Nestled at the bottom of the email signature for Allison Smith, Ph.D. ’06 are the words cura personalis. That familiar Latin phrase has been the north star guiding her groundbreaking clinical work in pediatric psychology and pain management at the top-ranked pediatric hospital in the world.*
Over the past decade, Dr. Smith has been part of interdisciplinary teams using a unique biopsychosocial model to treat pediatric pain and headaches at Boston Children’s Hospital. Currently the associate director of the Pediatric Headache Program, she served as an attending psychologist at the Mayo Family Pediatric Pain Rehabilitation Center (PPRC) at Boston Children’s for seven years prior.
At the core of her work and, indeed, her very being, is the Jesuit-inspired tenet that she learned at Scranton.
“Care for the whole person — cura personalis – speaks to all parts of health and wellbeing,” said Dr. Smith. In her field of work, there is an unmistakable connection among the physical, psychological and social aspects of treating pain.
“The way that the human body works, everything is everything,” Dr. Smith said. “In order to care for the whole person, we have to look at all parts.”
Unlocking Potential Through the Guidance of Mentors
What exactly is the biopsychosocial model of treating pain, and how did Dr. Smith end up in this fascinating field of health care?
“Where I landed is not a coincidence,” she said.
From her college and major choices to impactful professors, Dr. Smith found her place in the world at Scranton.From the moment she stepped onto campus, “I knew I was supposed to be here,” she said.
“Psychology was really it for me … understanding people’s emotions and behaviors and to harness that for the purpose of health and wellness.”
Christie Karpiak, Ph.D., professor and chair of psychology, who was Smith’s advisor, “saw the potential in me,” said Dr. Smith. Dr. Karpiak watched Dr. Smith’s eyes light up as she walked into her first psychology conference and told her, “You are totally meant to do this.”
“That statement resonated in my mind and heart,” said Dr. Smith.
She cites William Rowe, Ph.D., professor emeritus in philosophy, and the late Tim Cannon, Ph.D., professor of psychology, for infusing in her a new understanding of human behavior. She also finds inspiration from the popular podcaster Brené Brown. “She shows the value of being empathetic and vulnerable — such huge pillars of the work that I do,” said Dr. Smith.
After graduating from Scranton, she earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Rhode Island before ultimately landing her “dream job” at Boston Children’s PPRC.
For eight years, she was part of an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals that included physical, occupational, recreational and music therapists, psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners and physicians.
Debunking Chronic Pain Myths Through Research
The PPRC provides a day treatment program for youth who experience ongoing chronic pain after they’ve tried outpatient treatments. Patients participate in individualized pain rehabilitation eight hours a day, five days a week, for about five weeks. The healthcare team uses clinical research — including research conducted by Dr. Smith — to inform its treatment. Through the intensive program, participants find a path to health and wellness by learning to self-manage pain, improving strength, tolerance and endurance, and understanding the biological, psychosocial and social factors involved in chronic pain.
“So many families feel lost when they come to us,” she said. “They’ve spent time, energy and resources on a temporary solution when what they need is a more systematic approach.”
The results speak for themselves. Dr. Smith says she has observed patients who, “by the time they finish, are able to run out the door.” One patient success story is especially meaningful to her. A youth who suffered a soccer injury, developed chronic pain, and completed the PPRC program went on to major in neuroscience and is now Dr. Smith’s clinical research coordinator.
In 2021, Dr. Smith transitioned into a new position in a program that is a precursor to the PPRC. As associate director of the Pediatric Headache Program, she helps to lead a team that treats patients earlier in the process before symptoms become more significant. The Pediatric Headache Program uses many of the same therapies as the PPRC, but in an outpatient environment.
Boston Children’s status as a teaching hospital provides Dr. Smith with a joint appointment at Harvard Medical School, where she is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and conducts clinical training and supervision. She is also an adjunct professor of psychology at Simmons University. “We take the educational piece very seriously because we know the research,” she says. Another important goal is to make pain management care accessible to a truly diverse patient base.
Across her work, Dr. Smith finds great satisfaction in helping patients to debunk the myth that chronic pain is “all in their head.” With perseverance, these patients see that it is not. “Watching their victories is really incredible,” she said.
