Meet Our Team
Professors and Psychologists
Dr. Kim Burgess, Ph. D.
Founder of BHIP & Pediatric Psychology Center
Dr. Kim Burgess is a Board-Certified Psychologist who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents and families, as well as provides consultations and workshops. Dr. Burgess teaches and supervises faculty at Children’s National Medical Center and is Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and formerly Research Associate Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Burgess has many publications in top-tier scientific journals and served on the National Institutes of Health Scientific Review Committee and the Editorial Board of the Child Development Journal. She has given numerous presentations at national and international conferences, as well as television interviews. Dr. Burgess is the creator and developer of the BHIP (Biopsychosocial Health Intervention and Prevention) Programs that have shown effectiveness via scientific research.
Paul Hastings, Ph. D.
Professor of Psychology, University of California, Davis
Professor Paul Hastings, Ph. D. is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and a member of the core faculty at the Center for Mind and Brain. He runs the Healthy Emotions, Relationships & Development Lab (HERD), where he and his students explore the factors contributing to child and adolescent social and emotional development. He examines the contributions of "nature" through children's neural (brain), autonomic (body) and neuro-endocrine (hormones) regulatory systems; "nurture" through children's close relationships with family and friends, and "context" through children's cultural, economic and neighborhood conditions. Professor Hastings is a member of several professional organizations, including APA-Division 7, Association for Psychological Science, International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development and Society for Research in Child Development. He has also served as consulting editor for the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology and on the editorial boards of the Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, Parenting: Science and Practice, Social Development, Developmental Psychology, and Child Development, as well as published in numerous scientific journals.
Julie Bowker, Ph. D.
Associate Professor, University at Buffalo
Associate Professor Julie Bowker, Ph.D., University at Buffalo, conducts research regarding the role that close interpersonal relationships (e.g., friendships, parent-child relationships) play in social & emotional development and psychopathology during late childhood and early adolescence. She examines how peer relationships function as risk and protective factors in the lives of children & adolescents who are considered at risk for such internalizing and externalizing difficulties as anxiety, depression, and aggression. Her work includes longitudinal analyses of peer nomination and self-report data, along with laboratory observations of adolescents and their best friends. Other current research projects examine the developmental significance and internalizing consequences of temporal changes in peer relationships, the peer and psychological correlates of social behaviors across cultures, and the ways in which peer relationships impact the eating behavior and psychological well-being of overweight and obese young adolescents.
Mimi Stotsky
Doctoral Student, Clinical Psychology
Mimi Stotsky, M.A. is a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at the University at Buffalo. Mimi’s research interests include examining the relationship between peer experiences such as acceptance, popularity, and friendship. Additionally, she is interested in social risk and protective factors in adolescent adjustment, such as friendship quality, social withdrawal, and peer treatment, and how this knowledge can be incorporated into clinical practice.
Fitness & Wellness Professionals
Allison Kunk
Fitness Trainer
Allison Kunk is a Certified Health Coach through the American Council on Exercise. Native to D.C, she was born at Washington Adventist and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her focus in school was Exercise Science & Athletic Training. Before joining Potomac Pediatrics, Allison worked as a physical therapy aide & personal trainer rehabbing patients through various injuries & guiding clients to meet personal fitness goals. For further training, go to https://potomacpediatrics.com/health-coach-sessions/
Sarah Rehman
Yoga Teacher
Sarah Rehman is a certified yoga teacher via the Classical Yoga teacher training program at the urban ashram, Kashi Atlanta, and has studied yoga for over 16 years. She completed Integrative Yoga for Seniors Professional Training at Duke Integrative Medicine, Anusara's Yoga Immersion program, Leslie Kaminoff & Amy Matthews Yoga Anatomy Fundamentals course at the Breathing Project in NYC. As part of their training, Sarah has taught yoga to the UMD men's baseball team, climbers at Earth Trek, and youth football teams. She also received a 200-hour certification as a Thai yoga massage practitioner from SomaVeda School of Natural Medicine & Healing, as well as certifications from the Thai Institute of Healing Arts by David Roylance. She's certified & attuned for Reiki I & II by Richard C. Fiallo through the Usui Shiko Ryoho-Usui System of Natural Healing. She received level 1 & 2 certification through Transcend Yoga's aerial yoga teacher training. After teaching at various studios, gyms & schools, Sarah founded the Flying Buddha Studio for aerial yoga and offers kids' & adults' classes there- www.flyingbuddhastudio.com
Dr. Kim Burgess, Ph. D.
Dr. Kim Burgess, Ph. D. is a Clinical Psychologist who specializes in the evaluation & treatment of children, adolescents, and families. Dr. Burgess received her Ph. D. in Clinical Psychology from a program utilizing a scientist-practitioner model. Her experience with children, teenagers, and families comes from clinics & hospitals including the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Dr. Burgess teaches and supervises at Children’s National Medical Center and is Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, and formerly a Research Associate Professor at the University of Maryland. She has many publications in scientific journals and book chapters, and served on the Editorial Board of the Child Development Journal. Dr. Burgess has given numerous presentations at national and international conferences, as well as television interviews. Dr. Burgess provides consultations, workshops, and evaluations, as well as individual, group, and family psychotherapy. Having developed the BHIP (Be-Hip) program, collaborating with Professors Paul Hastings (UC-Davis) and Julie Bowker (SUNY-Buffalo), she provides this program in both Middle School and High School versions.
Paul Hastings, Ph. D.
Professor Paul Hastings, Ph. D. is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and a member of the core faculty at the Center for Mind and Brain. He runs the Healthy Emotions, Relationships & Development Lab (HERD), where he and his students explore the factors contributing to child and adolescent social and emotional development. He examines the contributions of "nature" through children's neural (brain), autonomic (body) and neuro-endocrine (hormones) regulatory systems; "nurture" through children's close relationships with family and friends, and "context" through children's cultural, economic and neighborhood conditions. Professor Hastings is a member of several professional organizations, including APA-Division 7, Association for Psychological Science, International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development and Society for Research in Child Development. He has also served as consulting editor for the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology and on the editorial boards of the Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, Parenting: Science and Practice, Social Development, Developmental Psychology, and Child Development, as well as published in numerous scientific journals.
Julie Bowker, Ph. D.
Associate Professor Julie Bowker, Ph.D., University at Buffalo, conducts research regarding the role that close interpersonal relationships (e.g., friendships, parent-child relationships) play in social & emotional development and psychopathology during late childhood and early adolescence. She examines how peer relationships function as risk and protective factors in the lives of children & adolescents who are considered at risk for such internalizing and externalizing difficulties as anxiety, depression, and aggression. Her work includes longitudinal analyses of peer nomination and self-report data, along with laboratory observations of adolescents and their best friends. Other current research projects examine the developmental significance and internalizing consequences of temporal changes in peer relationships, the peer and psychological correlates of social behaviors across cultures, and the ways in which peer relationships impact the eating behavior and psychological well-being of overweight and obese young adolescents.
Mimi Stotsky
Mimi Stotsky, M.A. is a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at the University at Buffalo. Mimi’s research interests include examining the relationship between peer experiences such as acceptance, popularity, and friendship. Additionally, she is interested in social risk and protective factors in adolescent adjustment, such as friendship quality, social withdrawal, and peer treatment, and how this knowledge can be incorporated into clinical practice.
Fitness & Wellness Professionals
Allison Kunk
Allison Kunk is a Certified Health Coach through the American Council on Exercise. Native to D.C, she was born at Washington Adventist and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her focus in school was Exercise Science & Athletic Training. Before joining Potomac Pediatrics, Allison worked as a physical therapy aide & personal trainer rehabbing patients through various injuries & guiding clients to meet personal fitness goals. For further training, go to https://potomacpediatrics.com/health-coach-sessions/
Sarah Rehman
Sarah Rehman is a certified yoga teacher via the Classical Yoga teacher training program at the urban ashram, Kashi Atlanta, and has studied yoga for over 16 years. She completed Integrative Yoga for Seniors Professional Training at Duke Integrative Medicine, Anusara's Yoga Immersion program, Leslie Kaminoff & Amy Matthews Yoga Anatomy Fundamentals course at the Breathing Project in NYC. As part of their training, Sarah has taught yoga to the UMD men's baseball team, climbers at Earth Trek, and youth football teams. She also received a 200-hour certification as a Thai yoga massage practitioner from SomaVeda School of Natural Medicine & Healing, as well as certifications from the Thai Institute of Healing Arts by David Roylance. She's certified & attuned for Reiki I & II by Richard C. Fiallo through the Usui Shiko Ryoho-Usui System of Natural Healing. She received level 1 & 2 certification through Transcend Yoga's aerial yoga teacher training. After teaching at various studios, gyms & schools, Sarah founded the Flying Buddha Studio for aerial yoga and offers kids' & adults' classes there- www.flyingbuddhastudio.com
Students Helping Students
Meet our dedicated student team
Claire Wilson
Research Assistant
Human Biology,
University of Toronto
Sally Simpson
Research Assistant
German Studies,
Colby College
Matt Chazin
Marketing & Web Design
B.S Information Systems,
University of Maryland
