Psychology Resident
Sarah Westen is a Psychology Fellow in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Florida, where she also completed her doctoral training and psychology residency specializing in pediatric psychology with an emphasis on type 1 diabetes research and clinical care. Prior to coming to the University of Florida, Sarah completed a two years of training at the National Institute of Mental Health as an Intramural Research Training Award recipient. Sarah is interested in the biopsychosocial aspects of chronic illness in children, young adults, and families (e.g., adherence, coping, family management, transition from pediatric to adult care, treatment of comorbid mental health conditions). Sarah is also interested in the interplay between sleep and diabetes management and outcomes in youth.
Sarah was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 14 and has devoted her career to type 1 diabetes intervention and research. Clinically, Sarah sees patients for brief intervention services in the multidisciplinary UF Pediatric Endocrinology Diabetes Clinic and additionally provides psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and young adults with diabetes in the UF Psychology Clinic. She served a three-year term as an elected Board Member within the Diabetes Special Interest Group of the Society of Pediatric Psychology (APA Division 54) and is currently involved in several multi-site working groups regarding type 1 diabetes treatment in the context of interdisciplinary care.