Director: Sheera Lerman Ph.D.

The Outpatient Burn Psychology Clinic at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medicine Center provides specialized psychological care for individuals recovering from burn injuries. Our program addresses the unique emotional and neurobehavioral challenges that can arise during the outpatient phase of healing from a burn injury.

We offer comprehensive assessment and targeted, evidence-based interventions for a range of concerns, including depression and anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, acute and persistent pain, sleep disturbance, and difficulties with adjustment, body image, and reintegration. Care is individualized and focused on brief, skills-based treatments that can be integrated into ongoing medical care.

Burn Psychology Clinic: At a Glance

• Care for burn survivors experiencing emotional distress, trauma-related symptoms, pain, sleep problems, or difficulty adjusting after injury
• Short-term, evidence-based therapies designed to support recovery and day-to-day functioning
• Close collaboration with your burn care team to coordinate treatment
• Support for both patients and families throughout the recovery process

Conditions We Treat

Our clinic addresses a range of psychological and behavioral health concerns that can arise during burn recovery, including:

• Anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms
• Acute and persistent pain and pain-related distress
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and nightmares 
• Difficulty adjusting to injury, including changes in function and independence
• Body image concerns and challenges with social reintegration
• Stress related to ongoing medical care or surgical procedures

Services

• Structured psychological assessment
• Brief, evidence-based psychotherapies (including cognitive behavioral, acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches).
• Behavioral sleep interventions targeting insomnia and nightmares 
• Peri-procedural support to reduce distress and improve coping during medical treatments 
• Family-focused guidance to support caregiver coping and patient reintegration
• Coordination with rehabilitation services to support functional recovery and return to meaningful activities

Our Approach

Our care is grounded in evidence-based, trauma-informed practices and tailored to the unique needs of burn survivors. We focus on interventions that target key factors influencing recovery, including pain, sleep, emotional distress, and daily functioning.

Treatment may include cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance-commitment therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, and behavioral strategies to improve mood, sleep and coping. We emphasize practical tools that patients can use in their everyday lives and integrate care closely with the broader burn team to support coordinated, whole-person recovery.

As part of an academic medical center, our clinic incorporates emerging research to inform care, with particular expertise in the interaction between psychological factors, pain, sleep, and physical healing.

What to Expect

At your first visit, you will meet with a psychologist who specializes in burn recovery. The appointment includes a discussion of your medical history, current concerns (such as pain, sleep, mood, or stress), and your goals for care. We may ask you to complete questionnaires prior to your visit, which will also help us understand your concerns and informs our discussion. Based on this evaluation, we will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. Many patients benefit from short-term, skills-based therapy focused on practical strategies to improve coping, sleep, pain management, and emotional adjustment. When needed, care is coordinated closely with your burn team to support your overall recovery.

How to Schedule

To schedule an appointment or learn more, please contact the clinic or speak with your care team at Johns Hopkins Burn Center. Our staff can assist with next steps, including insurance questions and coordinating care.

Contact information 
Phone: 410-550-3543
Fax: 667-208-501

Location
5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Suite 100
Behavioral Biology Building, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
Baltimore MD 21224