Psychologists serve under the administration of each specialty service program or within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. Although employed in different services, programs or departments, psychologists meet monthly and work collaboratively to coordinate the internship program, with the Training Director taking a leadership role.
Program Mentoring
Primary Children's psychology staff represents a variety of interests and theoretical orientations.
- Several of our supervising psychologists are involved in research;
- Others are involved in state or national organizations; and
- Some of our supervisors maintain faculty appointments at the University of Utah.
Interns in Primary Children's Psychology Internship program will have an opportunity to work with the following staff psychologists:
Celestia Buckley, PsyD
Psychologist, University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Behavioral Health, PCH
PsyD, Wright State University School of Professional Psychology
Interests: Treatment of children and adolescents with medical illness and psychological distress, improving medical adherence with individuals who have Diabetes, and treatment of youth with sleep disorders
Leon Butler, PhD
Psychologist, Primary Children’s Outpatient Behavioral Health
PhD, 2010, Auburn University
Interests: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Impulse control, behavioral economics, substance use/misuse. Psychological assessment across the lifespan including ADHD, LD, personality, and ASD.
Dedee Caplin, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
PhD, 1998, Ohio University
Interests: Behavioral management of children and adolescents with chronic medical problems, medical hypnosis with children and adolescents; anxiety, pediatric consultation/liaison.
Paul Colte, PsyD, MSCP
Pediatric Psychologist, Primary Children's Hospital, Divison of Hematology / Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant
PsyD, 2003, Minnesota School of Professional Psychology
Interests: Pediatric consultation liaison services for children with various pediatric cancers (leukemias, solid tumors, brain tumors, bone marrow transplant patients), sickle cell disease, and hemophilia; clinical psychopharmacology; psychological and neuropsychological sequelae of pediatric cancer, including neurocognitive late effects of tumor(s) and treatment (e.g., chemotherapy and radiation therapy) and participation in Children’s Oncology Group (COG) studies and initiatives.
Annie Deming, PhD
Clinical Director, Pediatric Behavioral Health Service Line; Psychologist, Primary Children's Outpatient Behavioral Health
PhD, 2009 University of Alabama
Interests: Coordination of psychological testing across our continuum of care, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma-focused therapy (including EMDR & TF-CBT), assessment, including ADHD/LD, trauma, and personality assessment.
Katie Elish, PhD
Psychologist, Primary Children's Outpatient Behavioral Health
PhD, 2018, Wichita State University
Interests: Psychological assessment with children and adolescents, including ADHD, learning disorders, and autism spectrum disorders, individual therapy with children and adolescents, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, parent training
John Fulton, PhD, ABPP/CN
Neuropsychologist, Department of Pediatric Behavioral Health
PhD, 2007, Brigham Young University
Interests: Neuropsychological assessments of children and adolescents with a range of medical conditions that affect cognitive and behavioral functioning. Particular interests in traumatic brain injury and epilepsy.
Christina Hudak-Rosander, PhD
Psychologist, Center for Safe and Healthy Families
PhD, 2014, University of Utah
Interests: Utilizing evidenced based treatments with children and adolescents with histories of trauma and abuse
Laura Bennett Murphy, Ph.D.
Pediatric Psychologist, University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
PhD, 1995, Duke University
Interests: Children and adolescents with chronic medical conditions, eating disorders, and medical trauma. Infant mental health and attachment. Working with refugee children and families.
Sara Turner, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, University of Utah School of Medicine/Primary Children's Hospital
PhD, 2019 University of Utah
Interests: Cognitive behavioral and motivational interviewing interventions with youth with medical conditions and their caregivers; pediatric consultation/liaison; improving engagement in medical care (diabetes and other chronic conditions), anxiety/depression/burnout, behavioral challenges (parent training), feeding concerns (CBT-AR +), sleep difficulties (CBT-i +), tics and body-focused repetitive behaviors (habit reversal, CBIT), and functional disorders (constipation, FND).
Dalin Pulsipher, PhD, ABPP/CN
Neuropsychologist, University of Utah School of Medicine/Primary Children’s Hospital
PhD, 2010, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Interests: Neuropsychological assessment of children and adolescents with developmental, neurologic, genetic, and medical conditions (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, TBI) that affect cognitive functioning
Arwen Marker, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, University of Utah School of Medicine/Primary Children's Hospital
PhD, 2021, University of Kansas
Interests: Pediatric consultation/liaison, coping with chronic medical illness, cognitive behavioral therapy, adherence, depression, anxiety, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, feeding and eating disorders, critical care.
Nicki Turnidge-Halvorson, PhD
Psychologist, Center for Safe and Healthy Families
PhD, 2017, University of Utah
Interests: Providing evidence-based treatment to youth and families impacted by trauma and abuse, advocating for trauma-informed care, and providing psychological assessment with children and adolescents.
Kim Boyd, PsyD, BCBA-D
Psychologist, Primary Children's Outpatient Behavioral Health
PsyD, 2007, Colorado School of Professional Psychology
Interests: Autism assessment and intervention strategies for all levels of ASD, Behavioral intervention, on-unit interventions, psychological evaluations, providing recommendations for families, and using DBT and other modes of therapeutic interventions with adolescents and their families.
Chelsey VanNess, PhD
Psychologist, Primary Children's Outpatient Behavioral Health
PhD, 2022, University of South Dakota
Interests: Psychological assessment with children and adolescents, including ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disorders, and trauma assessment; providing evidence-based treatment to youth and parents (PCIT, PMT).
Corinne Espinoza, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, University of Utah School of Medicine/Primary Children's Hospital
PhD, 2020, Brigham Young University
Professional Interests: Treatment of behavioral health concerns in youth with medical conditions; cognitive behavioral interventions for somatic symptom-related disorders and chronic pain conditions; pediatric consultation liaison; racial and ethno-cultural responsiveness.
Kristina Suorsa-Johnson, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, University of Utah School of Medicine/Primary Children's Hospital
PhD, 2018, Oklahoma State University
Professional Interests: Delivery of psychoeducational and behavioral health services to children and adults with differences of sex development (DSD), and their families. DSD are congenital conditions where the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomic sex is atypical. Research interests include understanding and supporting patient and family decision making within DSD.
Jackie Nelson, Psy.D.
Clinical Training Director; Psychologist, Primary Children's Outpatient Behavioral Health.
Psy.D., 2019, Antioch University Seattle
Interests: Psychological assessment, neurodiversity/neuro-affirming care, systemic and culturally sensitive care, community psychology, and clinical training.
Hilary Jensen, PhD
Psychologist, Primary Children's Summit Program.
PhD, 2023, University of Utah
Interests: Psychological assessment, with children and adolescents, including ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disorders, and trauma assessment. Behavior plan development and implementation.
Megan Neemann, PhD
Clinical Lead, Matt's Place Day Treatment; Psychologist, Primary Children's Outpatient Behavioral Health.
PhD, 2011, Texas A&M University
Interests: Autism, neurodiversity affirming care, LGBTQ+ affirming care, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma-informed care, psychological assessment.