​​​​Dr. Yolanda Adwoa, PhD

Research Health Psychologist | Marriage & Family Therapy 

Medical Family Therapy for Families Navigating Health-Related Challenges
Medical Complexity • Neurodivergence • Disability • Food & Eating Concerns • Family Well-Being

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My Mission

My mission is to walk alongside families of various cultural backgrounds as they navigate the extraordinary, often invisible work of living well—especially families experiencing disability, medical complexity, neurodivergence, and the psychological dimensions of food and family well-being. As a Doctor, I bring genuine compassion and deep respect to every person I serve.

My Story

I believe families deserve more than survival. They deserve to truly thrive.

That belief was shaped by five years as a Research Scientist at Cornell University, where I led studies devoted to the health and well-being of families. It continues today as a Professor of Psychology and in my practice, and through my clinical training in Medical Family Therapy, where I support families navigating disability, medical complexity, neurodivergence, and health-related challenges.

As a mother who has personally navigated medical challenges during pregnancy and the journey of raising a child with medical complexity, I bring both scholarly expertise and lived understanding to every family I serve.

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Credentials

Psychology, PhD in Psychology—Health Psychology Specialization, Over a decade of research devoted to the health and well-being of families

Marriage and Family Therapy, MFT Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinician in Training Medical Family Therapy Specialty COAMFTE Accredited Program

Specialized Training, TR-EAT Certified—Pediatric Feeding

 

 

 

 

Research and Academic

Former Research Scientist—Cornell University

Professor of Psychology—Current

View My Research—ORCID

Join the Family Health Psychology Research Lab

Areas of Focus

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Family Health, Disorders & Medical Family Therapy

• Families and children navigating medical complexity, disability, neurodivergence, and chronic health challenges

• Caregiver and whole-family well-being

• Couples and relationships impacted by health-related stress

• Families navigating various mental & physical health disorders.

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Child & Adolescent Well-Being

• Mental health support for children and adolescents navigating health challenges, neurodivergence, and disability

• Sibling support and family impact

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Food, Eating & Health Psychology & Body Image

• Food psychology and family relationships with food

• Feeding challenges

• Body image

• Emotional eating and health behaviors

• Food-related concerns within family systems

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Maternal & Family Well-Being

• Maternal mental health

• Birth trauma and perinatal support

• Family health empowerment and psychoeducation

Professional Affiliations

• American Psychological Association

• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

• American Autism Association

• IAEDP—International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals

• American College of Lifestyle Medicine

• Academy for Eating Disorders (AED)

• National Council on Family Relations

• Society for Health Psychology

• Society for Pediatric Psychology

• Psychology Today Verified Provider

Faith and Values
My work is rooted in a deep faith that every family has the capacity to heal, grow, and thrive. I meet every family with compassion, cultural respect, and the conviction that lasting change is always possible.

My faith informs the compassion, humility, and hope I bring to my work. I honor each family's values, beliefs, culture, and lived experiences while walking alongside them with respect and care.

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