Empowering Pediatric Patients to Thrive with Psychology and Psychiatry Services

The Shriners Children's Boston psychology and psychiatryteam is instrumental in empowering pediatric patients to navigate mental health challenges associated with their injuries. The team primarily works with burn survivors, who are often left with more than physical scars, as they learn to cope with a new reality that can bring emotional challenges.

The Shriners Children's wrap-around care approach focuses not just on a child's physical diagnosis but also incorporates tools to help manage the trauma associated with a severe burn or other injury. The psychiatry and psychology team remains with patients during their inpatient care and throughout the long-term reconstructive outpatient care that follows.

Meet Our Team

Ellen O'Donnell, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in pediatric behavioral medicine and is the director of psychological services at Shriners Children's Boston. She came to the hospital in 2015. Dr. O'Donnell utilizes her interests in chronic illness and disease to help patients with burns and serious conditions cope over a prolonged period. "Burn injuries are a lot for children, especially when there is a need for follow-up care over the years," explained Dr. O'Donnell.

Tolga A. Ceranoglu, M.D., is chief of the psychiatry service at the hospital. He first came to Shriners Children's Boston in 2004 during his fellowship training. "To this day, working at Shriners Children's Boston has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my career," Dr. Ceranoglu said. "It is truly a blessing to be part of this excellent and compassionate team."

Collaborative Approach to Care

Both clinicians credit the collaborative approach to care at Shriners Children's Boston for producing the best outcomes for patients. They work closely with child life specialists andsocial work care managers to get to know each patient and develop a care plan tailored to their individual needs.

Liza Gamelli, LICSW, CCM, a clinical social worker and care manager, often refers patients who may need extra support to Dr. O'Donnell, Dr. Ceranoglu or members of their team. "Social work care managers might be the first line of assessment for patients. We give the psych team the child's background, and the doctors use that information to consult with the family to offer their children further assistance in treatment," Liza said.

The information provided by the social work care managers establishes a baseline assessment, which helps clinicians understand what a child's life was like before their injury and provides the proper support. "It's important to know if a child is anxious or hesitant to separate from their parents, or if they may be more outgoing," saig Dr. O'Donnell. "It's also crucial to know if there is any history of psychological or developmental concerns that may impact their coping."

Often, that means talking with the child and family who are coming for a scheduled procedure at Shriners Children's. "The patient may be having a lot of anxiety around an operation, an IV, or just coming back into the hospital," said Liza, who noted that psychiatrists and psychologists work with the patient ahead of their surgery to help make that a successful experience.

Shriners Children's Boston's specialized care is always provided regardless of a family's ability to pay or insurance status. Dr. O'Donnell credits that commitment for allowing her to help patients needing mental health support. "Our psych team does not fit the traditional therapy model. We must be there for the patient at the right time when our staff is specifically needed," said Dr. O'Donnell. "At other hospitals, there could be more constraints because of the hospital structure."

Family-centered Care

Shriners Children's Boston provides support for patient families to help ease the minds of parents and caregivers, who may worry about long-term mental health impacts on their child. "If children, their families and caregivers have the support they need, then the risk of a child developing PTSD, emotional health needs or difficulties coping is pretty small," said Dr. O'Donnell. "Children are resilient."

The reassurance not only comes from the psychologyandpsychiatry team, but from all hospital staff. "We normalize as much as possible the idea of how it is okay to struggle in different ways for both patients and families who are coping with an injury," Liza said, emphasizing that the mental health team is another important tool in a patient's treatment toolbox.

Both doctors share a common goal to offer encouragement to children who are impacted by challenging situations. "I've always felt bad things happen all the time. If there's something I can do because I have some skills or knowledge where I can make things better, that makes me feel good, and that's why I do what I do," said Dr. O'Donnell.

Dr. Ceranoglu reiterates that sentiment as he is moved by the strength and determination of his pediatric patients, who have adapted to changes following their injuries. "I came to appreciate the resilience of every child at Shriners Children's by watching them return to the hobbies they love and how they learn new ways to participate in their favorite activities," said Dr. Ceranoglu. "Whether that's holding a paint brush a different way, or adjusting how they play a sport, the ability to persevere continues to leave a lasting impression."