Tulane Psych/Neuro >> People >> Child & Adolescent

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Faculty

Valerie A. Wajda-Johnston, Ph.D.

Current Positions: Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry Clinician, Tulane/Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority Infant Team Clinician, Early Childhood Supports and Services Program Manager, Infant Mental Health Training Program Resident Psychologist, Louisiana Children’s Museum Faculty member, Institute of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Clinical Supervisor, Tulane University School of Medicine’s Psychology Internship Program Clinical Supervisor, Tulane School of Medicine Post-Doctoral Fellowship

Education and Training:
Loyola College, Maryland 1993 M.A., Psychology
St. Louis University 2001 Ph.D. , Clinical Psychology
Tulane University School of Medicine 7/00 - 6/01 Psychology Internship
Tulane University School of Medicine 7/01 - 6/02 Post-Doctoral Fellow - Infant and Child Psychology

Years at Tulane:
Since 2000

Interests:
The main focus of my clinical work is on the prevention of abuse and neglect and the treatment of abused and neglected infants and toddlers and their families. I provide training in the area I also provide outreach services to children in the metropolitan New Orleans area through the Louisiana Children’s Museum. My current research deals with the ability of traumatized children to identify emotions of other through facial expression. Additionally, I train mental health professionals in Infant Mental Health. I am interested in training issues at every educational level.

Selected Publications:
Smyke, A.T., Wajda-Johnston, V.A., & Zeanah, C.H. (2004).  Working with traumatized children in the child welfare system.  In J.D. Osofsky (Ed.) Young Children and Trauma, New York, Guilford Press.

Wajda-Johnston, V.A., Smyke, A.T., Nagle, G.A., & Larrieu, J.A. (2005).  Using technology as a training, supervision and consultation aid.  In K.M. Finello (Ed.) Handbook of Training and Practice in Infant and Preschool Mental Health, San Francisco, Jossey Bass.