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Draft:Constance Scharff (mental health researcher)

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Constance Scharff (born 1972) is an American mental health researcher noted for her innovative work in the fields of addiction and trauma recovery.[1][2][3][4] Her research focuses on the integration of complementary and indigenous mental health practices[5][6] into mental healthcare worldwide, particularly in the context of climate change and its impact on indigenous communities.[7][8]

Dr. Constance Scharff
Dr. Constance Scharff
Born25 September 1972
NationalityAmerican
Alma materSt. Lawrence University, California Institute for Integral Studies
Known forAddiction and Trauma Research, Complementary Mental Health Therapies, Indigenous Mental Health Practices, Mental Health and Climate Change, Storytelling and Personal Narrative




Education

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Dr. Scharff completed her undergraduate work at St. Lawrence University, graduating magna cum laude with a BA in Government. Her undergraduate studies included research and fieldwork in India, Kenya, Tanzania, and El Salvador, which shaped her commitment to exploring practices that enhance human wellbeing worldwide.[9] She earned both an MA and PhD from the California Institute for Integral Studies, where her research integrated addiction treatment with complementary and indigenous mental health practices.[10][11] While in graduate school, she studied with noted consciousness studies scholar Allan Combs and anthropologist and creative therapist Bradford Keeney. Her dissertation offered a transformative approach to understanding alcoholism as a pathway for personal growth.[12][13][14][15] In recognition of her contributions to global mental health, St. Lawrence University awarded Dr. Scharff the Sol Feinstone Humanitarian Award in 2019.[16]

Research and Contributions

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Dr. Scharff is the founder and director of The Human Resilience Project (THRP)[17], an initiative dedicated to exploring and enhancing human wellbeing by focusing on resilience within indigenous and marginalized communities.[18][19] THRP's research investigates how traditional practices and community-based strategies can address the intersecting challenges of trauma and climate change.[20] Dr. Scharff's work is pivotal in documenting and promoting the efficacy of these practices in improving mental health outcomes.[21]

Her research has taken her to various remote regions, where she engages with local communities to learn about their traditional healing practices and responses to environmental disruptions. Dr. Scharff’s findings emphasize the importance of integrating these indigenous approaches with modern mental health frameworks to support communities in navigating trauma and adapting to climate-related changes.[22][23][24]

Professional Experience

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From 2012 to 2017, Dr. Scharff served as Senior Addiction Research Fellow and Director of Addiction Research at Cliffside Malibu, where she demonstrated the clinical efficacy of complementary therapies in addiction treatment.[25][26] During her tenure, she co-authored the Amazon bestselling book Ending Addiction for Good with Cliffside Malibu founder Richard Taite.[27]

Her work involved global travel to study complementary therapies and their application to addiction and trauma recovery.[28][29][30]

After leaving Cliffside Malibu, Dr. Scharff founded The Human Resilience Project[31], which is affiliated with the California Institute for Human Science[32]. Under her leadership, THRP focuses on addressing the effects of climate change on mental health and promoting indigenous practices as viable solutions for improving global wellbeing.[33][34][35][36][37]

Books

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Dr. Scharff writes both nonfiction and fiction. Her notable works include:

  • Ending Addiction for Good (2012), a book examining the use of complementary therapies as a means of improving addiction treatment outcomes.
  • Rock to Recovery: Music as a Catalyst for Human Transformation (2021), a book on the therapeutic use of music, which won a Nonfiction Book Award Gold and a National Indie Excellence Award.[38][39]
  • Meeting God at Midnight (2014), a poetry collection published under her Hebrew name, Ahuva Batya.
  • The Path to God’s Promise (2023), a novel exploring themes of spiritual connection, climate change action, and personal growth.

Professional Affiliations

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Scharff is a founding member of the Society for Consciousness Studies and a lifetime member of the World Federation for Mental Health. She is also associated with various professional organizations in psychology and is a member of The Explorers Club.

Family Background

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Scharff is a cousin of the artist, musician, and folklorist Art Rosenbaum and great-great granddaughter of businessman and philanthropist Harris Newmark.[40]

References

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  1. ^ van der Steege, Madeleine; Martin, Suzanne Stigler; Glick-Smith, Judith L.; Breen, Jennifer Moss, eds. (2022). Women courageous: leading through the labyrinth. United Kingdom: Emerald Publishing Limited. ISBN 978-1-83982-423-4. OCLC 1255778241.
  2. ^ Insights, Stories & (2024-07-22). "Meet Constance Scharff, PhD". CanvasRebel Magazine. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  3. ^ "PODCASTS". Truehope Canada. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  4. ^ Music and Human Transformation with Constance Scharff, PhD S1E40, 2022-01-19, retrieved 2024-06-27
  5. ^ Catch Some SoulShine with Dawn Renee Bova (2024-05-07). Episode 31: Addiction Treatment Gone Wrong feat Dr. Constance Scharff | Catch Some Soulshine. Retrieved 2024-06-27 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ Geer, Wes (2021). Rock to Recovery: Music as a Catalyst for Human Transformation. Los Angeles: Around the Way. ISBN 978-1735529974.
  7. ^ "In the Spotlight: Dr. Constance Scharff". Spotlyts. 2024-10-16. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  8. ^ Dr. Constance Scharff discusses complex PTSD and alcoholism – E54, retrieved 2024-08-06
  9. ^ "Episode 215 - Bridges With Dr Paul w Dyer". Spreaker. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  10. ^ "‎Wolf In Tune: Music as the Bridge to Mindfulness: #24 - Rock to Recovery - Dr. Constance Scharff on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  11. ^ Mental Health Today Podcast (2024-08-26). #14 Transforming Addiction Recovery: Insights from Constance Scharff. Retrieved 2024-10-09 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "Laurentians Learn Series | St. Lawrence University". www.stlawu.edu. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  13. ^ Weinberg, Irene (2024-02-28). "Dr. Constance Scharff: Is Healing Possible for a Person Who Suffered Extreme Childhood Sexual Abuse that Led to Post-Traumatic Stress and Addiction to Alcohol?". Irene Weinberg. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  14. ^ "Navigating the Tides of Anxiety towards Opportunity with Dr. Constance Scharff - Seasons Leadership Podcast". www.seasonsleadership.com. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  15. ^ Scharff, Constance. (2009). Filling the God-shaped hole: Reframing alcoholism as an opportunity for spiritual transformation. Dissertation Abstracts International (A) 70/01, p. unknown. (Publication No. AAT 3343921).
  16. ^ "Constance Scharff '94, Ph.D." St. Lawrence University. 2019.
  17. ^ Project, The Human Resilience. "The Human Resilience Project Launches Groundbreaking Global Study on Human Resilience". PRLog. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  18. ^ "Institute for Complementary and Indigenous Mental Health Research – Constance Scharff, PhD". Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  19. ^ FrancineBeleyi (2024-09-30). "#119 The Power of Storytelling to Create Change with Dr Constance Scharff". Francine Beleyi Website. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  20. ^ "#158 - Ask The Expert - Dr. Constance Scharff". Lionrock.life. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  21. ^ Sherman, Bill (2024-08-26). "Unveiling the Power of Everyday Bravery | Constance Scharff". Thought Leadership Leverage. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  22. ^ Hugo (2024-07-16). "Somatic Therapy Helped Me Heal From CPTSD After Years of Childhood Abuse". Tracking Happiness. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  23. ^ Stories, Local (2019-08-19). "Life and Work with Constance Scharff, Ph.D. - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide". voyagela.com. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  24. ^ Full Circle Wellspring & Trauma Survivorhood (2022-10-21). Trauma Survivorhood |Between the Seasons| Bonus Content: Constance "Ahuva" Scharff, PHD. Retrieved 2024-06-27 – via YouTube.
  25. ^ Insights, Stories & (2024-07-22). "Meet Constance Scharff, PhD". CanvasRebel Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  26. ^ Stories, Local (2022-03-14). "Rising Stars: Meet Constance Scharff - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide". voyagela.com. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  27. ^ Taite, Richard; PhD, Constance Scharff (2014-04-19). Ending Addiction for Good: The Groundbreaking, Holistic, Evidence-Based Way to Transform Your Life. Wheatmark. ISBN 978-1-60494-917-9.
  28. ^ "‎THE EXPLODING HUMAN with Bob Nickman: CONSTANCE SCHARFF, PhD: NEW MODALITIES 4 RECOVERY: EP. 81 on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  29. ^ "Dr Constance Scharff on 29SEP2022". 3CR Community Radio. 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  30. ^ New Thinking Allowed with Jeffrey Mishlove (2021-09-02). Music and Trauma with Constance Scharff. Retrieved 2024-06-27 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ Project, The Human Resilience. "Addressing Trauma: The Human Resilience Project Partners with California Institute for Human Science to Advance Global Wellbeing Initiatives". PRLog. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  32. ^ "The Human Resilience Project". California Institute for Human Science. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  33. ^ Osterlind, Duane (2022-02-21). "169 Seeking Recovery Through Complementary Therapies with Constance Scharff". The Addicted Mind Podcast. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  34. ^ "TW: Dr. Constance Scharff on Surviving SA, Recovery from Addiction and Her New Book Rock to Recovery - The One Day At A Time Podcast". 2022-06-29. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  35. ^ "Women Waken: Spiritual Healing for Trauma in Relationships to Shift from Codependency to Divine Feminine | Ending Addiction For Good and Using Music as a Catalyst for Human Transformation". share.transistor.fm. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  36. ^ Osterlind, Duane (2022-02-21). "169 Seeking Recovery Through Complementary Therapies with Constance Scharff". The Addicted Mind Podcast. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  37. ^ O'Hare, Vinny (2024-06-21). "Featured Author Ahuva Batya Scharff". bookreadermagazine.com. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  38. ^ Holyfield, Veronica (2021-12-09). "Rock to Recovery: Hope, Healing and Power Chords". Treatment Magazine. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  39. ^ New Thinking Allowed with Jeffrey Mishlove (2021-09-02). Music and Trauma with Constance Scharff. Retrieved 2024-06-25 – via YouTube.
  40. ^ "The Harris Newmark Family - 2003". Linda Levi. 2015-03-02. Retrieved 2024-08-07.