Alia R. Warner, Ph.D., ABPP

Associate Professor & Director of Recovery-oriented Treatment Program (ROTP)
Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

Email:  [email protected]
Phone:  713-741-3926

Teaching Philosophy

Knowledge and the active pursuit of learning are essential ingredients in achieving professionally, and growing intellectually fosters a great sense of meaning and purpose for me personally. Educating others is a natural extension of my enthusiasm for learning. Teaching allows me to grow professionally by staying up-to-date with the most current literature and learning is usually bi-directional, regardless of whomever is the assigned educator. Thus, I am thankful to be involved in several educational activities, such as clinical and research supervision, teaching, and mentorship for the full spectrum of psychiatry and psychology trainees.

Since the majority of education I am involved with pertains to clinical activity, such as psychotherapy and assessment, I believe various sources of information is crucial for obtaining applicable knowledge and skills. I strive to engage learners in several aspects of educational topics, such as history, philosophy, evidence-base, practical skills, and future directions, to assist learners in developing clinical judgment, accurate conceptualization, and identification of the most appropriate techniques to utilize with future patients given their unique presentations and individual factors. I have also found experiential exercises following the provision of content and/or demonstration(s) to assist with skill acquisition (e.g., practicing techniques), fostering empathy (e.g., thought experiments, immersive exercises), and integrating learning into attitudes and practice.

I believe effective educators model life-long learning and the ability to acknowledge the limits of their own knowledge. Further, mentors and educators that foster safe professional relationships and environments are highly valued. Therefore, I regularly acknowledge areas in which “I don’t know” and model how I go about finding answers. I also find it important to regularly acknowledge trainees’ strengths and aspirations, and frequently ask for feedback to create comfortable environments for trainees to be vulnerable and grow. Overall, I am passionate about education and aim to foster curiosity, multifaceted working knowledge based, and a life-long learner attitude to prepare our future clinicians to best serve our community.

Areas of Expertise and Interest:

  • Schizophrenia spectrum disorders
  • Evidence-based psychosocial interventions for psychosis, especially:
    • Cognitive behavior therapy for psychosis
    • Early intervention treatment and prevention
  • Rehospitalization and relapse prevention
  • Psychological assessment
  • Suicide-related behaviors
  • Cognition and serious mental illness

Honors and Awards

  • UTHealth McGovern Medical School (MMS), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Psychology Predoctoral Internship “Outstanding Faculty Award in Intervention,” 2020
  • UTHealth MMS, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Psychology Predoctoral Internship “Outstanding Faculty Award in Education,” 2021
  • UTHealth MMS, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Psychology Predoctoral Internship “Outstanding Faculty Award in Assessment,” 2022
  • Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award, McGovern Medical School, 2022, 2023
  • Academy of Master Educators, Elected Member, McGovern Medical School, 2023
  • UTHealth MMS, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Psychology Predoctoral Internship “Outstanding Faculty Award in Supervision,” 2023
  • UTHealth MMS, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Psychology Predoctoral Internship “Outstanding Faculty Award in Adult Intervention,” 2023
  • UTHealth MMS, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Psychiatry Residency, “Innovations in Psychiatry Education,” 2023

Selected Publications

  • Warner, A. R., Glazier, S., Lavagnino, L., Ruiz, A., Hernandez, S., and Lane, S. D.: Inpatient early intervention for serious mental illnesses and post-discharge criminal involvement in a high-volume psychiatric hospital setting. J. Psychiatr. Res. 143:285-291, 2021.
  • Warner, A. R., Shen, G., Hamilton, J., Lavagnino, L., and Lane, S.: Customizing early intervention treatment for psychosis in the UTHealth – Harris County Psychiatric Center. INQ. 58:1-7, 2021.
  • Warner, A. R., Lavagnino, L., Glazier, S., Hamilton, J. E., and Lane, S. D.: Inpatient early intervention for serious mental illnesses is associated with fewer rehospitalizations compared to treatment as usual in a high-volume public psychiatric hospital setting. J. Psychiatr. Pract. 28: 24-35, 2022.
  • Warner, A. R., Smith, W. R., and Tsai, J.: Coordinated specialty care: Progress and future. Psychiatr Serv. 73: 1319-1319, 2022.