Faculty

Bio

I received a BA in Psychology from Tufts University in Massachusetts and completed medical school and a postdoctoral research fellowship in child psychiatry here at the University of Minnesota. I completed my residency in general psychiatry, a residency in pediatrics, and a child psychiatry fellowship at the University of Wisconsin Medical School.I am a child and adolescent psychiatrist and focus on anxiety and mood disorders. I am board certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology and the American Board of Pediatrics . I also hold an Endowed Professorship in Child and Adolescent Anxiety Disorders. I have an h-index of 34 with close to 3,500 citations, and in most of my peer-reviewed articles, I am first or last author.I supervise psychiatry residents, child and adolescent psychiatry fellows, and psychology interns doing evaluations and treatment in the Child and Adolescent Anxiety and Mood Disorders Clinic. I also serve as a Grand Rounds committee member within the department.I am on the editorial board of several scientific journals and serve as an Ad Hoc Grant Reviewer for the National Institute of Mental Health. I have been included in the Best Doctors in America database from 1996-2014, and was selected as a Top Doctor in Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Research Summary

Dr. Bernstein's primary research interests include anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) in children and adolescents. She is currently completing an investigation of brain imaging in adolescents with OCD and healthy controls. Dr. Bernstein is the recipient of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Norbert and Charlotte Reiger Award for Scientific Achievement for the most outstanding research paper published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, in 2005. Dr. Bernstein is on the editorial board of several scientific journals and serves as an Ad Hoc Grant Reviewer for the National Institute of Mental Health.We have completed an NIMH funded neuroimaging and sertraline treatment study for children and adolescents with OCD and are currently in data analysis. Sertraline is FDA approved for the treatment of pediatric OCD. 

Clinical Summary

Dr. Bernstein is tripled-boarded (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, General Psychiatry, and Pediatrics). She joined the University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry in 1985. Dr. Bernstein has been included in the Best Doctors in America database from 1996-2014, and was selected as a Top Doctor in Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Bio

An award-winning educator, Assistant Professor Jacquetta Blacker, MD, MA, joined the U following several years working for the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Health System in Rochester and Austin, MN, as an assistant professor in psychiatry and a senior associate consultant. Dr. Blacker is board certified in both adult and child and adolescent psychiatry.Being at the University enables two goals for Dr. Blacker. "I want to work in clinical care with a population that has a universal shortage of healthcare providers," she explained. "Part of that is helping to strengthen inpatient services. The other part of my job is research. I want to dig into the huge data sets I have on suicide and use the resources at the U to look at post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] and how it intersects with suicide. PTSD is complex – it's many different sequelae of real and perceived traumatic events." Dr. Blacker completed her general psychiatric residency and a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. A native of the United Kingdom, she completed MRCP Part 1 (Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians) at the Royal College of Physicians in London. Dr. Blacker earned her BMBCh (the equivalent of an MD) in medicine and surgery, and her Master of Arts and undergraduate degree in physiological sciences at Oxford University.She brings a wide range of experience to her work. "I have had broad exposure to all kinds of medical settings, from urban to rural, and to all kinds of socioeconomic groups," she said. "It helps me understand where a lot of people are coming from." Of the 18 articles that Dr. Blacker has had published in medical journals, she was first or senior author for 10. In addition, she has presented her work during several national and international medical meetings.When she has some spare time, she enjoys biking along Minneapolis parkways, working on home improvement projects, reading, and cooking.

Research Summary

Dr. Blacker's research interests include mood and anxiety disorders in medical-surgical populations, and suicide among medical professionals. Being part of a much larger institution that has many disciplines – and the opportunities that creates for doing cross-disciplinary work – is exciting to Blacker. "A lot of what I do is historical, looking at trends over time, how concepts have changed, how treatment has changed," she said. "Having access to specialists in history and statistics will really help move my research along." Dr. Blacker was co-investigator for three research grants, one looking at developing biomarkers that would lead to individualized treatments in bipolar patients with and without comorbid addiction; another used EEG to identify potential markers of suicidal behaviors in children between age 13-18; another examined biochemical and genetic differences in mood disorders.

Bio

I received a BA in child psychology here at the University of Minnesota. I received my MS from the Illinois Institute of Technology, where I also completed my PhD, both in clinical psychology. My clinical psychology internship was at Duke University Medical Center.I am a clinical psychologist with extensive experience as a service provider, supervisor, and researcher in mental health. My work over the past 30 years has also emphasized developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative mental health programs utilizing an implementation science approach. In addition, through a University of Minnesota consulting contract, I am concurrently the Chief Clinical Scientist for Praestan Health where I guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative behavioral health models that are supported by digital technologies and applied in real-world practice settings. I have published peer-reviewed journal articles with many as either first or last author, and written several books about youth mental health, effective intervention methods, and evidence-based practice. With 39 publications, 1224 citations and an h-index score of 14, my research and books have been widely disseminated.

Research Summary

Dr. Bloomquist has accumulated many years of research experience in collaboration with a team of prevention and intervention scientists. This included (1) evaluating the short- and long-term effects of school/community/clinic-based interventions for children with behavior and emotional disorders, (2) examining predictive variables and facilitative strategies related to parents engaging in prevention programming, (3) delineating and studying methods for enhancing and measuring program implementation in real world settings, (4) examining mediators and moderators of response to prevention programming, and (5) delineating child and parenting characteristics related to behavior disorders in children. His current research is examining youth and family stress associated with adolescent depression and translating and evaluating evidence-based mental health programming for use in real world health settings.

Clinical Summary

Dr. Bloomquist provides program consultation for intensive outpatient programming services for adolescent depression. He specializes in parent and family skills training (a.k.a. behavioral family therapy) for youth with behavior-emotional problems. As an author/co-author of several books, Dr. Bloomquist has written about effective intervention methods and evidence-based practice.

Bio

I received my BA in psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno, graduating summa cum laude, and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2010. I completed a pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. My fellowship in child mental health was supported by a T32, and subsequently F32, National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Prior to joining the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences faculty, I was an Assistant Professor (Research) at Brown Medical School and a Psychologist at Rhode Island Hospital and Bradley Hospital.My research and clinical expertise is in the area of neurodevelopmental disorders, with an emphasis on Tourette Syndrome, obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, and anxiety disorders. I am Co-Director of the Converging Approaches to Neurodevelopment (CAN) Lab, a research group that focuses on studying the causes and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Our research integrates behavioral and neuroscience methods, including neuromodulation and brain imaging. Currently, I have a particular interest in studying the use of neuromodulation to augment evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapies. I have close to 60 publications, 1419 citations and an h-index score of 22. I have also presented nationally and internationally at more than 100 conferences.Within the department,I am the Clinician Researcher Lead for the Integration of Clinical & Research Activities . Within the university, I am the Director of the Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Laboratory at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain.

Research Summary

Dr. Conelea's research focuses on the etiology and treatment of Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and anxiety disorders. She is particularly interested in understanding how the brain, environment, and psychosocial factors interact to impact symptoms and treatment outcome. Dr. Conelea's research integrates behavioral and neuroscience methods, including neuromodulation and brain imaging. Additional interests include therapeutic process and mechanism of change in cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Clinical Summary

Tourette Syndrome; tic disorders; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; anxiety disorders; cognitive-behavioral therapy

Bio

Dr. Cullen is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and the Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division at the University of Minnesota. She completed all of her medical and research training at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Cullen leads an NIH-funded research team examining the neurodevelopmental underpinnings of depression, self-injury and suicide risk in adolescents and young adults, and investigating interventions aimed at promoting healthy trajectories in these youth.

Research Summary

Dr. Cullen's research primarily focuses on depression and self-injury in adolescents. Her research approaches include the use of brain imaging to examine the biology of depression and self-harm, elucidate the mechanisms of existing treatments, and develop novel treatments.

Bio

I graduated medical school from the Institute of Medical Sciences, Haryana, India. I completed both my general psychiatry and child & adolescent training here at the University. I further completed my fellowship training here, where I was chief fellow.I am a child psychiatrist and offer a unique cultural perspective in serving our diverse populations. I have a special interest in Neurodevelopmental disorders, delivering school based mental health services and cultural psychiatry. I have been actively involved in research and teaching medical students and residents.Within the department, I am a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee .

Bio

I earned my PhD in Clinical Social Work from the Institute for Clinical Social Work in Chicago, IL, then spent three years as a faculty member for the. Research from my dissertation was foundational for Developmental Repair , an intervention manual for behaviorally challenged and challenging children, in collaboration with WAshburn Center for Children in Minneapolis. This manual is now used extensively throughout the state. Prior to this, I taught for 25 years in the U of MN school of social work. I completed a Master's in Social Work from the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Work of New York, NY,and have had an independent mental health practice that serves children, adolescents and adults since 1987.My initial role in Psychiatry teaching normal child development to child and adolescent psychiatry fellows. In 2017, I started the family consult clinic working with fellows to help families navigate potentially confusing diagnoses, treatment plans and related family needs. I have taught in the U's School for Social Work for more than 20 years and authored the book, Developmental Repair , a manual for intervention with behaviorally challenged and challenging young children that is used throughout Minnesota. I provide mental health therapy in the community, as well as consulting to agencies and schools about the developmental needs of children and adolescents. I am now working with the Fairview inpatient behavioral health units to improve care and provide staff training and support, and have also been on the faculty of the U's Infant and Early Child Mental Health Certificate program in the Institute for Child Development.My teaching and research expertise is in early development, attachment, and impact of trauma, especially trauma that occurred when children are preverbal, or when impact of intergenerational traumas persist within family dynamics. I also have over four decades of psychotherapy practice.I have been awarded "Teacher of the Year" from the Department of Child Psychiatry in 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.

Bio

I am a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. I received my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 2006. I completed my pre-doctoral internship at Children's Hospital Boston, and an NIMH T32 research post-doctoral fellowship at Columbia University. Prior to joining the Psychiatry Department at the University of Minnesota, I was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University.I conduct research on the development of new methods of delivering more effective, personalized, and responsive care for youth with depression. My research also focuses on understanding how family relationships during adolescence can promote healthy emotion regulation and wellbeing or contribute to the development of psychopathology. I provide training and supervision in the delivery of evidence-based psychotherapy to student learners, as well as practicing providers in the community. I also conduct psychotherapy in the Department's Early Stage Mood Disorders Clinic.Professional outreach and public service is also a key focus of my career. I am on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Abnormal Child Psycholog y . I have presented at over 40 research conferences. Within the University, I am a member of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) , Social & Behavioral Sciences Committee .

Research Summary

Dr. Gunlicks-Stoessel's research focuses on understanding how family relationships during adolescence can promote healthy emotion regulation and wellbeing or contribute to the development of psychopathology. This work includes the examination of parents' and adolescents' interpersonal behaviors, emotions, and physiological responses during parent-adolescent interactions that are associated with depressive symptoms. Dr. Gunlicks-Stoessel also conducts translational research integrating basic science with applied intervention research to develop methods and technologies for delivering more effective, personalized, and responsive care for youth with depression.

Clinical Summary

Child & Adolescent Mood Disorders Clinic; Grief/Bereavement

Bio

I received my BA in Biology from Grinnell College, Iowa. I received my medical degree, a residency in Adult Psychiatry, and a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, where I was Chief Fellow, here at the University of Minnesota.My role includes two days a week practicing at the Community University Health Care Center. I was also Program Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship. Additional teaching roles include precepting the child and adolescent consult clinic at the U of M Masonic Children's Hospital and providing clinical supervision of fellows in the M Health Fairview Psychiatry Clinic. I have also presented nationally at over 30 conferences, including 9 grand rounds lectures.