A photo of Claire M. Peterson.

Pediatric Psychologist, Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology

Assistant Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

513-636-4336

"My care philosophy is to understand how the entire family is affected by their child's eating disorder and then enlist each family member in treatment."

My Biography & Research

Biography

As a pediatric psychologist, I want to help patients and families who are struggling with eating disorders by developing and using evidence-based treatment. My care philosophy is to understand how the entire family is affected by their child's eating disorder and then enlist each family member in treatment.

Family-based treatment (FBT) is the evidence-based treatment I use for the eating disorder called anorexia nervosa. FBT actively engages parents in the treatment process with the goal of returning their child to a healthy weight. I’m also interested in eating disorders within subgroups such as the Type 1 diabetes population and LGBTQ population.

In my research, I’m examining the factors that prevent positive outcomes in eating disorder interventions and how we can target those factors to improve outcomes for patients and families. I recently received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a study to examine if a new parenting intervention could improve outcomes in pediatric anorexia nervosa.

In my spare time, I like to be in nature and travel with my family. My favorite hobbies are yoga and aerial arts such as silks, trapeze and lyra!

Clinical Interests

Pediatric eating disorders; dialectical behavioral therapy; LGBTQ population

Academic Affiliation

Assistant Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

Clinical Divisions

Behavioral Medicine, Adolescent Medicine

Research Divisions

Clinical Psychology



Blog Posts

High Rates of Suicide and Self-Harm Among Transgender Youth

Mind Brain Behavior

High Rates of Suicide and Self-Harm Among Transgender Youth

Claire M. Aarnio-Peterson, PhD6/29/2019

Transgender Youth and Suicide: A Call for Education and Understanding

BlogChild Development and Behavior

Transgender Youth and Suicide: A Call for Education and Understanding

By Claire Peterson, PhD9/16/2016

My Locations

My Education

BA: University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 2005.

MA: University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, 2007.

PhD: University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 2014.

Internship: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 2014.

Fellowship: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 2015.

My Publications

The relationship of the UPPS model of impulsivity on bulimic symptoms and non-suicidal self-injury in transgender youth. Peterson, CM; Mara, CA; Conard, LA E; Grossoehme, D. Eating Behaviors. 2020; 39:101416-101416.

Exploring the eating disorder examination questionnaire in treatment seeking transgender youth. Peterson, CM; Toland, MD; Matthews, A; Mathews, S; Thompson, F; Conard, LA E. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. 2020; 7:304-315.

Dialectical behavioral therapy skills group as an adjunct to family-based therapy in adolescents with restrictive eating disorders. Peterson, CM; Van Diest, AM K; Mara, CA; Matthews, A. Eating Disorders. 2020; 28:67-79.

Adolescent males with atypical anorexia nervosa and premorbid obesity: three case reports. Matthews, A; Peterson, CM; Mitan, L. Eating and Weight Disorders: studies on anorexia, bulimia and obesity. 2019; 24:963-967.

Disordered Eating Behaviors in Youth and Young Adults With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Receiving Insulin Therapy: The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study. Nip, AS Y; Reboussin, BA; Dabelea, D; Bellatorre, A; Mayer-Davis, EJ; Kahkoska, AR; Lawrence, JM; Peterson, CM; Dolan, L; Pihoker, C. Diabetes Care. 2019; 42:859-866.

An intensive family-based treatment guided intervention for medically hospitalized youth with anorexia nervosa: Parental self-efficacy and weight-related outcomes. Matthews, A; Peterson, CM; Peugh, J; Mitan, L. European Eating Disorders Review. 2019; 27:67-75.

Emotional maltreatment in family of origin and young adult romantic relationship satisfaction: A dyadic data analysis. Peterson, CM; Peugh, J; Loucks, L; Shaffer, A. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 2018; 35:872-888.

Caregiver burden and illness perceptions in caregivers of medically hospitalized youth with anorexia nervosa. Matthews, A; Lenz, KR; Peugh, J; Copps, EC; Peterson, CM. Eating Behaviors. 2018; 29:14-18.

Examination of Psychosocial and Physiological Risk for Bulimic Symptoms in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes Transitioning to an Insulin Pump: A Pilot Study. Peterson, CM; Young-Hyman, D; Fischer, S; Markowitz, JT; Muir, AB; Laffel, LM. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 2018; 43:83-93.

Suicidality, Self-Harm, and Body Dissatisfaction in Transgender Adolescents and Emerging Adults with Gender Dysphoria. Peterson, CM; Matthews, A; Copps-Smith, E; Conard, LA. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior. 2017; 47:475-482.