mentors both inside and outside of the VA. I therefore feel that mentorship is an essential component of personal and professional development. My hope is that the individuals I mentor will use their experiences to further achieve their goals while contributing to the well-being of others. In my role at VA, I hope to give back by supporting the development of clinicians and researchers who focus on the health of Veterans.”

How do I go about mentoring? “To a degree, my style as a mentor changes with the needs and goals of each mentee. Early on, I work collaboratively with mentees to identify what they are looking for from their training and mentorship experience. To reach these goals, I ensure that we have dedicated time for supervision that we modify as needed, typically to accommodate the mentee’s growing level of independence. In the past, some mentees have benefitted from periods of more ‘hands-on’ instruction in new areas, such as qualitative methods, that they have transferred to their subsequent positions. Importantly, I aim to cultivate mentoring relationships that are honest, supportive, and constructive.”

Areas I tend to Emphasize within Mentorship:

• Experience with day-to-day conduct of research
• Exposure to studies that employ a variety of methodologies, including RCTs and qualitative mixed-methods approaches
• Scientific and professional writing skills for manuscripts and grant applications
• Developing competency in the delivery of clinical interventions in the context of research studies
• Conducting research that considers the needs of multiple stakeholders to ensure clinical and cultural relevance
• Development of professional milestones and long-term goals
• Participation in professional conferences and seminars
• Contributing to/leading team-based approaches to research
• Finding work-life balance

Accomplishments of Previous Students Mentored by me:

• Publications and presentations
• Awarded pilot grants
• Increased collaboration and professional network

Accepting New Mentees

As part of the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program, I am currently accepting new mentees.