Valerie Keffala, PhD

Clinical Health Psychologist
Director of Psychology Training
Adjunct Professor, Counseling Psychology Program

Education

• BA University of California at San Diego

• PhD University of Iowa

Clinical And Research Interests

• Psychological impact of chronic pain
• Interdisciplinary treatment and outcomes of treatment for chronic pain
• Locus of control and self-efficacy in coping with chronic pain
• Spirituality and attributions related to coping with chronic pain
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Relaxation and coping skills for chronic pain;
• Stress management
• Mind/body medicine
• Behavioral medicine
• Training and supervision

Spine Rehabilitation Team Research

• Locus of control in patients with chronic pain
• Personality factors in patients with chronic pain
• Spirituality and religiosity in patients with chronic pain
• “Doctor shopping” in patients with chronic pain
• Outcomes in patients following interdisciplinary treatment for chronic pain

Recent Presentations and Published Studies

Keffala, V.J. (2006). Non-pharmacologic treatment of chronic pain in children.  Presentation to the Child Psychiatry Residents at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa.

Keffala, V.J. (2005). Cognitive-Behavioral approaches to chronic pain management.  Presentation at the Counseling Psychology 25th Reunion at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

Rippentrop, A.E., Altmaier, E.M., Chen, J.C., Found, E., & Keffala, V.J. (2005). The relationship between religion/ spirituality and health outcomes in a chronic pain population. Pain, 116, 311-321.

Keffala, V.J. & Rippentrop, A.E. (2004) Health improvements following multidisciplinary rehabilitation for chronic spine patients. Poster presentation at the 28th Scientific Session, Midwest Pain Society, Chicago, Illinois.

Rippentrop, A.E. & Keffala, V.J. (2004) Health improvements following multidisciplinary rehabilitation for chronic spine patients. Poster presentation at the International Society of Behavioral Medicine, Mainz, Germany.

Glaser, J.A., Keffala, V.J., & Spratt, K. (2004). Weather conditions and spinal patients.  Spine, 29, 1369- 1374.

Keffala, V.J. (2004). Psychological issues in chronic spine pain. Presentation to the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa.

Keffala, V.J. (2004). Clinical outcomes of the UIHC Spine Rehabilitation Program. Presentation at the Iowa Spine Symposium and 2nd Annual Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Conference, Iowa City, Iowa.

Keffala, V. J & Homaifar, B. Y. (2004). Psychosocial factors in chronic pain. Presentation at the Iowa Spine Symposium and 2nd Annual Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Conference, Iowa City, Iowa.