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  Dr. Joanne Cacciatore
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PhD, MSW,
Fellow in Thanatology
MISS Foundation CEO and Founder


Dr. Joanne Cacciatore is the founder of the MISS Foundation.

She also specializes in counseling those affected by traumatic losses, most often the death of a child. She is Certified in Bereavement Trauma by the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and is a Board Certified through the American Psychotherapy Association.  Her therapeutic interventions include Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Logotherapy, and various other therapies, such as Repeated Exposure Therapy, to manage Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She is currently an Assistant Professor and researcher at Arizona State University.

As an advocate of “green” mental health care after a traumatic experience, she is a member of the American Psychotherapy Association, the Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and the National Center for Crisis Management. She spearheaded and directs the graduate Certificate in Trauma and Bereavement program at ASU. 

Her research has been published in peer reviewed journals such as Death Studies, Omega Journal of Death and Dying, Social Work, Social Work and Healthcare, Birth, and Families in Society.  

Dr. Cacciatore received her Doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her Masters degree and Bachelor's degree in psychology from Arizona State University. She has a Fellowship in Thanatology from ADEC.  Her work has been featured in major media sources such as People and Newsweek magazines, the New York Times, Boston Globe, CNN, National Public Radio, and the Los Angeles Times. She received the prestigious Hon Kachina Award in 2007. 
She is a mother to five children, now mostly grown, she notes “four who walk and one who soars”. 

On a personal note, she has been a vegetarian since 1976 and enjoys hiking, reading, surfing, and rock climbing. 

Her life changed profoundly in 1994 when her daughter, Cheyenne, died. 

To get a bit more personal: Read Dr. Cacciatore's bereavement blog

Latest News:
Exciting news! Arizona State University's Board of Regents finally approved the graduate Certificate in Trauma and Bereavement (CTB).

This is an interdisciplinary program that will prepare students to work in the field of loss and trauma, an emergent, in-demand education.

More information here.

 

To get a copy of Dr. Cacciatore's CV, please click here (opens pdf file).


Dr. C's CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

Area of research: Trauma and Bereavement

Studies and Articles In Process

Umphrey, L. & Cacciatore, JA critical analysis of a bereaved parent support group. Data collection phase.

Cacciatore, J., Carlson, B., & Klimek, B. Unaccompanied Refugee Minors: A call to action for trauma intervention. Manuscript in progress.

Hill, T., Cacciatore, J. , & Shreffler, K.  The impact of infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, and child death on marital dissolution. Paper accepted at the Society for the Study of Social Problems conference. Manuscript in progress.

Cacciatore, J. & Kastenbaum, RThe long-term effects of traumatic, cumulative child death. Manuscript in progress.

Cacciatore, J. , Lietz, C., Fox-Kean, M., Lacasse, J., & DeFrain, J. (2009). Traumatic Experiences and Resiliency Study (TEARS).  Design and pilot in progress.

Cacciatore, J. (2009). An Historicultural Examination of Ritual after a Child’s Death: A Qualitative Study. Manuscript in progress.


PUBLICATIONS

Articles in Refereed Journals

Cacciatore, J. & Lietz, C. (2010). Home Visitation as an Intervention Strategy: Maternal Bereavement and Attachment Reactive Disorder in Subsequent Births. In progress. Grant proposal, under review. Pew Charitable Trust.

Cacciatore, J. (2010).  Stillbirth:  Clinical Recommendations for Care in the Era of Evidence-Based Medicine. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology. Pending publication, October.

Cacciatore, J. & Raffo, Z.  (2010). The experiences of maternally bereaved lesbians. Social Work. Revise and resubmit.

Lietz, C., Lacasse, J., & Cacciatore, J. (in press). Social support and successful reunification: A qualitative study. Journal of Family Social Work.

Cacciatore, J. et al. (in press). Crisis intervention by social workers within fire departments: An innovative role. Social Work

Cacciatore, J. (2010). Unique stories of women and their families after the death of a baby. Journal of Healthcare Social Work, 49(2), 134-148.

Cacciatore, J. , Schnebly, S., & Froen, F. (2009). The effects of social support on maternal anxiety and depression after the death of a child.Health and Social Care in the Community, 17(2), 167-176.

Cacciatore, J. (2009). The silent birth: A commentary. Social Work, 54(1), 91-94.

Cacciatore, J. (2009). Appropriate bereavement practice after the death of a Native American child. Families in Society, 90 (1), 46-50.

Cacciatore, J. , DeFrain, J., Jones, K., Jones, H. (2008). The couple and the death of a baby. Journal of Family Social Work, 11(4), 351-370.

Cacciatore, J. , DeFrain, J., & Jones, K. (2008). Boundary ambiguity and the death of a child. Marriage and Family Review, 44(4), 439-454.

Cacciatore, J. , Froen, F., Radestad, I. (2008). Effects of contact with their stillborn babies on maternal anxiety and depression. Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care, 35(4), 313-320.

Cacciatore, J. (2008). Stillbirth: A sociopolitical issue: Affilia, 23(4), 378-387.

Barr, P., & Cacciatore, J. (2008). Personal fear of death and grief in bereaved mothers. Death Studies, 32(5), 445-460. 445-460.

Cacciatore, J. (2007). Effects of support groups on post traumatic stress responses in women experiencing stillbirth. Omega Journal of Death and Dying, 55(1), 71-91.

Barr, P., & Cacciatore, J. (2007). Problematic emotions and maternal grief. Omega Journal of Death and Dying, 56 (4), 329-346.

Cacciatore, J. , & Bushfield, S. (2007). Stillbirth: The mother’s experience and implications for improving care. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care, 3(3), 59-79.

Book Chapters and Reviews

Cacciatore, J. (2010). Reviewer for International Journal of Stress Management.

Cacciatore, J. (2010). Reviewer for book Practitioner as Researcher,Pearson Publishing.

Cacciatore, J. (2009). Reviewer for Death Studies.

Cacciatore, J. (2009). Content Editor for Western School. Course in Grief, Trauma, & Bereavement.

Cacciatore, J. (2009). Reviewer for International Journal of Stress Management.

Cacciatore, J. (2008). Reviewer for Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Cacciatore, J. (2008). Olson, D. H., DeFrain, J., & Skogrand, L. (2008).Marriages and families: Intimacy, diversity and strengths (6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

DeFrain, J., Cacciatore, J. , & DeFrain, A. (2005). Death. New Dictionary of the History of Ideas. Charles Scribner and Sons. Thomson Gale Publishing.

Government and Foundation Reports and Misc Activities

2009 Panelist: Interdisciplinary Studies New College’s Philosophical Questions Concerning Death and Dying: An interdisciplinary interfaith panel discussion

2009: Planning committee: ASU’s Interdisciplinary College’s Trauma: Bridging Theory and Practice Conference

Cacciatore, J. (2007). MISS Foundation Annual Report, presented to the Executive Board of Directors.

Cacciatore, J. (2006). Emergency Medical Technician and First Responder Guidelines: SIDS And Other Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths. Arizona Department of Health Services. Unexplained Infant Death Advisory Council.

Cacciatore, J. (2005). MISS Foundation. Annual Conference Report. Submitted to the Executive Board of Directors for end of year review.

Cacciatore, J. (2005). MISS Foundation. The Case for Elisabeth’s House: A Community Needs Assessment. Presented to the Executive Finance Board of Directors for project review and approval.

Cacciatore, Joanne. (2003). Contributor: A Phenomenological Approach to Child Death. Manuscript submitted to the National Academies of Science, Institute of Medicine, 2002 as a report for When Children Die: Improving Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Children and their Families. Institute of Medicine: National Academies of Science Press. Washington D.C.

Funded Research and Grants

Shafer, M.,Cacciatore, J. (2008). ADES Child Fatality Citizen's Review Panel. Grant proposal, pending decision for $143,648.00.

Cacciatore, J. (2007). Effects of Social Support on Maternal Depression following Stillbirth. Daniel’s Star Foundation. Award: $12,000.00

Cacciatore, J. , Froen, J.F., et al. (2005). MOMStudy. Collected data on 5,000 women experiencing live or stillbirth. Norweigan Institute of Public Health, MISS Foundation. Award: $10,000.00.

Barr, P., & Cacciatore, J. (2004-2005). Maternal Grief and Fear of Death Study. Collected data on 400 women who had experienced the death of a child. Award: $7500.00.

Cacciatore, J. (2003). Post Traumatic Stress Responses and Social Support. Mixed- Collected data on 47 bereaved mothers. Award: $2500.00

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The M.I.S.S. Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)3, international organization which provides immediate and ongoing support to grieving families, empowerment through community volunteerism opportunities, public policy and legislative education, and programs to reduce infant and toddler death through research and education.