Tanja Seifen, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department:
SOM-Psychiatry
Email:
tseifen@umc.edu
Work Phone:
(601) 984-5236
Biography
Tanja Seifen, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior. She was born and raised in Germany and received a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Bonn in Germany. She obtained her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Mississippi in 2019. Dr. Seifen completed a pre-doctoral psychology internship with a focus on clinical child & pediatric psychology at the UAB Psychology Internship Training Consortium in Birmingham, AL. Following internship, she joined the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at UMMC as a clinical instructor. She was promoted to assistant professor January 2021 after obtaining her licensure to practice psychology in the state of Mississippi. Dr. Seifen has extensive clinical training in the assessment and treatment of neurodevelopmental disabilities as well as behavioral and emotional childhood disorders. She currently provides clinical services to children and their families on the psychiatric inpatient unit as well as in the outpatient setting. In her free time, Dr. Seifen enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Education
| University of Mississippi, PhD, Clinical Psychology | 2019 |
| UAB-BVAMC Clinical Psychology Internship Consortium, Child/ Pediatric Psychology | 2019 |
| University of Bonn, MS, Psychology | 2012 |
| University of Bonn, BS, Psychology | 2010 |
Specialty Certification Licensure
| Certification, PCIT Therapist, PCIT International | 02/2024 - 12/2026 |
| Licensure, Psychology | 01/2021 - 06/2021 |
Current Positions
| Assistant Professor, School of Medicine | 01/2021 - Present |
| The University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, Mississippi 39216 | |
Academic Appointments or Other Previous Appointments
| Instructor, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry | 08/2019 - 01/2021 |
| Psychometrist, Univeristy of Cologne Children's Hospital | 02/2013 - 07/2014 |
Sponsored Program Funding
| Extramural, Telemental Health Expansion for Mississippi University Students, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) | 10/2023 - Present |
| Extramural, Behavioral Health Workforce, Education, & Training (BHWET) Program; MAGNOLIA: Expanding Child and Family Integrated Behavioral Healthcare in Mississippi, The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) | 09/2022 - Present |
| Intramural, Empowering You Parent Training Workshop, Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities | 01/2016 - 09/2016 |
Publications
Journal Article | |
| Seifen, T., Shaw, C.M., Smith, C.V., & Johnson, L.R. The More You Know: Sexual Knowledge as a Predictor of Sexual Well-Being Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. 2022; 48(8) | 2022 |
| Seifen, T., Rodriguez, Y., & Johnson, L. Growth and Meaning through Study Abroad: Enhanced Perspectives with Mixed Methods Journal of Transformative Learning, 2019, 6(1). | 2019 |
| Bastien, G., Seifen, T., & Johnson R. Striving for success: Academic adjustment in international students in the U.S. Journal of International Students, 2018, 8(2), 2166-3750 | 2018 |
| Johnson, L., Seifen, T., Sandhu, D., Arbles, N., & Makino, H. Using a participatory approach and mixed methods to develop culturally responsive programs for international student adjustment. Journal of International Students, 2018, 8(4), 2166-3750 | 2018 |
Book Review | |
| Hebert, E., Seifen, T., & Gross, A. The Behavior Analyst. (review of the book The DATA Model for Teaching Preschoolers with Autism by Schwartz, I., Ashmun, J., McBride, B., Scott, C., & Sandall, S., 2017. Baltimore, Maryland: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. | 2017 |
Presentations
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Observation Techniques for Providers concerning an Autism Diagnosis., CAY/ CHAMP Project ECHO series, virtual | 04/2023 |
| Poster Presentation, Mindfulness Curriculum on an Inpatient Child Psychiatric Unit: A Case Series., American Psychiatric Association, New Orleans, LA | 05/2022 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Treating Self-Injurious Behaviors in Children., CAY Project ECHO series, virtual | 03/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Brief mindfulness interventions on an inpatient child psychiatric unit., American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Virtual Annual Meeting | 10/2020 |
| Oral presentation, Comprehensive psychological evaluations and treatment recommendations in pediatric patients: A case presentation, Presented at Case Conference, Jackson, Mississippi | 09/2019 |
| Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Neurodevelopmental disabilities: Autism and the intersection with mental illness., UAB Community Psychiatry, Birmingham, Alabama | 04/2019 |
| Psychology Rounds, Sickle cell disease screener – a case presentation., Department of Psychology at St. Jude Children’s Research, Memphis, Tennessee | 07/2017 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Improvement of parent stress and child behavior through a brief group-based parent training using the MATCH-ADTC, 3rdAnnual University of Mississippi Conference for Psychological Sciences, Oxford, Mississippi | 04/2017 |
| Poster Presentation, Improving parental distress and child behavior: a brief, group-based training., Southeastern Psychology Association, Atlanta, Georgia | 03/2017 |
| Conference, Evaluation of the MATCH-ADTC protocol in a brief, group-based parent training: A pilot study., 2nd Annual University of Mississippi Conference for Psychological Sciences, Oxford, Mississippi | 04/2016 |
| Poster Presentation, International students’ challenges with adjustment: a comprehensive model of the relationship between acculturative stress, discrimination, and psychological health., UM/UMMC Research Day, Jackson, Mississippi | 03/2016 |
| Invited Symposia, Study Abroad: An analysis of students’ experiences., 2nd Annual University of Mississippi Conference of Psychological Science, Oxford, Mississippi | 2016 |
| Poster Presentation, Mental rotation performance in children born preterm vs. full-term., Neonatology And Pediatric Medicine Convention, Freiburg, Germany | 06/2013 |
| Thesis Presentation, Mental rotation performance in preterm children, Regional Developmental Psychology Meeting, Muenster, Germany | 03/2013 |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| Faculty Clinical Mentor Award, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, UMMC | 2022 |
Professional Membership and Service
| Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) International, Member | 2024 - Present |
| ABCT, Member | 2023 - Present |
| Society of Clinical and Adolescent Psychology (SCCAP), Division 53, Member | 2023 - Present |
| Mississippi Psychological Association, Member | 2022 - Present |
| Selective Mutism Association, Member | 2021 - 2022 |
| American Psychological Association, Member | 2020 - Present |
Committee Service
| UMMC Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program Evaluation Committee (PEC), Chair | 2024 - Present |
| UMMC Psychology Internship Training Program, Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Committee, Chair | 2023 - Present |
| Center for Advancement of Youth Clinical Council Committee, Member | 2023 - 2023 |
| UMMC Psychology Internship Training Program, Member | 2022 - Present |
| 3 Circle Leadership Committee, Member | 2022 - Present |
| Mental Health Awareness subcommittee, Member | 2022 - 2022 |
| Pediatric Behavioral Health Service Line, Member | 2021 - 2022 |
| UMMC Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program Evaluation Committee (PEC), Member | 2020 - 2024 |
| UMMC Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Clinical Competency Committee (CCC), Member | 2020 - Present |
Community Service
| MPA Leadership Development Academy, Fellow | 09/2024 - 09/2025 |
| Mississippi Public Broadcasting Interview on the UNITE clinic, interviewee | 09/2024 - 09/2024 |
| Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Training Workshop (Child Directed Interactions), Co-Facilitator | 08/2024 - 08/2024 |
| WLBT Media Appearance for Autism Awareness Month, Interviewee | 04/2023 - Present |
| "Understanding Autism" presentation at the Mississippi Children's Museum for parents in the community, Presenter | 02/2023 - 02/2023 |
| "Understanding Autism" presentation at the Mississippi Children's Museum for parents in the community, Presenter | 02/2022 - 02/2022 |
| Media Appearance, Interviewee | 03/2016 - 03/2016 |
| Parenting Training Workshop - Empowering You at the Autism Center of North Mississippi, Creator | 02/2016 - 05/2016 |
| Pre-departure Cross-cultural Orientation and Re-entry Workshop for the Croft Institute of International Studies, Co-facilitator | 09/2014 - 05/2016 |
Other Service
| American Journal of Sexuality Education | 06/2024 - Present |
| Independent Reviewer for the Journal of International Students | 08/2017 - 07/2018 |
| Manuscript Review for the Journal: Clinical Case Studies | 07/2017 - 07/2017 |
Teaching Experience
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, Magnolia Scholars Program Orientation | Fall 2024 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Didactics 2023-2024 | Annual 2023-2024 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, UMMC Psychiatry Residency Didactics 2023-2024 | Annual 2023-2024 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, UMMC Psychology Residency Program Didactics 2023-2024 | Annual 2023/2024 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, Magnolia Scholars Program Orientation | Fall 2023/2024 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, UMMC Psychiatry Residency Didactics 2022-2023 | Annual 2022-2023 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Didactics 2022-2023 | Annual 2022-2023 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, UMMC Psychology Residency Program Didactics | Annual 2022/2023 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, Magnolia Scholars Program Orientation | Fall 2022/2023 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, UMMC Psychology Residency Program Didactics 2021-2022 | Annual 2021-2022 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, Magnolia Scholars Program Orientation | Spring 2021-2022 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, UMMC Psychiatry Residency Didactics 2021-2022 | Annual 2021-2022 |
| Medicine, Course, Guest Presenter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Didactics 2021-2022 | Annual 2021-2022 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, UMMC Psychiatry Residency Didactic 2020-2021 | Annual 2020-2021 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Didactics 2020-2021 | Annual 2020/2021 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, UMMC Psychiatry Residency Didactics 2019-2020 | Annual 2019/2020 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Guest Presenter, UMMC Psychology Residency Program Didactics Series | Annual 2019/2020 |
Directed Student Learning
| Dissertation Committee Member, Latent Profile Analysis of Trauma Appraisal: Association with Emotion Regulation and Substance Use Disorders in Students Trauma Survivors Advised: Tram Nguyen | 2024 - Present |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Tram Nguyen | 2024 - Present |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Patrick Vukmirovich | 2024 - Present |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Klaria Holmes | 2024 - Present |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Steven Higginbotham | 2024 - Present |
| Preceptor, Analyzing the Factor Structure of the PHQ-9 in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Advised: Lydia Stanhope | 2024 - Present |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Jana Fleet | 2024 - Present |
| Supervised Research, Benefits of Mindfulness Intervention on the Children's Acute Psychiatric Unit, a case study Advised: Reena Thara | 2024 - Present |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Brooklyn Moudy | 2023 - 2024 |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Heaven Brewster | 2023 - 2024 |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Faith Hamilton | 2023 - 2024 |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Madison McLean | 2023 - 2023 |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Mallory Lestrapes | 2022 - 2023 |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Mary Allison Connor | 2022 - 2022 |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Kayla Sharp | 2022 - 2022 |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Samantha Yarbrough | 2021 - 2022 |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Hannah Terry | 2021 - 2022 |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Amanda Lawson | 2021 - 2022 |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Sonal Johal | 2021 - 2022 |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Stephanie Word | 2021 - 2022 |
| Clinical Supervisor, Advised: Shannon Brown | 2021 - 2022 |
| Supervised Research, Mindfulness Curriculum on the Inpatient Child Psychiatric Unit Advised: Anna Pitts | 2021 - 2021 |
Fellows supervised
| Child Health and Developmental Promotion (CHDP) Fellowship, Training Faculty, 3 fellows supervised, 3 Circle/ Child Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Unit | 07/2023 - Present |
| UMMC Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, Training Faculty, 3 fellows supervised, Center for Advancement of Youth/ 3 Circle | 07/2021 - Present |
Residency Training
| UMMC Psychology Internship Training Program, Training Faculty | 2022 - Present |
| UMMC Psychology Internship Training Program, Training Faculty | 2020 - Present |