Psychology Clinic

The Psychology Clinic at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital helps patients manage the stress and anxiety of a serious illness. Our team is dedicated to making sure mental and emotional health get the same level of attention as physical health. Our commitment ensures that patients feel supported throughout their journey.

St. Jude psychologists work closely with your other care team members. A psychologist may meet with your child when you first come to St. Jude. The care team may also refer your child to the Psychology Clinic.

Services we provide

Our services include:

• Consultation: A “consult” is your child’s first visit with a psychologist. This consult helps the psychologist understand how your child is doing. You will work with the psychologist to make a plan to support your child. This plan might include meeting with the psychologist regularly. It could also include referrals to other services, such as Child Life or Social Work. The staff may refer you to services outside St. Jude.
• Therapy: Psychologists use specific methods to help with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. They also support you and your child in dealing with things like diagnosis, treatment, and relapse. 
• Testing: A psychologist may see your child for testing. The Psychology team will decide what kind of evaluation your child needs. 

Psychologists can also help support family members. The staff can help family members find psychological services.

Your Psychology Clinic team

The Psychology Clinic team has expertise and training in working with children and teens with serious illnesses. Your child may see more than one psychology care team member. Our team includes experts in areas like neuropsychology, pediatric psychology, and health psychology.

What to expect during your visit

Consultation

The first meeting with the psychologist can take place in:

• The Psychology Clinic
• An inpatient room
• Another area of the hospital

Testing

Your child may take part in 1 or more types of testing. 

Clinical trial testing: Special testing may be part of your child’s clinical trial. Psychologists use these tests to answer research questions. The tests are the same for all patients in the study. After the assessment, the Psychology Clinic will give you a brief report with feedback. 

Early childhood testing: An early childhood assessment measures how children younger than 3 years old are developing. This testing last 1–2 hours.

Neuropsychological testing: A neuropsychological (relation of the brain to thinking and behavior) assessment is done when you or your child’s care team have concerns about how your child’s illness or treatment might affect thinking and learning. This testing may take up to 6 hours.

After Psychology Clinic testing

The Psychology Clinic team will give you feedback, either right after the testing visit or in a separate session. These sessions may take place in the Psychology Clinic or over the phone.

A written report with your child’s results and any recommendations will go in St. Jude MyChart. This report is typically available within 1 month of testing.

Privacy and confidentiality

Psychology staff member notes are part of your child’s medical record. Those notes are available to other St. Jude clinical staff who view the record.

Sometimes, a psychology staff member will provide therapy to a child without family members in the sessions. It is important to understand which information will be kept confidential (private) and which may be shared with caregivers. 

The psychology staff will discuss information privacy with your family and your child. Before your child has individual therapy, the staff will agree on what information will be shared and what will not be shared. 

In general, the psychology staff will treat information shared with them as confidential. Exceptions may include:

• A judge may order psychology staff members to disclose information, or the law may require it.
• Psychology staff members are required to report if a patient or family member might be a danger to themselves or to others.
• Psychology staff members must also report information about the abuse of a child, elderly person, or disabled person who may require protection.

Learn more

The Psychology Clinic is located on the Plaza Level of the Patient Care Center. 

Call the Psychology Clinic at 901-595-3581 or toll-free 1-866-278-5833, ext. 3581.