Psychiatry and Psychological Services: Pediatric Health Psychology Concentration

Fellows in the Pediatric Health Psychology concentration work with a variety of patients with chronic and acute medical diagnoses. Fellows participate in consult rounds and collaborate on patient care with psychiatry fellows and attendings, play therapists, other psychology trainees, and psychologists. They evaluate how a child is functioning in the context of a medical condition, conduct both short-term and long-term interventions, and consult with other staff and the medical team.  In recent years, we have had a an additional fellowship slot within the Pediatric Health Psychology concentration with an emphasis on child maltreatment.  This fellow spends about half his or her time working with children who have been abused and/or neglected.

In addition to the general objectives shared by the training program for all postdoctoral fellows, fellows in the pediatric health psychology specialization do the following:

• Utilize a biopsychosocial framework to guide a thorough clinical interview and to develop a clear case conceptualization of each patient and family.
• Demonstrate understanding of evidence-based interventions in pediatric psychology, and use that knowledge to develop and implement effective treatment plans.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with various members of the multidisciplinary team within a medical setting to positively impact patient care.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ethical and cultural issues in pediatric psychology and child health issues.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of various pediatric health conditions on patient and family adjustment and quality of life.

Structure of Pediatric Health Psychology Fellowship

Fellows are involved in a combination of consultation/liaison services and elective rotations in which they receive more specialized training with particular patient populations. Rotations last for four months, and are tailored to the fellows' interest.

Rotations

Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine
Child Maltreatment
Craniofacial
Consultation-Liaison
Cystic Fibrosis & Pulmonology
Endocrinology
Feeding Disorders
Gastroenterology
Hematology & Sickle Cell Disease
HIV/AIDS
International Adoption Medicine
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Oncology
Pain Management
Solid Organ Transplant
Pediatric Health Psychology Concentration Faculty

• Heather Bensman, Psy.D.
• Julie N. Germann, Ph.D.
• Jamie Grollman, Ph.D.
• Jami N. Gross-Toalson, Ph.D.
• Lily Iteld, Ph.D.
• Mary Lazarus, Psy.D.
• Gretchen Noble, Psy.D.
• Gabriela Reed, Ph.D.
• Crista E. Wetherington, Ph.D.

For more information about the Pediatric Health Psychology concentration, please contact: