Alexis May, Ph.D.

Research Interests

I received my PhD in clinical psychology from the University of British Columbia, completed a clinical psychology internship at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Center for Veterans Studies. Currently, I am an assistant professor of psychology at Wesleyan University. My program of research is focused on understanding the etiology, trajectory, and prevention of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Specifically, my work has focused on differentiating those who act on suicidal thoughts from those who do not, understanding motivations for suicidal behavior, and clarifying the role of impulsivity in suicidality. I am currently working on projects to improve suicide screening in primary care settings, test innovative methods for suicide risk detection in the context of romantic relationships, and identify objective measures of the capacity to act on suicidal thoughts. Clinically, I am trained in dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing.

Education

PhD, University of British Columbia, (Clinical Psychology, 2016)
Internship, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, (APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology Internship, 2015-2016)
MA, University of British Columbia, (Clinical Psychology, 2010)
BA, Wesleyan University, (Psychology, Neuroscience & Behavior, 2005)

Selected Publications

May, A.M. & Klonsky, E.D (2016). What distinguishes suicide attempters from suicide ideators? A meta-analysis of potential factors. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 23(1), 5-20.

Klonsky, E. D., May, A.M., & Saffer, B. Y. (2016). Suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation. Annual review of clinical psychology, 12, 307-330.

Klonsky, E.D. & May, A.M. (2015). The Three-Step Theory (3ST): A New Theory of Suicide Rooted in the ‘Ideation-to-Action’ Framework. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy. 8, 114-129.

May, A.M. & Klonsky, E.D. (2013). Assessing motivations for suicide attempts: Development and psychometric properties of the Inventory of Motivations for Suicide Attempts (IMSA). Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 43, 532-546.