Chelsea Tobin, PhD

Dr. Tobin is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, within the Division of Pediatrics in the Department of Psychology. With a deep commitment to pediatric psychology, she works closely with multidisciplinary teams across several critical areas, including hematology, rheumatology, lung transplant, critical care and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Dr. Tobin’s clinical expertise and research interests are centered on pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) psychology, solid organ transplantation and restrictive eating disorders. Her professional involvement extends to the American Society of Transplantation, where she actively participates in the Transplant Psychosocial and Ethics, Policy and Donation, and Transplantation Optimization Communities of Practice. These roles underscore her dedication to advancing transplant psychology and enhancing patient care through a comprehensive understanding of psychosocial, ethical and policy-related issues.

Dr. Tobin is committed to improving the psychological well-being of pediatric patients, their families and the health care staff who support them. Through direct patient care and innovative research, she aims to advance the understanding and treatment of the psychological challenges faced in complex medical contexts.

In addition to her clinical and research responsibilities, Dr. Tobin is devoted to nurturing the next generation of psychologists and medical professionals through her teaching and mentorship at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital. Her work reflects a profound dedication to enhancing the quality of life for children with intricate medical conditions and contributing significantly to the field of pediatric psychology.

Personal Statement

As a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, my work is dedicated to advancing pediatric psychology and providing evidence-based and effective interventions for bolstering coping with acute and chronic illness. I collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including hematology, rheumatology, lung transplant and critical care. My research interests include pediatric intensive care unit psychology, advancing awareness of social determinants of health in the field of solid organ transplantation, bolstering efficacy of family-centered multidisciplinary care in critical care medicine, as well as the cognitive and behavioral sequelae of acute malnutrition. I am passionate about my commitment to improving patient care and enhancing the psychological well-being of patients and their families, while also mentoring the next generation of professionals at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and our dog Theodore, painting and visiting the many amazing restaurants in Houston.

Clinical Interests

PICU, Critical Care, Sickle Cell, Lupus, ECMO, Lung Transplant

Education

* 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.

Research interests

Multidisciplinary collaboration in critical care, utilization of evidence-based treatment modalities in a hospital setting, patient and family coping with critical illness, social determinants of health, Health equity