Empowering Pediatric Patients to Thrive with Psychology and Psychiatry Services

The Shriners Children’s Boston psychology and psychiatry team 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 and social work care managers to get to know each patient and develop a care plan tailored to their individual needs.