Deanna P. Sams, Ph.D.

About Me

Dr. Sams has extensive experience in the clinical treatment of children, adolescents, young adults, and families in acute settings. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety, OCD, mood disorders, and disruptive behavior disorders in children and adolescents. She has extensive training and clinical...

Dr. Sams has extensive experience in the clinical treatment of children, adolescents, young adults, and families in acute settings. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety, OCD, mood disorders, and disruptive behavior disorders in children and adolescents. She has extensive training and clinical experience in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and in Collaborative and Proactive Solutions approach in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Dr. Sams is the Clinical Director of the Pediatric Psychiatry Inpatient Unit and the Rapid Stabilization Program at Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong. She is heavily involved in the training and supervision of pre-doctoral interns, as well as medical students and residents in psychiatry.

Dr. Sams' research evaluates the impact of psychological interventions on Inpatient Psychiatry Units. Specifically, she has co-developed and examined the impact of an intensive ACT based therapy intervention (Rapid Stabilization Pathway), applications of mindfulness, narrative therapy, and Collaborative & Proactive Solutions on the child & adolescent inpatient unit at Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong.

Research Focus and Interests - Inpatient and acute psychiatry / child and adolescent / mindfulness / Acceptance & Commitment Therapy / Collaborative & Proactive Solutions

Faculty Appointments

Associate Professor - Department of Psychiatry, Child & Adoles Serv (SMD)

Credentials

Post-doctoral Training & Residency

University of Rochester Medical Center
Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics
Rochester, NY
Child & Adolescent Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellow and Instructor
HRSA Funded Graduate Psychology Education Program
Director, Child/Adolescent Psychology Training: Linda Alpert-Gillis, Ph.D.

Fellowship focuses on eliminating barriers to care and serving diverse, underserved youth and families by integrating mental health care into pediatric settings and through public health initiatives in community based settings.
Golisano Childrens Hospital at Strong:
Ambulatory Pediatric Behavioral Health Service
· Provide diagnostic assessment, consultation, and short-term treatment to pediatric patients in primary care and subspecialty clinics.
· Provide instruction on psychosocial care of patients to medical students, pediatric residents, and Child and Adolescent Psychology Interns.
Strong Behavioral Health:
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Services
§ Conduct comprehensive diagnostic evaluations
§ Provide individual, parent, family, and group treatment
§ Provide weekly clinical supervision to a Child and Adolescent Psychology Intern
Anthony Jordan Community Health Center
· Provide consultation and assessment in an urban community healthcare setting as a member of an interdisciplinary pediatric team.
Urban, School-based Public Health Initiative: Around the W.O.R..L.D.
· Co-develop and implement a collaborative prevention program with the Rochester City School District designed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a classroom-based social skills program for kindergarten and 1st grade students.
University Avenue Head Start Program
· Provide behavioral and mental health consultation 2004 - 2005

Education

PhD | St Univ at Buffalo. Counseling Psychology. 2003

MS | University of Rochester. Counseling & Human Development. 1999

BA | University of Rochester. Psychology. 1998

Awards

The Raymond Babineau. MD Award for Excellence in Psychotherapy Education. 2018

Rita Underberg, Ph.D. Award for Excellence in Teaching in the Psychology Training Program,. 2010

Postdoctoral Award, University of Rochester Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry (2005) 2005

Cum Laude, University of Rochester (1995-1998) 1995 - 1998

Sigma Chi Iota (National Honor Society in Counseling)

Graduate assistantship with full tuition remission for three years of doctoral program

Publications

Journal Articles

Mindfulness-based group therapy: Impact on psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents.

Sams DP, Handley ED, Alpert-Gillis LJ

Clinical child psychology and psychiatry.. 2018 October 23 (4):582-591. Epub 05/20/2018.

Pilot Study of a Narrative Exercise on a Child & Adolescent Inpatient Unit

Ghannadpour, J.; Sams, D.P.; Garrison, D.

Journal of Systemic Therapies. 2018; 37(1): 47-54.

Innovative Strength-Based Care in Child and Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatry.

Sams DP, Garrison D, Bartlett J

Journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing : official publication of the Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses, Inc.. 2016 August 29 (3):110-7. Epub 08/23/2016.

The Rapid Stabilization Pathway: Impact of a Brief Inpatient Intervention on the Length of Stay and Readmissions among Psychiatrically Hospitalized Adolescents.

Sams, D.P., Garrison, D., Walsh, P., Maeng, D., & Cross, W.