My research focuses on improving clinical outcome measures and intervention outcomes for individuals with Down syndrome, neurodevelopmental disorders, and other special healthcare needs. I conduct research in real-world, clinical settings using multiple different tools, including caregiver-report, behavioral assessments, and electroencephalography (EEG) to study the development of and interventions for challenging behaviors. I am currently a KL2 INCLUDE Scholar conducting research on cognitive abilities and challenging behaviors in youth with Down syndrome.
Caitlin Courshon, PhD (she/her), is an attending psychologist for the Behavior and Attention Management (BAM) Program within Outpatient Psychiatry at Seattle Children’s Hospital and an Acting Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. Dr. Courshon has clinical expertise in the treatment, consultation, and assessment of children with disruptive behaviors and their families, including, but not limited to, neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, and disruptive behavior disorders. Her clinical work integrates evidence-based treatments, including parent behavior management training (PBMT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
Dr. Courshon’s current academic interests focus on researching clinical outcomes of PBMT programs and contributing to ongoing program development to expand services for caregivers navigating challenges related to home-school communication and disruptive behaviors in school settings. She is deeply committed to helping children improve their behaviors, empowering caregivers and educators to enhance their self-efficacy in supporting children with disruptive behaviors, and fostering healthy, safe, and inclusive environments across home, school, and community settings.
Sheena Friesen, PhD (she/her), is the attending psychologist for the Child Program on the inpatient Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Unit at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. She has clinical expertise in disruptive behavior disorders, comprehensive assessment, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Exposure Therapies, Parent Training, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Dr. Friesen’s research interests broadly focus on advancing knowledge of least restrictive interventions in acute and complex care contexts, trauma-informed care, and interventions designed to address children’s disruptive behavior problems. She has collaborated on and co-led efforts to design and implement a multi-tiered, Modified Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (M-PBIS) model of care aimed at increasing positive behavior interventions, reducing restraint and PRN use, and ameliorating racial gaps in care delivery.
Dr. Friesen received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. She completed her pre-doctoral internship training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Kennedy Krieger Institute and went on to complete her postdoctoral fellowship in acute care and clinical psychology at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
My clinical and research work focus on ways to improve care for children with complex neurodevelopmental and behavioral concerns, especially in the context of prenatal substance exposures and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
Current projects include developing training to reduce stigma and improve accurate retrospective screening for prenatal alcohol exposure; examining factors influencing response to the Families Moving Forward Program for FASD; and, evaluating the clinical utility of the proposed diagnosis ND-PAE.
Dr. Megan Goldenshteyn works as a licensed psychologist at the Center on Human Development and Disability (CHDD) in the Child Development Clinic, Cardiac Neurodevelopment Clinic, and the Infant Development Follow-up Clinic. Dr. Goldenshteyn conducts psychological and developmental evaluations and supervises the psychology trainees, including the residents and the psychology practicum student.
I am a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Seattle Children’s Hospital and faculty member at the University of Washington Medicine. My SCH practice locations include the Gender Clinic (Adolescent Medicine), Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic, Autism Center, and the inpatient unit- Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Unit (PBMU). I believe in delivering compassionate, evidence-based care in supporting patients and their families. My approach is both comprehensive and patient-centered, as it is important to consider the needs of the individual while also appreciating societal and cultural context. I specialize in working with diverse patient populations with various marginalized identities, such as those who identify as LGBTQ, gender diverse, and/or neurodiverse. I also work closely with the Adolescent Medicine Gender Clinic in supporting any mental health needs of transgender/gender diverse youth and their families. I also collaborate with colleagues in specialty medical clinics to coordinate care of medically complex patients. Additionally, I serve as a consultant with various school programs to support mental health initiatives and advocacy efforts.
Academically, I am involved with several initiatives both locally and nationally, particularly those that work to promote diversity and equity. I serve on committees supporting the SCH/UW CAP Fellowship Program, educating trainees and students through direct clinical supervision as well as with lectures and discussions. On a national level, I serve on the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues Committee (SOGIIC) for the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). My clinical research focuses on finding strategies to better support the mental health and well-being of patients and families who are LGBTQ+. Additionally, I work on studies that explore the intersection between gender diversity and neuro diversity/autism spectrum.
Personal Statement
I am a board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist in the Pediatric Clinic at Harborview, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic in the Division of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine.
In my clinical work, I strive to create active partnerships with my patients and their families to achieve the best possible outcomes regardless of their needs and circumstances. I am lucky to have great behavioral health and primary care partners across the different clinics I work in, who are invaluable collaborators in caring for our patients and families.
I am involved in the child and adolescent training program and supervises trainees at several outpatient clinics. My clinical and research interests include integrating mental healthcare into primary care settings, ADHD, disruptive behaviors, aggression, trauma-related disorders, and improving clinical supervision of child and adolescent psychiatry trainees.
Personal Statement
My clinical work and research are focused on helping youth with ADHD and their families be resilient and successful. Specifically, I am interested in creating and disseminating behavioral treatments for ADHD and disruptive behavior that are accessible and engaging for families. I enjoy consulting and training with providers in a variety of settings, including integrated primary care, to offer treatments that provide immediate help to their patients. My current research focuses on improving family relationships and health outcomes for youth with ADHD, including preventing risk behaviors and improving active and healthy lifestyles.
Dr. Russell’s professional interests include ADHD, integrated/collaborative care, prevention and complementary/integrative approaches to child and adolescent mental health. He takes a holistic approach to psychiatric well-being that extends beyond medications and psychotherapy to include other evidence-based practices shown to improve brain health including regular exercise, time in nature, supportive social interactions, mind-body activities, good nutrition and sleep hygiene.
