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UF Health University of Florida

Department of Clinical and Health Psychology

College of Public Health and Health Professions

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Sarah C Westen

Sarah C Westen, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department: Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
Business Phone: (352) 273-6029
Business Email: westens@phhp.ufl.edu
CV: View Curriculum Vitae

About Sarah C Westen

Sarah Westen, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Florida. Dr. Westen is currently the Director of Diabetes Behavioral Medicine and Psychology at UF Health, a Board Member on the American Diabetes Association’s Youth Strategies Committee, and a Board Member on the JDRF Psychosocial Advisory Committee. Dr. Westen is former Chair of the American Psychological Association’s Special Interest Group in Diabetes, and a former JDRF National Psychology Fellowship recipient. Prior to coming to the University of Florida, Dr. Westen completed a fellowship at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIH) as an Intramural Research Training Award recipient. Dr. Westen’s research in diabetes has won multiple recognitions and is supported through the National Institutes of Health and American Psychological Association.

Clinically, Dr. Westen is interested in the biopsychosocial aspects of chronic illness throughout the lifespan (e.g., coping, family management, transition from pediatric to adult care, treatment of comorbid mental health and behavioral conditions). Her patient-oriented clinical research focuses on factors affecting adherence to medical treatment regimens, with an interest in using technology to optimize outcomes such as time-in-range, sleep quality and duration, and quality of life. Dr. Westen is additionally interested in improving care in underserved communities for individuals living with diabetes.

Accomplishments

Drotar-Crawford Postdoctoral Research Grant in Pediatric Psychology
2018 · American Psychological Association Division 54
National Diabetes Psychology Fellowship
2018 · JDRF
Geoffrey Clark-Ryan Memorial Award for Pediatric Research
2015 · University of Florida
Mary Jo Kupst Award for Research in Resilience
2015 · American Psychological Association Division 54
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2012 Year in Research: Top 5 Most Influential Research Articles Award (co-author)
2013 · Union College

Board Certifications

  • Licensed Psychologist
    Florida Board of Psychology

Clinical Profile

Specialties
  • Psychology
Subspecialties
  • Clinical Child / Pediatric Psychology
  • Clinical Health Psychology
Areas of Interest
  • Adjustment disorder
  • Depression – resources
  • Eating disorders – resources
  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Type 1 diabetes

Research Profile

Dr. Westen’s patient-oriented clinical research in type 1 diabetes focuses on factors affecting adherence to medical treatment regimens, with an interest in using technology to optimize outcomes such as time-in-range, sleep quality and duration, and quality of life.

Areas of Interest
  • Clinical Trial Interventions
  • Feeding and weight concerns
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Telehealth
  • Type 1 Diabetes

Publications

2021
A retrospective multisite examination of depression screening practices, scores, and correlates in pediatric diabetes care.
Translational behavioral medicine. 11(1):122-131 [DOI] 10.1093/tbm/ibz171. [PMID] 31764981.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site
2021
Barriers to Technology Use and Endocrinology Care for Underserved Communities With Type 1 Diabetes.
Diabetes care. [DOI] 10.2337/dc20-2753. [PMID] 34001535.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site
2021
Democratizing type 1 diabetes specialty care in the primary care setting to reduce health disparities: project extension for community healthcare outcomes (ECHO) T1D.
BMJ open diabetes research & care. 9(1) [DOI] 10.1136/bmjdrc-2021-002262. [PMID] 34244218.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site
2021
Multisite Examination of Depression Screening Scores and Correlates Among Adolescents and Young Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.
Canadian journal of diabetes. 45(5):411-416 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jcjd.2021.01.011. [PMID] 33722492.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site
2020
Use of Ecological Momentary Assessment to Measure Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose Adherence in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes.
Diabetes spectrum : a publication of the American Diabetes Association. 33(3):280-289 [DOI] 10.2337/ds19-0041. [PMID] 32848350.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site
2019
Designing Online and Mobile Diabetes Education for Fathers of Children With Type 1 Diabetes: Mixed Methods Study.
JMIR diabetes. 4(3) [DOI] 10.2196/13724. [PMID] 31389338.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site
2019
Mother and Father Controlling Feeding Behaviors and Associations With Observed Mealtime Family Functioning.
Journal of pediatric psychology. 44(10):1174-1183 [DOI] 10.1093/jpepsy/jsz060. [PMID] 31429911.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site
2019
Objectively Measured Adherence in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes on Multiple Daily Injections and Insulin Pump Therapy.
Journal of pediatric psychology. 44(1):21-31 [DOI] 10.1093/jpepsy/jsy064. [PMID] 30184209.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site
2019
Objectively-measured adherence in adolescents with type 1 diabetes on multiple daily injections and insulin pump therapy
Journal of Pediatric Psychology. 44(1):21-31 [DOI] 10.1093/jpepsy/jsy064. [PMID] 30184209.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site
2018
Transition Education for Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: Pilot Feasibility Study for a Group Telehealth Intervention.
JMIR diabetes. 3(4) [DOI] 10.2196/10909. [PMID] 30401674.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site
2015
Telehealth interventions to reduce management complications in type 1 diabetes: A review.
World journal of diabetes. 6(3):371-9 [DOI] 10.4239/wjd.v6.i3.371. [PMID] 25897348.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site
2014
Systematic review and meta-analysis of comprehensive behavioral family lifestyle interventions addressing pediatric obesity.
Journal of pediatric psychology. 39(8):809-25 [DOI] 10.1093/jpepsy/jsu023. [PMID] 24824614.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site
2014
The role of overweight perception and depressive symptoms in child and adolescent unhealthy weight control behaviors: a mediation model.
Journal of pediatric psychology. 39(3):340-8 [DOI] 10.1093/jpepsy/jst091. [PMID] 24344072.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site
2013
Self-Reported Recent Life Stressors and Risk of Suicide in Pediatric Emergency Department Patients.
Clinical pediatric emergency medicine. 14(1):35-40 [PMID] 23908600.
View on: PubMed
2012
Exergaming and older adult cognition: a cluster randomized clinical trial.
American journal of preventive medicine. 42(2):109-19 [DOI] 10.1016/j.amepre.2011.10.016. [PMID] 22261206.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site
2012
Neuropsychological benefits of stationary bike exercise and a cybercycle exergame for older adults with diabetes: An exploratory analysis
Journal Of Diabetes Science And Technology. 6(4):849-857
2012
Neuropsychological benefits of stationary bike exercise and a cybercycle exergame for older adults with diabetes: an exploratory analysis.
Journal of diabetes science and technology. 6(4):849-57 [PMID] 22920811.
View on: PubMed
2010
Cognitive health benefits of strengthening exercise for community-dwelling older adults.
Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology. 32(9):996-1001 [DOI] 10.1080/13803391003662702. [PMID] 20408001.
View on: PubMed Publisher’s Site

Grants

Jul 2019 ACTIVE
Project ECHO T1D: HCT Trial
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: STANFORD UNIV via HELMSLEY CHARITABLE TRUST, LEONA & HARRY
Jun 2019 ACTIVE
Diabetes Journey: From systematic screening to intervention
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSPITAL MED CTR via NATL INST OF HLTH NIDDK
Jan 2019 – Jul 2019
Sleep, Adherence, and Glycemic Control in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSO
Jul 2018 – Jun 2019
Sleep, Adherence, and Glycemic Control in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: JDRF

Education

JDRF National Diabetes Psychology Fellowship
2018-2019 · JDRF; University of Florida
Pediatric Psychology Fellowship
2017-2018 · University of Florida Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
Pediatric Psychology Residency
2016-2017 · University of Florida Health Science Center
PhD; Clinical and Health Psychology
2012-2017 · University of Florida
MS; Clinical and Health Psychology
2012-2015 · University of Florida
Intramural Research Training Award Postbaccalaureate
2010-2012 · National Institutes of Health (NIH)
BS; Neuroscience
2009 · Union College
Neuroscience and Psychology BS
2005-2009 · Union College

Teaching Profile

Courses Taught
2019-2021
CLP3911 Introduction to Clinical Research
2019-2021
CLP4302 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
2020-2021
PSY4930 Special Topics in Psychology
2020-2021
CLP6948 Advanced Practicum in Clinical Child Psychology
2021
CLP6940 Supervised Teaching

Contact Details

Phones:
Business:
(352) 273-6029
Emails:
Business:
westens@phhp.ufl.edu