Department of Psychology

Will Canu

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Dr. Canu will be accepting a doctoral student for the Fall of 2025.

For information on the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.), visit clinicalpsychpsyd.appstate.edu

Priority review date for admission is December 1st. Applications that are not complete by the priority date risk denial of admission; however, if seats remain for the invitation only on-campus interviews in February, applications not complete by December 1st will be considered.


Website: https://adhd.appstate.edu/

Research Interests

Dr. Canu's current research program consists of two active strands, as follows.

  1. Attention-Deficit Disorders: Development, adjustment, and treatment of individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other attention-related disorders across the lifespan. Specific emphases include developmentally appropriate assessment of adults, executive functioning deficits and learning differences in college students, empirically-informed treatment of college students, and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (a.k.a. Concentration Deficit Disorder).
  2. Rural Clinical Psychology: Mental health outcomes in rural communities. Specific emphasis on examining impact of mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia on mental health. Interest in developing research related to service in primary care settings and via remote methods (e.g., telehealth).

Education

  • Ph.D., 2004, The University of Texas at Austin, Clinical Psychology
  • Clinical Pre-doctoral Internship, 2003-04, SUNY Upstate Medical University
  • M.A., 2001, The University of Texas at Austin, Clinical Psychology
  • B.A., 1994, Davidson College, Psychology

Representative Publications

  • Canu, W. H., Knouse, L. E., Flory, K., & Hartung, C. H. (2023). Thriving in College with ADHD: A Cognitive-Behavioral Skills Manual for Therapists. Routledge.
  • Knouse, L. E., Canu, W. H., Flory, K., & Hartung, C. H. (2023). Thriving in College with ADHD: A Cognitive-Behavioral Skills Workbook for Students. Routledge.
  • Bodalski, E.A., Flory, K., Canu, W. H., Willcutt, E. G., & Hartung, C. M. (in press). Do emotional dysregulation and self-esteem mediate the relation between ADHD symptoms and procrastination in college students? Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment.
  • Canu, W. H., Johnson, M. W., & Blum, J. E. (in press). Self-report measures for assessing ADHD in adults. In J. L. Matson (Ed.) Clinical Handbook of ADHD Assessment and Treatment Across the Life Span (pp. xx-xx). Springer Nature.
  • Wymbs, F.A., Wymbs, B.T., & Canu, W.H. (in press). Couple therapy with parents of youth with ADHD or disruptive behavior disorders. In D.K. Snyder & J.L. Lebow (Eds.) Handbook of couple therapy (6th edition, pp. xx-xx). Guilford.
  • Canu, W. H., & Hilton, D. (in press). ADHD: 2nd wave conceptualization and intervention. In W. O’Donohue & A. Masuda (Eds.) Behavior Therapy: First, Second & Third Waves (pp. xx-xx). Springer.
  • Shura, R. D., Richard, K. W., Martindale, S. L., Brearly, T. W., Taber, K. H., & Canu, W. H. (2022). Internalizing and externalizing comorbidity and symptom burden in a VA ADHD specialty evaluation clinic. Psychiatry Research. Advance online publication. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114395.
  • Shelton, C. R., Hartung, C. M., & Canu, W. H. (2022). Feasibility and acceptability of an internet-based intervention for emerging and young adults with ADHD. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-022-00256-4
  • Hilton, D. C., Canu, W. H., & Jarrett, M. A. (2022). The importance of executive functioning for social skills in college students: A relative weights analysis. American Journal of College Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2109038
  • Lefler, E. K., Flory, K., Canu, W. H., Willcutt, E., & Hartung, C. M. (2021). Unique considerations in the assessment of ADHD in college students. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803395.2021.1936462
  • Canu, W. H., Stevens, A. E., Ranson L. M., Lefler, E. K., LaCount, P. A., Serrano, J. W., Willcutt, E., & Hartung, C. M. (2021). College readiness: Differences between first-year undergraduates with and without ADHD. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 54(6), 403-411. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022219420972693
  • Wymbs, B. T., Canu, W. H., Sacchetti, G. M., & Ranson, L. M. (2021). Adult ADHD and romantic relationships: What we know and what we can do to help. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47(3), 664-681. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12475
  • Hartung, C. M., Canu, W. H., Serrano, J. W., Vasko, J. M., Stevens, A. E., Abu-Ramadan, T. M., Bodalski, E. A., Neger, E. N., Bridges, R. M., Gleason, L. L., Anzalone, C., & Flory, K. (2020). A new organizational and study skills intervention for college students with ADHD. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2020.09.005
  • Canu, W. H., Hartung, C. M., Stevens, A. E., & Lefler, E. K. (2020). Psychometric properties of the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale: Evidence for utility in research, assessment, and treatment of ADHD in emerging adults. Journal of Attention Disorders, 24(12), 1648-1660. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054716661421
  • Lefler, E. K., Stevens, A. E., Garner, A. M., Serrano, J. W., Canu, W. H., & Hartung, C. M. (2020). Changes in college student endorsement of ADHD symptoms across DSM edition. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-020-09797-5
  • Stevens, A. E., Canu, W. H., Hartung, C. M., & Lefler, E. K. (2019). Maternal parenting style and internalizing and ADHD symptoms in college students. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 28, 260-272. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1264-4
  • Sorrell, A., & Canu, W. (2018). Sluggish cognitive tempo and temporal processing: An exploratory examination of association using a novel measure. The ADHD Report, 26(7), 7-12. https://doi.org/10.1521/adhd.2018.26.7.7
  • LaCount, P. A., Hartung, C. M., & Canu, W. H., & Knouse, L. E. (2019). Interventions for adolescents with ADHD transitioning to emerging adulthood: Developmental context and empirically-supported treatment principles. Evidence-Based Practice in Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 4, 170-186. doi: 10.1080/23794925.2018.1518120
  • Elmore, A. L., Nikolas, M. A., & Canu, W. H. (2018). Positive alcohol expectancies mediate associations between ADHD behaviors and alcohol-related problems among college students. ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, 10, 65-75. doi: 10.1007/s12402-017-0231-z.
  • Canu, W. H., Elizondo, M., & Broman-Fulks, J. J. (2017). Math anxiety in college students with and without ADHD. Learning and Individual Differences, 58, 56-63. doi: 10.1016/j.lindif.2017.07.008.
  • Jaconis, M., Boyd, S., Hartung, C. M., McCrea, S. M., Canu, W. H. & Lefler, E. K. (2016). Sex differences in claimed and behavioral self-handicapping and ADHD symptomatology. ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, 8, 205-214. doi: 10.1007/s12402-016-0200-y.
  • Canu, W. H., Jameson, J. P., Steele, E. H., & Denslow, M. (2017). Mountaintop removal coal mining and emergent cases of psychological disorder in Kentucky. Community Mental Health Journal, 53, 802-810. doi: 10.1007/s10597-017-0122-y
  • Canu, W. H., Hartung, C. M., Stevens, A. E., & Lefler, E. K. (2016). Psychometric properties of the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale: Evidence for utility in research, assessment, and treatment of ADHD in emerging adults. Journal of Attention Disorders. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/1087054716661421
  • Hartung, C. M., Lefler, E. K., Canu, W. H., Stevens, A. E., Jaconis, M., LaCount, P. A. … Willcutt, E. G. (2016). DSM-5 and other symptom thresholds for ADHD: Which is the best predictor of impairment in college students? Journal of Attention Disorders. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/1087054716629216
  • Canu, W. H., & Wymbs, B. T. (2015). Novel approaches to cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult ADHD. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 22, 111-115. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2015.01.002
  • Eddy, L. D., Canu, W. H., Broman-Fulks, J. J., & Michael, K. D. (2015). Brief cognitive behavioral therapy for college students with ADHD: A case series report. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 22, 127-140. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2014.05.005
  • Combs, M. A., Canu, W. H., Broman-Fulks, J. J., & Nieman, D. C. (2014). Impact of sluggish cognitive tempo and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms on adults’ quality of life. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 9, 981-995. doi: 10.1007/s11482-013-9281-3
  • Hartung, C. M., Canu, W. H., Cleveland, C. S., Lefler, E. K., Mignogna, M. J., Fedele, D. A., ... Clapp, J. D. (2013). Stimulant medication use in in college students: Comparison of appropriate users, misusers, and non-users. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 27, 832-840. doi: 10.1037/a0033822
  • Canu, W. H., Tabor, L. S., Michael, K. D., Bazzini, D. G., & Elmore, A. E. (2013). Young adult romantic couples’ conflict resolution and satisfaction varies with partner’s Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder type. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12018
  • McKinney, A. A., Canu, W. H., Schneider, H. G. (2013). Distinct ADHD symptom clusters differentially associated with personality traits. Journal of Attention Disorders, 17, 358-366. doi: 10.1177/1087054711430842
  • Combs, M. A., Canu, W. H., Broman-Fulks, J. J., Rocheleau, C. A., & Nieman, D. (2012). Perceived stress and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms in adults. Journal of Attention Disorders. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/1087054712459558
  • Canu, W. H., & Mancil, E. B. (2012). An examination of teacher trainees' knowledge of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. School Mental Health, 4, 105-114. doi: 10.1007/s12310-012-9071-3
  • Fedele, D. A., Lefler, E. K., Hartung, C. M., & Canu, W. H. (2012). Sex differences in the manifestation of ADHD in emerging adults. Journal of Attention Disorders, 16, 109-117.
  • Canu, W. H., & Bearman, S. K. (2011). Community-clinic-based parent intervention addressing non-compliance in children with ADHD. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 18, 491-501.
  • Canu, W. H., & Schatz, N. K. (2011). Evidence for a weak Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder-gambling association in college students. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 25, 334-343.
  • Fedele, D. A., Hartung, C. M., Canu, W. H., & Wilkowski, B. M. (2010). Identifying new symptoms of ADHD in emerging adults. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 32, 385-396.
  • Canu, W. H., Newman, M. L., Morrow, T. L., & Pope, D. L. W. (2008). Social appraisal of adults with ADHD: Stigma and influences of the beholder's Big Five personality traits. Journal of Attention Disorders, 11, 700-710.
  • Canu, W. H. (2007). Vocational safety preference of college males with and without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: An exploratory study. Journal of College Counseling, 10, 54-63.
  • Canu, W. H., & Carlson, C. L. (2007). Rejection sensitivity and social outcomes of young adult men with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 10, 261-275.
  • Canu, W., & Gordon, M. (2005). Mother Nature as a treatment for ADHD: Overstating the benefits of green. American Journal of Public Health, 95, 371. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2004.055962
  • Canu, W. H., & Carlson, C. L. (2004). ADHD and social adaptation: From childhood to adulthood. The ADHD Report, 12 (2), 1-6. doi: 10.1521/adhd.12.2.1.30979
  • Canu, W. H., & Carlson, C. L. (2003). Differences in heterosocial behavior and outcomes of ADHD-symptomatic subtypes in a college sample. Journal of Attention Disorders, 6, 123-133.
  • Carlson, C. L., Booth, J., Shin, M., & Canu, W. (2002). Parent-, teacher-, and self-rated motivational styles in the ADHD subtypes. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 35, 104-113.
  • Levin, E. D., Conners, C. K., Silva, D., Canu, W., & March, J. (2001). Chronic nicotine-methylphenidate interactions in adults with ADHD. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 9, 83-90.

Please see ResearchGate profile for access to these and other publications:

www.researchgate.net/profile/Will_Canu/contributions/

Title: Professor
Department: Department of Psychology

Email address: Email me

Phone: (828) 262-8935

Fax: (828) 262-2974

Office address
300-C Smith Wright Hall