Overview
Sarah A. Kelleher, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Kelleher is a member of the Duke Pain Prevention and Treatment Research Program and the Duke Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program. Dr. Kelleher completed her graduate training in clinical psychology at Virginia Tech and her clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. Her research focuses on developing, testing, and implementing behavioral symptom management interventions for patients with chronic disease.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
·
2018 - Present
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences,
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2018 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Relationships between pain cognitions and physical function in a sample of racially diverse, sedentary individuals with chronic pain.
Journal Article Pain Pract · April 2025 BACKGROUND: Pain from musculoskeletal pain conditions is often persistent, bothersome, and negatively impacts physical function. Individuals with musculoskeletal pain report difficulty with walking and regular activities. For some, this may be related to o ... Full text Link to item CiteImproving multimodal physical function in adults with heterogeneous chronic pain; Protocol for a multisite feasibility RCT.
Journal Article Contemp Clin Trials · March 2024 BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is associated with substantial impairment in physical function, which has been identified as a top concern among persons with pain. GetActive-Fitbit, a mind-body activity program, is feasible, acceptable, and associated with improv ... Full text Link to item CitePain-related suffering: new insights into what it means and new opportunities for research and clinical practice.
Journal Article Pain · February 27, 2024 Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Randomized Controlled Trial of a Hybrid-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Symptom Management and Activity Coaching Intervention for Stem Cell Transplant Patients
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 20291/2 Self-directed mobile adaptive coping skills intervention to improve psychological distress symptoms among cardiorespiratory failure survivors: the Blueprint RCT
ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2029Initial Testing of a Mobile App Pain Coping Intervention for Outpatient Oncology Settings
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2023 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Virginia Polytech Institute and State University ·
2014
Ph.D.