Allison A Holgerson, Ph.D., ABPP

Dr. Holgerson joined faculty in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology in 2018. She completed her graduate training at Virginia Commonwealth University, pre-doctoral internship at the University of Florida Health Science Center, and post-doctoral fellowship at Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Holgerson is Director of Clinical Training for the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology’s Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. In this role, she oversees the clinical training and evaluation of the department’s graduate students (approximately 85), leads the introduction to clinical psychology course, helps prepare students for their first practica and for pre-doctoral internship applications, and manages many other aspects of graduate students’ progression through the program towards their doctoral degree.

Dr. Holgerson directs the Bariatric/Weight Management service with UF Health Psychology Specialties. She conducts comprehensive psychological evaluations for patients being considered for bariatric procedures and intervention. She is a member of the UF Health Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Center team, offering a comprehensive treatment approach to weight management. She also sees adults for behavioral weight management and disordered eating concerns, as well as patients who present with broad concerns related to the intersection of mental and physical health.

Dr. Holgerson supervises trainees enrolled in the APA-Accredited UF Clinical Psychology graduate program, APA-Accredited UF Health Sciences Center Psychology Internship, and APPIC-Directory Listed Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Dr. Holgerson conducts comprehensive psychological evaluations for patients being considered for bariatric procedures and intervention. She is a member of the UF Health Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Center team, offering a comprehensive treatment approach to weight management. She also sees adults for behavioral weight management and disordered eating concerns, as well as patients who present with broad concerns related to the intersection of mental and physical health.

Dr. Holgerson’s research involvement can be categorized into three main areas: (1) psychological factors affecting bariatric surgery candidacy and outcomes, (2) eating patterns, and (3) clinical interventions for obesity prevention and treatment of binge eating disorder.

Dr. Holgerson has investigated psychological factors and the potential impact on bariatric surgery readiness and outcome, execution and evaluation of large clinical trials for childhood obesity prevention and treatment of binge eating disorder, weight stigma, the impact of cultural factors on attitudes surrounding eating and food, and the potential connections between stress, impulsivity, and weight