MUSC Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Dr. Timothy Brewerton and other collaborators released a publication in the International Journal of Eating Disorders titled "Differences Among Purging Presentations at Admission to Treatment: Eating Disorder and General Psychopathology Symptoms."

Read here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eat.70114

Dr. Kelly Rabenstein was featured in a podcast for the International Hip Dysplasia Institute’s podcast, “Straight from the hip,” discussing the importance of integrating behavioral medicine in the treatment of hip dysplasia throughout the lifespan.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sePm36D3e4nTFv0nFjcFp?si=GYW5tW4ZR5SsNH98WotmuA&nd=1&dlsi=71484b2cd8b94ca7

Dr. Meng Liu and other collaborators released a publication in the Journal of Sleep titled "Region-specific pericyte Ca2+ transient dynamics and capillary hemodynamics during the sleep-wake cycle."

Read here: https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/49/4/zsaf408/8400314

Dr. Joshua Tutek, Assistant Professor, joined SC Public Radio to discuss cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. He is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Division of Sleep, Mood, Anxiety Research and Treatment at MUSC.

Cognitive behavioral therapy to treat insomnia This week, Bobbi Conner talks with MUSC's Dr. Joshua Tutek about cognitive behavioral therapy to treat insomnia.

Dr. Baron Short served as the keynote speaker at the MUSC Health–sponsored Brighter Days Conference in Florence, where he discussed the benefits of TMS for treatment-resistant depression, as well as the importance of the mind-body-spiritual connection in whole-person centered care. The MUSC leadership group also toured Leatherman Behavioral Health in Florence prior to attending the conference. Leatherman will serve as the first location outside of Charleston in the statewide TMS expansion plan.

‌Pictured from left to right: Joel Mensonides, Dr. Baron Short, Rob Dupont, Shayna Todd

🌟Faculty Spotlight Series Spotlight Series🌟

Alexis Garcia, Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Division

What aspect of your work is most meaningful to you right now, and why?
I am deeply grateful to work alongside clinicians, trainees, and researchers dedicated to advancing the well-being of children and adolescents. Their commitment and collaboration inspire me every day.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I am a first generation Cuban-American; Spanish was my first language!

🌟Resident Spotlight Series: Yi Ting Liu, M.D.🌟

Hometown: Winter Springs, FL
Undergrad School: University of Virginia
‌Medical School: University of Virginia
‌Favorite Place to eat in Charleston: Page's Okra Grill
Favorite Book: The Picture of Dorian Gray
‌Favorite TV Show: Detective Conan
Favorite Quote: "It is in playing and only in playing that the individual child or adult is able to be creative and to use the whole personality, and it is only in being creative that the individual discovers the self." - Winnicott
‌Hobbies: Jazzercise, cooking, trying new restaurants
‌Fun Fact: I am currently trying to read every Agatha Christie book in chronological order.
‌Training Program: Psychiatry Residency

Drs. Mark George, Jeffrey Borckardt, Xiaolong Peng, and other collaborators released a publication in Frontiers in Neurology titled "Neuromodulation approaches and applications in the management of post-stroke pain: a comprehensive review."

Read here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1789715/full

Drs. Jeffrey Pavlacic, Jamison Bottomley, Alyssa Rheingold, and other collaborators released a publication in the Journal of Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy titled "Quantifying su***de risk in bereaved individuals."

Read here: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2025-73827-001

Drs. Aimee McRae-Clark, Erin Seery, and Julianne Flanagan recently presented at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting held May 16–20, 2026.

Dr. McRae-Clark presented “Medications Development for Cannabis and Alcohol Use Disorders.”

Dr. Seery presented:
• “Psychodynamic Psychopharmacology Learning Lab: Using Practical Psychodynamics to Understand and Address Pharmacologic Treatment-Resistance”
• “Bridging Traditions: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Psychodynamic Therapy for Process-Oriented Care”

Dr. Flanagan presented “One Patient Multiple Needs: Treating AUD PTSD Plus.”