Clinical Psychology: adolescent, medical, eating, diabetes
Dr. Robyn Mehlenbeck is a Child and Adolescent Board Certified Clinical Psychologist and Fellow of the American Psychological Association who specializes in working with adolescents and kids with medical conditions, including Type I Diabetes. Her current research focuses on weight management for Latino youth and families. Currently, she is a Clinical Professor at Mason and the Director of the GMU Center for Psychological Services, a clinic committed to training graduate students and providing evidence-based, accessible services for the Northern Virginia community.
Prior to coming to Mason, she was a Clinical Associate Professor at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and worked at the Hasbro Children’s Partial Hospital Program, where she served as the Director of Training. Committed to the Clinical Science Model, Dr. Mehlenbeck engages in clinical work, teaching and research, with a multidisciplinary focus. She has trained medical students, psychology interns and fellows, pediatrics and psychiatry residents and fellows and developmental behavioral pediatricians.
Dr. Mehlenbeck has several publications and has presented nationally and internationally in the areas of pediatric obesity and eating disorders. She is currently the president for the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (SDBP). Dr. Mehlenbeck is also a reviewer panel member and mentor reviewer for the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, and the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Finally, Dr. Mehlenbeck has a strong commitment to the community, serving on committees across Fairfax County and Northern Virginia. She is currently participating on a state wide committee (VMAP) to increase access to mental health services for children throughout the state through pediatric practices.
VALE - A Family-Based Empowerment Program to Target Early Treatment for
Childhood Obesity in Low Income Latino Communities
Website: https://vale.gmu.edu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProgrammaVALEHKNova
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comunidad.vale/
Merrigan, J.J., Gallo,S., Fields,J.B., Mehlenbeck,R., & Jones, M.T (2020). Relationship of body composition, cardio-metabolic measures, and fitness assessments in young, obese Latino children. International Journal of Exercise Science,13(3), 488-500. PMID: 32509118
Hames, JL, Bell, DJ, Perez-Lima, LM, Holm-Denoma, JM, Rooney, T, Charles, NE, Thompson, SM, Mehlenbeck, RS, Tawfik, SH., Fondacaro, KM, Simmons, KT, & Hoersting, RC. (2020) Navigating Uncharted Waters: Considerations for Training Clinics in the Rapid Transition to Telepsychology and Telesupervision During COVID-19. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration.
Weitzman, C., Augustyn, M., Froehlich, T., Mehlenbeck, R., Mendelsohn, A. L., Nielsen, B. A., Soares, N., Voigt, R.G., Walton, J., Zlomke, K., Fogler, J.,; Keder, R. D., Ratliff-Schaub, K., Wallis, K. E., (2021). Recommendations for the Biden-Harris Administration. A Statement of Priorities from the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics.
Merrigan, JJ, Volgenau, KM, McKay, A., Gallo, S., Mehlenbeck, R.S. & Jones, M. (2021). Bi-directional associations among physical activity and sleep in overweight/obese elementary age Latino children. Sports (v9, issue 2).
Trojanowski, P., Niehaus, C., Mehlenbeck, R.S., Fischer, S. (Accepted May 2021). Parenting and Psychological Health in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes: Systematic Review. Journal of Pediatric Psychology.
6/18 – 6/19 Potomac Health Foundation Grant: Direct Cost $127,000
A Family-Based Empowerment Program to Target Early Treatment for
Childhood Obesity in Low Income Latino Communities, second year
Co-Investigator – 10% time (PI: Dr. Sina Gallo)
7/18- 6/19 Dominion Energy Foundation Grant: Direct Cost $60,000
Award to provide comprehensive PTSD assessments for veterans in conjunction with the VA Department of Veteran Services
6/19 Fairfax County Interdisciplinary Initiative Grant: Direct Cost $10,000
Award to support placing an advanced doctoral student in a Pediatrician’s office to provide onsite behavioral health services and interdisciplinary care to children.
6/19 – 6/20 Potomac Health Foundation Grant: Direct Cost $127,177
A Family-Based Empowerment Program to Target Early Treatment for Childhood Obesity in Low Income Latino Communities, third year
Co-Investigator – 5% time (PI: Dr. Sina Gallo)
Seminars presented as part of graduate student training at the GMU Center for Psychological Services
Psy 881 Advanced Practicum - Third Year Clinical Practicum
Psy 430 - Undergraduate Practicum in Psychology at the GMU CPS
James D. Doorley, The Effects of Coping, Savoring, and Self-compassion on Daily Psychological Resilience among College Athletes (2020)