Sarah Joy Jerstad, PhD, LP

Sarah Jerstad, PhD, LP (she/her) is the Clinical Director of Psychological Services at Children’s Minnesota. She earned her degree in counseling psychology from the University of Minnesota in 2004, followed by a pre-doctoral clinical internship at the Denver Health Medical Center specializing in child and adolescent mental health and pediatric psychology. Following her internship, Dr. Jerstad completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota in the Division of Pediatrics and Adolescent Health focusing on the treatment of eating disorders, as well as research, advocacy and leadership in adolescent health. She has been with Children's Minnesota since September 2006 with a focus on pediatric psychology and outpatient therapy for children and adolescents. Dr. Jerstad spent over 5 years working with patients and families affected by cancer and blood disorders, and 10 years working with high-risk diabetes patients to help with coping and management of their illness. Dr. Jerstad is also a certified therapist and Within Agency Trainer in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). She is also certified in the toddler version of PCIT. Dr. Jerstad runs the postdoctoral fellowship program in pediatric psychology at Children’s Minnesota. She has given numerous presentations on topics including psychological aspects of chronic illness, anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, non-suicidal self-injury, disruptive behavior disorders, and psychological effects of Covid-19. She also regularly does media spots for Children’s MN on mental health topics.