The Pediatric Psycho-Oncology Program is integrated into the Department of Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders at Riley The team provides evidence-based psychological care to children, adolescents and young adults with cancer as well as survivors of pediatric cancer. Common referrals are for adjustment to cancer diagnosis, anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, symptom management (such as pain and nausea) and adherence concerns.
Psychologist:
Stephanie Hullmann, PhD
The Pediatric Pain Management Program is an integrated clinic that treats children with chronic or recurrent pain conditions. Pediatric psychologists work closely with physicians and physical therapists to provide multidisciplinary treatment to help improve functioning and provide pain relief.
Psychologists:
Amy Williams, PhD
Mary Milder, PhD
The Pediatric GI Psychology Program is an integrated clinic that treats children and adolescents with gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. Pediatric Psychologists work closely with physicians, nurses and dieticians to provide evidenced-based treatment to help improve functioning and quality of life. Managing GI conditions can be challenging for patients and their families, including enduring uncomfortable, distressing and/or painful symptoms and keeping track of complicated treatment regimens, such as daily medications, infusions and changes to diet and lifestyle. These challenges can contribute to stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression, which can worsen GI symptoms. The team helps patients and families develop skills to promote physical and emotional wellbeing. Common referrals include adjustment to new diagnosis, coping with a medical condition, adherence, toileting difficulties, eating/feeding concerns and symptom management.
Psychologists:
Elaine Gilbert, PsyD
Katie Schwartzkopf, PsyD
Scott Wagoner, PhD
Patients are seen through the Riley Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic (Indianapolis and Carmel/Meridian Crossing locations and Telehealth). Treatments involve Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and incorporate principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to enhance youths’ coping with chronic medical conditions and to help youth and families better manage emotional and behavioral concerns. Dr. Tsai Owens has a particular interest in helping youth with chronic medical conditions prepare for the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare.
Psychologist:
Michele Tsai Owens, PhD
The Pediatric Pain Psychology Research team is interested in understanding the biopsychosocial components of pediatric chronic and recurrent pain. Understanding the risk factors that might predict future development of chronic pain in children and adolescents can help researchers learn how to intervene to mitigate that risk. The team is interested in learning more about how biological, emotional, cognitive and social factors may interact with and contribute to the experience of chronic pain and resulting functional impairments. And perhaps most importantly, faculty are interested in contributing to research that improves treatments for pediatric chronic pain conditions. The group's work includes collaborations with many other researchers, including the IUPUI Pain Research Laboratory.
Research team members:
Amy Williams, PhD
Mary Milder, PhD
Elaine Gilbert, PsyD
Scott Wagoner, PhD