Tess Thomas

Tess Thomas, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Kentucky and affiliated with Kentucky Children's Hospital. Her clinical work focuses on helping children and families adjust to medical injuries or illnesses.

Education:

• PhD in Clinical Psychology, University of Kentucky (2021)
• Internship in Health Psychology, University of Kentucky
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Psychology, University of Kentucky
• Bachelor's Degree, Purdue University

Dr. Thomas's research emphasizes temperament-based mental health screening, structural vulnerabilities in healthcare access, and preventative mental health programs. Her work aims to improve mental health equity for children through trauma-informed care and interdisciplinary collaboration with the Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress.

Her publications (2017-2023) examine developmental pathways, ADHD mechanisms, disruptive behavior disorders, and psychostimulant use through network analysis and longitudinal frameworks. Key themes include early childhood mental health, behavioral genetics, and cross-cultural pandemic impacts.

Dr. Thomas provides clinical care and conducts applied research to bridge psychological practice with pediatric healthcare systems, focusing on vulnerability reduction and tailored intervention design.