Becky Lois, PhD

I have always been drawn to healthcare. Several of my family members were in medicine, and I spent much of my childhood and young adulthood volunteering in hospital settings. When I was in college, I thought I would become a pediatrician. Eventually, I realized my passion lies in helping children who have experienced psychological trauma.

Children with chronic medical conditions and their families often experience a sense of loss of the life they lived before their diagnosis. They can feel isolated, overwhelmed, angry, and scared about the changes in their life, and potentially their future. During graduate school, I realized the profound impact a pediatric psychologist can have by supporting children and families during these experiences.

As the co-director of the KiDS of NYU Foundation Integrated Behavioral Health Program at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, I support patients who have chronic health conditions, including cystic fibrosis, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and gastrointestinal conditions. I work closely with the medical teams at the Fink Children’s Ambulatory Care Center, Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders, Pediatric Diabetes Center, and Pediatric Congenital Heart Program. I also oversee the psychosocial support programs at these medical clinics to ensure that patients receive care that addresses their emotional needs.

Many patients with chronic health problems also have depression or anxiety. As a result, some are not taking medications for their condition. In these cases, I conduct short-term cognitive behavioral therapy to teach coping skills to patients and their families.

I also provide counseling and consultations for parents who are struggling with managing their child’s behavior or who are looking for more ways to help their child cope with a medical condition. Many parents experience significant anxiety and distress in their roles as caregivers for their children, particularly when there are multiple demands within their family or other stressors.

My goal is to provide innovative, evidence-based mental health services to children who have serious illnesses. It is critical to conduct universal screening for a variety of mental health issues so that we can identify children at risk and connect them to the right level of care. For example, children who are age nine and older are currently being screened annually for suicide risk at their medical appointments. If indicated, a social worker or psychologist will respond within minutes, helping the child to receive the care they need and ensuring their safety. My team of psychologists visits pediatric patients regularly to provide additional support.

I am passionate about creating a system of care for children and families who are experiencing significant distress. These services are currently available across NYU Langone’s medical subspecialty practices, with plans to expand to include all Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital patients and families. This approach is innovative and unique, as most integrated behavioral health programs are found only in primary care settings.

I am currently studying suicide risk in children who have chronic health conditions, as well as culturally sensitive approaches to screening practices. I am also interested in increasing the comfort level and effectiveness of our doctors and other medical staff in talking with patients and families about emotional health and wellbeing. My goal is to decrease the stigma surrounding mental health and to provide holistic care. Ultimately, I hope to improve outcomes for children who have chronic health conditions.