Amanda L. Giordano, Ph.D. headshot

Amanda L. Giordano, Ph.D.

Biography

Dr. Giordano specializes in addictions counseling with clinical, instructional, and scholarly experience related to both chemical and behavioral addictions. She is the sole author of a clinical reference book titled, A Clinical Guide to Treating Behavioral Addictions and co-author of a textbook titled, Addiction Counseling: A Practical Approach. Dr. Giordano works to advance the counseling field with rigorous research and has published over 65 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. She regularly teaches addictions counseling courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. Dr. Giordano works to raise public awareness about addictions prevention and treatment by regularly offering community trainings and workshops (both domestically and internationally), being a guest on podcasts, and contributing to news media stories on the topic of addiction. She also writes a blog for Psychology Today called, “Understanding Addiction.” In 2018, Dr. Giordano won the Addictions/Offender Educator of Excellence Award from the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC). In 2024, she was awarded the Garry R. Waltz Trailblazer Award from the American Counseling Association (ACA) in recognition of her work with behavioral addictions. As part of a grant-funded project, Dr. Giordano hosts a podcast titled, “Safety First: Tackling Tough Topics with Teens” to support parents and professionals who work with youth: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/safety-first-tackling-tough-topics-with-teens/id1859426096

Interests

  • Addictions Counseling
  • Adolescent Addictive Behaviors
  • Research Methods
  • Addiction Prevention Efforts

Education

  •  PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education, 2012
    University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  •  MS in Community Counseling, 2009
    University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  •  BS in Psychology, 2007
    University of Georgia

Concentrations

Google Scholar Page Download CV

Contact

 Aderhold Hall, 402
 amandaleegiordano
 amanda-giordano-209a66215
 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-addiction

Research Summary

Most Recent Publications:

Giordano, A. L., Dorrough, K. M., Smith, D. L., & Zhu, P. (2026). Exploring the role of dysregulated arousal in the relationship between trauma and addictive behaviors among college students. Journal of Counseling and Development, 104, 373-385.

Giordano, A. L., Chung, Y., Kim, S., & Adams, H. (2025). Using Motivational Interviewing to address internet gaming disorder. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 46, 145-154.

Lundeen, L., Giordano, A. L., & Daigle, J. (2025). Predicting international student suicidality by merging identity, suicide, and acculturation frameworks: A hierarchical logistic regression. Journal of Studies in International Education, 29, 678-695.

Giordano, A. L., McKibben, W. B., Dallas, J., Hearn, L., Luciani-Hill, D., & Kim, I. K. (2025). Exploring nonsuicidal self-injury online activity: A content analysis of Reddit posts. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 47, 63-80.

Giordano, A. L., Hedden, L. E., Kim, S., Lundeen, L. A., & Lu, L. (2024). Childhood trauma and sex addiction among adult men. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 45, 221-233.

McCall, J. R., Giordano, A. L., Daigle, J., & Appling, B. (2024). Predictors of lifetime cannabis use among undergraduate students and changes during COVID-19. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 45, 176-190.

Giordano, A. L., Morey, A. W., Kim, I. K., Song, J., & Kim, O. (2023). School counselors’ experiences with student vaping and internet gaming: A report from the field. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling 45, 441-457.

Prosek, E. A., Diaz, A. M., Shao, H., & Giordano, A. L. (2023). Envy and self-worth as predictors for social media misuse among college students. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 45, 210-225.

Giordano, A. L., Prosek, E. A., Schmit, E. L., & Schmit, M. K. (2023). Examining coping and nonsuicidal self-injury among adolescents: A profile analysis. Journal of Counseling and Development, 101, 214-223.

Prosek, E. A., Giordano, A. L., Burgin, E. E., Valverde, N., & Hagedorn, W. B. (2023). Predictors of hazardous drinking and internet gaming severity among a military sample. Journal of Addictions and Offender Counseling, 44, 81-93.

Grants

Rural Health Safety Education, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA)
2024-2027

Awards and Accolades

Garry R. Walz Trailblazer Award

ACA, 2024

Russell H. Yeany Jr., Research Award

UGA, 2022

Counselor Education Alumni Professional Excellence Award

UNCG, 2019

Addictions/Offender Educator Excellence Award

IAAOC, 2018

Junior Faculty Research Award

UNT, 2016

Ralph F. Berdie Memorial Award

ACA, 2014

Outstanding Research Award

CSI, 2015