Janine Olthuis

Associate Professor

PhD

Psychology

Keirstead Hall 115

Fredericton

j.olthuis@unb.ca
1 506 447 3006



Other titles

Director, Clinical Program

My research interests fall broadly into the area of mental health interventions. I am particularly interested in exploring different ways to increase access to evidence-based psychological interventions. My interests are grounded in cognitive behavioural theories with a focus on anxiety and related disorders (e.g., depression, posttraumatic stress, substance use).

Within this scope, my three primary interests are:

  1. The use of physical activity (e.g., running) in mental health treatment,
  2. The exploration of transdiagnostic interventions (i.e., interventions focused on treating shared risk factors, most notably anxiety sensitivity), and
  3. The development and evaluation of distance-delivered psychological interventions (e.g., Internet-based care).

In line with my interest in the intersection between physical activity and mental health, I also study the psychosocial factors that impact athlete mental health and substance use.

I welcome enquiries from graduate and undergraduate students who might be interested in pursuing research in any of these areas! You can learn more about our research activities in the lab at: https://anxietylabunb.ca/

Education

  • BA (Hon) Smith College
  • PhD (Clinical Psychology) Dalhousie University

Selected publications

Olthuis, J. V., Connell, E. M., Watt, M. C., & Stewart, S. H. (Accepted). Characterizing high anxiety sensitivity: A cluster analysis. Cognitive Therapy & Research.

Olthuis, J. V., Connell, E. M., O’Sullivan, L. F., & Byers, E. S. (Accepted). Does anxiety sensitivity interfere with sexual well-being? Evidence from a community sample. Sexual and Relationship Therapy.

Newcombe, B., Olthuis, J. V., Hamilton, R., MacLean, M., & McAulay, T. (2024). Cognitive behavioural therapy plus exercise intervention vs. treatment as usual in treating symptoms of anxiety and depression in university students. Journal of College Student Mental Health, 38(2), 311-327.

Olthuis, J. V., Kaltenbach, E., Giberson, E., Saryeddine, T., Asmundson, G. J. G., Carleton, R. N., Cramm, H., Crombach, A., Devlin, J., Mack, J., Lingley-Pottie, P., Rao, S., Sullivan, M., Wozney, L., & McGrath, P. J. (2023). Paraprofessional delivery of online Narrative Exposure Therapy for firefighters. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 36(4), 772-784.

Connell, E. M., & Olthuis, J. V. (2023). Mental health and physical activity in SCI: Is anxiety sensitivity important? Rehabilitation Psychology, 68(2), 174-183.

Zamboanga, B. L., Merrill, J. E., Olthuis, J. V., Martin, J. L., Cannon, M., Jarrell, J. T., Meca, A., Milroy. J. L., & Wyrick, D. L. (2023). Racial, ethnic, and sex differences in heavy drinking and negative alcohol-related consequences in a national sample of NCAA student-athlete drinkers. Journal of American College Health, 71, 1250-1258.

Bouchard, D. R., Olthuis, J. V., Bouffard, V., Shannon-McCallum, C., McDonald, T., & Senechal, M. (2021). Peer-led exercise program for older adults to improve functional abilities: A randomized trial. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, 18.

Olthuis, J. V., Zamboanga, B. L., Perotte, J. K., & McAulay, T. (2021). An investigation of the relevance of athlete-specific psychosocial factors in high school student-athlete alcohol consumption. Substance Use & Misuse, 56, 264-274.

Olthuis, J. V., Watt, M. C., DeWolfe, C., Connell, E., Wright, E., & Sevigny, L. (2020). Learn to run for anxiety sensitivity: A short-term, community- based accessible physical exercise intervention. Women in Sport and Physical Activity, 28, 151-160.

Olthuis, J. V., McGrath, P. J., Cunningham, C. E., Boyle, M. H., LingleyPottie, P., Reid, G. J., Bagnell, A., Lipman, E. L., Turner, K., Corkum, P., Stewart, S. H., Berrigan, P., & Sdao-Jarvie, K. (2018). Distance-delivered parent training for childhood disruptive behavior (Strongest FamiliesTM): A randomized controlled trial and economic analysis. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 46, 1613-1629.

Olthuis, J. V., Wozney, L., Asmundson, G. J. G., Cramm, H., LingleyPottie, P., & McGrath, P. J. (2016). Distance-delivered interventions for PTSD: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 44, 9-26.

Olthuis, J. V., Watt, M. C., Bailey, K., Hayden, J. A., & Stewart, S. H. (2016). Therapist-supported Internet cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 3. Art No.: CD011565.pub2.

Olthuis, J. V., Watt, M. C., Mackinnon, S. P., & Stewart, S. H. (2014). Telephone-delivered CBT for high anxiety sensitivity: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 82, 1005- 1022.

Teaching

  • Undergraduate: Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 3353), Community Psychology (PSYC 3415)
  • Graduate: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (PSYC 6405)

Professional awards

  • 2023, Merit Award, University of New Brunswick
  • 2019, Nominee, Allan P. Stuart Award for Excellence in Teaching
  • 2018, Nominee, Arts Faculty Teaching Award
  • 2015: Dissertation Award, Traumatic Stress Section, Canadian Psychological Association
  • 2014: Ronald Melzack Award (oral communication), Health Psychology Section, Canadian Psychological Association
  • 2014: Postdoctoral Fellowship, Canadian Institutes for Health Research
  • 2013: Brian Dufton Memorial prize for Outstanding Graduate Achievement in Psychology, Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia
  • 2010-2013: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholar Award, Canadian Institute of Health Research