Whitney M. Herge, Ph.D. ABPP

Care Philosophy

“I knew from a young age that I wanted to work in a ‘helping’ profession. By college, I had refined that idea and was drawn to the intersection of child development and medical care. During my junior and senior years of college I had the incredible opportunity to intern with a program at Boston Children’s Hospital, where youth with various chronic medical conditions (including spina bifida) were given video cameras and asked to ‘teach their doctors about their illness’. This internship championed the importance of child-centered care and highlighted the myriad individual, familial, social/community, and state/national factors that impact a young person’s experience of their medical diagnosis and treatment. I knew then that I had found my calling!”

Whitney M. Herge, Ph.D.

About

Whitney M. Herge, Ph.D., is a pediatric psychologist at Scottish Rite for Children. Dr. Herge earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Boston College, and her graduate studies in general psychology from American University in Washington, D.C. She earned her doctoral degree in pediatric clinical psychology and completed her pre-doctoral internship from the University of Miami. Dr. Herge also completed post-doctoral training at a private practice in Miami.

Her clinical interests include integrated care, psychosocial screening and preparation prior to major medical intervention and the development of psychological treatment guidelines for patients preparing for limb lengthening and reconstruction. Dr. Herge has contributed to peer-reviewed research including a focus on the intersection of mental health and medical conditions in children and adolescents. She has also conducted research examining the critical role psychological and psychosocial factors have on pediatric orthopedic patients, specifically those undergoing limb lengthening and reconstruction.

Her professional affiliations include the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America and the Society of Pediatric Psychology (APA Division 54). With more than 10 years of experience in clinical and pediatric psychology, Dr. Herge aims to advance child-centered care by bridging the gap between physical and emotional health for medically complex patients.