May 2023 Society Spotlight
Special Interest Section Edition: Behavioral Section
The American Headache Society’s Behavioral Section is a group of clinicians and researchers committed to improving symptoms and quality of life among individuals with headache disorders through behavioral intervention. In addition to involvement in research supporting the efficacy of these interventions, we aim to improve behavioral health access through educating providers and patients.
We pride ourselves in the multidisciplinary nature of our group, as well as our members’ expertise in treating patients across the lifespan. Our section members include pediatric and adult psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, advanced practice providers, and professionals across other disciplines that recognize the value of behavioral intervention in treating headache disorders.
Recent projects have included educational pre-courses through AHS on the use of mobile applications to support behavioral intervention, behavioral treatment for patients with vestibular disorders, and up and coming treatments for behavioral treatment in pediatric headache. We feel our best work is done collaboratively and have had the pleasure of working closely with numerous AHS Special Interest Sections to provide these presentations, including the Pediatric-Adolescent Headache, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, and Refractory, Inpatient and Emergency Medicine Sections.
Our section members also value providing education on behavioral treatment for headache outside of the headache community. Members have recently presented to psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health providers through the American Psychiatric Association, American Association of Pain Psychology, and the American Psychological Association Division 38: Society of Health Psychology.
We hope that through these efforts, we can continue the important work of improving understanding of and access to behavioral treatments for individuals living with headache disorders.
Meet the Chairs
Michelle Clementi, PhD
Dr. Clementi is a pediatric headache psychologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Since 2019, she has led the establishment and growth of integrated headache psychology services within the Children’s Hospital Colorado Pediatric Headache Program. Dr. Clementi also conducts clinical research focused on the intersection between chronic headaches, sleep disturbance, and mental health in adolescents. She was part of the 2022-2023 AHS Emerging Leaders Program and looks forward to continuing to contribute to the important missions of AHS.
Twitter: @mclementi_phd
Alexandra Ross, PhD
Dr. Ross is a pediatric headache psychologist and Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She established the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Headache Psychology Program in 2017. Today, she serves as Lead Psychologist in the UCSF Child & Adolescent Headache Program as well as the UCSF Pediatric Brain Center. She is fellowship trained in Pediatric Pain Psychology.
This article is accurate and up to date at the time of posting, but may not reflect the most recent scientific developments or updates.