Spine Universe Author Biography

Alina M. Clavijo-Passik is a board certified clinical psychologist with more than 20 years of experience helping people adapt their patterns of behavior in order to live productively and functionally with chronic medical illnesses. She serves as an integral part of the Center for Pain Management's multidisciplinary team, facilitating the outcomes of patients by insuring that their mental health and emotional needs are met.

Dr. Clavijo-Passik has special interest in understanding the cultural and psychosocial factors which impact the functioning of the individual. In addition, she is a bilingual professional (fluent in Spanish) and has trained health care professionals in the relevant and competent strategies for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Hispanic and Latino patients.

Prior to joining the Center for Pain Management, Dr. Clavijo-Passik was a senior psychologist in the Bilingual Treatment Program-Clinic at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York. She also served as a clinical instructor in psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine.

Dr. Clavijo-Passik graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Fordham University in New York City before earning her doctorate in clinical psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, N.J. Clavijo-Passik completed an internship and pre- and post-doctoral fellowships in psychology at New York University's Bellevue Hospital Medical Center.

Dr. Clavijo-Passik is a member of the American Psychological Association and Indiana Psychological Association.

SpineUniverse articles from Alina M Clavijo-Passik, PhD

• Fibromyalgia and Anti-depressants
  Fibromyalgia has many symptoms, so it's best to take a multi-disciplinary approach to your pain. One of the ways to do this is by considering anti-depressants to curb the physical, mental, and emotional toll fibromyalgia may take on you.
• The Psychology of Pain
  Chronic pain patients often find help through a multi-disciplinary treatment plan that may include psychology. If you're referred to a psychologist, it doesn't mean your pain is imaginary. A psychologist explains what will happen in an appointment.