Expertise

I study problematic school absenteeism, selective mutism, post-traumatic stress disorder in maltreated children, and other internalizing disorders. My research focuses on assessment and treatment issues as well as taxonomy.

Research Interests

Christopher Kearney is a clinical child psychologist who specializes with internalizing problems in youth, with particular emphasis on (1) problematic absenteeism and school refusal behavior, (2) post-traumatic disorder among maltreated and otherwise traumatized youths, (3) selective mutism, and (4) assessment and other anxiety-related problems such as perfectionism in children. Dr. Kearney is highly active in publishing with his graduate students, provides many resources to clinicians and lay persons regarding his assessment and treatment protocols, and commonly conducts training workshops for professional groups and school districts.

Dr. Kearney is currently Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Director of the UNLV Child School Refusal and Anxiety Disorders Clinic, and Chair of the Department of Psychology. He came to UNLV in 1990 after earning his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the State University of New York at Albany and completing his internship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Kearney has been awarded the William Morris Award for Scholarship, the Barrick Scholar Award, the Barrick Distinguished Scholar Award, and the Harry Reid Silver State Research Award from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.