Katherine Junger, PhD
- Pediatric Psychologist, Clinical, Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology
- Associate Medical Director, Mental and Behavioral Health, HealthVine
- Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
About
Biography
As a pediatric psychologist, I specialize in behavioral and mental health. In my role as the behavioral health administrative director for Cincinnati Children’s, my focus is on improving the behavioral and mental health of all children in southwest Ohio. I’m also involved in research that aims to improve the quality of life in children with epilepsy.
I was inspired to pursue a career in healthcare by my father, who is a doctor. I grew up visiting him at work, and from the time I was little, I knew I wanted to work with children in a hospital setting. I discovered the field of pediatric psychology when I was in college, and I knew right away it would be a great fit.
I feel very grateful that I get to learn about so many different children and their families and be able to support them during times of triumph as well as times of challenge. My goal is to help each and every child reach their potential.
Until recently, I worked with pediatric epilepsy patients to help them manage common problems such as difficulties with learning, mood, attention and behavior. In 2020, I was honored to receive the Ann Moser Compassionate Care Award from my peers at Cincinnati Children’s for my work with these children and adolescents.
When I’m not at work, I love spending time with my husband and children, playing outside, going on adventures, or curling up with a good book or movie. I also love to sew.
PhD: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2012.
Residency: O'Grady Residency in Pediatric Psychology, Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.
Fellowship: Center for Adherence and Self-Management, Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.
Interests
Pediatric epilepsy; adherence; coping with medical illness; psychogenic non-epileptic spells (PNES); anxiety; depression; ADHD; stress; preschool disruptive behavior
Services and Specialties
Behavioral Medicine, Epilepsy
Insurance Information
Cincinnati Children's strives to accept a wide variety of health plans. Please contact your health insurance carrier to verify coverage for your specific benefit plan.
Publications
Addressing the Pediatric Mental Health Crisis: Moving from a Reactive to a Proactive System of Care. The Journal of Pediatrics. 2024; 265:113479.
Expanding Access to Evidence-Based Mental Health Treatment: An Expert-Driven Training Model. Evidence-based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 2023; ahead-of-print:1-18.
Key predictors of epilepsy-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in youth with epilepsy. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2023; 149:109508.
Incorporating DEI Informed-Frameworks and Increasing Access to Parent-Focused Interventions in Pediatric Psychology. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology. 2022; 10:233-240.
Key predictors of the need for a family-focused pediatric epilepsy adherence intervention. Epilepsia. 2022; 63:2120-2129.
Introduction to the Special Interest Issue on Parent/Guardian Interventions in Pediatric Psychology: The Role of the Pediatric Psychologist Working with Caregivers as the Target of Intervention. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology. 2021; 9:107-111.
PedsQL™ Cognitive Functioning Scale in youth with epilepsy: Reliability and validity. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2020; 103:106850.
Current behavioral health and cognitive screening practices in pediatric epilepsy. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2019; 101:106214.
Establishing clinical cutoffs for the PedsQL™ Epilepsy Module. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2019; 99:106463.
Vulnerabilities to antiepileptic drug (AED) side effects in youth with epilepsy. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2019; 97:22-28.
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