Pain Management Psychology Services
Alina M. Clavijo-Passik, PhD, is the clinical psychologist on staff at Indianapolis’ Center for Pain Management. The clinical pain management psychologist screens and provides surgical clearances for patients who may need to undergo interventional procedures or need implantable devices such as spinal cord stimulators. Dr. Clavijo-Passik also ensures patients’ mental health, emotional and psychological needs are met while being treated for pain management.
The psychology of pain involves identifying aspects of chronic pain and or chronic medical illness which may be impacting the daily function of a patient. Patients may exhibit issues not only of depression, but also adjustment, anxiety or panic – and thus have difficulties reaching optimal recovery.
Dr. Clavijo-Passik has worked with individuals with psychiatric and medical illnesses for nearly 20 years. Her work has included psychotherapy with adults across the age span from adolescents to geriatric, including families.
Additionally, her work as a clinician has included developing an understanding of cultural and psychosocial factors which impact the functioning of the individual; to the training of health care professionals in the relevant and competent strategies for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Hispanic and Latino patients.
Pre-Doctoral Education
Fordham University, College at Lincoln Center, New York, New York.
Graduation: 1983
Degree: B.A. in Psychology
Doctoral Education
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, Teaneck, NJ
Graduation: 1991
Degree: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
APA Accredited Program
Internship
New York University – Bellevue Hospital Medical Center, New York
Psychology Internship
1987 – 1988
APA Accredited Internship
Fellowships
New York University – Bellevue Hospital medical Center, New York
Pre-Doctoral Fellowship in Psychology
1988 – 1989
APA Accredited Fellowship
New York University – Bellevue Hospital Medical Center, New York
Pre-Doctoral Fellowship in Psychology
1989 – 1990
APA Accredited Fellowship
Post-Doctoral Fellowships
National Institute of Mental Health Post-Doctoral Fellow
New York University – Bellevue Hospital Medical Center, New York
Post-doctoral Fellowship in Psychology
1991 – 1992
APA Accredited Fellowship
Licensure
State of Indiana – 1998 to present
State of New York – 1991 to present
Board Certifications
Indiana State Psychology Board: 1998 to present; Health Service Provider in Psychology
Professional Memberships
American Psychological Association
Indiana Psychological Association
Publications & Presentations
1996 (April 18) Workshop: the Unspeakable condition: Depression and its Effects on Latina Women presented at the conference By Ourselves: Trauma, Mental illness and the Latina Woman. 100 Hispanic Women, Inc., First Mental Health Conferences, New York University, New York.
Carmen Inoa Vazquez and Alina M. Clavijo (1995), the special Needs of Elderly Minorities: a Profile of Hispanics. In B.G. Knight, L. Teri, P. Wohlford, and J. Santos (Eds.), Mental Health Services for Older Adults Implications for Training and Practice in Geropsychology (pp.93 – 99), American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C. 1994.
1993 The League School, Staff Training Workshop: Cross-Cultural issues in working with Hispanic children with special needs and their families, Brooklyn, New York.
1992 Cross-Cultural Factors in the Treatment of Hispanic Patients, Training Seminar, The Institute for the Study of Culture and ethnicity, New York, New York.
1991 Cross-Cultural Factors and Medical Illness Staff Training Seminar, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
Languages
English, Spanish
Professional Activities
1999 – Present – Clinical Psychologist, Center for Pain Management, Indianapolis, Indiana.
1992 – 1997 – Senior Psychologist, Bilingual Treatment Program-Clinic, Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York.
1992 – 1997 – Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, New York.