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Narineh Hartoonian, Ph.D., M.S.

About Dr. Hartoonian

Dr. Narineh Hartoonian is a Health and Rehabilitation psychologist at the Rowan Center for Behavioral Medicine. She has several years of interdisciplinary clinical and research experience in health and rehabilitation psychology and has served the needs of many individuals with chronic medical conditions and disability. Dr. Hartoonian has a very rare combination of knowledge around clinical care and applicable research design and methodology, including translational work that utilizes research findings to impact clinical care and services.

Dr. Hartoonian’s clinical experiences have included hospital consultation services, both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services, interdisciplinary outpatient treatments for individuals with acute and chronic medical conditions and general clinical services in outpatient psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences.


Areas of Expertise and Treatment Modalities

  • Anxiety (generalized anxiety, social anxiety, illness anxiety, specific phobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia)
  • Depression
  • Phobias
  • Insomnia and other sleep disturbances
  • Traumatic and acquired brain injury (eg. TBI, Parkinson’s, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis [MS])
  • Disability
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Chronic pain
  • Chronic illness and Adjustment to illness (eg. cancer, Cerebral Palsy [CP], and all other medical conditions)
  • Functional Neurologic Disorder (FND)
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Postpartum Disorders (anxiety, depression)
  • Tinnitus
  • Aging
  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Life Transitions and Adjustment
  • Grief and Loss
  • Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

CLICK BELOW FOR CURRICULUM VITAE

Dr. Hartoonian’s therapy treatment modalities include:

Background

Dr. Hartoonian received her Bachelor and Master of Science in Physiology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Loma Linda University (LLU). Dr. Hartoonian completed her American Psychological Association (APA) accredited residency and postdoctoral fellowship training (clinical and research) within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine, a department that has been ranked in the top four rehabilitation medicine programs nationwide for over 23 years. Prior to her residency, Dr. Hartoonian also completed predoctoral clinical training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation.

In addition to her clinical background, Dr. Hartoonian has published numerous articles and given presentations at national and international conferences (please see Dr. Hartoonian’s Curriculum Vitae for additional information). Dr. Hartoonian has taught various graduate and undergraduate courses in the physiological sciences, health and biological psychology, multivariate statistics, and research methodology and design. Dr. Hartoonian has also served as a research and statistical consultant for the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs, Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence and for various academic institutions for many years.

Dr. Hartoonian is licensed by the Board of Psychology in the state of California and her license number is PSY26980.

Recent Publications and Presentations Publications:

  1. Kellerman, Q.D., Hartoonian, N., Beier, M.L., Leipertz, S.L., Maynard, C., Hostetter, T., Haselkorn, J. K., & Turner, A. P. (2020). Risk factors for suicide in a national sample of veterans with multiple sclerosis.  Archives of Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2020.03.013
  2. Turner, A.P., Hartoonian, N., Hughes, A.J., Arewasikporn, A., Alschuler, K.N., Sloan, A.P., Ehde, D.M. & Haselkorn, J.K. (2019).  Physical activity and depression in MS:  The mediating role of behavioral activation.  Disability and Health Journal. DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2019.04.004
  3. Beier, M., Hartoonian, N., D’Orio, V.L., Terrill, A.L., Bhattarai, J., Paisner, N.D., and Alschuler, K.N. (2019) Relationship of perceived stress and employment status in individuals with multiple sclerosis. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation. DOI: 10.3233/WOR-192859
  4. Turner, A.P., Hartoonian, N., Sloan, A.P., Benich, M.B., Kivlahan, D.R., Hughes, C., Hughes, A., Haselkorn, J.K. (2016) Improving fatigue and depression in individuals with multiple sclerosis using telephone-administered physical activity counseling. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000086
  5. Hughes, A., Hartoonian, N., Parmenter, B. Haselkorn, J. K., Lovera, F. J., Bourdette, D., & Turner, A. P. (2016). Cognitive Impairment and Community Integration Outcomes in Individuals Living with Multiple Sclerosis. Archives of Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2015.07.003
  6. Ormseth, S. R., Draper, T. L., Irwin, M. R., Weisman, M. H., Arechiga, A. E., Hartoonian, N., Bui, T., Nicassio, P.M. (2015). A multidimensional model of disability and role functioning in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Care & Research. DOI: 10.1002/acr.22658
  7. Hughes, A. J., Beier, M. L., Hartoonian, N., Turner, A. P., Amtmann, D., Ehde, D. M. (2015). Self-efficacy as a longitudinal predictor of perceived cognitive impairment in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Archives of Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine, 96 (5) 913-919. DOI:10.1016/j.apmr.2015.01.008
  8. Klyce, D. C., Bombardier, C., Davis, T. Hartoonian, N. Hoffman, J. M. Fann, J., Kalpakjian. (2015). Distinguishing grief from depression during acute recovery from spinal cord injury. Archives of Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine, 96 (8) 1419-1425. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2015.02.018
  9. Hartoonian, N., Terril, A. L., Beier, M. L., Turner, A., Day, M. A., Alschuler, K. (2015). Predictors of anxiety in multiple sclerosis. Rehabilitation Psychology, 60 (1); 91-98. DOI: 10.1037/rep0000019
  10. Turner, A., Hartoonian, N., Maynard, C., Leiperts, S., Haselkorn, J. (2015).  Smoking and physical activity: examining health behaviors and 15-year mortality among individuals with multiple sclerosis. Archives of Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine. 96 (3), 402-409. DOI:10.1016/j.apmr.2014.10.014
  11. Day, M. A., Jensen, M. P., Ward, L. C., Hartoonian, N., Alschuler, K., Turner, A. P., Kraft, G. H., Ehde, D. M. (2015). An Empirical investigation of a bio-psychosocial model of chronic pain in multiple sclerosis. Clinical Journal of Pain. DOI: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000240
  12. Terril, A. L. Hartoonian, N., Beier, M., Alschuler, K. (2015). The GAD-7 as a tool for measuring generalized anxiety in multiple sclerosis. International Journal of Multiple Sclerosis Care, 17 (2), 49-56. DOI: 10.7224/1537-2027.2014-008
  13. Hartoonian, N., Ormseth, S. R., Hanson, E. R., Bantum, E. O., Owen, J. E. (2014). Cancer information seeking among cancer survivors: findings from HINTS 2007. Journal of Health Communication. DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2013.872730
  14. Beier, M., Bombardier, C. H., Hartoonian, N. Motl, R., Kraft, G. (2014) Is improved physical fitness associated with improved cognition in multiple sclerosis? Archives of Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2014.02.017
  15. Hartoonian, N., Hoffman, J. M., Kalpakjian, C. Z., Taylor, H. B., Krause, J. K., Bombardier, C. H. (2014) Evaluating a SCI-specific model of depression and quality of life. Archives of Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2013.10.029
  16. Wellisch, D. K., Ormseth, S. R., Hartoonian, N., Owen, J. E. (2012). A retrospective study predicting psychological vulnerability in daughters of breast cancer patients. Families, Systems, & Health. DOI: 10.1037/a0029638
  17. Kaiser, N., Hartoonian, N., Owen, JE. (2010). Toward a cancer-specific model of psychological distress: population data from the 2003-2005 National Health Interview Surveys. Journal of Cancer Survivorship. DOI: 10.1007/s11764-010-0120-3
  18. Vilhauer, J. S., Young, S., Kealoha, C., Bormann, J., IsHak, W. W., Rapaport, M. H., Hartoonian, N., Mirocha, J. (2010). Treating major depression by creating positive expectations for the future: a pilot study for the effectiveness of future directed therapy (FDT) on symptom severity and quality of life. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics. DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-5949.2011.00235.x

Published Abstracts:

  1. Hanson, E. R., Hartoonian, N., Lesniak, Karen T. (2011). Predictors of hypertension medication use: Healthcare provider advice and patient adherence. BRFSS 2009 Findings. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 41, S203-S203.
  2. Hartoonian, N., Ormseth, S., Richards, K., Owen, J. E. (2010). Cancer infromation seeking among cancer survivors: Findings from HINTS 2007 Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 39, 129-129.
  3. Owen, J. E., Richards, K., Abeyesinhe, S., Testerman, L., Ormseth, S., & Hartoonian, N. (2010). Population-based recruitment for an online social-networking intervention to treat cancer-related distress. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 39, 165-165.
  4. Hartoonian, N., Ormseth, S., Bantum, E. O., Owen, J. E. (2008). Process and outcome evaluation of a social-networking website for health promotion. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 35, S63-S63.

Presentations:

  1. Hartoonian, N. (2016). Cancer and Cognition. Roy and Patricia Disney Cancer Center, Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center. Burbank, California.
  2. Turner, A.P., Hartoonian, N., Sloan, A.P., Benich, M.B., Kivlahan, D.R., Hughes, C., Hughes, A., Haselkorn, J.K. (2015). Improving fatigue and depression in individuals with multiple sclerosis using telephone-administered physical activity counseling. 2015 CMSC Annual Meeting
  3. Hartoonian, N., Hughes, A. J., Haselkorn, J. K., Bourdette, D., & Turner, A. P. (2015). Perceived Cognitive Impairment as a Predictor of Three Dimensions of Community Integration in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis. Poster accepted for presentation at the 17th Annual Rehabilitation Psychology Conference 2015, San Diego, CA.
  4. Hartoonian, N., Tuner, A., Maynard, C., Leiperts, S., Haselkorn, J. (2014). Effects of health behaviors on 10-Year mortality in multiple sclerosis. 16th Annual Rehabilitation Psychology Conference 2014. San Antonio, TX.
  5. Terrill, A. L. Hartoonian, N., Beier, M. L., Turner, A., Alschuler, K. (2014). Evaluation risk factors of anxiety in multiple sclerosis. 16th Annual Rehabilitation Psychology Conference. San Antonio, TX. Division 22 Research Award
  6. Kellerman, Q., Hartoonian, N., Turner, A., Beier, M., Haselkorn, J. (2014). Death by suicide in Veterans with multiple sclerosis. 16th Annual Rehabilitation Psychology Conference. San Antonio, TX.
  7. lyce, D. Davis, T. Hartoonian, N., Fann, J., Kalpakjian, C., Bombardier, C. (2014). Validating a measure of grief among SCI patients during inpatient rehabilitation. Abstract submitted to 16th Annual Rehabilitation Psychology Conference, San Antonio, TX.
  8. Hartoonian, N., Beier, M. L., Terrill, A. L., Ehde, D. M., Turner, A. (2013). Determinants of self-reported cognitive symptom severity in MS: a discriminant function analysis. 4th Annual Tykeson Fellows Conference on Multiple Sclerosis. Denver, Colorado.
  9. Beier, M. L., Hartoonian, N., Ehde, D. M. (2013). Factors influencing employment in multiple sclerosis. 4th Annual Tykeson Fellows Conference on Multiple Sclerosis. Denver, Colorado.
  10. Hartoonian, N., Beier, M.L., Bombardier, C. H. (2013). Impact of physical activity on cognition in multiple sclerosis. 29th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) and 18th Annual Conference of Rehabilitation in MS. Copenhagen, Denmark. ECTRIMS Research Award
  11. Beier, M., Hartoonian, N., Terril, A. L., Alschuler, K. (2013). Assessing anxiety in multiple sclerosis. 29th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) and 18th Annual Conference of Rehabilitation in MS. Copenhagen, Denmark
  12. Ormseth, S., Hartoonian, N., Wellisch, D. (2013). Predictors of anxiety and depression in daughters of breast cancer patients. 34th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine Conference, San Francisco, California.
  13. Hartoonian, N., Hoffman, J. M., Kalpakjian, C. Z., Taylor, H. B., Bombardier, C. H., (2013). Towards a SCI-specific model of depression: Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems data from the 2006-2011 NSCI Database. 15th Annual Rehabilitation Psychology Conference. Jacksonville, Florida. Division 22 Research Award
  14. Ormseth, S., Wellisch, D., Hartoonian, N., Aréchiga, A. (2012). Predicting reattendance to a high-risk breast cancer clinic. American Psychosocial Oncology Society 9th Annual Conference. Miami, FL.
  15. Vilhauer, J., Hartoonian, N., Ormseth, S. (2011). Changing your attention can change your life: volitional neural activation. Invited presentation for Psychiatry Grand Rounds, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA.
  16. Hartoonian, N., Hanson, E., Owen, J. E. (2011). Predictors of distress in cancer patients: BRFSS 2009 Findings. American Psychosocial Oncology Society 8th Annual Conference. Anaheim, California.
  17. Hartoonian, N., Ormseth, S., Arechiga, A., Wellisch, D. (2011). Weight loss expectations and success in an obesity treatment program. 32nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine Conference. Washington, D.C.
  18. Hanson, E. Hartoonian, N., Lesniak, K. T. (2011). Predictors of adherence to healthcare provider hypertension behavioral treatment recommendations: BRFSS 2009 findings. 69th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society. San Antonio, Texas.
  19. Hanson, E. Hartoonian, N., Lesniak, K. T. (2011). Predictors of healthcare provider advice receipt for hypertension behavioral treatment: BRFSS 2009 Findings. American Heart Association, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism. Atlanta, Georgia.
  20. Lesniak K. T., Ormseth, S., Hartoonian, N., Hanson, E. (2010). Influence of distress and obesity of health behaviors in diabetics: BRFSS 2007 findings. 31st Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine Conference. Seattle, Washington.
  21. Hanson, E., Hartoonian, N., Ormseth, S., Lesniak, K. T. (2010). Influence of distress and obesity on adherence to health care provider hypertension treatment recommendations: BRFSS 2007 findings. 31st Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine Conference. Seattle, Washington.
  22. Hanson E., Hartoonian, N., Ormseth, S., Arnpriester, N., Lesniak, K. (2010). Distress, weight and diabetes Treatment adherence: BRFSS 2007 findings. American Psychological Association 118th Annual Convention. San Diego, California.
  23. Hartoonian, N., Ormseth, S., Hanson, E., Owen, J. E., (2010). Online support group use among cancer survivors: findings from HINTS 2007. American Psychological Association 118th Annual Convention, San Diego, California.
  24. Owen, J. E., Testerman, L., Hartoonian, N., Richards, K., Abeyesinhe, S. (2010). Online social-networking intervention to treat cancer-related distress: patterns of interest and utilization. American Psychological Association 118th Annual Convention. San Diego, California.
  25. Hartoonian N., Ormseth, S., Ballinger, R., Arechiga, A. (2009). The impact of appointment consistency on client attendance rate at the Loma Linda University Psychological Services Clinic. American Health Care Summit (AHCC). Ontario, California.
  26. Ormseth, S., Hartoonian, N., Owen, J. E. (2009). Healthcare utilization and depression among breast cancer survivors: Findings From NHIS 2003-2005. American Psychological Association 117th Annual Convention. Toronto, Canada. Division 38 Research Award
  27. Owen, J. E., Kaiser, N., Hartoonian, N. (2009). Prevalence and predictors of non-specific distress among cancer survivors in the United States. 30th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine Conference. Montreal, Canada.

Professional Memberships & Affiliations

  • American Psychological Association, Member
  • APA Division 38, Health Psychology, Member
  • APA Division 22, Rehabilitation Psychology, Member
  • Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, Professional Staff
  • Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Member
  • Los Angeles County Psychological Association, Member
  • European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, 2013-2014
  • Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2007-2012
  • American Psychosocial Oncology Society, 2010-2011
  • Society of Neuroscience, 2001-2006

“We are founding the Rowan Center for Behavioral Medicine to form a practice based on integrity; where we offer honest and efficient services with the ultimate goal in our minds to always improve the quality of life for our patients.

I truly believe that healthcare providers should rely on empirically supported treatments whenever possible. I also believe however, that a large part of a provider’s efficacy comes from his or her humanity as it is expressed in empathy, rapport, unconditional appreciation and genuineness. As a provider, I try to do my best to offer this combined effort to my patients.”

— Dr. Hartoonian