Medical Issues
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 4 children in the U.S. have a chronic health condition (CDC, 2024). Research published in the Journal of Adolescent Health estimates that nearly 50% of adolescents will experience a chronic health condition by the time they reach adulthood (Shapiro & Shapiro, 2018).
Pediatric psychology focuses on the intersection of mental and physical health in children, adolescents, and young adults. This field is crucial for supporting young individuals facing medical challenges, helping them navigate the emotional complexities of chronic conditions, and promoting overall well-being. Unfortunately, it is rare to find a pediatric psychologist practicing outside of a hospital.
As a pediatric psychologist, I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and families to cope with medical conditions and the emotional difficulties that often accompany them. My background in Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, paired with advanced training in pediatric settings, means I work closely with families to support emotional and psychological well-being, especially in the face of complex health needs.
Here Are a Few Examples of Youth I Have Helped
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Imagine a child with a chronic condition like Crohn’s Disease, who is anxious about managing their symptoms at school or in social situations.
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A teenager struggling with diabetes who feels overwhelmed by the daily demands of monitoring their blood sugar and managing their medications.
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Then there’s the young child with epilepsy. The emotional toll of medical treatments can be just as taxing as the physical pain.
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Consider a teen struggling with chronic pain from conditions like fibromyalgia or juvenile arthritis. Chronic pain can affect their mood, sleep, and ability to participate in daily activities, causing anxiety and frustration.
My Approach
I have extensive experience working with children and families coping with a range of chronic illnesses and medical conditions, including epilepsy, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, asthma, sleep disorders, chronic pain, food allergies, and the challenges related to organ transplants.
For the past 14 years, I have specialized in working with youth with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD). I have been a member of the multidisciplinary IBD team at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) since 2018. Currently, I lead research efforts for CHOC’s A2B Transition program, a hospital-wide initiative to help our patients and their families transition from pediatric to adult care.
My goal is to help children and teens build resilience, reduce distress, and maintain positive development, no matter the medical challenge they face.
Together, we’ll work to develop evidence-based strategies that improve emotional well-being, reduce anxiety, and support physical health. The aim is to provide a holistic approach to care—one that nurtures both the mind and the body, helping children and teens thrive.
🌟 If your child is navigating a health challenge or you're looking for ways to support their emotional well-being in the face of a medical condition, let’s work together to build a path toward holistic health and happiness.
Shapiro, J. R., & Shapiro, C. S. (2018). Prevalence and impact of chronic conditions in adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 63(6), 759-764. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.06.002
