Heather S. Lonczak, Ph.D.

Heather Lonczak is a children’s book author, freelance writer, and Clinical Interviewer with the University of Washington.

She is the author of numerous published children’s books.

Academic Experience

Various academic positions with the University of Washington, including as a:

• Clinical Research Interviewer with the Department of Psychiatry (2020-Current);
• Research Scientist with the Department of Psychiatry (2014-2016);
• Research Scientist with the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute (2005-2013);
• Research Consultant and Postdoc with the Department of Psychology (2004-2008);
• Writer/Analyst with the School of Social Work, Social Development Research Group (1997-2000);
• Researcher with the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center (1995-1997).

Education, Titles, and Degrees

• 2004-2006: Postdoctoral Award Recipient, University of Washington, Department of Psychology, Alcohol Studies with G. Alan Marlatt, PhD
• 1999: Ph.D., Educational Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle. Specializations: Research Methods & Statistics; Prediction & Prevention of Youth Risky Behavior; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• 1998: B.A., Psychology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA
• 1992: M.A., Clinical Psychology, State University of New York at Brockport
• 1991: Research Internship, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, Attention Deficit Disorder Program, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

First- and Second-Author Publications

• Lonczak, H. S., Thomas, L. R., Donovan, D. M., Austin, L., Sigo, R. L. W., Lawrence, N., & the Suquamish Tribe (2013). Navigating the tide together: Early collaboration between tribal and academic partners in a CBPR study. Pimatisiwin: A Journal of Indigenous & Aboriginal Community Health, 11(3), 395-409. (link)
• Lonczak, H. S., Fernandez, A., Austin, L., & Marlatt, G. A. (2007). Family Structure and substance use among American Indian youth. Family Systems & Health, 25(1), 10-22.
• Lonczak, H. S., Neighbors, D., & Donovan, D. M. (2007). Predicting risky and angry driving as a function of gender. Accident, Analysis & Prevention, 39(3), 536-545. (link)
• Lonczak, H. S., Clifasefi, S., Marlatt, G. A., & Blume, A. (2006). Religious coping and psychological functioning in a correctional population. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 9(2), 171-192.
• Lonczak, H. S., Abbott, R. D., Hawkins, J. D., & Catalano, R. F. (2002). Effects of the Seattle Social Development Project on Sexual Behavior, Pregnancy, Birth, and STD Outcomes by Age 21. Archives of Pediatric Medicine, 156(5), 438-47. (link)
• Lonczak, H. S., Huang, B., Catalano, R. F., Hawkins, J. D., Hill, K. G., Abbott, R. D., & Ryan, J. A. M. (1999). The social predictors of adolescent alcohol misuse: A test of the Social Development Model. Journal of Studies in Alcohol, 62(2), 179-89. (link)
• Collins, S. E., Lonczak, H. S., & Clifasefi, S. L. (2017). Seattle’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program: Effects on recidivism outcomes. Evaluation and Program Planning, 64, 49-56. (link)
• Clifasefi, S. L., Lonczak, H. S., Collins, S. E. (2017). Seattle’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program: Within-subjects changes on housing, employment and income/benefits outcomes and associations with recidivism. Crime & Delinquency, 63, 429–445. (link)
• Osilla, K. K., Lonczak, H. S., Mail, P. D., Larimer, M. E. & Marlatt, G. A. (2008). Regular tobacco use among American Indian and Alaska Native Adolescents: An examination of protective mechanisms. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 6, 143-153.
• Hawkins, J. D, Lonczak, H. S., Abbott, R. D., Kosterman, R., & Catalano, R. F. (2002). Overstating the behavioral effects of the Seattle Social Development Project. Archives of Pediatric Medicine, 156(11), 1155-1156.
• Strakowski S., Lonczak H., Crist A., Mehta R., & Thienhaus O. (1995). The effects of race on diagnosis and disposition from a psychiatric emergency service. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 56, 1001-107.

Published Children’s Books:

• Lonczak, H. (2007). Mookey the Monkey Gets Over Being Teased. Wash, D.C.: Magination Press. (New Edition Published in 2021).
• Lonczak, H. (2006). Henry’s Ride. Seattle: Ivy Lane Press.
• Lonczak, H. (2019). My Friend Gideon. Seattle: IngramSpark.
• Lonczak, H. (2019). Gus Becomes a Big Brother: An Adoption Story. Seattle: IngramSpark.
• Lonczak, H. (2020). Fletcher and the Fledgling. Seattle: IngramSpark.
• Lonczak, H. (2020). Penelope Windpipes: Learns the Power of Staying Calm. Seattle: IngramSpark.
• Lonczak, H. (2020). Mighty Zoë: The Misunderstood Parrot. Seattle, WA.
• Lonczak, H. (2021). The Fig Tree: A Lesson in Gratitude. Seattle, WA, In Press.
• Lonczak, H. (2021). Mookey the Monkey Gets Over Being Teased—Revised Edition. Seattle: IngramSpark.
• Lonczak, H. (2021). Paddy Poopenhopper’s Magic Turds: A Tale of Kindness and Gratitude. Seattle, IngramSpark.

Heather’s website provides more information concerning her books and poems.

A Personal Message From Heather

My goal is to inspire, entertain and even empower readers of all ages. If I am successful in teaching a reader about salient psychological or community issues; or in making a child giggle or feel more capable, then my work is done! I write about issues of social significance with the aim of making a meaningful difference to my readers and the larger community.

– Heather