Dr. Edwards' research is focused on developing and studying brief digital interventions for chronic pain and opioid misuse/opioid use disorder. She is also interested in characterizing facilitators and barriers to engagement with OUD medications (buprenorphine, methadone) and psychological interventions, including patient experiences of stigma. Clinically, she has expertise in delivering acceptance-based interventions (Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Self-compassion) for chronic pain.
She completed a BA in Psychology at the University of Puget Sound in 2014. She then went on to complete her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of New Mexico under the mentorship of Drs. Kevin Vowles and Katie Witkiewitz and completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Seattle VA. Following her graduate studies, she received a NIDA T32 post-doctoral fellowship at Stanford University in the Division of Pain Medicine and under the mentorship of Drs. Beth Darnall and Heather Poupore-King.
In her free time, she enjoys keeping active by hiking with her dog, snowboarding, yoga, and playing pick-up volleyball. Fun fact: She played collegiate volleyball, and in her junior year, her team reached the Elite 8 of the National NCAA Division 3 Tournament.
Education & Training
- BA, Psychology, University of Puget Sound, 2014
- PhD, Clinical Psychology with a Quantitative Psychology Emphasis, University of New Mexico, 2021
- Pre-Doctoral Internship, Clinical Psychology, VA Puget Sound, Seattle Division, 2020-2021
- NIDA T32 Post-Doctoral Scholar, Pain Psychology, Stanford University, 2021-2023
Representative Publications
Edwards KA, Pielech M, Hickman J, Ashworth J, SOwden G, Vowles KE. The relation of self-compassion to functioning among adults with chronic pain. European Journal of Pain. 2019, 23(8):1538-1547.
Higher self‐compassion was associated with lower pain‐related fear, depression and disability, as well as greater pain acceptance, success in valued activities and utilization of pain coping strategies. Self‐compassion is an important and adaptive process in those with chronic pain, and targeted self-compassion interventions may be useful.
Vowles KE, Witkiewitz K, Cusack KJ, Gilliam WP, Cardon KE, Bowen S, Edwards KA, McEntee ML, Bailey RW. Integrated behavioral treatment for Veterans with co-morbid chronic pain and hazardous opioid use: A randomized controlled pilot trial. Journal of Pain. 2020, 21(7-8):798-807.
We conducted a randomized pilot study testing the feasibility and impact of an integrated psychological treatment for chronic pain and opioid misuse among Veterans. Results indicated the treatment was feasible and reduced opioid misuse, pain interference, and pain behavior from baseline to 6-month follow up.
Edwards KA, Vowles KE, McHugh RK, Venner KL, Witkiewitz K. Changes in pain during buprenorphine maintenance treatment among patients with opioid use disorder and chronic pain. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 2022, 90(4):314-325.
The majority of patients with chronic pain and opioid use disorder demonstrated improvements in pain intensity and pain interference while maintained on buprenorphine for 12 weeks. Patients who experienced worsening pain were more likely to endorse worse depression and mental health quality of life.
Turner AP, Edwards KA, Jensen MP, Ehde DM, Day MA, Williams RM. Effects of hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, and education for chronic pain on substance use in Veterans: A supplementary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Rehabilitation Psychology. 2023, 68(3):261-270.
This project was a secondary data analysis of a large randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of hypnosis (HYP), mindfulness meditation (MM), and pain education (ED) among Veterans with chronic pain. We examined changes in substance use over the course of the trial and found that MM, as compared to ED, significantly reduced risk of daily cannabis use by 85% and 81% at the 3- and 6-month posttreatment follow-ups. HYP, as compared to ED, significantly reduced risk of daily cannabis use by 82% at the 6-month posttreatment follow-up.
Click here for a more complete bibliography of Dr. Edwards' works.
Research Interests
- Chronic pain
- Opioid Use Disorder
- Stigma
- Psychological/Behavioral interventions
- Psychosocial factors