What is Pediatric Health Psychology?
Pediatric Health Psychology is a specialized area of psychology focused on helping children, adolescents, young adults, and families cope with the emotional, behavioral, social, and psychological challenges that can accompany medical conditions, injuries, and changes in health.
A pediatric health psychologist considers the whole child—not just the medical diagnosis. We work with patients and families to develop practical strategies that support coping, adjustment, treatment adherence, emotional well-being, family functioning, and overall quality of life.
Does my child need to have a chronic medical condition to receive services?
No. Children and young adults may benefit from pediatric health psychology for a variety of reasons, including adjusting to a new diagnosis, coping with an injury, managing symptoms, preparing for a medical procedure, dealing with anxiety related to healthcare, or experiencing emotional or behavioral difficulties associated with a health condition.
What types of concerns can pediatric health psychology address?
We work with children, adolescents, young adults, and families experiencing psychological or behavioral challenges associated with medical conditions, injuries, and changes in health.
Concerns may include anxiety, adjustment difficulties, coping with a diagnosis, treatment-related stress, emotional distress, behavioral changes, adherence to medical recommendations, pain-related difficulties, changes in functioning, school-related concerns, family stress, and other challenges that may arise when a child's health affects everyday life.
What ages do you see?
Scottsdale Pediatric Health Psychology provides services for children, adolescents, and young adults. Services are individualized based on the child's developmental level, medical needs, psychological concerns, and family circumstances.
Do you work with parents and families?
Yes. Pediatric health psychology often involves the entire family. Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping children cope with medical conditions and changes in health.
Depending on the child's needs, services may include parent consultation, family involvement, education, behavioral strategies, and collaborative problem-solving.
What is the difference between a pediatric health psychologist and a traditional therapist?
Pediatric health psychology focuses specifically on the relationship between physical health, psychological functioning, behavior, development, and family life.
A pediatric health psychologist has specialized training in helping children and families manage the psychological and behavioral aspects of medical conditions, injuries, treatment demands, and health-related changes.
How can psychology help my child with a medical condition?
Medical conditions can affect much more than a child's physical health. They may influence mood, anxiety, behavior, sleep, relationships, school participation, independence, and family functioning.
Pediatric health psychology can help children and families develop practical strategies for managing these challenges and improving day-to-day functioning and quality of life.