Faculty

Bio

I received my BA in chemistry from the College of St.Catherine, MN, and completed medical school here at the University of Minnesota. I completed my residency in family practice from the University of Wisconsin, a residency in psychiatry, and a fellowship in addiction medicine from the University of Minnesota. I am an Associate Professor and addiction psychiatrist in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. I am Program Director for the Addiction Medicine Fellowship which trains physicians of all specialties in addiction and co-occurring psychiatric disorders.

My research interests include substance abuse and related compulsive behaviors with co-morbid conditions, especially in women; medication development for substances of abuse, and healthcare professionals with substance user psychiatric disorders. I am also a co-investigator on the use of neuroimaging approaches to identify circuit abnormalities in addiction. Pharmacotherapies for the treatment of cocaine use disorder have also been a focus of research. I have also given grand rounds presentations nationwide and have presented both nationally and internationally at more than 70 conferences. I am board certified in both family practice and psychiatry and certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine as a physician specialist in substance abuse and by the American Board of Psychiatry in addiction psychiatry. I was selected as a Top Doctor in Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021.

Expertise

• Eating disorders
• Substance use disorders
• Addictive disorders

Administrative Assistant

(for academic support only)
Natasha Hampton-Anderson
nhampton@umn.edu

In the Media

• 2023: Featured in this article titled, “Celebrating the many ways that psychologists help us”.
• 2022: Shares her expertise in this Medical School article titled, “Talking addiction during the holidays with U of M”.
• 2022: The focus of this article titled, “Trip to Africa teaches faculty member about the impact of culture on mental health and substance abuse”.
• 2022: Featured in this Faribault Daily News article titled, “University of Minnesota expert explains Dry January”.
• 2021: Interviewed for this article in Self Magazine titled, “6 Signs Your Relationship with Alcohol May Not be Healthy”.

Research Summary

Dr. Specker's research is focused around substance abuse and related compulsive behaviors with co-morbid conditions, especially in women; medication development for substances of abuse; and Health Care Professionals with substance user psychiatric disorders.

Bio

I received my BA in Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. I completed my PhD in Clinical Psychology here at the University of Minnesota. I am an adult psychologist and my primary research focus is to understand how genetic risks for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are expressed in the functions of the brain. I also conduct studies of families affected by schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to understand the ways in which individuals affected by these conditions differ from biological relatives who may carry genetic vulnerability for the conditions but do not develop the disorders. In addition, I study military-related traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in a search for brain-based measures that differentiate the two conditions and may help guide treatment decisions for individuals who have been exposed to traumatic explosive blast events in combat. I have given 18 grand rounds presentations nationwide, and have presented nationally and internationally at more than 170 conferences.

I am a consulting editor for the Journal of Abnormal Psychology and also work as a trainer for the Minneapolis VA's Psychology Service Training Program. Within the department, I am a graduate student advisor for the Clinical Science and Psychopathology Research Program and supervise clinical training of psychology graduate students, and post-doctoral psychologists for licensure.

Expertise

• Clinical & cognitive assessment
• EEG collection and analysis

Research Summary

Dr. Sponheim's primary research focus is to understand how genetic risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are expressed in the functions of the brain. He uses recordings of brain electrical activity (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of brain function and structure, cognitive assessments, and questionnaire and interview-based assessments of symptoms to map the expression of genetic vulnerability. Dr. Sponheim carries out studies of families affected by schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to understand the ways in which individuals affected by schizophrenia and bipolar disorder differ from biological relatives may carry genetic vulnerability for the conditions but do not develop the mental disorder. The discovery of measures that clearly identify either genetic vulnerability or future development of a severe mental disorder will allow early intervention and possible prevention of these conditions before they impair a person's life. Dr. Sponheim also studies military-related traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in a search for brain-based measures that differentiate the two conditions and may help guide treatment decisions for individuals who have been exposed to traumatic explosive blast events in combat.

Clinical Summary

Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder; Post-traumatic Stress Disorder; Empirically-Validated Recovery Interventions for Severe and Persistent Mental Disorders

Bio

I received my BS in psychology and neurobiology from the University of Wisconsin. I completed medical school and a Psychiatry residency at the University of Minnesota Medical School. I am an adult outpatient psychiatrist with a clinical focus on integrated/collaborative care, which involves working closely with colleagues in primary care to help provide mental health care to a vastly greater number of patients than is possible with a conventional outpatient psychiatry practice. I believe that the integration of behavioral health with primary care is key to improving access and is the future of effective mental health treatment.

Aside from my work with patients, I enjoy working in clinical informatics. I am a certified physician builder and power user with Epic, helping to make improvements to the electronic medical record to streamline the experience for both providers and patients and reduce burnout among providers. I am also passionate about education and work closely with medical students and residents in psychiatry as well as primary care specialties to help them improve their clinical skills and provide excellent patient-centered mental health care.

Expertise

• Development of clinical care models in Integrated/collaborative care areas
• Clinical informatics and resident education
• Certifications to optimize electronic medical records in the interest of reducing burnout among providers

Administrative Assistant

(for academic support only)
Natasha Hampton-Anderson
nhampton@umn.edu

In the Media

• 2023: Featured in this article titled, "Clinic director and educator believes the best time to mentor is 'in the moment'".

Bio

I am the Department Head of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of Minnesota Medical School and the Donald W. Hastings Endowed Chair in Psychiatry. I was previously the Vice-Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. I received my M.D. from Wayne State University School of Medicine, obtained my psychiatry residency training at Stanford University School of Medicine, where I served as Chief Resident, and completed a Psychiatric Neurosciences Research Fellowship at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center and Stanford University. I direct a translational clinical neuroscience laboratory that focuses on cognitive dysfunction in psychotic disorders. I study the neuroplastic effects of cognitive training on the brain with the goal of understanding how to change brain system functioning and promote recovery. Our work focuses on young adults in the early phases of psychosis, with the goal of providing intensive early interventions to ensure optimal outcomes. We have strong research collaborations with colleagues in the basic neurosciences and I co-facilitate a multi-disciplinary workgroup called Neuroplasticity Research in Support of Mental Health (NeuroPRSMH). My work has contributed to a growing interest in the use of computerized "brain training" to treat brain information processing abnormalities. I was a participant at the past White House conference on "Video Games to Enhance Attention and Well-Being." Professional and public service has also been a key focus of my career. I am a member of the Senior Women's Leadership Group at the Society of Biological Psychiatry and Deputy Editor of Schizophrenia Research Journal. Within my department, I lead the Clinical Neuroscience curriculum for the residency program.

In the Media

• 2023: Helped write this Star Tribune op-ed titled, "Health will suffer with predicted hospital cuts…They may not bring in big money, but we can't afford to lose pediatrics, obstetrics and mental health services"
• 2023: Featured in this MinnPost article titled, “Living beyond diagnoses, Uma Oswald aims for a life ‘in recovery’ from mental illness.”
• 2022: Featured in a video titled, "Tackling Psychiatric Illness Using Translational Models and Computations", shot as part of the American Psychiatric Association's Conference TV with funding from NeuroPRSMH (NeuroPlasticity Research in Support of Mental Health), the U’s multidisciplinary neuroscience research group 
• 2022: Featured for their work on NeuroPRSMH in an issue of UMN’s The Scope
• 2022: Featured in this UMN Medical School article titled, “Collaborating to a Successful Grant,” about the process used to secure their P50 Conte Center Grant.
• 2021: Quoted in a Minneapolis Star Tribune story titled, Minnesota's long haul: One year of COVID-19.
• 2021: Quoted in an editorial in the Star Tribune titled, “Doctor's 'long climb out' after bout with COVID-19”.

Bio

I am a licensed child and adolescent psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. I attended Stanford University for undergrad and received my PhD at the University of Minnesota's Institute of Child Development. In my current faculty position, I balance direct clinical care of children and families, and teaching/supervision of advanced graduate psychology students. I specialize in evidence-based treatment of children and adolescents with acute and complex trauma. I am committed to providing culturally-affirming care to diverse patients and families including racially/ethnically diverse individuals, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other historically marginalized groups.

Expertise

• Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
• Evidence-based treatment of children and adolescents with acute and complex trauma
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Prolonged exposure (PE)
• Parent guidance

Administrative Assistant

(for academic support only)
Natasha Hampton-Anderson
nhampton@umn.edu

Research Summary

Dr. Vrieze is broadly interested in developmental psychopathology, namely the myriad biological and environmental factors that contribute to the onset and trajectory of mental health problems in young children. Her research has focused on attachment and the reflective capacity of depressed mothers to attune to the emotional needs of their young children. She is interested in the development of community-based interventions for younger children identified as at-risk for developing emotional-behavioral problems.

Teaching Summary

Dr. Vrieze provides training and supervision for Psychiatry residents, Child Psychiatry Fellows, psychology interns and graduate students on the topics of: developmental psychopathology, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma, and early childhood mental health. She supervises the clinical work of graduate students from counseling, school, and clinical psychology doctoral programs.

Clinical Summary

Dr. Vrieze is a licensed clinical psychologist in the State of Minnesota. She earned her PhD in Child Psychology through the Developmental Psychopathology and Clinical Sciences doctoral program at the University of Minnesota - Institute of Child Development. She completed both her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral clinical fellowship training at Children's Hospital in the Twin Cities.

She focuses on trauma (acute, complex), chronic stress, and adjustment to significant stressors and adversities. Dr. Vrieze works with children, adolescents, young adults, and families utilizing evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), prolonged exposure therapy (PE), parent guidance, exposure-response prevention, and supportive psychotherapy.