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Sarah Stoycos

Photo of Sarah Stoycos
Title(s)Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences and Surgery
SchoolKeck School of Medicine of Usc
Address1200 N. State Street
University Park Campus
Los Angeles CA 90033
ORCID ORCID Icon0000-0002-8868-6021 Additional info
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    Collapse Overview 
    Collapse overview
    Dr. Stoycos is Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California and Attending Psychologist for the Burn & Plastic Surgery Service. Their research focuses on development and implementation of screening and early intervention for traumatic stress in inpatient medical populations, treatment development for PTSD, and impact of PTSD treatments on co-occurring conditions. Dr. Stoycos earned her B.A. from University of Maryland, completed her M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Southern California in the Department of Psychology, Clinical-Science Area, and completed her predoctoral internship at VA Boston Healthcare System in affiliation with Harvard Medical School and Boston University School of Medicine, specializing in rehabilitation and trauma psychology. They went on to complete a clinical research fellowship as a NIMH T32 Research Fellow in Traumatic Stress Disorders in the Behavioral Science Division of the National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry working with Drs. Denise Sloan and Johanna Thompson-Hollands.

    In addition to their research, Dr. Stoycos has expertise in development and implementation of standardized mental health screening-intervention-referral pipelines, for inpatient/outpatient medicine units serving traumatic injury patients, to meet new accreditation requirements by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and American Burn Association. Dr. Stoycos is currently the Attending Psychologist at the LA General Burn ICU and Acute Floor, working with the Burn & Plastic Surgery Service to build a standardized mental health screening-intervention-referral program for burn patients and their loved ones.

    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse education and training
    University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MDB.A.2012Psychology
    University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CAM.A.2016Psychology
    University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CAPh.D.2021Clinical-Science Psychology (APA and PCSAS accredited) & Neuroscience
    VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MAAPPIC Internship (APA & PCSAS accredited)2021Rehabilitation and Trauma Psychology
    Harvard Medical School, Boston, MAClinical Fellow2021Clinical Psychology
    National Center for PTSD, VA Boston & Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MANIMH T32 Fellowship2023Traumatic Stress Disorders
    Collapse awards and honors
    Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USC 2023Psychiatry Faculty Academic Presentation Award
    Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology2019Outstanding Clinician Award
    Department of Psychology, University of Southern California2019Gerald C. Davison Award for Excellence in Science-Based Clinical Practice
    Osker Schindler Humanities Foundation2018Irving and Jeanne Glovin Dissertation Research Award
    University of Southern California2018Doctoral Dissertation Research Grant Award
    USC Gould School of Law2016  - 2017Saks Institute for Mental Health Law, Policy, and Ethics Student Scholar Research Fellowship
    National Science Foundation2016Honorable Mention, Graduate Research Fellowship Program
    National Academy of the Sciences2015The Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences Cozzarelli Prize
    National Science Foundation2015Honorable Mention, Graduate Research Fellowship Program
    UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center20142014’s Top 10 Scientific Insights for Meaningful Life Award
    University of Southern California2014  - 2020Kellerman Graduate Research Fellowship
    Department of Psychology, University of Southern California2014  - 2020Research Travel Award
    Department of Psychology, University of Southern California2014  - 2020Summer Research Funding Award
    Department of Psychology, University of Maryland2012Outstanding Research Poster Presentation in Social or Developmental Psychology Award

    Collapse Research 
    Collapse Featured Publications
    Collapse research activities and funding
    Early intervention to prevent development of PTSD in burn survivors and their caregivers
    NIH K23MH141296Sep 1, 2025 - Aug 31, 2029
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Southern California Burn Model System
    National Institute of Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research 90DPBU0007-01-00Sep 1, 2022 - Aug 31, 2027
    Role: Co-Investigator
    Description: A multi-year patient reported outcomes study to help reduce disability in burn survivors. In addition to contributing to a national database, our site-specific study is to look at the effects of laser therapy on burn scars. We are also leading a multi-center project on opioid use after discharge.
    Postdoctoral Training Program in Stress and Trauma
    NIH T32MH019836Aug 1, 1996 - Jul 31, 2026
    Role: NIMH T32 Fellow 2021-2023

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.
    Newest   |   Oldest   |   Most Cited   |   Most Discussed   |   Timeline   |   Field Summary   |   Plain Text
    Altmetrics Details PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Trauma disclosure and willingness to involve close others in therapy across two exposure-based treatments for PTSD. Behav Res Ther. 2026 May 19; 203:105086. Thompson-Hollands J, Reuman L, Stoycos SA, Sloan DM. PMID: 42155366.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    
    2. The relationship between social participation and health-related quality of life two years after burn injury: A Burn Model System national database study. Burns. 2026 Jun; 52(5):108003. Reutimann ED, McMullen K, Ryan CM, Orton CM, Yenikomshian HA, Schneider JC, Stoycos SA, Kazis L, Roaten K. PMID: 41946291.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    3. Factors Impacting Delayed Return to School Among Children Living with Burn Injury: A Burn Model System Study. J Burn Care Res. 2025 Sep 19; 46(5):963-969. Oh GW, Carrougher GJ, deGrauw X, Field R, Lillybridge S, Orton CM, Nicholas D, Marincasiu C, Wiechman SA, Stoycos S, Kowalske K, Ryan CM, Stewart BT. PMID: 40312861.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    4. Physical and Psychosocial Outcome Comparisons in Similar Groups of Pediatric Burn Patients in the United States and Mexico: A National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research Burn Model System Study. J Burn Care Res. 2025 Sep 19; 46(5):1059-1064. Kowalske A, Stubbs A, Roaten K, Stoycos S, McMullen K, Kowalske K. PMID: 40253578.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    5. Violent burns are associated with poorer life satisfaction and unemployment after injury. Burns. 2025 06; 51(5):107504. Manasyan A, McMullen KA, Roaten K, Bentley JA, Choudhury S, Stoycos SA, Yenikomshian HA, Johnson MB. PMID: 40319827; PMCID: PMC12148238.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    6. Single and Unhoused Population at Risk for Self-Inflicted Burn Injury: A Retrospective Analysis of an Urban American Burn Center's Experience. J Burn Care Res. 2025 03 04; 46(2):386-392. Manasyan A, Malkoff N, Cannata B, Stanton EW, Yenikomshian HA, Gillenwater TJ, Stoycos SA. PMID: 39212706; PMCID: PMC13031092.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    7. Rare but Relevant: Characterizing Self-Inflicted Burn Injuries in the United States. J Burn Care Res. 2025 01 24; 46(1):241-246. Manasyan A, Cannata B, Malkoff N, Stanton EW, Stoycos SA, Yenikomshian HA, Gillenwater TJ. PMID: 39441104; PMCID: PMC13031100.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    8. A Scoping Review of PTSD and Depression in Adult Burn Patients: A Call for Standardized Screening and Intervention Research. J Burn Care Res. 2024 11 14; 45(6):1402-1412. Wang S, Cannata B, Vallurupalli M, Yenikomshian HA, Gillenwater J, Stoycos SA. PMID: 38895848; PMCID: PMC13031106.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    9. Pediatric Patients with Postburn Amputations Report Worse Long-term Physical Function but Not Self-Appearance: A Burn Model System Study. J Burn Care Res. 2024 11 14; 45(6):1377-1382. Choe D, Humbert A, Wolfe E, Stoycos SA, Mandell S, Stewart BT, Carrougher GJ, Kowalske K, Schneider JC, Crandell DM, Yenikomshian HA. PMID: 39196760; PMCID: PMC13031082.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    10. White matter microstructure organization across the transition to fatherhood. Dev Cogn Neurosci. 2024 06; 67:101374. Cárdenas SI, Waizman Y, Truong V, Sellery P, Stoycos SA, Yeh FC, Rajagopalan V, Saxbe DE. PMID: 38615555; PMCID: PMC11021911.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    11. Benchmarking secondary outcomes to posttraumatic stress disorder symptom change in response to cognitive processing and written exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. J Anxiety Disord. 2023 12; 100:102794. Stoycos SA, Straud CL, Stanley IH, Marx BP, Resick PA, Young-McCaughan S, Peterson AL, Sloan DM, STRONG STAR Consortium. PMID: 37980801; PMCID: PMC11494610.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    12. Worse Itch and Fatigue in Racial and Ethnic Minorities: A Burn Model System Study. J Burn Care Res. 2023 11 02; 44(6):1445-1451. Won P, Stoycos SA, Ding L, McMullen KA, Kowalske K, Stewart BT, Yenikomshian HA. PMID: 37083246; PMCID: PMC10589385.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    13. Psychiatric Illness and Substance Abuse: Unaddressed Factors in Burn Injury. J Burn Care Res. 2023 11 02; 44(6):1393-1399. Won P, Stoycos S, Johnson M, Gillenwater TJ, Yenikomshian HA. PMID: 36976523; PMCID: PMC10533723.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    14. Predictors of treatment completion in group psychotherapy for male veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. J Trauma Stress. 2023 04; 36(2):346-358. Stoycos SA, Berzenski SR, Beck JG, Unger W, Cappellano JM, Spofford CM, Sloan DM. PMID: 36782378; PMCID: PMC10101887.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    15. Family Involvement in PTSD Treatment: Perspectives from a Nationwide Sample of Veterans Health Administration Clinicians. Adm Policy Ment Health. 2022 11; 49(6):1019-1030. Thompson-Hollands J, Rando AA, Stoycos SA, Meis LA, Iverson KM. PMID: 35930084; PMCID: PMC9362012.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    16. Breaking Silos to Address Medical Trauma: The Need for Integration of Trauma and Health Psychology Training. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2023 06; 30(2):380-386. McBain SA, Stoycos S, Doenges T. PMID: 35841442.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    17. Stronger mentalizing network connectivity in expectant fathers predicts postpartum father-infant bonding and parenting behavior. Soc Neurosci. 2022 02; 17(1):21-36. Marshall NA, Kaplan J, Stoycos SA, Goldenberg D, Khoddam H, Cárdenas SI, Sellery P, Saxbe D. PMID: 35034575.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    18. The Impact of Peer Support Group Programs on Psychosocial Outcomes for Burn Survivors and Caregivers: A Review of the Literature. J Burn Care Res. 2021 08 04; 42(4):600-609. Won P, Bello MS, Stoycos SA, Carrera BT, Kurakazu DM, Briere J, Garner WL, Gillenwater J, Yenikomshian HA. PMID: 33677491.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    19. Theory of mind processing in expectant fathers: Associations with prenatal oxytocin and parental attunement. Dev Psychobiol. 2021 07; 63(5):1549-1567. Cardenas SI, Stoycos SA, Sellery P, Marshall N, Khoddam H, Kaplan J, Goldenberg D, Saxbe DE. PMID: 33748973.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    20. How do expectant fathers respond to infant cry? Examining brain and behavioral responses and the moderating role of testosterone. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2020 06 23; 15(4):437-446. Khoddam H, Goldenberg D, Stoycos SA, Horton KT, Marshall N, Cárdenas SI, Kaplan J, Saxbe D. PMID: 32307534; PMCID: PMC7308657.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    21. Prenatal relationship conflict behavior predicts childbirth experiences and birth outcomes. J Fam Psychol. 2020 Sep; 34(6):759-765. Khaled M, Corner GW, Horton K, Khoddam H, Stoycos S, Saxbe DE. PMID: 32162942.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    22. Social Allostasis and Social Allostatic Load: A New Model for Research in Social Dynamics, Stress, and Health. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2020 03; 15(2):469-482. Saxbe DE, Beckes L, Stoycos SA, Coan JA. PMID: 31834845.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 32     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    23. Community violence exposure in early adolescence: Longitudinal associations with hippocampal and amygdala volume and resting state connectivity. Dev Sci. 2018 11; 21(6):e12686. Saxbe D, Khoddam H, Piero LD, Stoycos SA, Gimbel SI, Margolin G, Kaplan JT. PMID: 29890029; PMCID: PMC11694245.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 53     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    24. Amygdala-midbrain connectivity indicates a role for the mammalian parental care system in human altruism. Proc Biol Sci. 2017 Oct 25; 284(1865). Brethel-Haurwitz KM, O'Connell K, Cardinale EM, Stoianova M, Stoycos SA, Lozier LM, VanMeter JW, Marsh AA. PMID: 29070724; PMCID: PMC5666102.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 10     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    25. Neural correlates of inhibitory spillover in adolescence: associations with internalizing symptoms. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2017 10 01; 12(10):1637-1646. Stoycos SA, Del Piero L, Margolin G, Kaplan JT, Saxbe DE. PMID: 28981903; PMCID: PMC5737803.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    26. Is costly punishment altruistic? Exploring rejection of unfair offers in the Ultimatum Game in real-world altruists. Sci Rep. 2016 Jan 07; 6:18974. Brethel-Haurwitz KM, Stoycos SA, Cardinale EM, Huebner B, Marsh AA. PMID: 26739364; PMCID: PMC4704064.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 17     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    27. The impact of autism spectrum disorder and alexithymia on judgments of moral acceptability. J Abnorm Psychol. 2015 Aug; 124(3):589-95. Brewer R, Marsh AA, Catmur C, Cardinale EM, Stoycos S, Cook R, Bird G. PMID: 26375827; PMCID: PMC4532317.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 23     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    28. Neural and cognitive characteristics of extraordinary altruists. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Oct 21; 111(42):15036-41. Marsh AA, Stoycos SA, Brethel-Haurwitz KM, Robinson P, VanMeter JW, Cardinale EM. PMID: 25225374; PMCID: PMC4210306.
      View in: PubMed   Mentions: 61     Fields:    Translation:Humans
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