Vanessa Jensen, PsyD

Vanessa K. Jensen, PsyD, has been on the medical staff at Cleveland Clinic since 1990 when she was recruited to develop pediatric psychology services for the rapidly growing population of medically involved children being cared for at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s. Dr. Jensen served as Head of the Section of Pediatric Psychology for 15 years and was the Founding Executive Director Cleveland Clinic's Center for Autism from 1999 through 2004.

Currently, Dr Jensen’s clinical time is focused on assessment, diagnostic evaluation, psychological testing, psychological treatment planning, and consultation related to children with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental impairments, especially in the area of differential diagnosis and treatment planning for those with complex developmental, genetic, metabolic, behavioral, and/or psychiatric involvement.

Other specialty interests include assessment, treatment, and decision-making regarding children with intersex conditions or other genetic syndromes, including those with severe developmental and/or physical impairments and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and their families.

Dr. Jensen often consults with agencies, organizations, attorneys, courts, and schools in numerous capacities, including contracting with schools for Independent Educational Evaluations and working with attorneys to conduct Independent Psychological/Medical Evaluations, forensic evaluations, or other consultative services pertaining to child-related medical malpractice, civil, or criminal cases.

She is active in advocacy issues through state and national organizations and in conjunction with Cleveland Clinic’s Government Relations Department.  Advocacy activities have included issues ranging from diversity and human rights to health policy and funding for healthcare. Dr. Jensen has testified and lobbied in the House and Senate at the state and national level. She is the Federal Advocacy Coordinator for Division 54 (Pediatric Psychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA) and recipient of APA’s Heiser Award for Advocacy.

As a past president and past finance officer for the Ohio Psychological Association, Dr. Jensen was an active member of OPA’s Board of Directors for over 20 years. In 2003, Dr. Jensen received Ohio Psychological Association OPA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. She is currently a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and member of numerous other professional organizations.

Dr Jensen is on clinical faculty at Case Western Reserve University Psychology Department and publishes and presents nationally related to her areas of specialty.  She is a frequent contributor to media organizations regarding child health, wellness, and development, including local and national interviews and appearances and regularly lectures to professionals and the community.