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.

All fellows participate in providing consultation/liaison services throughout the training year. Additionally, fellows choose core and elective rotations in which they receive more specialized training with particular patient populations. The training year is divided into 3 four-month blocks of time. During each four-month block, fellows provide consultation/liaison services and choose 2-3 clinical rotations of interest. Over the course of the year, fellows typically gain experience in 5-6 different areas of clinical service.

For more information about the Pediatric Health Psychology concentration, please contact:
Celia Heppner, Psy.D.
Celia.Heppner@childrens.com

Rotations

Rotations are available in the following medical services and clinics: Cardiology, Child Maltreatment, Cochlear Implant, Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery, Cystic Fibrosis, Endocrinology, Epilepsy, Foster Care, Gastroenterology, GENder Education and Care Interdisciplinary Support (GENECIS) Program, Hematology/Sickle Cell, HIV/AIDS Primary Care, Oncology, NICU and NICU follow-up clinic, Pain Management, Sleep Medicine, Solid Organ Transplant, and Weight Management.

Specialized training opportunities are available some years within Foster Care, GENECIS, and HIV/AIDS Primary Care. 

Concentration Objectives

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.

Concentration Faculty

  • Dailyn Acosta, Ph.D. - NICU
  • Corinne Anton, Ph.D. - Cardiology
  • Jamie Becker, Ph.D. – Cystic Fibrosis and Pulmonology
  • Mary Lazarus Bonsu, Psy.D. – Pain Management
  • W. David Brown, Ph.D. – Sleep Medicine
  • Julie Germann, Ph.D., ABPP - Oncology
  • Brittany Gresl, Ph.D. - Gastroenterology
  • Celia Heppner, Psy.D., ABPP – Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery
  • Suzanne Holm, Ph.D. - Oncology
  • Lily Iteld, Ph.D. - Gastroenterology
  • Hillary Kimbley, Ph.D. - Epilepsy
  • Jessica Klement, Ph.D. – Weight Management
  • Laura Kuper, Ph.D. – GENECIS (Gender Affirming Care)
  • Laura Lamminen, Ph.D., ABPP – Foster Care
  • Jenna Oppenheim, Psy.D. – Hematology and Oncology
  • Sara Pollard, Ph.D. – Foster Care
  • Stevie Puckett-Perez, Ph.D. - Gastroenterology
  • Eileen Santa-Sosa, Ph.D. – Thrive (NICU Follow-Up) Clinic
  • Lisa Schuster, Ph.D. – REACH (Child Maltreatment) Clinic
  • Megan Tierney, Psy.D. – Consult-Liaison
  • Kelli Triplett, Ph.D. – Solid Organ Transplant
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