Pediatric Psychology Program

YCSC pediatric psychologists work in many YNHH clinics, including oncology (cancer), neurology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, sleep medicine, and primary care. The medical conditions of our patients include cancer and blood disorders, chronic pain, gastrointestinal conditions, neurological conditions, orthopedic injuries, sleep problems, and type 1 diabetes.

Services include:

• Short-term therapy to support concerns, offered in person in an outpatient clinic, inpatient during a child’s hospital admission, or by telehealth
• School consultation and school team meetings
• Consultation with other providers, including medical and behavioral health supports

Common areas of concern addressed include:

• Adjusting to a new medical diagnosis
• Treating/managing symptoms from a chronic medical condition
• Learning about and completing medical treatment
• Improving health behaviors such as sleep, diet, or other lifestyle changes
• Returning to normal functioning following a medical diagnosis or injury

As an example, if a young patient experiences anxiety because of a new diagnosis or a flare-up of a medical condition, they can meet with a pediatric psychologist in the medical provider’s practice at YNHH. This type of care is available during a patient’s appointments with the specialist who provides their ongoing medical care.

To participate, the patient’s doctor must refer them to the program. If a patient needs additional behavioral health services to address anxiety or depression beyond the scope of visits, we can refer them to providers for ongoing therapy.

YNHH subspecialty medical providers for existing patients can make referrals via Epic to the pediatric psychologists working in their specialty. Some YCSC pediatric psychologists also have ongoing research projects with treatment options that accept referrals.