Robert Ferguson, PhD

Cognitive behavioral therapies that target memory and attention impairments have shown. I have spent a fair majority of my clinical research career researching and developing the evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy approach called memory and attention adaptation training (MAAT). 

MAAT fosters adaptive behavior change, self-appraisal and emotional coping that focuses on an individual’s goals for daily functioning and quality of life. At its inception, MAAT focused on cognitive effects of breast cancer and cancer therapies, but has expanded to other conditions, such as mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and epilepsy. 

Currently, my work focuses on a collaborative effort, conducted with Dr. Andrew Heitzer, to further expand MAAT research to people living with sickle cell disease. In this work, I am primed to extend an evidence-based therapeutic approach to aid people living with sickle cell disease manage any cognitive symptoms while addressing functioning and quality of life. 

The breadth of my clinical research has led to an increased understanding of the cognitive effects of cancer, its treatment and the subsequent impact to quality of life. By expanding this research to chronic conditions, such as sickle cell disease, my goal is to continue to define and implement behavioral therapy approaches, such as MAAT, that support an individual’s cognition and wellbeing throughout their lifespan.