Jessica L. Hamilton, PhD
Professional Background
Jessica Hamilton, Ph.D., is an associate professor of psychology in the University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and a licensed psychologist in the State of Kansas.
Dr. Hamilton obtained her bachelor of arts degree in psychology (summa cum laude with departmental honors) from Park University (2002-2005) followed by her master of arts in clinical psychology (2006-2009) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy in clinical psychology (2009-2013) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She attended an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited internship at the University of Kansas Medical Center (2012-2013) with a focus on behavioral medicine. Dr. Hamilton became the psychology-oncology post-doctoral fellow at the University of Kansas Cancer Center (2013-2014). She joined the faculty at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2014.
Dr. Hamilton serves as a psychologist in several services including oncology/bone and marrow transplant, liver transplant and consultation liaison. She enjoys teaching applications of psychological science in the practice of health care, and regularly supervises psychology practicum students, clinical psychology interns and psychology post-doctoral residents.
She is a member of the APA and the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS).
Education and Training
- BA, Psychology, Park University, Kansas City, Missouri
- MA, Psychology, University of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri
- PhD, Clinical Health Psychology, Univ of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
- Other, Psychology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
- Post Doctoral Fellowship, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Licensure, Accreditations & Certifications
- Licensed Psychologist, Kansas State Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board
Professional Affiliations
- Faculty Professional Development Committee, Faculty Professional Development Committee, Co-Chair, 2020 - Present
- American Academy of Medical Colleagues, Member, 2019 - Present
- American Academy of Medical Colleagues, Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Program, Chair, 2019 - Present
- Complex Behavioral Health Strategic Planning Committee, Complex Behavioral Health Strategic Planning Committee, Member, 2018 - 2020
- Faculty Professional Development Committee, Faculty Professional Development Committee, Member, 2018 - Present
- Faculty Search Committee, Clinical Health Psychology , Faculty Search Committee, Clinical Health Psychology, Chair, 2018 - 2018
- Cancer Patient Experience Work Group, Patient Experience Task Force, Member, 2016 - 2018
Research
Overview
Dr. Hamilton has research and clinical experience and interests focused on emotion regulation and health psychology, particularly oncology. She is also interested in end-of-life issues, quality of life and the interrelationships between psychological and physical health. Dr. Hamilton has recently focused her research into head and neck cancer and well-being, including cognitive abilities, distress, emotion regulation, and physical health outcomes. She is also engaged in adapting, developing, and implementing distress screening for both academic and clinical application.