Sara Ahola Kohut

Dr. Kohut is a psychologist and Health Clinician Scientist with the Medical Psychiatry Alliance (MPA) at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and an Assistant Professor with the University of Toronto. Dr. Kohut received her undergraduate degree at McMaster University in Psychology with a focus on child development and health studies. She completed her MA and PhD from York University in Clinical Developmental Psychology as well as a post-doctoral diploma in Health Psychology from York University. Dr. Kohut completed her postdoctoral fellowship at SickKids and the University of Toronto.

Dr. Kohut’s program of research develops therapies and programs to support the quality of life of children with chronic health conditions and their families. These therapies focus on supporting the physical, emotional, and social health of these children. To date, Dr. Kohut’s research has focused on online peer mentoring (iPeer2Peer Program) and mindfulness and acceptance based group therapies. Dr. Kohut also promotes research in children with chronic physical and mental illness within the MPA.

As a psychologist, Dr. Kohut has trained and worked in hospitals, community mental health centres, school boards, and private practice providing psychological consultation, assessment, and therapy to children and families. Since 2014, Dr. Kohut has been a psychologist with the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases program at SickKids. She provides psychological therapy to support children, adolescents and their families as they manage physical, emotional and social challenges related to living with chronic health conditions.

Research Synopsis

- Co-morbid physical and mental illness in children and adolescents
- Mindfulness and acceptance based approaches to living with chronic health conditions
- Social functioning and peer mentoring for children and adolescents with chronic health conditions