Cecelia I. Nelson, PhD

I specialize in the assessment and behavioral treatment of youth with chronic pain and somatic symptoms. As a psychologist in the Functional Independence Restoration Program (FIRST Program), I work as part of a larger team to help youth with disabling chronic pain and functional neurological disorders regain their functional ability. I also collaborate with a multidisciplinary team in our Headache Center to provide brief behavioral interventions to youth suffering from headache-related conditions.

My interest in the intersection of physiological and psychological factors in chronic pain and somatic symptoms inspired me to pursue this field. I was inspired to work with children after a clinical training experience at the World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia in 2019, where I provided psychological care as part of the medical team. The joy and fulfillment I found in working with kids in that setting solidified my decision to focus on providing services primarily for youth.

I am committed to improving the assessment and treatment of chronic pain, particularly for neurodivergent patients. I aim to develop a more comprehensive assessment of pain by collaborating with patients and families. Additionally, I am interested in better understanding the complex overlap of chronic pain and functional neurological disorders through clinical data collection and evaluation.

In my free time, I enjoy playing video games and am always happy to discuss them with my patients! I also love spending time outdoors, hiking and camping.