Internship overview

The Psychology Internship Training Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is a one-year clinical experience and includes up to nine nationally matched interns. The goal of the Psychology Internship Training Program is to train future child psychologists for entry-level professional practice in health service psychology.

Specifically, the Program aims to prepare advanced doctoral-level students to take leadership roles in developing, providing, evaluating, and disseminating effective psychological services for a diverse population of children and families with health and/or mental health needs. The Program is committed to preparing psychologists as leaders in the field, who will be engaged in clinical practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, advocacy and scientific investigation.

Interns participate in a cumulative sequence of clinical rotations, individual and group supervision, and a variety of didactic learning forums. These training opportunities guide interns in the application of empirically supported interventions, within the multiple contexts of a child’s development.

The Psychology Internship Training Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242 (phone: 202-336-5979, fax: 202-336-5978).

C-27i Psychology Internship Training Program Tables: Internship Admissions, Support, and Initial Placement Data

Training approach

The Internship Training Program embraces a scientist-practitioner training model and is guided by developmental, ecological and systems-based theories of psychology. Children operate in multiple systems, most notably the family, healthcare, and school systems that have a profound impact on their cognitive, emotional, health and social functioning. As a result, training occurs in multiple formats and multidisciplinary environments, with significant emphasis placed on effective functioning as a healthcare team member.

The Psychology Internship Training Program embraces five overarching foci. These foci reflect our understanding of effective leadership training in child and adolescent clinical psychology:

1. Using ecological-developmental/systems theories to understand children and families
2. Developing effective interdisciplinary relationships
3. Developing and implementing prevention and advocacy activities
4. Demonstrating leadership skills
5. Working with community-based and/or medically underserved populations

Program structure

The program is horizontally structured along the following clinical competencies: assessment, consultation, and prevention/intervention. In addition, there are cross-cutting competencies in diversity, equity, and inclusion, professional development and research leadership.

The program is vertically structured through the following five clinical tracks: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Integrated Behavioral Health (community-based primary care), Clinical Child Psychology (care focused on primary behavioral health disorders), Pediatric Neuropsychology, and Pediatric Psychology. The five clinical training tracks form a single and coherent clinical child internship program that allows greater depth training within a clinical year designed to provide breadth of training in clinical child psychology.

Clinical training tracks

1. Autism Spectrum Disorders (1 position). This track is designed for interns wishing to pursue clinical and research careers related to the field of autism spectrum disorders (ASD).  Of the intern’s six rotations, 3 will be ASD-track specific, and 3 will be chosen by the intern from the wide range of outpatient and hospital-based opportunities.  A postdoctoral year is encouraged but will ultimately be based on the trainee’s interests and program needs.
2. Integrated Behavioral Health Care (4 positions). This track provides training for interns wishing to pursue clinical careers in providing integrated intervention and consultation services to children, families, medical providers and school personnel within underserved communities. Interns in this track will spend approximately 33% of their total clinical hours dedicated to pediatric primary care in the Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids program. Both the intervention and consultation competencies are accomplished through track-specific clinical rotations in an urban pediatric primary care setting.
3. Clinical Child Psychology (1 position). This track provides training for interns wishing to obtain more focused training in assessment and/or intervention skills in children with primary behavioral health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, eating disorders, ADHD, and behavioral disorders). There are no required rotations on this track, and interns are encouraged to participate in clinical rotations that support their training goals.
4. Pediatric Neuropsychology (1 position). This track provides training for interns wishing to pursue a career as a pediatric neuropsychologist. Interns devote approximately 50% of their clinical training within track-specific rotations. During one half of the year, interns participate in the inpatient neuropsychological assessment rotation, paired with the inpatient rehabilitation rotation (consultation), and select an intervention rotation. During the other half of the year, interns typically participate in the outpatient neuropsychological assessment rotation, paired with an outpatient consultation (for example, the Stroke Clinic), and select an intervention rotation.
5. Pediatric Psychology (2 positions). This track provides training for interns wishing to pursue a career as a pediatric psychologist. Interns are encouraged to participate in clinical rotations that support their training goals, selecting from the wide range of hospital-based assessment, consultation and intervention rotations. Interns on this track will complete one rotation in the Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids integrated primary care service during one semester of the training year (in addition to completing 5 other rotations selected in support of their individual training goals).

The program is divided into two, six-month semesters. Interns select clinical rotations within each of the three clinical competencies each semester, guided by the training director, track leader, and their career focus within their depth area. In addition, psychology interns participate in the LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) program, in which they may satisfy their research competency.

Each semester, interns work with their Track Leader (advisor) to choose rotations in assessment, intervention, and consultation to support the development of these core competencies. In addition, to support leadership and professional development as a clinical child psychologist, didactics, focused supervision, and other activities are provided. Throughout all training activities, best practices, as evidenced by available empirical data, are emphasized. The recursive relationship between research and practice is examined through the content of regular didactic seminars and journal clubs, as well as group and individual supervision.

Learn more about our internship structure, including core rotations »

Competencies

Internship graduates are expected to demonstrate intermediate to advanced "entry to practice" level competencies in the following:

Foundational competencies

Professionalism — Integrity, honesty, personal responsibility and adherence to professional values; deportment; accountability; concern for the welfare of others; and professional identity.

Individual and cultural diversity — Awareness, sensitivity and skills in working professionally with diverse individuals, groups and communities who represent various cultural and personal background and characteristics defined broadly. Includes: self as shaped by individual and cultural diversity and context; others as shaped by individual and cultural diversity and context; interaction of self and others as shaped by individual and cultural diversity and context; and applications based on individual and cultural context.

Ethical legal standards and policy — Application of ethical concepts and awareness of legal issues regarding professional activities with individuals, groups and organizations. Includes: knowledge of ethical, legal and professional standards and guidelines; awareness and application of ethical decision making; and ethical conduct.

Reflective practice/self-assessment/self-care — Practice conducted with personal and professional self-awareness and reflection; with awareness of competencies; with appropriate self-care. Includes: reflective practice; self-assessment; self-care (attention to personal health and well-being to assure effective professional functioning); and participation in supervision process.

Relationships — Relates effectively and meaningfully with individuals, groups, and/or communities. Includes: interpersonal relationships; affective skills; and expressive skills.

Scientific knowledge and methods — Understands biological bases of behavior, cognitive-affective bases of behavior, application of science to practice, and development across the lifespan. Respects scientifically derived knowledge. Includes: scientific foundation of professional practice.

Research/evaluation — Generates research that contributes to the professional knowledge base and/or evaluates the effectiveness of various professional activities. Includes: scientific approach to knowledge generation; and application of consultation and teaching to research practice.

Functional competencies

Assessment — Assessment and diagnosis of problems, capabilities and issues associated with individuals, groups, and/or organizations. Includes: knowledge of measurement and psychometrics; knowledge of assessment methods; application of assessment methods; diagnosis; conceptualization and recommendations; communication of assessment findings.

Intervention — Interventions designed to alleviate suffering and to promote health and well-being of individuals, groups and/or organizations. Includes: intervention planning; skills; intervention implementation; and treatment progress evaluation.

Consultation — Ability to provide expert guidance or professional assistance in response to a patient's needs or goals. Includes: role of consultant; addressing referral questions; communication of consultation findings; and application of consultation methods.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Interns have the opportunity to work with diverse children and families through clinical rotations. Also, didactic training in the Behavioral Health Seminar, LEND Seminar Series, Diversity and Inclusion Forum, and Interdisciplinary Seminar in Community-Based Practice provides interns with a conceptual foundation with issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in psychology.

Issues pertaining to individual and cultural diversity are addressed in all aspects of our internship program. It is the responsibility of faculty, staff and interns to consider issues of individual and cultural diversity and to demonstrate cultural humility, relevance and competence in interactions with patients, colleagues and other peers. Emphasis is routinely placed upon issues of individual and cultural diversity within the context of relevant cases and throughout the course of individual clinical supervision.

Interns will have many opportunities to integrate knowledge and experiences regarding individual and cultural diversity into daily clinical practice. In addition, our faculty and staff strive to incorporate full consideration of issues of individual and cultural diversity into regularly scheduled rounds, seminars, and group peer review conferences, which utilize interactive case management.

Psychology interns may work within community-based programs that serve children with special needs through training initiatives funded through the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program (Integrated Behavioral Health track) and LEND programs of DHHS and Health Resources Services Administration.

How to apply

Eligibility criteria

A high priority is placed on selecting candidates who are the strongest match given their training goals and the program mission. This includes applicants who intend to pursue a career integrating research and practice, focus on working with underserved medical populations, and those who demonstrate leadership interests. Interns must be in good standing in a doctoral program in professional psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS).

Nine internship positions are available, matched to the following internship program tracks: Clinical Child Psychology (1), Pediatric Psychology (2), Pediatric Neuropsychology (1), Autism Spectrum Disorders (1), and Integrated Behavioral Health Care (4).

At the time of submitting an application, applicants should have completed 500 hours or more of supervised clerkship, externship or practicum training. It is preferred that applicants have at least 250 externship hours related to assessment, and at least 250 hours related to intervention/consultation. Our program recognizes that for the 2024-2025 application cycle, the APPI experience hours accrual end date has been moved to October 1st (one month earlier than in the past).  We will apply our pre-internship hours accrual guidelines described above with this in mind.

COVID-19 – For applicants for the 2025-2026 internship class, the program understands that training experiences may have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will take into account that since March 2020, training placements and experiences were likely modified due to physical distancing and quarantining, as well as including telehealth-based clinical training experiences. We plan to adjust our typical expectations for clinical training hours accumulated by the time of application. Applicants are encouraged to describe in their cover letter and/or application materials the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their training plans.

Other requirements

By the beginning of the internship, it is required that applicants will have completed all major graduate program coursework requirements and qualifying examinations for their doctoral degree and have only the dissertation requirement to meet.

We expect applicants to have successfully defended a dissertation proposal and to have collected data for the dissertation study prior to the start of the internship, and we will give preference to those applicants who have completed their dissertation defense. The intern should have a reasonable certainty of being granted the doctoral degree within one year of starting the internship.

Due to federal grant funding guidelines, trainees must be citizens of the United States, non-citizen nationals of the United States, or foreign nationals who possesses visas permitting permanent residence in the United States. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.

To carry out its mission, it is of critical importance for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to keep our patients, families and workforce safe and healthy and to support the health of our global community. In keeping with this, CHOP has mandated all workforce members (including trainees) on site at any CHOP location for any portion of their time be vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment.

This mandate also applies to workforce members or trainees performing work for CHOP at non-CHOP locations. Additionally, all workforce members based in or regularly scheduled to work at any New Jersey location are mandated to be both vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19, with booster timing consistent with applicable guidelines. The CHOP COVID-19 vaccine mandate is in alignment with applicable local, state and federal mandates. CHOP also requires all workforce members and trainees who work in patient care buildings or who provide patient care to receive an annual influenza vaccine. Employees may request exemption consideration for CHOP vaccine requirements for valid religious and medical reasons. Please note start dates may be delayed until candidates are fully immunized or valid exemption requests are reviewed. In addition, candidates other than those in positions with regularly scheduled hours in New Jersey, must attest to not using tobacco products.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected category. CHOP is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor seeking priority referrals for protected veterans.

CHOP is committed to building an inclusive culture where employees feel a sense of belonging, connection, and community within their workplace. We are a team dedicated to fostering an environment that allows for all to be their authentic selves. We are focused on attracting, cultivating, and retaining diverse talent who can help us deliver on our mission to be a world leader in the advancement of healthcare for children.

We strongly encourage all candidates of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

Individuals with physical mobility concerns

It is Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s policy not to discriminate against a candidate for employment (including internship) on the basis of a physical handicap or mobility problem. If an intern with a physical handicap or mobility problem is selected for our program, we will work collaboratively with professionals in our Departments of Human Resources, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Audiology, Speech and Language to develop suitable accommodations.

Required application materials

The interested applicant should submit the following, using the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) on-line application process:

• A cover letter clearly indicating the training track applied for and detailing how the track chosen will help fulfill training goals (candidates may apply for only one track)
• A current curriculum vitae
• A completed APPIC application form
• An APPIC Verification of Eligibility form signed by the Director of Training of your graduate school training program endorsing your readiness for internship training
• Three letters of recommendation from academic and/or work supervisors (you may choose to include an additional letter, however, only three letters are required)
• Two written work samples, preferably one assessment report and one treatment-related document
• Transcripts of all graduate level coursework

Application deadline

The deadline for receipt of all application materials is Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Applications will not be considered unless all required application materials are received by this deadline.

Questions can be addressed via email to: PsychologyInternship@chop.edu.

Interviews

Subsequent to faculty review of each completed application, we will invite selected applicants for a virtual interview. Virtual interviews will be held on Monday, January 6, Wednesday, January 8, Tuesday, January 14, and Thursday, January 16, 2025. Interview notification date will be on or before Monday, December 2, 2024. All applicants will be notified of their application status via email by this date. Our internship program will use the online interview scheduling system developed by the National Matching Service for the 2025 APPIC Match.

Virtual interview days will include presentations outlining the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the Psychology Internship Training Program, and the LEND Program. Each candidate will have interviews with at least two members of our training faculty. Candidates will receive invitations to attend virtual group informational sessions hosted by our current interns and training faculty, as well as a video virtual tour of the hospital.

Intern selection

Each completed application is reviewed and discussed by the Psychology Training Advisory Committee. Interns are selected according to the procedures set forth by the Association of Psychology Post-doctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC). By the beginning of February 2025, applicants will be ranked along the track specified, and five rank order lists will be submitted to the Internship Matching Program. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Psychology Internship Training Program agrees to abide by the APPIC policy that no person at this training facility will solicit, accept or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant.

Following receipt of computerized match results, matched candidates will be contacted by telephone.

Applicants will be informed of the credentialing process required before a formal offer of employment can be extended. The Hospital-wide credentialing process includes:

• Child abuse check
• Criminal history check
• Careful review of transcripts
• Health and drug screening
• Reference check

Expenses associated with these screening procedures are covered by the hospital.

The Psychology Internship Training Program follows the Drug-free Workplace policy of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The Drug-free Workplace policy strictly prohibits the possession, manufacture, sale, purchase, distribution or use of prohibited substances in the workplace. Additionally, staff members are prohibited from appearing for work under the influence of prohibited substances. Individuals who are under the care of a licensed physician/practitioner and prescribed a medication or substance that could influence or impair performance or behavior is required to disclose their use of this substance prior to required pre-employment drug testing.

CHOP reviews background check results consistent with applicable federal, City and State Laws. It individually evaluates positive background screens to determine whether continued employment is appropriate.  CHOP will consider whether the Pennsylvania Child Protective Law (Act 153) or any other law prevents it from continuing to employ a person with that particular criminal or child abuse history in a Health Care Worker position.  If there is no law that prevents continued employment, CHOP will review factors to consider whether the particular criminal or child abuse history should preclude further employment in the particular role.

If you have other questions regarding the pre-employment screenings and/or what may constitute a failed screening, please contact PsychologyInternship@chop.edu. 

The Psychology Internship Training Program, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, is accredited by:

The American Psychological Association
Commission on Accreditation
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, Education Directorate
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: 202-336-5979
Fax: 202-336-5978

Ongoing guidance, evaluation and mentorship

At the beginning of the internship year, each intern will be matched with a Track Leader. The Track Leader will serve in an advisory role and will be responsible for monitoring the curriculum (i.e., selection and satisfactory completion of rotations), thereby aiming to ensure that training goals are being met in accordance with the intern’s career plan.

Regularly scheduled supervision will be provided by rotation supervisors. Along with the ongoing feedback from supervisors, formal written evaluation of performance will be completed four times per year. In addition, the Track Leader regularly meets with the intern to review training goals and progress.

A composite written evaluation will be prepared and forwarded to each intern’s university-based director of training at mid-year and at the conclusion of the internship.

Interns will also be expected to provide periodic feedback regarding training experiences as well as an evaluation of the quality of the Psychology Internship Training Program at its conclusion. In addition, intern graduates may be contacted for six years following the internship in order to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the internship training program and their effective functioning as child psychologists.

Salary and other benefits

Interns receive a salary of $38,500 distributed evenly across the internship year in bi-weekly paychecks. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provides individual health insurance coverage to interns upon the completion of the first 30 days of internship training. All employees and trainees of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia are eligible for individual health insurance via group plans after 30 days of employment status. At this time, interns may elect to purchase health insurance for themselves, a spouse and/or dependent(s) through one of the available group plan options. We advise all interns to continue pre-existing individual health insurance coverage through the first 30 days of the Psychology Internship Training Program.

Interns will accrue 20 PPL (paid personal leave) days in their PPL bank to be used as needed for vacation, personal time, fellowship interviews or illness. Intern employees are eligible to draw upon their PPL bank only following the first 90 days of employment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In addition, interns will be allowed the following eight announced holidays: New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Subsequent to administrative approval, an intern may request an additional three-day leave for participation in professional conferences or dissertation defense. During any scheduled absence, adequate coverage for clinical responsibilities must be arranged with each clinical supervisor and the Training Director.

Training faculty

Many of our faculty are involved in a wide range of research activities. For more information on what are faculty are doing, please check out our Pediatric Mental Health research.

Psychology Internship Training Program leadership team

Stephen L. Soffer, PhD, Director of Psychology Internship Training Program; Co-Chief, Division of Outpatient Behavioral Health; Psychologist, The Center for Management of ADHD; Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: ADHD (assessment and treatment, school consultation); behavioral and family interventions for disruptive behavioral disorders; learning disorders; youth suicide prevention quality improvement

Kimberly S. Miller, PhD, Associate Director of Psychology Internship Training Program; Clinical Psychologist, The Division of Rheumatology and the Center for Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (CAMPS); Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: coping and adjustment for children with chronic illness and their families; the impact of physician communication on adaptation to illness and treatment decision-making

Emily B. Edelson, PsyD, Track Leader (Clinical Child Track); Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Externalizing behaviors, Psychoeducational assessment and learning, School support and collaboration, Educational rights and procedures

Maria E. Golden, PhD, NCSP, Track Leader (Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care), Licensed Pediatric Psychologist, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, Healthy Minds, Healthy Kidss; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical Interests: psychosocial factors impacting health behaviors, increasing access to care, adherence and session attendance, coordination and collaboration across educational and medical systems, and functional outcomes for youth with chronic illness

Kelly A. O’Neil Rodriguez, PhD, Track Leader (Pediatric Psychology), Pediatric Psychologist, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (GI), Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry

Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: cognitive behavioral intervention for pediatric functional GI disorders, psychosocial factors in pediatric GI Motility disorders

Jane E. Schreiber, PhD, ABPP-CN, Track Leader (Pediatric Neuropsychology), Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Schreiber is embedded in the Division of General, Fetal, and Thoracic Surgery and provides neurodevelopmental and neuropsychological follow-up for patients who have undergone early surgical procedures and subsequent medical treatment.

Research interests: long-term neuropsychological outcomes

Molly Seltzer, PhD, Track Leader (Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care); Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Healthy Minds Healthy Kids Program (CHOP South Philadelphia) and Anxiety Behaviors Clinic

Clinical and Research Interests: integrated primary care training and intervention, cultural humility training, anxiety disorders, disruptive behavior disorders

Casey Zampella, PhD, Track Leader (Autism Spectrum Disorders); Scientist II, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Center for Autism Research

Clinical and research interests: Research focuses on quantifying movement differences in autism and the role of movement in social communication. She is particularly interested in leveraging technology and dyadic paradigms to capture bidirectional interpersonal movement cues as they unfold in natural contexts.

Internship training faculty and staff

Richa Aggarwal Dutta, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Acquired Autonomic Dysfunction Program; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: Assessment and treatment of pediatric chronic pain and somatic symptoms; pediatric psychology; cognitive behavioral therapy; psychosocial factors that impact health, adherence, and function among youth; health disparities and access to care among diverse and minoritized youth; treatment outcomes; quality improvement and program evaluation; supervision and training

Nicole Andorko, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, The Diabetes Center for Children; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: coping and adjustment to chronic illness; treatment adherence and self-management; healthy lifestyle changes; intervention for youth living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes; program development

Jody Aramburo, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist, Autism Integrated Care, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Clinical and research interests: Autism Spectrum Disorder (assessment, intervention, consultation); intellectual assessment; comprehensive psychological assessment; intervention approach using behavioral, CBT, ACT, and/or integrative therapy for ASD, anxiety, mood disorders, traumatic stress, and disruptive behavioral disorders; group intervention for comorbid ASD/anxiety

Kari Baber, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (GI), Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: psychosocial factors impacting adjustment to GI symptoms/disease, psychological interventions to improve coping and daily functioning, treatment of functional GI disorders, behavioral treatment of rumination

Lamia P. Barakat, PhD, Director of Psychosocial Services and Behavioral Oncology Research for the Cancer Center and Professor of Clinical Psychology in Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: application of risk and resilience models for predicting disease management and quality of life among youth with chronic health conditions, evaluation of evidence-based screening of psychosocial risk in pediatric oncology, development and testing of family-based interventions for disease management, and enhancing adolescent and young adult engagement in decision-making about cancer treatment through clinical trials

Carla Bernstein, PsyD, Psychologist, Behavioral Health Integrated Program, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Clinical and research interests: 

Candace Best, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (GI)

Clinical and research interests: psychosocial factors impacting adjustment to GI symptoms/disease, psychological interventions to improve coping and daily functioning, treatment of functional GI disorders, health disparities 

Chelsea Black, PhD, Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Clinical and Research interests: neuropsychological evaluation and consultation, with an emphasis in pediatric multiple sclerosis and other pediatric neuroinflammatory disorders; neurobiological underpinnings of disruptions in language, mood, and executive function systems in pediatric medical disorders

Lisa Blaskey, PhD, Neuropsychologist, Center for Autism Research, Neuropsychology Service, and Department of Radiology/MEG Imaging Center

Clinical and research interests: neurocognitive underpinnings of autism spectrum disorders, neuropsychological assessment, mechanisms of comorbidity in neurodevelopmental disorders

Rhonda C. Boyd, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania; Associate Director, Child and Adolescent Mood Program

Clinical and research interests: maternal depression, evaluation and treatment of mood disorders, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and racially/ethnically diverse youth and families

Nancy Braveman, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist, The Safe Place Treatment and Support Program

Clinical interests: child sexual abuse/maltreatment, post-traumatic stress, parenting, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy

Jennifer Brereton, PsyD, Psychologist, Division of Hematology: Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Pediatric Comprehensive Bone Marrow Failure Center

Clinical and research interests: coping and adjustment for children (and their families) with a chronic illness; child and family coping in the acute care setting, promoting adherence to medical regimens; cognitive behavioral interventions for pain, consultation-liaison

E. Thomaseo Burton, PhD, MPH, ABPP, Pediatric Psychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Healthy Weight Program

Clinical and research interests: Development and implementation of high quality and culturally-relevant behavioral interventions for children, adolescents, and their families with overweight, obesity, and related cardiometabolic comorbidities.

Colleen Cadigan, PsyD, Pediatric Psychologist in Behavioral Health Integrated Program

Clinical and research interests include consultation-liaison, psychosocial oncology, child and family coping in the acute care setting, adjustment to chronic illness and prolonged hospitalization, interdisciplinary collaboration and intervention. 

Gayle Chesley, PhD, Psychologist, Division of Rehabilitation. Clinical and research interests: family coping with pediatric brain and spinal cord injury, adjustment to prolonged hospitalization, interdisciplinary inpatient interventions.

Joanna C.M. Cole, PhD, PMH-C, Manager, Psychosocial Programs; Clinical Psychologist, Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit; Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: perinatal mood and anxiety disorders; perinatal loss and bereavement; prenatal PTSD; parental coping with a fetal anomaly diagnosis; pain and stress management; adolescent pregnancy and parenting

Emily DiVirgilio, PhD, Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Inpatient Acute Rehabilitation program, Day Hospital Rehabilitation program, and BRIDGE Interdisciplinary Outpatient Clinic

Clinical and research interests: neuropsychology services to patients in acute stages of recovery following an acquired traumatic or non-traumatic brain injury; understanding and optimizing recovery following an acquired brain injury.

Colleen Driscoll, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, CHOP Cardiac Center, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: self-management for youth with spina bifida, congenital heart disease, parental coping strategies. 

Ricardo Eiraldi, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Program Director, Behavioral Health in Urban Schools Program; Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: Mental health services disparities: implementation of evidence-based practices in non-traditional settings: assessment and treatment of ADHD

Lauren Fishbein, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Autism Integrated Care, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Clinical and research interests: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, behavioral parent training, behavior and cognitive behavior therapy for individuals with ASD/IDD and co-occurring social-emotional and behavioral problems, adaptive skills training, and applied behavior analytic interventions.

Thomas B. Flynn, PhD, ABPP-CN, Pediatric Neuropsychologist; Director, Neuropsychology and Assessment

Clinical and research interests: neuropsychological evaluation and consultation; training and assessment methods; developmental and psychosocial effects of epilepsy; epilepsy surgery, including selection of candidates and outcome; sickle cell disease and neuropsychological effects; late neurobehavioral outcomes after cardiac surgery

Carmelita Foster, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids

Clinical and research interests: Adolescent depression and anxiety, contemporary behavioral therapy, the efficacy and cultural adaptations of evidence-based treatments, integrated behavioral health and Black identity development.

Melanie Franklin, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and CHOP Sleep Center; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests:  Sleep, Treatment adherence, Pediatric psychology

Karen B. Friedman, PhD, Psychologist, Neonatal Follow-up Program

Clinical and research interests: infant and early childhood mental health, cognitive and developmental assessment of infants and preschoolers, neurodevelopmental outcomes of at-risk infants, cultural considerations for the assessment of ethnic minority children and families, bilingual testing of Spanish-speaking children.

Kimberly Genuario, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Healthy Weight Program, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: Psychological assessment, consultation, and intervention with children that have chronic health conditions and their families within multidisciplinary medical clinics; working with children and adolescents who are overweight and with obesity addressing psychosocial factors interfering with engagement in health behaviors and child/adolescent wellbeing and quality of life; psychological support for children/adolescents with binge eating behaviors; education on decreasing weight stigma in both the general community and medical community.

Cherie Gerstadt, PhD, Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Clinical interests: Evaluation and treatment of mood disorders and anxiety disorders.

Julie M. Gettings, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, Diabetes Center for Children

Clinical and research interests: promoting adherence to medical regimens for youth with chronic illness, Healthy lifestyle changes within families, Coping with chronic illness and other medical conditions, Program development.

Whitney B Guerry, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist and Co-Director, Behavioral Health Integrated Program

Clinical and research interests: consultation-liaison, child and family coping with illness, evidence-based treatment of eating and feeding disorders, cognitive behavioral interventions for pain.

Whitney Guthrie, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and Center for Autism Research; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: universal screening for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), improving early detection and diagnosis of ASD, early developmental trajectories, measurement of treatment response

Lyla El-Messidi Hampton, PhD, Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Cardiac Kids Developmental Follow Up Program and Neuropsychology and Assessment Service.

Research interests: neuropsychological outcome in children treated for congenital heart defects and genetic disorders

Matthew Hocking, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, Division of Oncology; Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania. 

Clinical and research interests: neurodevelopmental consequences of pediatric brain tumors and neurofibromatosis type 1; family management of treatment-related sequelae in childhood cancer survivors; cognitive remediation interventions and family-based interventions for childhood cancer survivors.

Casey Hoffman, PhD, Psychologist and Clinical Director, Young Child Clinic, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Psychologist, Neonatal Follow-Up Program, Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit, Division of Neonatology; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: developmental outcomes for high-risk infants; maximizing the development of hospitalized infants; parent-infant attachment and interactions

Christina Holbein, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: coping and adjustment to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); cognitive behavioral intervention for both functional and organic gastrointestinal conditions; psychosocial screening in medical clinics; treatment adherence and self-management; transition to adult care

Mary Iampietro, PhD, Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Minds Matter Concussion Program

Clinical and research interests: understanding the neuropsychological, medical, psychological, and neurodevelopmental contributions to recovery in mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injury

Torri M. Jones, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, Division of Oncology, Cellular Therapy and Transplant Section; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: pre-treatment screening of psychosocial risk, evidence-based behavior management, culturally effective care, child and family adjustment to bone marrow transplant and immunotherapy

Lynne M. Kaplan, PhD, Psychologist, Division of Oncology; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: psychosocial support for pediatric patients diagnosed with cancer and their families, cancer related traumatic stress reactions in siblings of children with cancer

Lauren Krivitzky, PhD, ABPP-CN, Director of Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship and Externship Training; Pediatric Neuropsychologist;  Associate Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: predictors of neuropsychological outcomes in children with pediatric stroke and rare metabolic disorders. Pediatric stroke rehabilitation

Emily Kuschner, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Department of Radiology and Center for Autism Research; Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and Research Interests: diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder; characterization and treatment of food selectivity in autism spectrum disorder; clinical strategies for neuroimaging with young children and children with limited language and cognitive ability

Stephen S. Leff, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Co-Director of the Center for Violence Prevention (CVP) at CHOP; Professor of Clinical Psychology in Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania; Director, Friend to Friend and PRAISE programs.

Clinical and research interests: gender and social cognitive differences in aggression; aggression and bullying prevention program; community-based participatory research (CBPR) to ensure intervention relevance for urban minority youth; multi-media edutainment approaches to bullying prevention; ADHD and peer relations

Debra S. Lefkowitz, PsyD, Psychosocial Services Manager, Transplant Center; Clinical Director, Pediatric Health and Behavior Program; Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: adherence and allocation of responsibility in adolescent chronic illness management; psychology and ethics in pediatric solid organ transplant; program development and evaluation

Katrina Lenz, PsyD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Director of Eating Disorders Assessment and Treatment Program’s Partial Hospital Program, Outpatient provider with Eating Disorders Assessment and Treatment Program and General Outpatient Psychiatry

Clinical interests: Eating disorders, higher level of care programming (e.g., Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Programs), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, supervision and training

Jason A. Lewis, PhD, Section Chief, Mood, Anxiety and Trauma Disorders, Division of Outpatient Behavioral Health; Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical interests: Evaluation and treatment of mood disorders and disruptive behavior disorders. Group interventions, including parent management training groups, DBT Skills groups, and depression groups

Colleen Lukens, PhD, Psychologist, Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Center; Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical interests: assessment and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders Research interests: evaluation of treatment outcome; design of novel treatment approaches; measure development

Leanne Magee, PhD, Psychologist, Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Oral Surgery, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: psychosocial adjustment in children and families affected by acquired and congenital appearance differences; psychological aspects of plastic, reconstructive and oral surgery; body image and anxiety

Yesenia Marroquin, PhD, is a bilingual (Spanish/English) Clinical Psychologist within the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Clinical Director of the Anxiety Behaviors Clinic.

Clinical and Research Interests: Youth anxiety, depression, trauma, and suicide prevention; Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) multi-family skills group; parent/caregiver interventions for youth with mild to moderate anxious distress; adapting evidence-based interventions to culturally and linguistically diverse youth and families.

Loretta Martin-Halpine, PsyD, Psychologist, Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Center

Clinical and research interests: assessment and treatment of feeding disorders, treatment outcomes, temperament and personality, process improvement, and the transaction between organizational development and clinical work

Jennifer A. Mautone, PhD, ABPP, Clinical Director, Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids Program; Associate Director of Psychosocial Research in Primary Care; Center for Management of ADHD; Associate Professor of School Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: improving access to evidence-based care for underserved communities; implementation of evidence-based practices in schools and primary care practices; family-school collaboration for children with ADHD and other behavioral health concerns; parent education regarding behavior management of children with ADHD; collaboration between families, schools and the healthcare system

Sarah Mayer-Brown, PhD, Psychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Izabela Milaniak, PhD, Izabela Milaniak, PhD, Psychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, C0-Clinical Director of Family Partners Program, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: Anxiety disorders, Social anxiety disorder, Separation anxiety disorder, Generalized anxiety disorder, Panic disorder, Phobias, Obsessive compulsive disorder, Trauma and stress-related disorders, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Judith Miller, PhD, Associate Director, LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disorders); Clinical Training Director, Center for Autism Research; Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry, Associate Professor of Psychiatry in Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: screening, diagnosis and classification of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and co-occurring conditions; ASD screening and diagnosis in primary care settings; outcomes across the lifespan.

Victoria A. Miller, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist and Director of Research, Division of Adolescent Medicine; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and Research Interests: self-management and adherence in children and adolescents with a chronic illness; ethics, decision-making, and informed consent/assent in pediatric settings; physician parent-child communication during medical encounters; parent-adolescent strength-based communication

Jodi A. Mindell, PhD, Associate Director, Sleep Center; Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania; Professor, Department of Psychology at Saint Joseph's University

Clinical and research interests: pediatric sleep disorders; assessment and treatment of behaviorally based sleep disorders in children and adolescents

Melisa Moore, PhD, CBSM, Attending Psychologist, Sleep Center

Clinical and research interests: assessment and treatment of pediatric sleep disorders, environmental and genetic influences on sleep, sleep and psychological functioning

Leela Morrow, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist; Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Psychologist in the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Co-Chair of Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (DCAPBS) Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Executive Board Member of Alliance of Minority Physicians- founder of AMPsy

Clinical and research interests include: patient and family coping with complex medical illness, program development related to pediatric psychology, recruitment and retention of under-represented students in psychology

Christina Murphy, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, Headache Program, Division of Neurology; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests:  Assessment and treatment of pediatric headache, cognitive behavior therapy for headache management, risk and resilience among pediatric patients with headache, quality improvement in the division of neurology

Sarah C. Murphy, PsyD, Pediatric Neuropsychologist; Neuropsychology and Assessment Program; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical interests: Neuropsychological assessment of complex medical and genetic conditions, neurodevelopmental disorders, and factors affecting recovery in TBI/concussion

Jenelle Nissley-Tsiopinis, PhD, Psychologist, Center for the Management of ADHD; Co-PI Organizational Skills Training in Schools; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: ADHD (assessment, treatment, school consultation); Executive functioning, organizational & social deficits; comorbid anxiety/ADHD and ADHD/autism spectrum disorders; addressing treatment disparities

Iris Paltin, PhD, ABPP-Cn, Pediatric Neuropsychologist; Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Division of Oncology

Clinical and research interests: neuropsychological assessment; oncological diseases and treatments that impact neurocognitive functioning; intervention to minimize late effect risk or improve functioning; models of assessment and intervention; school re-entry; consultation to support executive function skill development

Juhi Pandey, PhD, Neuropsychologist, Neuropsychology and Center for Autism Research; Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: early detection and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders, developmental trajectories in neurodevelopmental disorders, neurocognitive underpinnings of autism spectrum disorders, neuropsychological assessment, modulation of attention in autism spectrum disorders

Chavis A. Patterson, PhD, Director of Psychosocial Services in the Division of Neonatology; Co-Director, Internship Professional Development in the Psychology Internship Training Program; Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: Coping with the emotional complexities associated with having a child in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Universal screening of parents for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders; parent and staff program development

Alexandra Perloe, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Eating Disorders Assessment and Treatment Program and General Outpatient Psychiatry

Clinical interests: Eating disorders, identity development and emerging adulthood, cognitive-behavioral therapy, third-wave behavioral and acceptance-based clinical approaches (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), supervision and training

Jill Plevinsky, PhD, Psychologist, Pediatric Transplant Center; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: Adherence, self-management, and transition readiness in youth with complex chronic medical conditions; Pre- and post-transplant psychosocial screening in pediatric solid organ transplant candidates and recipients; Quality improvement; Pediatric medical education

Thomas J. Power, PhD, ABPP, Director, Center for Management of ADHD; Chief Psychologist and Associate Chief of Academic Affairs and Professional Development; Professor of School Psychology in Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: assessment and treatment of ADHD, organizational skills training, school mental health, integrated primary care, implementation science

Stephon N. Proctor, PhD, ABPP, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Anxiety Behaviors Clinic (ABC) and Center for Management of ADHD; Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Director of Clinical Informatics

Clinical interests: assessment and treatment of ADHD/ADD, Assessment and treatment of anxiety and related disorders, Disruptive behavior disorders, Behavioral health informatics

Kathleen "Katie" Ramsey, PhD, Psychologist, Center for Autism Research & Division of Neurology

Clinical and research interests: assessment of neurodevelopmental conditions (e.g., autism, ADHD, learning disabilities), improving early detection and diagnosis of autism, early developmental trajectories, evidence-based intervention for children diagnosed with epilepsy and tic disorders, comprehensive behavioral intervention for tic (CBIT).

Kathleen Rein, PsyD, Psychologist, Autism Integrated Care Program, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Clinical Director – Neurodevelopmental Disorders Section; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: Evaluation and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Developmental disabilities, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Amanda C. Riisen, PsyD, Psychologist, Pediatric Regional Epilepsy Program, Externship Training Program Director; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical interests: coping and adjustment for children (and their families) diagnosed with epilepsy or other chronic illness

Paul M. Robins, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Clinical and research interests: somatic symptom disorders; secondary traumatic stress; training competencies; integrated care; family therapy. 

Whitney Rog, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist, Pain/Rheumatology, Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS) Program; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: evaluation and treatment of children with pain disorders; coping and adjustment for children with pain and their families

Christina M. Rouse, PsyD, Pediatric Psychologist, Division of Urology, Division of Nephrology, and Pediatric Health and Behavior Program

Clinical and research interests: adjustment to chronic illness, adherence to medical regimens, transition from pediatric to adult care, cultural difference and accommodations, and improving family relationships

Hannah-Lise Schofield, PhD, ABPP-CN, Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Division of Oncology; Associate Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: cognitive outcomes of childhood cancer treatment; neuropsychological sequelae of medical procedures; inconsistency and variability in performance

Lisa Schwartz, PhD, Psychologist, Division of Oncology, Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program; Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: developmental, psychosocial, and health outcomes of pediatric cancer survivors; adolescents and young adults with cancer; health behaviors, health promotion, and transition to adulthood and adult medical care for adolescents/young adults with medical conditions; mobile health

Carinna Scotti-Degnan, PhD, Psychologist, Pediatric Regional Epilepsy Program; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical interests: evidence-based intervention for children, adolescents, and their families diagnosed with epilepsy as well as tic disorders; comprehensive behavioral intervention for tic (CBIT)

Nicholas Seivert, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist in the Cardiac Center, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: Child/parent adjustment to adversity, comorbid medical and psychiatric illness, child/parent adjustment in the context of chronic illness, pediatric integrated healthcare, emotional development, clinical psychology training

Jennifer Sherker, PsyD, Psychologist, Division of Rheumatology. Manager of Psychological Services for Pain and Psychosocial Services in the Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS) Program; Manager for the Acquired Autonomic Dysfunction Program (AADP); Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical interests: evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with pain and other somatic disorders; Quality of life in children/adolescents with chronic pain; anxiety disorders; coping; and quality improvement and patient safety

Jamie Shoop, PhD, Psychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Minds Matter Concussion Program

Clinical and research interests: Assessment and treatment of pediatric chronic pain and somatic symptoms, psychosocial factors impacting medical illness and injury, and interdisciplinary treatment models

Nancy Silverman, PhD, Psychologist, Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Center, Pediatric Health and Behavior Clinic (PHAB) and Pulmonary and Allergy Personalized Asthma Clinic (PAPA)

Clinical and research interests: multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of feeding disorders, behavioral and emotional adjustment in patients with ongoing medical challenges, and improving treatment adherence in patients with asthma

Arianna K. Stefanatos, PhD, Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Stefanatos is working within the Metabolic Disease program conducting serial neurodevelopmental and neuropsychological evaluations of children with a range of metabolic and genetic conditions from infancy through young adulthood.

Research interests: examining predictors of neurocognitive, socioemotional and behavioral functioning within at-risk populations over time

Jeanna Stokes, PsyD, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Eating Disorder Assessment and Treatment Program

Clinical and research interests: assessment and treatment of eating disorders in children and adolescents, clinical training and mentorship, program development, and understanding the impact of weight stigma on patient care

Margo Szabo, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: assessment and treatment for youth with gastrointestinal disorders; eosinophilic esophagitis; celiac disease; interplay of sleep disruption and health outcomes

Jocelyn Thomas, PhD, Attending Psychologist, Sleep Center; NICU Follow-up Program at CHOP at Virtua

Clinical and research interests: assessment and treatment of pediatric sleep disorders

Nina Thomas, PhD, ABPP-CN, Pediatric Neuropsychologist, board certified in Clinical Neuropsychology; board certified subspecialist in Pediatric Neuropsychology; Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: Cognitive effects of neural tube defects, craniofacial conditions, pediatric sepsis, and cardiac conditions

C. Alix Timko, PhD, Licensed Psychologist, Eating Disorder Assessment and Treatment Program, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Associate Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.

Clinical and research interests: Furthering the treatment of adolescent eating disorders, including the use of Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Remediation Therapy;  neuro-cognition in adolescent with eating disorders, neurobiology of anorexia - particularly the role of social reward; sex differences in eating disorders, and understanding the impact of malnutrition on adolescent development across a variety of physical and psychiatric disorders. 

Elizabeth Turner, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, Psychosocial Manager, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition; Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: pediatric gastrointestinal diseases; impact of nutritional supplementation and growth on psychosocial well-being in children with inflammatory bowel disease

Melissa S. Xanthopoulos, PhD, Attending Psychologist, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Sleep Center, Division of Pulmonary Medicine; Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: intervention development, implementation and adherence to medical and lifestyle interventions, including non-invasive ventilation, eating habits, physical activity, and sleep; interactions among psychosocial and physiological factors on health outcomes; assessment and treatment of obesity; lifestyle assessment and intervention development for individuals with developmental disabilities; program development and quality improvement

Benjamin E. Yerys, PhD, Clinical Psychologist/Scientist, Center for Autism Research, Autism Integrated Care Team, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Associate Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry, Psychiatry Department, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: Understanding the psychological and neural mechanisms, the treatment and the long-term sequelae of attention, cognition, and learning impairments in autism spectrum disorder. Increasing knowledge of syndromic forms of autism, and how ADHD influences the phenotypic presentation of autism

Jami F. Young, PhD, Director of Psychosocial Research, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Professor of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Clinical and research interests: identification, risk, prevention, and treatment of adolescent depression; increasing access to evidence-based interventions in community settings; interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for depression

Alison R. Zisser-Nathenson, PhD, Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Clinical and research interests: Early childhood disruptive behavior, behavioral parent training and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for anxiety disorders

Current interns

Intern Class of 2024-2025

• Nicolette Bauermeister –University of South Florida (Integrated Behavioral Health)
• Rachel Fisher – Oklahoma State University (Pediatric Psychology)
• Samiha Islam –University of Pennsylvania (Pediatric Psychology)
• Eliza Kramer – University of Denver (Pediatric Neuropsychology)
• Renee Lamoreau – Tulane University (Integrated Behavioral Health)
• Tristan Maesaka – University of Hawaii (Integrated Behavioral Health)
• Harlee Onovbiona – University of Arkansas (Autism Spectrum Disorders)
• Dominique Phillips –University of Miami (Clinical Child Psychology)
• Laura Saldana – DePaul University (Integrated Behavioral Health)