Linda Copel, PhD
Professor | M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing Villanova University
- Villanova PA
Dr. Copel, PhD, RN, CNS, BC, CNE, NCC, FAPA has extensive experience providing counseling in situations of familial and domestic violence.
Media
Social
Areas of Expertise
Biography
Education
Texas Woman's University
PhD
Texas Woman's University
MSMFT
University of Texas at Arlington
MSN
University of Delaware
BSN
Select Accomplishments
Inducted Into National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education
2013
Awarded Villanova College of Nursing Medallion
2011
Affiliations
- Fellow in Psychotherapy in the American Psychotherapy Association
- Fellow in Psychological Specialties and Trauma/PTSD in the American Academy of Forensic Examiners
- American Nurses Association
- National Certified Counselor from the National Board for Certified Counselors
- National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
- National Council of Family Relations
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association Charter Member
- American Psychotherapy Association
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- American Group Psychotherapy Association
Select Media Appearances
What Should We Do With Our Anger Right Now?
The Philadelphia Inquirer online
2020-09-22
In the earlier stages of the pandemic, many of us were consumed with feelings of grief, despair, and powerlessness. Those emotions, explained Linda Copel, a practicing marriage and family therapist and a nursing professor at Villanova University’s M. Louise Fitzpatrick School of Nursing, are at the bottom end of the continuum of emotion; they are rooted in hopelessness and fear. We feel bad because there is nothing we can do about our situation.
Anger, believe it or not, is a step up. Anger is actually closer to peace, contentment, and joy because it fuels us to take the action we need to get us to a happier place. “Anger spurs us to make change,” Copel says. “It energizes us. Inspires us to make our voices heard and get things done.”
Domestic Violence an Increasing Concern in Philadelphia Area Because of COVID-19, Study Suggests
The Philadelphia Inquirer online
2020-09-10
Linda Copel, who runs a domestic violence support group through her private practice as a family therapist in Malvern, said she believes there has been an increase in domestic violence based on what she’s hearing from group members. Copel, a nursing professor at Villanova University, said verbal abuse as a result of financial difficulties and being stuck at home has become a huge problem for some women.
“When the frustration and anxiety increases, people are irritable and edgy and take it out on each other,” she said. “Also, the resources that people have used to cope are nonexistent or have been unavailable for a while.”
We Have to Go Back into the World Again. Here Are Steps for How to Deal With That
The Philadelphia Inquirer online
2020-05-14
During our months of sheltering in place, we’ve taken a crash course in staying safe from the virus: wearing masks in public, washing our hands, wiping down counters frequently, refraining from touching our faces. Keep that up, says Linda Copel, psychotherapist and a professor at Villanova University’s nursing college. We should also be sure to continue to socially distance when we can, like opting for online banking and curbside pickups. Drive if you feel more comfortable in your car instead of using public transportation. And if you have to take a bus or train, carry hand sanitizer or disinfecting wipes with you.
This will help you find a level of comfort because you are doing your best to keep yourself and your family healthy. “We feel better when we are being active in our own safety and security,” Copel said. “So much of our anxiety comes from losing control, so you have to take control when you can.”
Missing Touch in Your Life? So Are We. Here's What To Do About It.
The Philadelphia Inquirer online
2020-04-28
You don’t have to stand on your head, Chaudhry said, but a yoga position like the eagle pose is literally a self hug designed to help you go inward. Use this touch-less time to create other rituals that ease anxiety, said Linda Copel, a professor at the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University and a marriage and family therapist. If intense balance is not your thing you can practice simple neck, shoulder, and back stretches. A good back stretch: Sit on the floor cross-legged and hug yourself while gently twisting your spine as far as you can go.
What You Can Do if You’re Laid Off or Furloughed During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The Philadelphia Inquirer online
2020-04-07
Losing a job is always stressful, but these furloughs and layoffs are even more daunting because they are happening during an economy that’s effectively been stopped. And we really have no idea when it will start up again or how long it will take to regain steam. It’s no wonder we’re having trouble sleeping, concentrating, and living in peace. How will we take care of the people who are depending on us? How will we take care of ourselves?
“This is a time of shock, disbelief, and numbness,” said Linda Copel, a professor at the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University and a marriage and family therapist. “This kind of shock stays with people for a while and can cause anxiety and depression. People can get stuck, and the fear and anxiety of what comes next can make it hard for people to move on. But there are ways to get through it and help prevent that."
Domestic Violence Victims Need Crucial Support During the Coronavirus | Opinion
The Philadelphia Inquirer online
2020-04-06
Intimate partner violence is a broad problem. An estimated one in four women (24%) and one in seven men (14%) aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner. Current stay-at-home restrictions preventing the spread of COVID-19 may drastically increase these incidents.
How to Help Military Families at the Holidays
Reuters online
2012-12-19
“Over the years I’ve worked with a psychiatric service dog and the response of patients who were grieving, depressed, or struggling with severe anxiety, especially PTSD, markedly improved,” says Villanova University College of Nursing Professor Linda Copel, a licensed psychotherapist who works with military families and is a PTSD expert. “There’s a huge need for training psychiatric and other types of service dogs for soldiers with disabilities.”
Organizations Attempt to Dispel Myths of Mental Health Issues in Wake of Arizona Shooting
Delaware County Daily Times online
2011-01-24
Linda Copel, a nursing professor at Villanova University and mental health expert, said people often turn toward the news media for prevention tips following a tragedy. But she added that the media can contribute to the stigma of mental health.
"The public stigma can lead to personal stigma where people relabel themselves," Copel said. "It can damage the recovery model, where we encourage people ... to reach out for support."
Research Grants
The Lived Experience of Partner Abuse in Physically Disabled Women
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation
Research Grant
Patterns of Abuse in Physically Disabled Women
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation
Research Grant
An Investigation of the Occurrence of Situational Couple Violence in Women with Disabilities
College of Nursing Center for Nursing Research
Research Grant
Select Academic Articles
Labor and Delivery Nurse Psychological Trauma: An Integrative Review
The American Journal of Maternal/Child NursingRunyon, Maggie C.; Trout, Kimberly K.; Copel, Linda Carman; Moriarty, Helene
2025
Reproductive Health Care Inequities by Disability Status: Experiences With Providers and Barriers to Care
Research in Nursing & HealthMargaret Brace, Linda Copel, Amy McKeever, Suzanne C. Smeltzer
2025
Experiences of new nurses in the United States during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic
International Nursing ReviewChristine D Byrne, Linda Carman Copel, Suzanne C Smeltzer, Mu-Hsun Chen
2023
Psychological responses of hospital-based nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States: A cross-sectional study
Journal of Applied Nursing ResearchMensinger, J.L., Brom, H.M., Costello, A., Havens, D.S., D'Annunizio, C., Copel, L.C., et al.
2021
