Psychology

Our Psychology department includes formally trained and licensed pediatric psychologists who are focused on promoting the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents with chronic illness and/or complex medical conditions. The staff applies their training as clinical health psychologists to the physical, social and emotional needs of pediatric patients. Direct clinical inpatient and outpatient services are provided to Scottish Rite patients, along with their families and caregivers. The team is primarily involved in clinical care, but also contributes to research and provides training to future pediatric psychologists, medical trainees and allied health professionals.

Clinical Care

As integrated members of the multidisciplinary medical team, Scottish Rite's pediatric psychologists are involved in many aspects of patient care including:

  • Surgery education and preparation
  • Evaluation of surgical readiness
  • Post-surgery recovery and rehabilitation
  • Evaluation and acute management of risk and safety concerns
  • Behavioral intervention for procedural distress
  • Pain management
  • Stress management
  • Medical decision making
  • Improving compliance with treatment
  • For young athletes, the team helps with return to play, rehabilitation adherence and pain management.
The team also helps patients and families:
  • Cope with diagnoses and treatment.
  • Identify co-occurring mental health needs and appropriate treatment in the community.
  • Navigate school and academic concerns that are related to their medical needs.

Research

As trained scientist-practitioners, the team is actively involved in research that explores:
  • The psychosocial impact of physical health conditions and treatment.
  • Ways to improve the treatment experience.
Staff regularly share research findings at state, national and international conferences and publish in leading professional journals. Through research, they aim to advance psychosocial care within pediatric orthopedics, rheumatology, neurology and psychology.

Training Opportunities 

Our Psychology department offers a postdoctoral training opportunity in pediatric psychology. Learn more about our Pediatric Postdoctoral Psychology Fellowship

Latest News: Psychology