Aarti Patel, PsyD, is a pediatric psychologist who cares for children and adolescents with a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions. She works with patients and their families to address both physical symptoms and the emotional stress that often comes with chronic gastrointestinal problems with the goal of improving patients’ quality of life.
Dr. Patel’s clinical work focuses on disorders of the gut-brain interaction (DGBIs), such as chronic abdominal pain, nausea, and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. She uses evidence-based psychological treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, to teach strategies that help patients manage symptoms, decrease stress, and improve daily functioning at home, school, and social settings. She works with the medical team to provide integrated care that addresses the brain-gut connection.
In addition to seeing patients, Dr. Patel is involved in projects involving patient education that informs patients and caregivers about their diagnosis and the role of psychological interventions in the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions. She also serves as a clinical preceptor for Yale’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program and hopes to supervise trainees in pediatric psychology in the future.
Dr. Patel earned her doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas. She completed her internship in clinical psychology at Pacific Psychology & Comprehensive Health Clinics in Portland, OR before participating in advanced training in pediatric psychology, with a focus on integrated gastrointestinal psychology, at Oregon Health & Science University.
