Education

• B.S., Psychology, University of Washington, 1996 
• M.A., Clinical Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2001
• Predoctoral Internship, University of Texas at Houston Medical School, 2004
• Ph.D., Clinical Psychology (dual speciality in ethnic minority clinical psychology), University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Research Institute on Addictions, 2007

Teaching Responsibilities

• PSY A640: Substance Abuse: Etiology, Assessment, and Treatment
• PSY A657: Quantitative Analysis
• PSY A652: Clinical Practicum I
• PSY A611: Ethics
• PSY A345: Abnormal Psychology

Research Interests

• Alcohol misuse and disorder etiology
• Adaptation of substance abuse treatment for minority populations
• Use of technology in treatment delivery
• Factors effecting the comorbidity of depression and suicidal behavior with alcohol and substance misuse
• Effect of internalized alcohol-related stereotypes on alcohol outcomes among American Indians and Alaska Natives

Publications

Gonzalez, V. M., & Skewes, M. C. (2021). Belief in the myth of an American Indian/Alaska Native biological vulnerability to alcohol problems among reservation-dwelling participants with a substance use problem. Alcoholism: Experimental & Clinical Research, 45(11), 2309-2321. https://doi.org/10.1111/acer.14703 

Gonzalez V.M., & Halvorsen, K. A.* (2021). Mediational role of drinking to cope in the associations of depression and suicidal ideation with solitary drinking in adults seeking alcohol treatment. Substance Use and Misuse, 56, 588-597. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2021.1883661

Gonzalez V.M., Burroughs, A.*, & Skewes M.C. (2021). Belief in the American Indian/Alaska Native biological vulnerability myth and drinking to cope: Does stereotype threat play a role? Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 27(1), 37–46. doi: 10.1037/cdp0000366

Skewes, M. C., Gonzalez, V. M., Gameon, J. A.*, FireMoon, P., Salois, E. M., Rasmus, S. M., Lewis, J. P., Gardner, S. A., Ricker, A., & Reum, M. (2020). Health disparities research with American Indian communities: The importance of trust and transparency. American Journal of Community Psychology, 66(3-4), 302-313. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12445

Gonzalez, V.M., Bravo, A.J., Crouch, M.C., & Protective Strategies Study Team (2019). Endorsement of the “firewater myth” affects the use of protective behavioral strategies among American Indian and Alaska Native students. Addictive Behaviors, 93, 78-85. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.12.010

Gonzalez, V.M. (2019). Factors linking suicidal ideation with drinking to cope and alcohol problems in emerging adult college drinkers. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 27, 166-177. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pha0000242

Enns, A., Eldridge, G.D., Aguiniga, D., Strobach, C., & Gonzalez, V. M. (2018).Perceived stress, coping strategies, and emotional intelligence: A cross-sectional study of university students in the helping disciplines. Nurse Education Today, 68, 226-231. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2018.06.012

Gonzalez, V. M., & Skewes, M. C. (2018). Association of belief in the “firewater myth” with strategies to avoid alcohol consequences among American Indian and Alaska Native college students who drink. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 32, 401-409. doi: 10.1037/adb0000367

Leonard, H., Campbell, K., & Gonzalez, V.M. (2018).The relationships among clinician self-report of empathy, mindfulness, and therapeutic alliance. Mindfulness. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s12671-018-0926-z

Gonzalez, V.M., & Neander, L. (2018). Impulsivity as a mediator in the relationship between problem solving and suicidal ideation. Journal of Clinical Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/jclp.22618

Dulin, P.L., & Gonzalez, V.M. (2017). Smartphone-based, momentary intervention for alcohol cravings amongst individuals with an alcohol use disorder. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 31, 601-607. doi: 10.1037/adb0000292

Dulin, P.L., Alvarado, C.E., Fitterling, F.M., & Gonzalez, V.M. (2017). Comparisons of alcohol consumption by timeline followback vs. smartphone-based daily interviews. Addictions: Research & Theory, 25, 195-200. doi:  10.1080/16066359.2016.1239081

Gonzalez, V. M., & Skewes, M. C. (2016). Association of the firewater myth with drinking behavior among American Indian and Alaska Native college students. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 30, 838-849. doi: 10.1037/adb0000226 

Gonzalez, V.M., & Dulin, P. (2015). Comparison of a smartphone app for alcohol use disorders with an internet-based intervention plus bibliotherapy: A pilot study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 83, 335-345. doi: 10.1037/a0038620

Giroux, D.*, Bacon, S., King, D. K., Dulin, P.L., & Gonzalez, V. M. (2014). Examining perceptions of a smartphone-based intervention system for alcohol use disorders. Telemedicine and e-Health, 20, 923-929. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2013.0222

Dulin, P.L., Gonzalez, V.M., & Campbell, K. (2014). Results of a pilot test of a self-administered smartphone-based treatment system for alcohol use disorders: Usability and early outcomes. Substance Abuse, 35, 168-175. doi: 10.1080/08897077.2013.821437

Gonzalez, V. M., & Skewes, M. C. (2013). Solitary heavy drinking, social relationships, and negative mood regulation in college drinkers. Addiction: Research and Theory, 21, 285-294. doi: 10.3109/16066359.2012.714429

Skewes, M.C., & Gonzalez, V.M. (2013). Attitudes toward harm reduction and abstinence-only approaches to alcohol misuse among Alaskan college students. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 72, 21143. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v72i0.21143

Skewes, M.C., DeCou, C.R.*, & Gonzalez, V.M.(2013). Consequences of energy drink use among Native and non-Native Alaskan college students. International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 72, 21204. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v72i0.21204

Dulin, P.L., Gonzalez, V. M., King, D. K., Giroux, D.*, & Bacon, S.* (2013). Development of a smartphone-based, self-administered intervention system for alcohol use disorders. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 13, 321-336. doi: 10.1080/07347324.2013.800425

Gonzalez, V. M., & Hewell, V. (2012). Suicidal ideation and drinking to cope among college binge drinkers. Addictive Behaviors, 37, 994-997. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2012.03.027

Gonzalez, V. M. (2012). Association of solitary binge drinking and suicidal behavior among emerging adult college students. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 26, 609-614. doi: 10.1037/a0026916

Gonzalez, V. M., Reynolds, B., & Skewes, M. C. (2011). Role of impulsivity in the relationship between depression and alcohol problems among emerging adult college drinkers. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 19, 303-313. doi: 10.1037/a0022720

Gonzalez, V.M., Bradizza, C.M., & Collins, R.L. (2009). Drinking to cope as a statistical mediator in the relationship of suicidal ideation and alcohol outcomes among underage college drinkers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 23, 443-451. doi: 10.1037/a0015543

Gonzalez, V.M., Collins, C.M., & Bradizza, C.M. (2009). Solitary and social heavy drinking, suicidal ideation, and drinking motives in underage college drinkers. Addictive Behaviors, 34, 993-999. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.06.001

Gonzalez, V.M. (2008).Recognition of mental illness and suicidality among individuals with serious mental illness. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 196, 727-734. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181879deb

Gonzalez, V.M., Bradizza, C.M., Vincent, P.C., Stasiewicz, P.R., & Paas, N.D. (2007). Do individuals with a severe mental illness experience greater alcohol and drug-related problems? A test of the supersensitivity model.  Addictive Behaviors, 32, 477-490. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2006.05.012

Gonzalez, V.M., Schmitz, J.M., & DeLaune, K.A. (2006). The role of homework in cognitive-behavioral therapy for cocaine dependence.  Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74, 633-637. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.74.3.633

Gonzalez, V.M., & Vitsousek, K.B. (2004). Feared foods in dieting and non-dieting young women: A preliminary validation of the Food Phobia Scale. Appetite, 43, 155-173. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2004.03.006

Career History/Work Experience

GRANTS 

National Institute on Drug Abuse – 1R01DA053791-01 (4/2021-3/2026)
Randomized Controlled Trial of Indigenous Recovery Planning for American Indians
This project examines the efficacy of an Indigenous Recovery Planning intervention for American Indians with a substance use disorder living in a reservation community in rural Montana using a randomized controlled trial design.
Direct costs (UAA subaward): $230,830
Role: Co- Investigator (Principal Investigator – Monica C. Skewes)

University of Alaska Anchorage – Innovate Grant (1/2017-12/2017)
Does the Firewater Myth Contribute to the Limit Violation Effect? A Daily Diary Study
Direct costs: $10,000
Role: Principal Investigator

National Institute of General Medical Sciences – U54GM115371 (3/2017-7/2017)
AIAN CTRP Research Development Project Award                                         
Firewater Myth's Effect on Strategies to Avoid Alcohol Problems Among AI/AN College Students
Direct costs: $49,361
Role: Principal Investigator

National Institute of General Medical Sciences – P30GM103325 (4/2013-4/2015)
University of Alaska Fairbanks – CANHR Pilot Studies Grant                          
Attitudes Toward Alcohol Misuse Programs Among Alaska Native College Students
Direct costs: $75,000 
Role: Co-Investigator (Principal Investigator – Monica C. Skewes)  
 
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – 1R21AA018135 (4/2011-3/2014)
Suicidal Ideation and Alcohol Outcomes in Emerging Adult College Drinkers. 
Direct costs: $262,500 
Role: Principal Investigator   

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – 1RC2AA019422 (9/2009-8/2012)
Location-Based Monitoring and Intervention for Alcohol Use Disorders. 
Direct costs: $1,342,756 
Role: Principal Investigator (Co-Principal Investigator – Patrick Dulin)  
 
University of Alaska Anchorage – Innovate Grant (1/2012-12/2012)
Social Validity of Alcohol Treatments for Alaska Native College Students. 
Direct costs: $10,000 
Role: Principal Investigator (Co-Principal Investigator – Monica C. Skewes)

University of Alaska Anchorage – Chancellor’s Fund Grant (3/2009-3/2010)
Factors Associated with Solitary Binge Drinking Among Emerging Adult College Students. 
Direct costs: $10,000 
Role: Principal Investigator

University of Alaska Anchorage – Faculty Development Grant (12/2008-6/2009)
Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Depression and Alcohol Problems Among College Drinkers. 
Direct costs: $3,393 
Role: Principal Investigator

Research Institute on Addictions – Research Development Proposal (9/2006-5/2007)
Association Between Suicidality and Alcohol Use Among Underage College Drinkers Direct costs: $15,000 
Role: Principal Investigator