Health Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship

1 year, full-time fellowship with two positions for the 2027–2028 cycle.

Fellows will have the opportunity to work in a variety of interdisciplinary settings, providing behavioral interventions to patients with complex medical conditions. Core rotations include pain psychology, psycho-oncology, bariatrics/GI psychology, and consultation and liaison. Other rotations (e.g., primary care) may be available.

Pain Psychology

The pain psychology rotation within Endeavor Health's Psychology Fellowship gives fellows the opportunity to work with adults who have a wide variety of pain conditions in an integrated care setting that values interdisciplinary collaboration. Fellows will provide outpatient therapy and will have the option to perform pre-surgical psychological evaluations (e.g., spinal cord stimulator evaluations).

• Other opportunities may include biofeedback, CBT-I, and work with adults with neurologic conditions (e.g., TBI/post-concussion syndrome, FND, mild/major neurocognitive disorders, etc.).

Format: Hybrid model, in-person 0-2 days/week depending on patient need and fellow preference; remote work fully supported
Location: Skokie Hospital Pain Clinic, Suite 1200

Psycho-oncology

The psycho-oncology rotation is a year long experience working with adults across the cancer continuum. Fellows are expected to have prior experience with working with medically complex patients in a health psychology/medical setting for success in this rotation.

Fellows will:

• Provide brief, time-limited therapy to medically complex patients, addressing a range of cancer-related concerns (including end of life), using evidence-based treatment modalities (e.g., ACT, CBT, meaning-centered).
• Build expertise in conducting diagnostic assessments, writing comprehensive psycho-oncology intakes, formulating case conceptualizations, and communicating clinical recommendations to oncology team members (e.g., oncologists, surgeons, APPs, nurses, social workers, dietitians, psychiatrists).
• Conduct pre-CAR-T and autologous stem cell transplant psychological evaluations, with inpatient follow-up as needed.
• Understand how cancer type, treatment regimen, and side effects impact mental health and incorporate these factors into assessment, conceptualization and treatment planning.
• Attend interdisciplinary meetings (e.g., Survivorship Executive Committee, tumor board) and monthly psycho-oncology team meetings.
• Contribute to psycho-oncology research, program development and presentations, with opportunities to provide peer supervision to externs.

Format: Hybrid (in-person and remote); not eligible for fully remote.
Location: Evanston Hospital, Kellogg Cancer Center and Department of Psychiatry

Bariatric Surgery, Weight Management, and Psychogastroentrology

The fellow will develop expertise in the psychological assessment and treatment of patients pursuing bariatric surgery, medical and behavioral weight management interventions, and experiencing gastrointestinal conditions influenced by the interaction of psychological, behavioral, and physiological processes. Additional opportunities may include case presentations, program development, consultation with medical specialists and participation in quality improvement or scholarly activities. Fellows may also observe a bariatric surgery with our surgeons.

Bariatric Psychology and Metabolic Health
Conduct preoperative psychological evaluations for patients pursuing bariatric surgery, including assessment of psychosocial readiness, eating behaviors, psychiatric history, adherence-related factors and postoperative adjustment needs.

• Provide psychological interventions to support preparation for surgery, postoperative adjustment, and long-term behavioral change.
• Assess and address disordered eating, emotional eating, binge-eating symptoms, body image concerns and other behavioral factors relevant to obesity treatment.
• Support patients navigating weight regain, weight-related stigma, motivation, and the psychological challenges associated with metabolic and bariatric treatment.
• Collaborate with bariatric surgeons, obesity medicine providers, dietitians and other members of the interdisciplinary care team.

Behavioral Weight Management

• Provide evidence-based psychological treatment addressing the behavioral, emotional and interpersonal factors associated with weight management.
• Utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing and other appropriate behavioral interventions.
• Address emotional regulation, stress, sleep-related behaviors, health behavior change, treatment adherence, and adjustment to pharmacological or surgical obesity interventions.
• Support patients in developing sustainable health behaviors and navigating the psychological complexities of chronic weight management.

Psychogastroenterology

• Provide psychological assessment and treatment for patients experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders, including disorders of gut-brain interaction.
• Develop competence in the bidirectional relationship between psychological processes, the gut-brain axis, gastrointestinal symptoms and health-related quality of life.
• Address anxiety related to gastrointestinal symptoms, symptom-related avoidance, visceral hypersensitivity, stress-related symptom exacerbation and functional impairment.
•  Apply evidence-based interventions, including CBT, gut-directed hypnotherapy when appropriately trained, relaxation strategies and other behavioral approaches relevant to gastrointestinal health.
• Collaborate with gastroenterologists and other medical providers to support coordinated, patient-centered care.

Consultation-Liaison Psychology and Inpatient Rehabilitation

Fellows on the Consultation-Liaison Psychology and Inpatient Rehabilitation rotation will conduct psychological assessment and interventions for patients with serious medical conditions referred by primary and specialty medical teams, on the medical, surgical and inpatient rehabilitation units. Diagnostic assessments and follow-up visits will occur at the bedside for adults presenting with a broad range of physical health concerns and comorbid psychiatric concerns, including adjustment challenges. The fellow will attend multidisciplinary team meetings with psychiatry, palliative care and rehabilitation teams.

Format: In-person only
Location: Swedish Hospital and Evanston Hospital

Fellows will engage in health psychology didactics, structured supervision, and additional seminars to support professional development and applied skills. Opportunities to provide supervision to advanced health psychology practicum students may be available.

Fellows will be expected to engage in program development and research, in addition to presenting at Grand Rounds or case conferences.