Behavioral Health

Division of Behavioral Health, Department of Pediatrics

The Division of Behavioral Health (DBH) reports administratively to the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. All psychology faculty in the Division are employees of the hospital and are involved in supervising interns. There are currently ten full and part-time doctoral-level licensed psychologists and four post-doctoral fellows on staff.

The Division’s psychologists have provided training for many years and training is central to their professional identities. Training also represents an integral facet of the Department of Pediatrics and the mission of the hospital. Academic affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University fosters training activities hospital-wide through a well-established residency program. Training faculty hold academic appointments through Jefferson Medical College. Psychology intern graduates are currently working in children’s hospitals, medical schools and outpatient clinics nationwide.

Within the Department of Pediatrics, the Division of Behavioral Health serves infants, children and adolescents in need of psychological evaluation and treatment. Services are provided to hospital inpatients and outpatients referred from other ambulatory services of the hospital and the community. As previously stated, interns are exposed to a wide range of patients, encompassing both child clinical and pediatric experiences. In general, diagnostic evaluations include assessment of intellectual functioning and current academic levels; attentional functioning; personality and behavior that contribute to school, family, social, and developmental difficulties; neuropsychological functioning to assist in understanding the relationship between brain physiology and behavior; and early childhood (birth to age five) development. Interns work closely with parents and schools to ensure that children receive a comprehensive evaluation that not only focuses on accurate diagnosis, but that also provides relevant, timely recommendations on an individual basis.

Consultation and treatment opportunities include experiences such as inpatient and outpatient consultation; individual, family, and group therapies; behavioral medicine, including medical adherence, pain management, adjustment to chronic illness or acquired injury and transplant pre-evaluations and treatment; school consultation; and daycare consultation. Faculty are primarily behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and family-systems oriented but appreciate different theoretical approaches with empirical bases. Again, the wide range of experiences offered to the intern is a strength of the program.

Training Components

Psychology interns participate in evaluation, treatment, and consultation simultaneously throughout the year.