⚠ COVID-19 INFORMATION: Resources, Vaccine Information
Language: English
Dr. Essner is a pediatric psychologist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago in the Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. She is a member of the Neurointestinal and Motility Program in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.
She provides clinical consultation, assessment, and integrated treatment services to children and adolescents with gastrointestinal disorders, specializing in psychological evaluation and treatment of chronic pain, nausea, fatigue and health behavior promotion.
Dr. Essner's research broadly includes development and evaluation of innovative digital health programs to promote well-being among youth with chronic health conditions and pediatric populations undergoing invasive procedures. She is especially interested in the role of contemplative and mind-body practices, as well as positive psychological interventions, for youth and emerging adults with chronic health conditions, including novel implementation and delivery to enhance and extend services.
Education: PhD in clinical psychology, child and adolescent psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2012; MA in clinical psychology, child and adolescent psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2008; BS, in psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2004
Postgraduate Training: Fellowship in pediatric pain and sleep research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, 2012-2014; Residency in clinical psychology, Lurie Children's, 2011-2012
Board Certifications: Child and Adolescent Psychology
Professional Organizations: American Psychological Association; Society of Pediatric Psychology; United States Association for the Study of Pain; International Positive Psychology Association
Research Interests: Digital health programs to promote well-being among youth with chronic health conditions and pediatric populations undergoing invasive procedures, novel implementation and delivery of mind and body practices and positive psychological interventions to enhance and extend services for youth and emerging adults with chronic health conditions
