Publications & Presentations
In addition to being a clinician, I am an academic author and lecturer and have contributed over 50 papers and one co-authored textbook (which won the American Journal of Nursing's "Book of the Year" award) to the professional literature. I worked with Red Ventures for many years as a medical reviewer of their articles on psychological topics, which can be found on their Healthline, Greatest, Medical News Today, and Psych Central web pages. In fact, you may have found me by searching for me after reading one of the articles I reviewed. My work with Red Ventures encompassed many wonderful years. It allowed me to ensure that critical information on mental health issues was available to persons with concerns who sought answers to their questions online. As I am no longer affiliated with Red Ventures, I cannot discuss their proprietary materials (as I mentioned on the home page of this site). However, on this page, I have included a few of my more recent publications/professional efforts/endeavors. These publications and presentations are geared toward healthcare and other professionals but reflect themes of my work as a psychologist and psychotherapist.
Traumatic Brain Injury and Addictions Webinar
Approximately 80% of those with co-occurring disorders have screened positive for lifetime exposure to traumatic brain injury (TBI). Many counselors are uncomfortable with the complex neuropsychiatric sequelae which can complicate substance use treatment. Join Dr. Legg in December 2024 as he takes us on a fascinating journey through the basics of TBI, and examines the the complex relationship between TBI and substance use disorder (SUD).
Improving Interactions Between Law Enforcement & Persons with Mental Illness- The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Model
Dr. Legg has served as a volunteer instructor for the CIT sponsored by the Advocacy Alliance in Scranton, PA, for several years. He has had the privilege of teaching various topics in the 40-hour weeklong program that provides law enforcement officials the foundation necessary to promote community solutions to assist individuals diagnosed with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, thus diverting them away from the criminal justice system while also keeping both officers and citizens safe.
"Wizard of Oz Syndrome"
What attributes make the most effective counselor to work with persons who struggle with addictive disorders? Dr. Legg addresses this age-old argument in the journal Advances in Addiction & Recovery. His paper explores various aspects of an argument that is as old as the field of addiction counseling itself!
Mental Health and Trauma-Informed Care in America's Nursing Homes
Despite federal regulations requiring the use of trauma-informed care and the need for nursing homes to provide mental health care and services to our nation's elderly, this doesn't always happen. In these articles addressing federal regulations 699 and 742, Dr. Legg examines large datasets to explore the extent of deficiency patterns related to these regulations. He also offers nursing homes advice on how to improve what they do to ensure that our nation's elderly receive the care that they deserve.
ADHD in Adults
Is attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder a "real thing" in adults? A recently co-authored article in the Archives of Psychiatric Nursing addresses this issue and helps to dispel some (far too common) myths about ADHD in adulthood.
Mental Health Screening in Women
Research has shown that twice as many women experience depression during their lives as men, and the American Psychiatric Association reports that women are twice as likely as men to experience generalized anxiety disorder or a panic disorder. Dr. Legg addresses the importance of screening for mental health issues by primary care providers in the 5th edition of Advanced Health Assessment of Women: Clinical Skills and Procedures.
Psychological Trauma in America's Nursing Homes
Dr. Legg and his psychiatrist colleague, Dr. Berger, examine the impact of unrecognized and untreated trauma on the lives of older adults in America's nursing homes. In this article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, they further examine challenges and opportunities related to new federal regulations requiring nursing homes to identify and address trauma.
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When Should Psychoanalysis be Used in Addiction Treatment?
First we tried Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), then Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), then Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), as well as 12-Step Groups... and nothing is helping! At what point do we acknowledge that things aren't working and that it's time to use a more definitive approach to treating addictive disorders? In this article Dr. Legg offers some thoughts on how therapists should proceed when it becomes clear that the "status quo" just isn't working.
Can Psychoanalysis Really Treat Addiction?
While many people with addictive disorders struggle with relapse, we must ask ourselves if anything else could be done to help them. In this article, Dr. Legg explores an alternative to brief therapies by reaching back to the earliest and most comprehensive treatment we have for behavioral change; one that he uses every day in his clinical practice—psychoanalysis.
