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Ariel A. Williamson, PhD, DBSM
Psychologist
Dr. Williamson's research integrates socio-ecological theory, community-engaged methods, and implementation science principles to understand and address child sleep problems and sleep health inequities.
Bio
Dr. Ariel Williamson is a licensed clinical psychologist and diplomat in behavioral sleep medicine. Her research leverages pediatric sleep as a modifiable factor that can promote positive development and prevent child physical and behavioral health problems. Specifically, her work focuses on (1) using a socio-ecological approach to understand how multiple factors (child; family; school; neighborhood; environmental and socio-cultural context) contribute to child sleep problems and sleep health inequities, and (2) applying implementation science principles to promote pediatric sleep health and treat sleep problems in primary care and in partnership with community organizations. Dr. Williamson serves on the board of the non-profit Philadelphia-area Beds for Kids program, which provides beds, bedding, and sleep education for children living in poverty and without an individual bed or sleep space. She also serves as a sleep expert for the Pediatric Sleep Council, which provides free, evidence-based information about early childhood sleep for families and clinicians. Dr. Williamson is a member of the Society for Pediatric Research and Associate Editor for Sleep Health, the official journal of the National Sleep Foundation. Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the Sleep Research Society, and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation.
Education and Training
BA, University of California, Santa Barbara (Art History, Spanish), 2006
MA, Northwestern University (Counseling Psychology, Child Track), 2010
MA, University of Delaware (Clinical Psychology), 2012
PhD, University of Delaware (Clinical Psychology), 2016
Titles and Academic Titles
Psychologist
Diplomat in Behavioral Sleep Medicine
Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Professional Memberships
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
Sleep Research Society
Society of Pediatric Psychology
Professional Awards
2022-2023 American Pediatric Society & Society for Pediatric Research Journeys Program, 2022 Cohort Leader
Loan Repayment Renewal Award, NIH/NICHD, 2021-2023
Health Disparities Research Institute Scholar, NIMHD, 2021
Summer Institute on Randomized Behavioral Clinical Trials Scholar, NIH OBSSR, 2021
Diane J. Willis Award for Outstanding Article in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 2020
Selected for Society for Pediatric Research Membership, 2020
Mixed Methods Research Training Program Scholar, NIH/Johns Hopkins University, 2020
Loan Repayment Award Renewal, NIH/NICHD, 2019-2021
K23 Career Development Award (K23HD094905), NICHD, 2018-2023
Sleep Research Society Career Development Award, 2018-2020
Loan Repayment Award, NIH/NICHD, 2017- 2019
Early Investigator Merit-Based Travel Award, Sleep Research Network, 2017
Young Investigator Research Forum Scholar, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2017
Implementation Science Institute Scholarship, Penn School of Medicine, 2017
Student Merit Award, Sleep Research Society, 2016, 2017
Fellowship, Leaders of Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities, CHOP, 2015-2016
Dissertation Fellowship, Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, 2014-2015
Publication Highlights
PubMed:
Williamson AA, Okoroji C, Cicalese O, Evans BC, Ayala A, Harvey B, Honore R, Kratchman A, Beidas RS, Fiks AG, Power TJ, Mindell JA. Sleep Well! An adapted behavioral sleep intervention implemented in urban primary care. J Clin Sleep Med. 2022 Apr; 18(4):1153-1166. PMID: 34910624
Williamson, A. A., Mindell, J. A., Hiscock, H., & Quach, J. Longitudinal sleep problem trajectories are associated with multiple impairments in child well-being. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2020 Oct; 61(1)):1092-1103. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.13303
Williamson A, Milaniak I, Watson B, et al. Early childhood sleep intervention in urban primary care: Caregiver and clinician perspectives. J Ped Psychol. 2020 Sep; 45(8):933-945
Williamson, A. A., & Mindell, J. A. Cumulative socio-demographic risk factors and sleep outcomes in early childhood. SLEEP. 2020 Mar; 43(3):233. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsz233. PMID: 31555826
Williamson, A. A., Meltzer, L. J., & Fiks, A. A stimulus package to address America’s sleep debt crisis. JAMA Pediatrics. 2020 Feb; 174(2): 115-116. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.4806. PMID: 3186006