Elenda Tobi Hessel, PhD

Psychology

Primary Office

Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida 6535 Nemours Parkway Orlando, FL 32827 Appointment: (407) 650-7715

Other Offices

Why I Treat Children

The resilience, adaptability and strength that children and adolescents have even in the most difficult of situations is something that will never cease to amaze me. These same qualities draw me to work with kids with medical challenges. My goal is to support children, adolescents and their families through difficult adjustments, so that they can learn to cope effectively with the challeneges they may face, and experience improved quality of life. 

What I'm Passionate About

I am passionate about helping children, adolescents and their families cope effectively with medical conditions and treatments. This can mean supporting a child while they are hospitalized fighting an illness, or working with them and their families after they leave the hospital. It can also mean ensuring that a family feels heard and understood, and helping them communicate effectively with the medical team. In all of these areas, my goal is to work as part of the larger team to help improve children’s experiences and everyday life.

How I Try to Make A Difference

Physical health and psychosocial functioning are a package deal — each has an impact on the other. Throughout my work, I try to help children, families and other members of the medical team understand the interplay between physical health and psychosocial functioning, in order to improve children’s overall experience and well-being. 

Education & Training

Fellowship

  • Clinical Psychology - Children's Hospital of Colorado, 2017

Internship

  • Clinical Psychology - UNC School of Medicine, 2016

Medical/Dental School

  • Doctor of Philosophy - University of Virginia, 2016

Awards & Recognition

  • 2009 Dashiell-Thurstone Prize in Psychology, University of North Carolina

Insurance Accepted

  • Aetna Better Health FL Medicaid and Healthy Kids
  • Aetna HMO/POS/PPO/EPO
  • AmeriHealth Caritas Florida (FKA Prestige Health Choice)
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield HMO
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield Non HMO
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida Blue Select
  • Community Care Plan Medicaid
  • Employers Health Network PPO
  • Evolutions Healthcare
  • Florida Community Care
  • Florida Medicaid
  • HealthSmart Health Plans PPO
  • Molina Healthcare Medicaid
  • Multiplan PPO
  • Olympus Managed Healthcare PPO ORL
  • Prime Health Services PPO Specialty Florida
  • Seminole Tribe of Florida
  • Star Healthcare Network
  • Sunshine SMI/CMS 19 & 21
  • Sunshine State Health Plan Medicaid
  • Three Rivers Provider Network
  • Tricare/Humana Military Health Services/CHAMPVA
  • Volusia Health Network PPO/EPO

  • Adjustment to Medical Illness
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Autism
  • Cleft and Craniofacial Anomalies
  • Depressive Disorders
  • Disruptive Behavior
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Sickle Cell Disease

  • English