A photo of Monica Whitehead.

Monica R. Whitehead, PhD


  • Pediatric Psychologist, Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology
  • Assistant Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
In my practice, I highly value and adhere to evidence-based approaches to care. I ensure that my patients and their families feel empowered as I’m sure their world can sometimes feel out of control, and I want them to recognize what they can control.

About

Biography

As a pediatric psychologist, I provide psychotherapy for children through young adults. While I have expertise for a wide range of clinical concerns, I am most passionate about treating Anxiety Disorders and OCD. I strive to give my patients and their families a specific plan and strategies to address their needs every time I see them. I want families to know that when they meet me, they are going to get someone genuine, family-focused, and a little bit silly. I will always take their concerns seriously, and if in the process, I can connect with them through humor, all the better.

I first became interested in psychology as a high school freshman when I learned about Freud in an English class. My passion for helping children grew as I learned more about psychopathology in college. As a first-generation college student, when it was time to choose a career, I went with my gut. I entered into a clinical psychology graduate program, and happily, it has been the right field for me.

In my practice, I highly value and adhere to evidence-based approaches to care. I ensure that my patients and their families feel empowered as I’m sure their world can sometimes feel out of control, and I want them to recognize what they can control.

In addition to helping patients directly, I aim to change how the system approaches mental health. As such, I am actively involved in training and educating others about evidence-based approaches to mental health. Over the years, I have led trainings for medical residents, pediatricians, social workers, and school officials to ensure they’re providing the best approach to their communities.

In my free time, my family and I enjoy traveling (especially to National Parks), watching stand-up comedy, arguing over who has the best college football team, and spending time outside together.

Insurance Information

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Publications

Assessment of Competency-Based Behavioral Health Anticipatory Guidance Skills Among Pediatric Residents: the Role of Virtual Reality. Real, FJ; Whitehead, M; Rosen, BL; Meisman, A; Crosby, LE; Klein, MD; Herbst, RB. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science. 2022; 7:115-124.

A Virtual Reality Resident Training Curriculum on Behavioral Health Anticipatory Guidance: Development and Usability Study. Herbst, R; Rybak, T; Meisman, A; Whitehead, M; Rosen, B; Crosby, LE; Klein, MD; Real, FJ. 2021; 4.

Medical-Legal-Psychology Partnerships - Innovation in Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Pediatric Primary Care. Lawton, R; Whitehead, M; Henize, A; Fink, E; Salamon, M; Kahn, R; Beck, AF; Klein, M. Ambulatory Pediatrics. 2020; 20:902-904.

Retrospective cohort study of a novel acceptance and commitment therapy group intervention for adolescents implemented in integrated primary care. O'Dell, SM; Hosterman, SJ; Hostutler, CA; Nordberg, C; Klinger, T; Petts, RA; Whitehead, MR; Faulkner, SA; Garcia, A; Massura, CA. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. 2020; 16:109-118.

Child social and emotion functioning as predictors of therapeutic alliance in cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety. Whitehead, M; Jones, A; Bilms, J; Lavner, J; Suveg, C. Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2019; 75:7-20.

A Model-Based Cluster Analysis of Maternal Emotion Regulation and Relations to Parenting Behavior. Shaffer, A; Whitehead, M; Davis, M; Morelen, D; Suveg, C. Family Process. 2018; 57:707-718.

Emotion-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Youth with Anxiety Disorders: A Randomized Trial. Suveg, C; Jones, A; Davis, M; Jacob, ML; Morelen, D; Thomassin, K; Whitehead, M. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 2018; 46:569-580.

From the Blog


Book Roundup: Books Featuring Kids with Mental Health Challenges
BlogLearning and Growing

Book Roundup: Books Featuring Kids with Mental Health Challenges

By Monica Whitehead, PhD3/2/2023

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