About
Research
Publications
Featured Publications
Treatment Approaches for Functional Neurological Disorders in Children
Vassilopoulos A, Mohammad S, Dure L, Kozlowska K, Fobian AD. Treatment Approaches for Functional Neurological Disorders in Children. Current Treatment Options In Neurology 2022, 24: 77-97. PMID: 35370394, PMCID: PMC8958484, DOI: 10.1007/s11940-022-00708-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCognitive behavioral therapyInterpersonal tasksStepped-care interventionSchool-related factorsChildren's responsesFunctional neurological disorderFND symptomsType of interventionIndividual childrenCommunication tasksBiopsychosocial approachChild's clinical presentationSummaryCurrent researchClinical presentationTaskFuture researchNeurological disordersTreatment targetsChildrenMultidisciplinary rehabilitationEffective treatment targetsLevel of careTreatment approachesBrain disordersSuch programsSchool absenteeism as a potential proxy of functionality in pediatric patients with somatic symptom and related disorders
Vassilopoulos A, Poulopoulos N, Ibeziako P. School absenteeism as a potential proxy of functionality in pediatric patients with somatic symptom and related disorders. Clinical Child Psychology And Psychiatry 2020, 26: 342-354. PMID: 33287565, DOI: 10.1177/1359104520978462.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSchool absenteeismRelated disordersSomatic symptomsNormal school attendanceFunctional disability scorePsychiatry consultation servicePsychotropic medication useDisability scoresMedication usePediatric patientsClinical visitsFunctional disabilityPediatric hospitalPsychiatric carePatientsRetrospective dataSuicidal ideationCaregiver reportsHigher somatizationConsultation serviceSingle questionHigh rateSymptomsDisordersSchool functioningPrevalence, Patterns, and Correlates of Pain in Medically Hospitalized Pediatric Patients With Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
Ibeziako P, Randall E, Vassilopoulos A, Choi C, Thomson K, Ribeiro M, Fernandes S, Thom R, Bujoreanu S. Prevalence, Patterns, and Correlates of Pain in Medically Hospitalized Pediatric Patients With Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders. Journal Of The Academy Of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry 2020, 62: 46-55. PMID: 32641234, DOI: 10.1016/j.psym.2020.05.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrevalence of painWidespread painPain symptomsPediatric patientsPrior Child Protective Services (CPS) involvementDiagnostic tests/proceduresRelated disordersSomatic symptomsHospitalized youthCorrelates of painWidespread pain symptomsRetrospective chart reviewPsychiatry consultation serviceTertiary pediatric hospitalTests/proceduresFamily psychiatric historyStressor-related disordersChild protective services involvementChart reviewOpioid usePediatric hospitalPediatric populationComorbid depressionLimited painMedical conditions
2023
Interim guidelines for the assessment and treatment of pain in children with multiple sclerosis
Stratton C, Vassilopoulos A, Brenton J, Potter K, Vargas W, Rumm H, Bartels A, Bailey M, Odonkor C, Stoll S, Zempsky E, Yeh E, Makhani N. Interim guidelines for the assessment and treatment of pain in children with multiple sclerosis. Frontiers In Neuroscience 2023, 17: 1235945. PMID: 37781253, PMCID: PMC10536169, DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1235945.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMultiple sclerosisManagement of painTreatment of painAdvanced practice nursingInterdisciplinary management approachInterim guidelinesTreatment guidelinesPain assessmentTreatment recommendationsPainPractice nursingMS researchClinical settingAnonymous completionSclerosisChildrenDelphi panelFuture studiesSurvey themesGuidelinesComprehensive assessmentAssessmentPanel chairsPhysiotherapyPhysiatry
2021
Adolescent and caregiver mental health, pulmonary function, and healthcare utilization in pediatric cystic fibrosis
Vassilopoulos A, Swartz M, Paranjape S, Slifer K. Adolescent and caregiver mental health, pulmonary function, and healthcare utilization in pediatric cystic fibrosis. Children's Health Care 2021, 51: 199-212. DOI: 10.1080/02739615.2021.2002695.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHealth care utilizationPulmonary functionDepression symptomsCystic fibrosisPediatric cystic fibrosisNumber of hospitalizationsLength of stayMental health symptomsStandard careHealthcare utilizationPsychosocial screeningCaregiver depressionHealth symptomsSymptomsMental healthYoung adultsAnxiety symptomsFibrosisCaregiversHospitalizationPatientsStayCareDo mothers and fathers agree? Examining interparental ratings of youth externalizing behaviors among ethnically diverse families
Vassilopoulos A, DeLucia C, Torres C. Do mothers and fathers agree? Examining interparental ratings of youth externalizing behaviors among ethnically diverse families. Journal Of Clinical Psychology 2021, 77: 2653-2667. PMID: 34214193, DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23200.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsYouth externalizing behaviorsParent reportExternalizing behaviorsChild psychological assessmentChild symptom severityMother-father agreementSymptom severityMothers' depression scoresYouth behavior problemsMother-father dyadsSmall literature baseDepression scoresPsychological assessmentPaternal caregiversBehavior problemsPsychosocial screeningYouths' parentsMinority youthFamily characteristicsDifference scoresYouth AssessmentYouth 6Stress scoresMinimal researchLiterature baseToken Economies
Reitman, D., Boerke, K., & Vassilopoulos, A. (2021). Token Economies. Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis, 374-386.Books
2020
Discrepancies in Assessing Symptoms of Depression in Adolescents With Diabetes Using the Patient Health Questionnaire and Semi-Structured Interviews
Vassilopoulos A, Nicholl M, Wolf RM, Slifer KJ, Cirincione L. Discrepancies in Assessing Symptoms of Depression in Adolescents With Diabetes Using the Patient Health Questionnaire and Semi-Structured Interviews. Diabetes Spectrum 2020, 33: ds200010. PMID: 33223772, PMCID: PMC7666605, DOI: 10.2337/ds20-0010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMental health providersPatient Health QuestionnairePHQ-9Health providersDiabetes clinicHealth QuestionnaireNine-item Patient Health QuestionnaireLow moodMultidisciplinary diabetes clinicPHQ-9 screeningAmerican Diabetes AssociationRoutine mental healthType 1 diabetesGood screening toolBrief semi-structured interviewsRetrospective reviewMotor disturbancesSemi-structured interviewsDiabetes AssociationAssessing SymptomsSleep disturbancesThoughts of deathPediatric diabetesDepression screenerHigh prevalencePhysical and Verbal Aggression
Vassilopoulos A, Reitman D. Physical and Verbal Aggression. 2020, 1-10. DOI: 10.1002/9781119171492.wecad280.ChaptersDiscrepancies in Assessing Symptoms of Depression in Adolescents With Diabetes Using the Patient Health Questionnaire and Semi-Structured Interviews
Vassilopoulos, A., Nicholl, M., Wolf, R. M., Slifer, K. J., & Cirincione, L. (2020). Discrepancies in Assessing Symptoms of Depression in Adolescents With Diabetes Using the Patient Health Questionnaire and Semi-Structured Interviews. Diabetes Spectrum.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Clinical Care
Overview
Areti Vassilopoulos, PhD, is a pediatric health psychologist who specializes in supporting children, teens, and young adults coping with chronic pain, headaches and migraines, functional neurological disorder (a condition where neurological symptoms like weakness or movement problems have no clear medical cause), muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and related sleep issues. She works closely with pediatric neurology to provide integrated care and ongoing support for patients managing these complex conditions.
Vassilopoulos guides patients and families through evidence-based therapies and helps them develop strategies to improve daily function and overall quality of life. She also leads workshops, such as the Comfort Ability Program, which teach coping skills for managing pain and functional symptoms in children and adolescents.
As assistant professor of clinical pediatrics and child psychology at Yale School of Medicine, Vassilopoulos’s research focuses on improving treatment outcomes and understanding the links between physical health and behavior in young people. She studies topics like headache management, sleep disruption, functional neurological symptoms, transitions from pediatric to adult medical care, and pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis. She is also co-chair of the psychological therapy group for the Functional Neurological Disorder Society.
Dr. Vassilopoulos received her doctoral degree at Nova Southeastern University and completed an internship in pediatric psychology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Kennedy Krieger Institute. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in psychiatry consultation and pediatric transplant services at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital.
Clinical Specialties
News & Links
News
- October 29, 2024
Yale Pediatric Psychology Program Expands, Offers Support to Medically Complex Youth
- February 20, 2024
January 2024 YCSC Faculty Development Fund Awardees Announced
- September 20, 2023Source: SMA News Today
SMA and mental health
- May 04, 2023
April 2023 YCSC Faculty Development Fund Awardees Announced
Get In Touch
Contacts
Locations
350 George Street
Academic Office
New Haven, CT 06511
Patient Care Locations
Are You a Patient? View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.