Whitney Geller, PhD

Licensed Neuropsychologist

Whitney Geller, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist with specialization in pediatric neuropsychology. She is well versed in conducting neuropsychological, neurodevelopmental, psychological, and educational evaluations to answer questions for families about cognitive ability, development, and emotional wellbeing. Dr. Geller utilizes a whole person approach to assessment, spending time with the family and individually with the child to gain a complete picture. Evaluations are focused on identifying strengths and weaknesses to provide comprehensive feedback to families including diagnostic impressions and personalized recommendations. Feedback is aimed to help families understand the child’s needs and the best ways to provide support for the child at home and in school.

Dr. Geller has an extensive background in both adult and pediatric neuropsychological assessment but ultimately decided to pursue a career in pediatrics as she is truly passionate about helping children and their families. Her pediatric specialties include neuropsychological assessment for complex medical conditions (e.g., cancer, epilepsy, brain injury, genetic disorders, etc.), neurodevelopmental evaluations (e.g., ADHD, learning disorders, autism, language/motor delay, intellectual disability), and psychiatric evaluations (i.e., mood and personality disorders). Prior to joining CHC, Dr. Geller worked with individuals across the lifespan in various healthcare settings including academic medical, acute inpatient neurorehabilitation, community mental health, psychiatric residential, VA medical center, and private practice. Her breadth of experience across the lifespan and varying levels of care brings a unique and comprehensive understanding of factors that affect children and their families.

Dr. Geller earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Utah, graduating summa cum laude. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology with specialization in neuropsychology from APA-accredited Palo Alto University after completing an APA-accredited neuropsychology track internship at the Boise VA Medical Center. She also obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University during the course of her doctoral degree with a high pass on the qualifying oral examinations. Her doctoral research in neuroimaging focused on understanding neurobiological correlates of psychopathology and investigating functional connectivity associated with anxiety and depression. Dr. Geller went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology with Stony Brook University Medical Center, which is a member program of the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN). She is board-eligible in neuropsychology and is currently licensed to practice in both New York and California.

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology, Palo Alto University
  • Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, Palo Alto University
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Utah

Licenses

  • California Board of Psychology 34287
  • New York Psychology License 025600

Professional Affiliations

  • American Psychological Association
  • Division 40 of the American Psychological Association – The Society for Clinical Neuropsychology

Recent Presentations

  • Chen, J., Hakinson, K. A., Nijmeh, J. S., Geller, W. N., Karsten, T. M., & Warren, S. L. (2019, March). Anxious Arousal Enhances Working Memory Performance: Cost of Salience Network Connectivity. Poster presented at the 3rd meeting of the International Convention of Psychological Science, Paris, France.
  • Geller, W. N., Chen, J., & Warren, S. L. (2018, May). Effects of positive and negative affective states in psychopathology on resting-state network connectivity. Poster presented at the 30th annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.
    Chen, J., Geller, W. N., & Warren, S. L. (2018, May). Putting attentional control theory to the test: Effects of anxiety dimensions on salience network connectivity during a working memory task. Poster presented at the 30th annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science, San Francisco, CA.
  • Gramling, L. M., Nijmeh, J. S., Resner, C. M., Geller, W. N., & Warren, S. L. (2017, April). Rumination and worry: Neural and cognitive mechanisms. In S. L. Warren (Chair), Repetitive Negative Thinking as a Transdiagnostic Process of Anxiety and Depression: Mechanisms and Implications for Intervention. Symposium presented at the 2017 conference of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, San Francisco, CA.

Publications

  • Geller, W. N., Liu, K. & Warren, S. L. (2021). Specificity of anhedonic alterations in resting-state network connectivity and structure: A transdiagnostic approach. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 317, 111349.