Rachel Canella, PsyD
Areas of expertise: Early childhood intervention and assessment
Locations: Main Building, Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care
About Rachel Canella, PsyD
Titles
Pediatric Psychologist
Awards and Honors
2025, Outstanding Graduate of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Award, La Salle University
2019-2024, Scholarship for Commitment to Community and Disadvantaged Populations, La Salle University
2017, Summa Cum Laude, Loyola University Maryland
2017, Junior Psychology Achievement Award, Loyola University Maryland
2016, Newcastle University Ncl+ Extra-curricular Activity Award, Newcastle University
2015-2017, Alpha Sigma Nu Honors Society, Loyola University Maryland
2014-2018, Psi Chi Honors Society, Loyola University Maryland
Leadership and Memberships
2022-present, American Psychological Association, Society of Pediatric Psychology – Division 54
2020-present, American Psychological Association, Society of Clinical Child Psychology – Division 53
Education & training
Undergraduate Degree
BA in Psychology - Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, MD
Graduate Degree
MS in Clinical Psychology - Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, MD
MA in Clinical Psychology - La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA
PsyD - Clinical Psychology, Child-Clinical Concentration, Philadelphia, PA
Internship
Pediatric Psychology Clinic and Consultation Program - Kennedy Krieger Institute / Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Fellowship
Pediatric Psychology - Nemours Children’s Health, Wilmington, DE
Publications
Publications
2024
Canella, R. M., Feld, L., Balmer, D., Franklin, M., Cielo, C., Xanthopoulos, M.S. (2024) Using a longitudinal qualitative approach to understand the lived experiences of caregivers of infants with obstructive sleep apnea who require chronic noninvasive respiratory support. Journal of Pediatric Pulmonology, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.27107
Abstracts (includes Posters and Scientific Presentations)
2025
Kenowitz, J., Carpenter, M., Mester, S., Canella, R.M., Hubbard, K., Sood, E. (2025, September). A case for expansion: The impact of growing a multidisciplinary neurodevelopmental team. [Poster presentation]. Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative (CNOC) 13th Annual Scientific Sessions. Aurora, CO.
Flagg, A., Kenowitz, J., Slavin, L., Freeman, L., Canella, R.M., Carpenter, M., Sood, E. (2025, September). Autism spectrum disorder and ADHD in children participating in a cardiac neurodevelopment program. [Poster presentation]. Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative (CNOC) 13th Annual Scientific Sessions. Aurora, CO.
Canella, R.M., Christofferson, J., McWhorter, L., Demianczyk, A., Kazak, A., Sood, E. (2025). Enhancing supports for expectant parents receiving a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 50(Suppl. 1), 21. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsaf005
2024
Canella, R. M., Paasch, V. (2024). Telehealth cognitive behavioral therapy for medical anxiety in pediatric acute flaccid myelitis – a case study. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 4(Suppl. 1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsae010
2023
Canella, R. M., Hattiangadi-Thomas, N. (2023). The neurocognitive profile of children with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome (RSTS-Type 2). Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 29(Suppl. 1), 660-661. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355617723008305
Canella, R. M., Hart, C. N., (2023). Investigating the modifiable risk factors of child routines and sleep duration on obesity in a diverse sample of school-aged children. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 48(Suppl. 1), 125. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsad020
Editorials, Reviews, Chapters
2020
Canella, R. M., Essoe, J. K. Y, Grados, M., & McGuire, J.F. (2020) Overcoming Challenges in Exposure Therapy. In T.S. Peris, E.A. Storch, J.F. McGuire (Eds). The clinician’s guide to exposure therapy with children and adolescents (pp. 383-403). Cambridge, MA: Elsevier Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815915-6.00016-0