Allison Dempsey, PhD

Professional Titles

• Professor
• Director of Connections Program for High-Risk Infants and Families
• Interim Director of Perinatal and Family Services, DOPsych Women's Behavioral Health and Wellness
• Director of Informatics, Department of Psychiatry
• Director of Technology, CU Brain and Behavior Innovation Center

Recognitions

• Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology Fellow, American Psychological Association (2019)
• Excellence in Clinical Health Psychology Award, Society for Health Psychology (2022)
• AAMC Mid-Career Women's Leadership Conference, AAMC (2022)

Publications

• Dempsey AG, Barton AK, Duncan AF. Differences in Performance on Developmental Tasks in Young Children Across Digital and Paper-Based Modalities: A Feasibility Trial. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2018 Nov 9. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30418301
• Duncan AF, Bann CM, Dempsey A, Peralta-Carcelen M, Hintz S. Behavioral Deficits at 18-22 Months of Age Are Associated with Early Cerebellar Injury and Cognitive and Language Performance in Children Born Extremely Preterm. J Pediatr. 2018 Oct 3. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30292492
• Dempsey J, Llorens AV, Fein RH, Dempsey AG. Talking about tics with peers and coping in social interactions. In McGuire J, Murphy T, Piacentini J, Storch EA, editors. The clinician’s guide to the treatment and management of youth with tourette syndrome and tic disorders. Cambridge (MA): Elsevier. 2018. p. 139-53.
• Dempsey J, Dempsey AG. Autism Spectrum Disorder Severity, Developmental Delays, and Overweight/Obese Weight Status. J Pediatr. 2018 Nov 15. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30448275
• Duncan, A. F., Bann, C. M., Dempsey, A.G., Adams-Chapman, I., Heyne, R., & Hintz, S. Neuroimaging and Bayley-III Correlates of early Hand Function in Extremely Preterm Children. The Journal of Perinatology.
• Stotts AL, Villarreal YR, Klawans MR, Suchting R, Dindo L, Dempsey A, Spellman M, Green C, Northrup TF. Psychological Flexibility and Depression in New Mothers of Medically Vulnerable Infants: A Mediational Analysis. Matern Child Health J. 2019 Jan 4. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30610529
• Duncan AF, Bann CM, Dempsey A, Peralta-Carcelen M, Hintz S. Behavioral Deficits at 18-22 Months of Age Are Associated with Early Cerebellar Injury and Cognitive and Language Performance in Children Born Extremely Preterm. J Pediatr. 2019 Jan;204:148-156.e4. PubMed PMID: 30292492
• Dempsey J, Dempsey AG. Autism Spectrum Disorder Severity, Developmental Delays, and Overweight/Obese Weight Status. J Pediatr. 2019 Feb;205:9-11. PubMed PMID: 30448275
• Stotts AL, Villarreal YR, Klawans MR, Suchting R, Dindo L, Dempsey A, Spellman M, Green C, Northrup TF. Psychological Flexibility and Depression in New Mothers of Medically Vulnerable Infants: A Mediational Analysis. Matern Child Health J. 2019 Jun;23(6):821-829. PubMed PMID: 30610529
• Duncan AF, Bann CM, Dempsey AG, Adams-Chapman I, Heyne R, Hintz SR. Neuroimaging and Bayley-III correlates of early hand function in extremely preterm children. J Perinatol. 2019 Mar;39(3):488-496. PubMed PMID: 30692613
• Llorens, A., McKee, S., & Dempsey, A.G. Social and emotional issues related to chronic health conditions. In A. G. Dempsey (Ed.), Pediatric health conditions in schools: a clinician’s guide for working with children, families, and educators. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 2019.
• Dempsey, J., Barton, A., Dempsey, A.G., & Chapman, S. Social and emotional issues related to chronic health conditions. In A. G. Dempsey (Ed.), Pediatric health conditions in schools: a clinician’s guide for working with children, families, and educators. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 2019.
• Dempsey, A. G. (Ed.). Pediatric health conditions in schools: a clinician's guide for working with children, families, and educators. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 2019.
• Keller-Margulis, M. A., & Dempsey, A. G. Children born preterm at preschool age: performance on measures of early academic skills performance and cognitive functioning. Early Childhood Education Journal. In Press.
• Saxton, S. N., Dempsey, A. G., Willis, T., Baughcum, A. E., Chavis, L, Hoffman, C…Steinberg, Z. Essential knowledge and competencies for psychologists working in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings. In Press.
• Dempsey AG, Goode RH, Colon MT, Holubeck P, Nsier H, Zopatti K, Needelman H. Variations in Criteria for Eligibility Determination for Early Intervention Services with a Focus on Eligibility for Children with Neonatal Complications. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2020 Oct-Nov;41(8):646-655. PubMed PMID: 33027105
• Dempsey AG, Keller-Margulis MA. Developmental and medical factors associated with parenting stress in mothers of toddlers born very preterm in a neonatal follow-up clinic. Infant Ment Health J. 2020 Sep;41(5):651-661. PubMed PMID: 32845537
• Dempsey AG, Saxton SN. Editorial: Mental Health in Pregnancy and Child Development: Implications for Mental Health Service Delivery. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2020 Jul 16. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 32682895
• Dempsey AG, Chavis L, Willis T, Zuk J, Cole JCM. Addressing Perinatal Mental Health Risk within a Fetal Care Center. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2020 May 29. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 32472343
• Keller-Margulis MA, Dempsey AG. Children Born Preterm at Preschool Age: Performance on Measures of Early Academic Skills Performance and Cognitive Functioning. Early Childhood Educ J 2020 48(2): 203-211.
• Dempsey, J., Ahmed, K.L., Simon, A.R., Hayutin, L., Monteiro, S. A. & Dempsey, A.G. Adaptive behavior profiles of intellectually gifted children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. In Press.
• Brumbaugh, JE, Bell, EF, Grey, SF, DeMauro, SB, Vohr, BR, Harmon, HM, ... & Peralta-Carcelen, MA; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. Behavior Profiles at 2 Years for Children Born Extremely Preterm with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. The Journal of Pediatrics 2020
• Harmon, H.M., Jensen, E.A., Tan, S., Chaudhary, A.S., Slaughter, J.L., Bell, E.F., Wyckoff, M.H., Hensman, A.M., Sokol, G.M., DeMauro, S.B; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. . "Timing of postnatal steroids for bronchopulmonary dysplasia: association with pulmonary and neurodevelopmental outcomes." Journal of Perinatology 40, no. 4 (2020): 616-627.
• Laptook, A. R., Shankaran, S., Barnes, P., Rollins, N., Do, B. T., Parikh, N. A., ... & Ambalavanan, N.; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network (2020). Limitations of Conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a Predictor of Death or Disability Following Neonatal Hypoxic–Ischemic Encephalopathy in the Late Hypothermia Trial. The Journal of Pediatrics. In Press.
• Jewell JS, Farewell CV, Walls J, Brooks-Russell A, Dempsey A, Leiferman JA. Parents' Mental Health Experiences during the Perinatal Transition: A Qualitative Study. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2021 Sep 16;:1-7. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 34529532
• Dempsey J, Ahmed K, Simon AR, Hayutin LG, Monteiro S, Dempsey AG. Adaptive Behavior Profiles of Intellectually Gifted Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2021 Jun-Jul 01;42(5):374-379. PubMed PMID: 34110306
• Fleming H, Dempsey AG, Palmer C, Dempsey J, Friedman S, Galan HL, Gien J. Primary contributors to gastrostomy tube placement in infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. J Pediatr Surg. 2021 Nov;56(11):1949-1956. PubMed PMID: 33773801
• Hall S, White A, Ballas J, Saxton SN, Dempsey A, Saxer K. Education in Trauma-Informed Care in Maternity Settings Can Promote Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2021 May;50(3):340-351. PubMed PMID: 33493462
• Dempsey AG, Saxton SN. Editorial: Mental Health in Pregnancy and Child Development: Implications for Mental Health Service Delivery. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2021 Jan;60(1):32-34. PubMed PMID: 32682895
• Dempsey AG, Chavis L, Willis T, Zuk J, Cole JCM. Addressing Perinatal Mental Health Risk within a Fetal Care Center. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2021 Mar;28(1):125-136. PubMed PMID: 32472343
• Dempsey, A. G., Cole, J., Saxton, S. N. (Eds.) (In Press). Behavioral Health Services with High-Risk Infants and Families. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
• Kelleher, J., Dempsey, J., Takamatsu, S., Paul, J. J., Kent, E., & Dempsey, A. G. Adaptation of infant mental health services to preterm infants and their families receiving neonatal intensive care unit services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infant Mental Health Journal. In Press.
• Takamatsu, S., Hall, E., & Dempsey, A. G. (In Press). Developmental, cognitive, and intelligence testing. In H. Feldman, N. Blum, E. Elias, M. Jimenez, & T. Stancin (Eds.), Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (5th Edition) Textbook. Elsevier.
• Novick AM, Kwitowski M, Dempsey J, Cooke DL, Dempsey AG. Technology-Based Approaches for Supporting Perinatal Mental Health. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022 Sep;24(9):419-429. PubMed PMID: 35870062
• Arnold C, Tyson JE, Pedroza C, Carlo WA, Stevenson DK, Wong R, Dempsey A, Khan A, Fonseca R, Wyckoff M, Moreira A, Lasky R. Cycled Phototherapy Dose-Finding Study for Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2020 Jul 1;174(7):649-656. PubMed PMID: 32338720
• Lowe J, Fuller JF, Dempsey AG, Do B, Bann CM, Das A, Gustafson KE, Vohr BR, Hintz SR, Watterberg KL. Cortisol awakening response and developmental outcomes at 6-7 years in children born extremely preterm. Pediatr Res. 2022 Jun 17. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 35715492
• Cox CS Jr, Juranek J, Kosmach S, Pedroza C, Thakur N, Dempsey A, Rennie K, Scott MC, Jackson M, Kumar A, Aertker B, Caplan H, Triolo F, Savitz SI. Autologous cellular therapy for cerebral palsy: a randomized, crossover trial. Brain Commun. 2022;4(3):fcac131. PubMed PMID: 35702731
• Saxton SN, Dempsey AG, Willis T, Baughcum AE, Chavis L, Hoffman C, Fulco CJ, Milford CA, Steinberg Z. Essential Knowledge and Competencies for Psychologists Working in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2020 Dec;27(4):830-841. PubMed PMID: 31776758
• Kelleher J, Dempsey J, Takamatsu S, Paul JJ, Kent E, Dempsey AG. Adaptation of infant mental health services to preterm infants and their families receiving neonatal intensive care unit services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infant Ment Health J. 2022 Jan;43(1):100-110. PubMed PMID: 34997613
• Jewell JS, Farewell CV, Walls J, Brooks-Russell A, Dempsey A, Leiferman JA. Parents' Mental Health Experiences during the Perinatal Transition: A Qualitative Study. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2022 Apr;43(4):323-329. PubMed PMID: 34529532
• Dempsey, A. G., Cole, J., Saxton, S. N. (Eds.). Behavioral Health Services with High-Risk Infants and Families. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 2022.
• Jewell, J. S., Brooks-Russell, A., Mays, G., Dempsey, A., Hyer, J., & Leiferman, J. A. (2022). MODparents: Mothers Overcoming Depression, a feasibility pilot study for pregnant couples. Mental Health & Prevention, in press, 27: 200204: 2022
• Takamatsu, S., Hall, E., & Dempsey, A. G. Developmental, cognitive, and intelligence testing. In H. Feldman, N. Blum, E. Elias, M. Jimenez, & T. Stancin (Eds.), Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (5th Edition) text book. Elsevier. 2022.
• King DR, Nanda G, Stoddard J, Dempsey A, Hergert S, Shore JH, Torous J. An Introduction to Generative Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Care: Considerations and Guidance. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2023 Dec;25(12):839-846. PubMed PMID: 38032442
• Lebin LG, Nouri PK, Kwitowski MA, Dempsey AG, Lebin JA, Nagle-Yang S. Implementation and evaluation of a proactive consultation-liaison model on an inpatient obstetric unit. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2024 Sep-Oct;90:124-131. PubMed PMID: 39178701
• Steidtmann, D., Raffel, K. E., Green, J., MacPhee, E., Nagel-Yang, S., Schwenk, S., Cooke, D., Santisteban, A. C., & Dempsey, A. G. Using technology to support measurement-based care: Design and implementation of the measurement-assisted care (MAC) program. Psychiatric Services. In Press.
• Epperson, C. N., Davis, R., Dempsey, A., Haller, H., Kupfer, D. J., Love, T. …Frank, E. . The trifecta of industry, academic, and health system partnership to improve mental health care through smartphone-based remote patient monitoring: development and usability study. Journal of Medical Internet Research Formative Research. In Press.
• Steidtmann, D., McBride, S., Pew, C., Solenske, S., Dempsey, A., Shore, J., Mishkind, M. Implementation of a Computer-Assisted Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Program for Adults with Depression and Anxiety in An Outpatient Specialty Mental Health Clinic. Mhealth. In Press.
• Lowe J, Bann CM, Dempsey AG, Fuller J, Taylor HG, Gustafson KE, Watson VE, Vohr BR, Das A, Shankaran S, Yolton K, Ball MB, Hintz SR. Do Bayley-III Composite Scores at 18-22 Months Corrected Age Predict Full-Scale IQ at 6-7 Years in Children Born Extremely Preterm?. J Pediatr. 2023 Dec;263:113700. PubMed PMID: 37640232
• Lowe J, Fuller JF, Dempsey AG, Do B, Bann CM, Das A, Gustafson KE, Vohr BR, Hintz SR, Watterberg KL. Cortisol awakening response and developmental outcomes at 6-7 years in children born extremely preterm. Pediatr Res. 2023 Feb;93(3):689-695. PubMed PMID: 35715492

Professional Memberships

• American Psychological Association, Member
• Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Member; Co-Chair Early Childhood Special Interest Group
• National Network of NICU Psychologists, Co-Chair, Executive Council

Practice Locations

UCHealth - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - Anschutz
12605 E. 16th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-5224

CU Medicine Psychiatry - Women's Behavioral Health and Wellness
1890 N Revere Ct
Anschutz Health Sciences Bldg, Suite 5003
Aurora, CO 80045
303-724-1646

Hospital Affiliation

• Children's Hospital Colorado
• University of Colorado Hospital

Center Affiliations

• Colorado Clinical & Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI)

Specialty Information

Specialties

• Psychology
• Institute for Healthcare Quality, Safety, and Efficiency Certificate Training Program, Certificate (2023)
• Perinatal Mental Health Certificate, Certificate (2022)

Conditions & Treatments

• Mental Health and Behavior - Anxiety
• Mental Health and Behavior
• Mental Health and Behavior - Depression
• Mental Health and Behavior - Postpartum Depression
• Pregnancy and Reproduction - Maternal and Fetal Health
• Pregnancy and Reproduction