What settings are psychologists working in specialty medicine?

The integrated health psychologist develops expertise and practices across numerous specialty settings, addressing mental health, health behaviors, and stress associated with physical health. The specialty care practitioner collaborates with interdisciplinary healthcare providers and teams to offer direct psychological care as well as indirect, consultative services to support the enhancement of health care, its processes, and outcomes.

We received significant input from APA division listservs and reviewed the American Board of Medical Specialties publication (ABMS 2026 edition) in compiling this list of specialty settings. We recognize the list may not be complete, given specialty areas may be named and/or organized differently across healthcare systems, and this is a growing, dynamic field. We aim to increase awareness and offer initial information to psychologists and other stakeholders to recognize the numerous medical specialty settings in which psychologists add value.

Below you will find a list organized by specialty medicine settings where psychologists are integrated, with examples of subspecialties.  You may also download a copy of the list (PDF, 73KB)opens in new window. We continue to welcome feedback. If you know of a specialty medicine or subspecialty setting that is not included, please contact us.

Adolescent Medicine

• Eating disorders
• Gender affirming care

Anesthesiology

• Chronic pain team
• Orthopedic Medicine
• Pain Management

Cardiology

• Adult cardiology
• CAD
• Cardiac electrophysiology
• Cardiac surgery
• Congenital and Pediatric Cardiology
• Heart Failure (e.g., LVAD)
• Inherited arrhythmias
• Preventive cardiology
• Vascular medicine

Dermatology

Developmental Medicine/Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics

• Autism
• Learning disabilities

Emergency Care Medicine

• Adult
• Pediatric

Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)/Otolaryngology

• Adult
• Cochlear implant adjustment
• Pediatric
• Tinnitus
• Vestibular disorder

Endocrinology

• Adult
• Pediatric

Fertility Medicine

Gastroenterology

• Adult
• Celiac disease
• Disorders of the brain-gut connection
• Feeding disorder
• IBD/IBS
• Neuro-gastro-motility disorders
• Pediatric
• Toileting

General Surgery – Acute Care

Genetic Testing/Counseling

Hematology

• Adult 
• Hemophilia
• Pediatric
• Sickle cell disease
• Von Willebrand’s disease

Hepatology/Liver disease

Intensive Care Units

• Cardiovascular acute
• Neonatal
• Medical
• Pediatric cardiothoracic
• Surgical

Infectious Disease

• Adult
• Autoimmune disorders
• HIV/AIDS
• Pediatric
• Post-ICU/COVID

Inpatient Consult Liaison/ Inpatient Medicine

• Adult
• Pediatric

Lifestyle Integrative Medicine/Wellness Programs

Medical Psychiatry

• Inpatient
• Intensive outpatient

Nephrology

• Dialysis
• Transplant

Neurology

• Adult
• Alzheimer’s
• ALS
• Dementia
• Epilepsy
• Functional neurological symptom disorder
• Headache
• Huntington’s
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s
• Pediatric
• Seizures
• Sickle Cell
• Stroke
• TBI
• Tourette’s

Obesity/Bariatric/Metabolic Disorders

• Adult  
• Non-surgical obesity medicine
• Pediatric

Oncology

• Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs)
• Adult
• Bone cancers
• BMT
• Breast
• CNS cancers
• Colorectal
• Genitourinary
• Head & Neck
• GynOnc
• Thoracic
• Hematology/Blood cancers
• Medical Oncology
• Neurofibromatosis
• Pediatric
• Radiation Oncology Neurofibromatosis
• Sibling and caregiver support 

Ophthalmology

Orthopedic Medicine

• Amputee clinic
• Concussion
• Injury recovery
• Limb differences
• Pain

Pain Management

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation/Spine Centers

• Anoxic brain damage
• Cerebral palsy
• Feeding disorders (e.g., ARFID)
• TBI
• Spina bifida
• Spinal cord injury

Palliative/Hospice Care

• Adult
• Pediatric

Plastic Surgery

• Adult
• Craniofacial (Cleft lip and palate)
• Pediatric

Primary Care

• Family medicine
• Obstetrics
• Pediatric

Psychiatry and Eating Disorder Specialty Units

Pulmonary and Critical Care (see ICU)

• Asthma
• Cystic fibrosis
• Lung transplant

Rheumatology

Sleep Medicine

• Adult 
• Behavioral sleep medicine
• PAP compliance
• Pediatric

Sports & Exercise Medicine

• Adult
• Pediatric

Substance Use Disorders and Diverse Addictions/Addiction Medicine

Trauma Medicine

• Burn Centers
• Neurological trauma/PM&R
• Trauma Centers/Surgery

Transgender Health/Gender Affirming Medical Services

• Adult
• Endocrinology
• Otolaryngology
• Plastic surgery
• Urology
• Youth and Pediatric

Transplant

• Adult
• BMT
• Heart
• Hepatology/Liver
• Kidney-pancreas
• Living donor evaluations
• Lung
• Mechanical assist devices (e.g., LVAD)
• Pediatric

Urology

Women's Health

• Adolescent gynecology
• Maternal Fetal Medicine
• Menopause
• Midwifery
• Obstetrics/Gynecology  

Developed by the APA Integrated Specialty Care Advisory Group: Lindsey Bloor, PhD (editor); Diana L Prescott, PhD; Jennifer Antick, PsyD; Kathleen Ashton, PhD; Jessica Y. Britt-Thomas, PhD; Caroline Lassen-Greene, PhD; Laurie Ivey, PsyD; Matt Kridel, PsyD; Erika Rutledge, PhD; Kim Smolderen, PhD; David Songco, PsyD; Erin Swedish, PhD, MBA; Amy Van Arsdale, PhD; Shannon Virtue, PsyD; Wendy Ward, PhD; and Amy Walters, PhD.