Bio

Dr. Kate Dahl specializes in working with children and families who are affected by medical illness. She has practiced at Stanford since 2014 and is the primary pediatric psychologist for the kidney transplant team. She also serves as the Director of the Medical Coping and Wellness Clinic in Child Psychiatry. Her work focuses on adjustment to new diagnosis, coping with illness and treatment, and adherence to the medical regimen. Dr. Dahl is particularly interested in the experience of adolescents with chronic medical conditions and leads groups for teens who have received kidney transplants.

Clinical Focus

  • Dialysis
  • Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
  • Kidney transplant
  • Children and adolescents with chronic medical illness

Academic Appointments

Administrative Appointments

  • Director, Medical Coping and Wellness Clinic, Child Psychiatry, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2024 - Present)

Professional Education

  • Fellowship: Stanford Univ Hosp Psychiatry (2014) CA
  • PhD Training: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (2011) IL
  • BA, Georgetown University (2004)
  • PhD, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (2013)
  • Internship, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford and the Children's Health Council (2013)

Contact

  • Clinical (Primary)  Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic 401 Quarry Rd Stanford, CA 94305 (650) 724-7389 (fax)

Additional Clinical Info

Graduate and Fellowship Programs

All Publications

  • Treating depression in dialysis patients: pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Clinical kidney journal Cukor, D., Cornelius, C., Dahl, K., Figueiredo, D., Sousa, H., Archey, A., Kimmel, P. L. 2026; 19 (9): sfag272

    Abstract

    Depression is relatively common in patients with kidney failure treated with hemodialysis, and the prevalence rate exceeds that of the general population. Depression should be treated in people maintained on dialysis, both due to depression's inherent significance and its potential complications of kidney treatment. This paper reviews the relevant literature on reported pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Although the evidence base is somewhat limited, recent clinical trials have allowed the formulation of practical treatment recommendations. The literature on pediatric chronic kidney disease is also reviewed. Although the evidence base is scarce, treatment recommendations for the pediatric population are discussed. Various barriers to the integration of standardized depression screening and treatment for people with kidney failure treated with hemodialysis are reviewed.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/ckj/sfag272

    View details for PubMedID 42725167

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC13560589

  • Pretransplant evaluations and evidence-based education. Psychosocial considerations in pediatric kidney conditions: Guidance for collaborative practice Dahl, K. P., Sunnquist, M., Melnichenko, L. Springer. 2025; 1: 185-205

    View details for DOI 10.1007/978-3-031-64672-0_9