Rate My Professor Deborah Ebener

Deborah J. Ebener is a Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems at Florida State University’s Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. She also serves as Executive Director of the Adult Learning Evaluation Center (ALEC). Ebener earned her Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her M.S. in Rehabilitation Administration from DePaul University. As a licensed psychologist, she holds memberships in the American Psychological Association and the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association. She possesses extensive clinical experience delivering psychotherapy and assessment services across medical, clinical, and private practice settings.

Ebener’s research centers on psychological and social factors that shape coping and adaptation to disability and chronic illness, alongside recovery from substance use disorders. Her investigations explore positive psychology elements including humor, spirituality, and optimism as coping strategies in recovery and adaptation processes. Specific research domains encompass coping with disabilities such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, mental health disorders, and physical disabilities; recovery from substance use disorders amid co-occurring disabilities and mental health issues; the role of humor and spirituality in shaping attitudes toward disabilities; and applications of positive psychology constructs in managing disability, chronic illness, and substance use recovery. As Principal Investigator and member of the A.D.A.P.T Research Team, she leads projects like “Religious/Spiritual Coping and Adaptation to Acquired Physical Disability” and “Stress, Strengths, and Self-Evaluation in Adaptation to Acquired Physical Disability and Life Satisfaction.” Her scholarly contributions appear in peer-reviewed journals such as Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, Disability and Rehabilitation: An International, Multidisciplinary Journal, and Aging and Mental Health. Select publications include “Substance abuse and psychosocial adaptation to physical disability” (Smedema & Ebener, 2010, cited 57 times) and “The impact of humorous media on attitudes toward persons with physical disabilities” (Smedema, Ebener, & Grist-Gordon, 2012, cited 46 times). Ebener coordinates the APA-accredited combined doctoral program in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology, overseeing doctoral practicum and internships. She instructs courses on Adult Development and Psychopathology, Addictions and Substance Abuse Counseling, Medical Aspects of Disability, Doctoral Field Practicum, and History and Systems of Psychology. Honors include the “Partners with Purpose” award from Florida State University Division of Student Affairs (2011) and recognition among faculty for transformative influence in student lives (2016).