Alana R Rawlinson, Ph.D.

Alana Rawlinson, PhD, serves as the Director of UF Health Psychology Specialties. Dr. Rawlinson is a trained Child Clinical and Pediatric Psychologist with experience in a variety of multidisciplinary settings. Dr. Rawlinson graduated from Auburn University’s Clinical Psychology PhD Program (Child Track) in 2016 after completing her Residency in Pediatric Health Psychology at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She joined the University of Florida as a Postdoctoral Fellow before transitioning to faculty within the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology in 2018. Dr. Rawlinson holds a certification in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an evidence-based behavioral parent training program for families of children ages 2-7 with externalizing disorders. As a PCIT Within Program Trainer, she trains graduate students, interns and postdoctoral fellows in PCIT. Dr. Rawlinson serves as a Psychology Attending for trainees providing assessments and therapy with youth ages 2 through 21 for a variety of psychological diagnoses within the UF Health Psychology Specialties Clinic.

Outside of clinical care, Dr. Rawlinson directs the College of Public Health and Health Professions (PHHP)’s Honors Program. In this role, she teaches an Honors Seminar Course to third year undergraduates and mentors students’ undergraduate research involvement and thesis development through graduation. Dr. Rawlinson is the PHHP liaison with UF’s Center for Undergraduate Research and promotes undergraduate research scholarships (e.g., Emerging and University Scholar Awards) and opportunities within PHHP.

Dr. Rawlinson provides clinical care for pediatric patients in the UF Health Psychology Specialties Clinic, directs the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Service, and supervises trainees in assessment, therapy and consultation. Dr. Rawlinson consults with the pediatric heart and lung transplant programs on the psychological aspects of transplant and completes psychosocial pre-transplant evaluations. Her clinical interests include treating patients with co-occurring medical and psychological concerns, with a focus on improving treatment adherence, coping with extended hospitalizations, and adjustment to new diagnoses. Dr. Rawlinson is certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and is a PCIT Within-Program Trainer.

Dr. Rawlinson’s research involves adherence to treatment in youth with medical illnesses, quality of life and transition to adult medical care. She collaborates with medical providers on program development and access to psychology services in medical settings and has experience in measure development, quality improvement and qualitative studies.