The Rome Psychogastroenterology Group was formed by US-based GI clinical health psychologists Laurie Keefer, PhD and Sarah Kinsinger, PhD, ABPP in 2018 based on a need to connect and support an emerging, international group of professionals interested in the clinical and scientific intersection of psychology and gastroenterology. Supported by the Rome Foundation Board, our mission is to: 1) promote the use of evidence based behavioral treatments for GI disorders internationally; 2) encourage development of interdisciplinary psychosocial GI programs in gastroenterology practices through expert consultation and lectureships; 3) connect with national and international GI organizations to enhance the visibility of GI Psychology providers and encourage collaboration; and 4) expand our field into previously under-studied areas of psychogastroenterology (e.g. inflammatory bowel diseases, chronic pancreatitis). 

ABOUT OUR MEMBERSHIP 

Over the past four years, our group has expanded to over 400 members from around the world! About 30% of our membership is within 5 years of training and are therefore a priority for us to ensure they remain connected in this specialization. About 20% of the membership is outside of the US and we are excited to focus on increasing our international reach in 2022. About 70% of our membership our doctoral level psychologists. To become a member, please register on our website at https://romegipsych.org/register/ or email at gastropsych@gmail.com for more information.

Benefits of free membership include: 

• Access to a robust set of shared materials for mental health professionals, including treatment manuals, slide decks, patient and provider handouts
• A profile in the searchable Rome GastroPsych membership directory, connecting professionals and patients around the world. 
  • Searchable directory
    • Find a gastropsych practitioner (public)
    • Connect and collaborate with a colleague (members only)
• Access to a robust list-serv focused on professional and clinical issues in GI Psych
• American Psychological Association (APA) – endorsed clinical training programs for mental health professionals
• Early career program which includes special programming and an early career list-serv
  1. Early career group: Livia Guadagnoli, PhD (International) and Meredith Craven PhD, MPH (US)
• Access to regional and topically-based peer consultation and support groups
  • Peer Consultation Groups
    • Peer consultation group Complex Pediatrics: Brad Jerson, PhD and Julie Snyder, PsyD

    • U.S. based peer consultation group Complex Adult:  Co-leaders: Jessica K. Salwen-Deremer, PhD and Mandy Hyne 

      • This group will meet at 12:00pm EST on the third Tuesday of each month, starting 3/21/23. Email Jessica at Jessica K. Salwen-Deremer, PhD for the meeting link.

    • Australia based peer consultation group Complex Adult: Simon Knowles, PhD

      • This group will meet the first Friday of each month at noon AEST via MS Teams, starting 3/03/23. Email Simon at sknowles@swin.edu.au for the meeting link. Anyone who is interested in leading/co-leading this group, reach out to Simon (sknowles@swin.edu.au)

    • Peer consultation group Practice Setting: Alyse Bedell, PhD and Jessica Gerson, PhD
    • Intern/post-doc trainee group: Jessica K. Salwen-Deremer, PhD and Megan Riehl, PsyD
    • Research group: Lukas Van Oudenhove, MD, PhD and Antonia Mikocka-Walus, PhD

• Opportunities for research collaboration and mentorship

OUR EDUCATIONAL MISSION

We are the first organization dedicated to training, quality improvement and promotion of research and practice in PsychoGastroenterology. A key mission of our organization Is to develop and offer high quality training opportunities for multidisciplinary GI providers on the science and practice of psychological treatments for digestive disorders. Rome Psychogastroenterology Is approved as a continuing education sponsor through the American Psychological Association, allowing us to offer continuing education (CE) credits to psychologists who participate in our live and on demand courses.

We offer: 

• CE workshops for mental health providers at 3 levels: Basic Skills, Intermediate Skills and Advanced Training
• A library of on-demand CE training videos
• Virtual clinical case conferences and webinars 
• Consultation for clinicians, investigators and practice administrators interested in developing GI Psych programs locally
• Visiting GastroPsych scholarships