Brian Allen

Brian Allen, PsyD is a Professor in both the Department of Pediatrics and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Penn State College of Medicine. He serves as the director of mental health services at Penn State Children's Hospital's Center for the Protection of Children and maintains affiliations with the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) and Child Maltreatment Solutions Network.

Dr. Allen's research focuses on child maltreatment, trauma treatment for maltreated children, problematic sexual behaviors in preteens, and adoption outcomes. His current work centers on improving development for adopted children through the Pennsylvania Adoptees Longitudinal Study (PALS), for which he serves as Principal Investigator. His research has been funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development/National Institutes of Health and Children's Miracle Network.

His recent publication record demonstrates ongoing scholarly activity through 2025, with meta-analyses examining problematic sexual behavior among preteen children, child behavior problems related to maltreatment exposure, and physiological predictors of trauma therapy outcomes. His work shows particular emphasis on trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) effectiveness and integration of animal-assisted therapy approaches.

Dr. Allen has published numerous scientific papers and book chapters with significant scholarly impact (1,199 citations, h-index 20). His research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to child protection and well-being.

As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Allen directs mental health services at the Center for the Protection of Children, implementing evidence-based treatments for maltreated children while conducting research to advance the field. His dual appointments reflect the interdisciplinary nature of his work bridging pediatrics and mental health.