Denis Sukhodolsky, PhD
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Titles
Professor in the Child Study Center
Biography
Denis Sukhodolsky is Professor in the Yale Child Study Center. His research concerns the efficacy and biomarkers of behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder, Tourette Syndrome, irritability, and related neurodevelopmental disorders. This work has been supported by grants from NIMH, NICHD, DoD CDMRP, and Simons Foundation. Currently, he is a principal investigator of clinical trials of behavior therapy for anxiety in school-age children with autism and another clinical trial of behavior therapy for irritability and aggressive behavior in adolescents with autism. He is also a Yale site PI of the ACE network study of gender differences and neural signatures of optimal outcomes in ASD during adolescence and young adulthood. In addition to his research, Dr. Sukhodolsky is a licensed and board-certified clinical psychologist working with children and their families at the Yale Child Study Center.
Appointments
Child Study Center
ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Center for Brain & Mind Health
- Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Training Program
- Child Study Center
- Developmental Disabilities Program
- Sukhodolsky Lab
- Tic Disorder & Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Program
- Yale Medicine
Education & Training
- Postdoctoral fellow
- Yale University (2003)
- PhD
- Hofstra University (1997)
Research
Overview
Behavior therapy for irritability and aggression in adolescents with autism (AR190136). This clinical trial will test the effectiveness of a novel behavioral intervention for irritability and aggression (BTIA) in adolescents with autism complicated by disruptive behaviors such as anger outbursts and low frustration tolerance. BTIA consists of 15 ninety-minute weekly sessions that are conducted with the teens and their parents by experienced therapists. The goal of BTIA is to help adolescents on the autism spectrum acquire emotion regulation and problem-solving strategies for managing frustration. Funded by the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, this 4-year clinical trial will enroll 126 participants in the age range from 12 to 18 years with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and co-occurring behavioral difficulties. Study participants are randomly assigned to BTIA or a supportive psychotherapy control condition and outcome measures are conducted before, during and after treatment by a blinded rater.
Neural mechanisms of CBT for anxiety in autism (R01 HD083881). This is a randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) versus Psychological education and Supportive Therapy (PST) for anxiety in children, ages 8 to 14, with autism and moderate to severe anxiety. The study utilizes fMRI to identify CBT-invoked changes in levels of activity/functional connectivity within the neural circuits involved in emotion regulation and social perception.
Multimodal developmental neurogenetics of females with ASD (R01 MH100028). This is a multi-site, longitudinal study of sex differences in ASD at the levels of gene structure and expression, neural dynamics, brain function and connectivity. The ACE network has curated an unprecedented sex-balanced, age-, IQ- and severity-matched cohort of cognitively-able school-age boys and girls with ASD, and age- and IQ-matched typically developing children and unaffected siblings. The second five-year period of this ACE network study is conducted to understand neurodevelopmental sex differences in ASD during transition to adulthood.
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Academic Achievements and Community Involvement
Clinical Care
Overview
Denis Sukhodolsky, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in the Yale Child Study Center who treats children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, Tourette syndrome and OCD. He also sees patients with oppositional defiant and disruptive mood dysregulation disorders. Patients with these disorders often have frequent anger outbursts and chronic irritability, the type of symptoms that fall into the category of emotion dysregulation.
“For example, most children may be upset about not being able to play a video game, but get over it quickly,” Sukhodolsky says. “But children who have trouble regulating their emotions can stay upset for prolonged periods of time or get into long arguments that ruin their day.”
Sukhodolsky works with children and their family members to develop strategies to face challenging situations when they happen.
“We discuss the importance of creating daily routines for patients and helping them transition between activities,” he says.
Sukhodolsky uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping patients change negative emotions and thinking patterns through practicing specific behavioral strategies.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is helping children change how they interact with their social world by giving them the tools to understand and master their emotions,” Sukhodolsky says.
In his current research, Sukhodolsky leads clinical trials that test behavioral therapy interventions for children with anger outbursts, anxiety and autism.
Clinical Specialties
Fact Sheets
Hostile, Disobedient and Defiant Behavior in Children
Learn More on Yale MedicineAnger, Irritability and Aggression in Kids
Learn More on Yale MedicineConduct Disorder
Learn More on Yale MedicineSocial Anxiety Disorder
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Board Certifications
Child Psychology
- Certification Organization
- AB of Professional Psychology
- Original Certification Date
- 2013
Behavioral & Cognitive Psychology
- Certification Organization
- AB of Professional Psychology
- Latest Certification Date
- 2017
- Original Certification Date
- 2013
Yale Medicine News
Links & Media
News
- June 18, 2024
YCSC committees organize internal events and community volunteering opportunities
- June 10, 2024
Yale Child Study Center welcomes 2024 summer interns
- October 11, 2023
Yale Child Study Center Community Celebrates Professional Progression
- October 03, 2023
Over 150 Attend Yale Child Study Center In-house Open House