Natalie Lárez, PhD

Assistant Professor (Clinical Scholar Track)

Dr. Lárez is Clinical Assistant Professor and a bilingual (Spanish-English) licensed psychologist at Banner University Medical Center - South and the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Cancer Center at Diamond Children's. She specializes in providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and young adults with chronic medical conditions and co-occurring mental health conditions. She is trained in a variety of evidenced based treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. Dr. Lárez's research and clinical work focuses on supporting families from minoritized backgrounds across various community systems, such as schools, hospitals, and community centers. She also has a special interest in training, supervision, and mentorship. 

Research Interests: 

Chronic Illness, Child & Adolescent Mental Health, Family Systems, Implementation Science, Training & Mentorship

Selected Publications: 

1. Summersett Williams. F.., Larez, N.A., Mondesir, L., Curtis, K., Valdivia, S., Becker, S., ... & Hogue, A. (2025). Family-based substance use screening and intervention for adolescents with chronic medical conditions: a study protocol to implement SBIRT-family within school-based health centers. Frontiers in Health Services, 5, 1469198

2. Larez, N.A., Sharkey, J.D., Frattaroli, S., Avila, E., & Medina, A. (2023). Implementing Youth Participatory Action Research at a continuation high school. Health Services Research, 58, 198 - 206

3. Larez, N.A. & Perfect, M. M. (2023). Type 1 diabetes mellitus. In M.M. Perfect, C.A. Riccio, & M.A. Bray (Eds.), Health related disorders in children and adolescents: A guidebook for educators and service providers (2nd ed). American Psychological Association.

Degrees
  • PhD: Counseling, Clinical, & School Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2024
  • BS: Family Studies & Human Development, University of Arizona, 2019; M.Ed. Counseling, Clinical, & School Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2021
Honors and Awards
  • 2020 - 2024: Health Policy Research Scholar
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Internship
  • Pediatric/Health Psychology Focus - Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 2024
Fellowship
  • Pediatric/Health Psychology Focus - Phoenix Children's Hospital, 2025