Erica P. Messer, PsyD
- Pediatric Psychologist, Clinical, Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology
- Training Director, Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children
- Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
About
Biography
I am a clinical psychologist and researcher with over 20 years in the field. My research interests include parent training, maternal depression, foster care, and children who have experienced abuse and neglect. I am the training director for the Mayerson Center for Safe & Healthy Children.
I became interested in this area of research when I saw that quality interventions and training were not readily accessible to clinicians and other professionals working with children with histories of maltreatment. I would like to continue to disseminate more evidence-based interventions and training for this vulnerable population, especially in underserved areas.
I came to Cincinnati Children's in 2004. I'm proud to have been a primary developer of Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement (CARE) in 2006. I'm also a parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) International Certified Level II (Regional) trainer. I provide trainings and collaborate nationally and internationally.
BA: Ohio University, Athens, OH, 1999,
PsyD: Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, 2004,
Internship: Predoctoral, UC Davis Children's Hospital, Sacramento, CA, 2004,
Fellowship: Postdoctoral, Childhood Trauma and Maltreatment, Cincinnati Children's, Cincinnati, OH, 2005,
Interests
Children and families exposed to domestic violence; children in foster care
Publications
Comparative effectiveness of parent-child interaction therapy based on trauma exposure and attrition. Psychological Trauma. 2024; 16(Suppl 1):S97-S105.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. In: Evidence-Based Treatments for Trauma-Related Disorders in Children and Adolescents. Springer Nature; 2024:423-447.
Integrated CARE: Adaptation of Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement (CARE) Model for Use in Integrated Behavioral Pediatric Care. Clinical Pediatrics. 2021; 60(2):100-108.
Interpersonal trauma and suicide attempts in low-income depressed mothers in home visiting. Child Abuse and Neglect. 2019; 97:104126.
A Pilot Investigation of a Novel Intervention to Improve Behavioral Well-Being for Children in Foster Care. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. 2019; 27(1):3-13.
Treatment of Maternal Depression With In-Home Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Augmented by a Parenting Enhancement: A Case Report. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. 2018; 25(3):402-415.
Child adult relationship enhancement (CARE): A brief, skills-building training for foster caregivers to increase positive parenting practices. Children and Youth Services Review. 2018; 90:74-82.
Parent–Child Interaction Therapy for Military Families: Improving Relationships. In: Handbook of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. Springer Nature; 2018:71-84.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. In: Evidence-Based Treatments for Trauma Related Disorders in Children and Adolescents. Springer Nature; 2017:341-361.
Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement (CARE): An evidence-informed program for children with a history of trauma and other behavioral challenges. Child Abuse and Neglect. 2016; 53:138-145.
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