Jillian E. Austin, PhD
- Pediatric Psychologist, Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology
- Clinical Lead for Behavioral Health, Pediatric Improvement Network for Quality, Office of Population Health
- Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
About
Biography
I am a pediatric psychologist specializing in helping children, adolescents and families navigate gastrointestinal (GI) conditions and related health concerns. As team lead for GI psychology at Cincinnati Children's, I provide clinical care while supporting and mentoring psychologists who serve children with GI conditions and their families. My clinical work focuses on helping children and families build the skills, confidence and resilience needed to manage medical conditions, navigate treatment demands, and improve overall quality of life. I have expertise in toileting and motility challenges, disorders of the gut-brain interaction (such as irritable bowel syndrome and chronic nausea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain), and feeding aversions and fears. I work collaboratively with children, adolescents and caregivers, recognizing that every family brings unique strengths, experiences and values. My goal is to provide compassionate, culturally responsive, evidence-based care that is tailored to each child's and family's individual needs.
I am particularly passionate about supporting adjustment to chronic illness, improving treatment adherence and daily functioning, advancing quality improvement initiatives, developing professional training programs, and increasing access to high-quality behavioral healthcare.
In addition to my clinical role, I serve as clinical lead for behavioral health within the Pediatric Improvement Network for Quality (PINQ), a learning health network that includes more than 1,100 primary care and mental and behavioral health providers. In this role, I lead efforts to advance quality improvement, measurement-based care, and evidence-based practice, helping strengthen behavioral healthcare for children and families throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, exploring parks and local restaurants, traveling and reading.
PhD: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 2017
Fellowship: Nemours Children's Health - Specialty Care, Jacksonville, FL, 2019
Interests
Helping children and families build the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to manage medical conditions, navigate treatment demands, and improve overall quality of life; toileting and motility challenges; disorders of the gut-brain interaction (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, chronic nausea/vomiting, and chronic abdominal pain); rumination syndrome; feeding aversions and fears; supporting adjustment to chronic illness; improving treatment adherence and daily functioning; advancing quality improvement initiatives; developing professional training programs; and increasing access to high-quality behavioral healthcare
Interests
Curriculum development and delivery of professional training on evidenced-based treatment; community mental health concerns; gastrointestinal conditions; health disparities; technology-aided interventions; reducing mental health stigma; and illness disclosure
Research Areas
Locations (2)
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
Highlighting the Lived Experiences of Pediatric Psychologists and Trainees With Chronic Illness: A Commentary From the Society of Pediatric Psychology Chronic Illness Affinity Group. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology. 2026; 14(3):294-305.
Quality improvement in a regional learning network: A case study on optimizing mental health services. Psychological Services. 2026.
The Mediating Role of Pain Catastrophizing in Functioning and Mental Health for Youth With Pain-predominant Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 2026.
Regulating the System: Development and Early Implementation of a Behavioral Escalation Response Team in Pediatric Primary Care. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology. 2025; 13(3):286-294.
A Quality Improvement Approach to Elevate Clinicians’ Use of Evidenced-Based Practice. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 2025; 10(3):541-555.
Transforming Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Healthcare Through a Regional Learning Network: A Guide for Leveraging Implementation Science. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 2025; 10(3):595-608.
Mo1001: SEX, AGE AND RACIAL DISPARITIES IN CHILDREN WITH DISORDERS OF GUT-BRAIN INTERACTION. Gastroenterology. 2025; 169(1):s-973.
Illustrating the Application of Brief Integrated Behavioral Health Prevention Visits. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology. 2025; 13(1):49-54.
Increasing pediatric primary care providers’ confidence and use of in-office interventions for anxiety: an application of the project ECHO model. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice. 2024; 19(4):239-253.
A Diaper Fading Protocol to Treat Toilet Refusal: Four Case Studies. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. 2024; 31(3):335-344.
3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
© 2026 Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. All rights reserved.
Patient Ratings and Comments
All patient satisfaction ratings and comments are submitted by actual patients and verified by a leading independent experience management company, Qualtrics. Patient identities are withheld to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Only those providers whose satisfaction surveys are administered through Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center are displayed. Click here to learn more about our survey