Steven Cole

Clinical Professor Steven Cole, MD, MA is affiliated with the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (Psychiatry and Science Education) and Stony Brook University School of Medicine (Emeritus in Psychiatry). Trained at Harvard, Duke, and UNC Chapel Hill, he specializes in medical communication, depression management in primary care, and health behavior change. His work focuses on structured tools like Brief Action Planning (BAP) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), developed with the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). He authored the Medical Interview: The Three Function Approach textbook (4th ed., 2022). Dr. Cole has received grants from organizations like the MacArthur and Robert Wood Johnson Foundations, addressing depression in medically ill populations. His research emphasizes patient-centered care, clinical communication, and self-management strategies for chronic illnesses. He is board certified in Psychiatry with added qualifications in Geriatric and Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.

Education:

• MD from Harvard University
• MA in Sociology from Duke University
• Training at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Research Interests: Dr. Cole’s work bridges clinical practice and behavioral science, focusing on:

• Effective clinician-patient communication
• Psychosocial aspects of chronic disease management
• Innovative tools for health behavior change (BAP-MI)
• Depression in primary care and medically ill populations
• Medical education for evidence-based practices

Grants & Contributions: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles, 35 book chapters, and 150+ presentations. Key projects include the MacArthur Foundation Depression Education Program and development of the BAP tool. His work is supported by NIMH and major philanthropies.

Labs/Teams: Active contributor to the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) and the BAP Professional Network (www.bapprofessionalnetwork.org).