Behavioral Medicine Center

The Behavioral Medicine Center provides outpatient clinical health psychology services to patients across the lifespan experiencing mental health symptoms that are interfering with their medical care. We aim to promote patient’s health and well-being and to prevent, treat, and manage illness and disability. Referral sources include UVA medical clinics and providers in the community. Common medical conditions our patients are managing include, but are not limited to:

• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic pain
• Diabetes and other endocrine disorders
• Gastrointestinal conditions
• Insomnia
• Neurological conditions
• Obesity

Common goals for treatment include:

• Improving adjustment to, and coping with, emotional and behavioral demands of acute, chronic, and life-threatening medical problems
• Reducing anxiety and/or improving mood within the context of health
• Increasing adherence to medical regimens
• Improving quality of life as it relates to the patient’s overall health

The Behavioral Medicine Center fosters a collaborative approach to patient care and provides comprehensive assessment and treatment guided by each patient’s presenting concerns and goals for treatment.  Patients’ ages range from early childhood to older adults. Presenting problems are typically treated with evidence-based treatment protocols that are individually-tailored to a patient’s personality and needs. A cognitive-behavioral approach to treatment is typically utilized with the course of treatment averaging between 12-24 sessions.

The Behavioral Medicine Center faculty members have primary responsibility for training postdoctoral fellows and advanced doctoral-level psychology students. These faculty members are also clinical supervisors for psychiatry residents and fellows.

The Behavioral Medicine Center faculty members also engage in research in the areas of: cardiology, consultation liaison, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, pediatric bladder and bowel dysfunction, and weight reduction surgery outcomes.

Faculty:

• Virginia Andersen, PhD, ABPP
• Heather Bruschwein, PsyD, ABPP
• Casey Cavanagh, PhD, ABPP – Assistant Director
• Lauren Ehrlich, PhD
• Jaclyn Shepard, PsyD, ABPP – Director
• Joanna Yost, PhD, ABPP