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Location

Texas Medical Center

Specialty
Psychology
Phone: 832-822-3700

Address

6701 Fannin Street
Suite 1630
Houston, TX 77030

Rachel Kentor, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology

Baylor College of Medicine

Education

School Education Degree Year
Baylor College of Medicine Fellowship Pediatric Psychology 2019
Baylor College of Medicine Internship Clinical Child/Pediatric Health Psychology 2018
Eastern Michigan University PhD Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology 2018
Eastern Michigan University Masters Master of Science in Clinical Psychology 2014
University of Iowa Bachelors Bachelors Bachelor of Arts in Psychology 2012

About

Dr. Kentor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. As a pediatric psychologist, she is dedicated to providing evidence-based care to children, adolescents, and young adults with chronic medical conditions. Her areas of specialty include oncology, bone marrow transplant, palliative care, and grief and bereavement.

Clinical Interests:

Dr. Kentor conducts evaluation and treatment of youth across inpatient and outpatient settings. She engages patients, families, and medical providers together as collaborators in care to provide comprehensive services tailored to each patient. Common treatment targets Dr. Kentor may address include: adjustment to diagnosis, anxiety, depression, non-adherence to medical regimen, pain management, disruptive behaviors, and support in complex medical decision making and end-of-life care. Dr. Kentor is committed to delivering evidence-based interventions, primarily cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and parent management training (PMT).

Research Interests:

Dr. Kentor is dedicated to conducting research that directly informs clinical practice within the areas of pediatric oncology, palliative care, and grief and bereavement. Her ongoing research projects explore illness-related communication with pediatric patients, impact of family functioning on child adjustment to disease, and anticipatory grief among dying children and their families. 

Organizations

Organization Name Role
International Society of Pediatric Oncology Member
Society of Pediatric Psychology (APA Division 54) Member
Society of Pediatric Psychology, Palliative Care and End-of-Life Special Interest Group Co-Founder and Co-Chair

Selected Publications

Kentor, R., Hoodin, F., Byrd, M., Kullgren, K.A., LaLonde, L., Ostarello, L., Smith, P., Carson, D., MacDonald, K., Inoue, S., Kitchen, B., & Yanik G.A. (2019). Caregiver disclosure of oncofertility risks among adolescent cancer patients. Pediatric Blood & Cancer 66, S116-S116.

Kentor, R., & Hilliard, M.E. (2018). Considerations on depression, distress, and resilience in parents of children with chronic health conditions. Journal of Pediatric Psychology 44(2), 150-152.

Byrd, M., Kentor, R., & Perez, M. (2017). Promoting active treatment engagement in child and family therapy. In W.T. Odonohue, L. James, & C. Snipes (Eds.), Practical strategies and tools to promote treatment engagement. New York, NY: Springer.

Lajiness-O'Neill, R., Hoodin, F., Kentor, R., Heinrich, K., Colbert, A., & Connelly, J.A. (2015). Alterations in memory and impact on academic outcomes in children following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology 30(7), 657-669.

View Google Scholar Publications



* Texas Children's Hospital physicians' licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician's office and were not verified by Texas Children's Hospital.