Thomas A. Fergus

Thomas A. Fergus is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Baylor University, part of the College of Arts & Sciences. He serves as Interim Chair from May to July 2025 and has been a faculty member since 2012. His academic training includes a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Northern Illinois University (2012) and a clinical internship at the University of Illinois-Chicago in the Department of Psychiatry.

His research focuses on anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and the role of metacognitive beliefs across psychological conditions. He investigates transdiagnostic factors such as metacognitive processes, health anxiety, and cyberchondria, aiming to improve assessment and treatment models. His work bridges clinical theory with empirical validation of psychological instruments and interventions.

His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on metacognition, measurement models, and the behavioral consequences of health-related anxiety. Key themes include the structure of metacognitive beliefs, healthcare utilization patterns, and cognitive mechanisms underlying worry and anxiety. These studies employ community and clinical samples, utilizing advanced statistical methods such as bifactor modeling and prospective designs.

Dr. Fergus is actively involved in training and mentoring. He currently supervises several Psy.D. students and plans to recruit new students starting in Summer 2026. He teaches advanced courses in psychopathology, personality theory, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and psychological assessment, contributing significantly to clinical training at Baylor.

He has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards. However, his sustained publication record in high-impact journals reflects scholarly productivity and recognition in the field of clinical psychology.

Dr. Fergus is engaged in ongoing research and clinical scholarship, with no indication of retirement or part-time status. He maintains an active research agenda and continues to contribute to the academic and clinical psychology community through publications, teaching, and student mentorship.