Our Specializations

Our faculty and students are well-trained in evidence-based methods for improving behavior problems in children and adolescents. Treated behaviors may range from temper tantrums in young children to delinquent behaviors in adolescents. Graduate students and faculty receive extensive training in behavioral and cognitive-behavioral methods that have been supported as treatment for these behavior problems.

Faculty and their supervised graduate students receive training in the management of anxiety and related symptoms. Services may begin in childhood and extend into adulthood. Faculty and students are well-versed in evidence-based approaches that have been supported for the treatment of fear, anxiety, and related disorders. Problems treated may include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, or even just mild anxiety.

The SIU Clinical Center offers specialized services for adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or related concerns. Evidence-based treatments, specifically cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are methods that help people rethink and make room for difficult thoughts and emotions while emphasizing personal values and meaningful action to improve their quality of life. These methods have been shown to be beneficial for a wide range of problems including: generalized anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, hair-pulling or skin-picking, and problematic perfectionism.

The SIU Clinical Center offers services in pediatric psychology, a branch of clinical practice and research that focuses on medical and health related concerns and well-being in children. Specifically, this specialization provides treatment and support for children with various medical conditions and health-related concerns. Treatment can address adjustment, adherence concerns, socioemotional or behavioral issues affiliated with medical conditions, and concerns related to behavioral health and quality of life. Some of the more common medical conditions treated include diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, gastrointestinal issues, chronic pain and illness, and cancer, among others. Pediatric psychology can also address sleep, toileting, picky eating, needle phobia, and emotional or behavioral issues related to medical conditions. Dr. Karla Fehr is a pediatric psychologist who supervises a team of graduate level clinicians in their training and treatment delivery in this area of specialization. Dr. Fehr is a licensed clinical psychologist. She trained at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She completed her internship at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware and her postdoctoral fellowship at the Minnesota Epilepsy Group in St. Paul.

Neurodevelopmental disorders encompass a wide range of diagnoses, including Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Learning Disorders. Assessment for determination of neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as treatment, are available. Practical concerns (e.g., organization, behavior in the classroom, behavior at home) often accompany these disorders, as well as emotional concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression) related to stresses that come with inherent difficulties. Faculty and staff are equipped to provide evidence-based treatment to aassist in both realms.

Our clinic offers several group therapy services to address common concerns of adolescents and their parents. Focus of teen groups may include healthy relationships, support for teens who are members of the LGBTQIA+ communities, grief support, managing stress and anxiety, building independence, adoption, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles. Groups are also available for parents of teens and include services related to LGBTQIA+ youth and first-generation parents.