Laura Distel, PhD

Laura Distel, PhD, is an attending psychologist in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Boston Children’s Hospital and an instructor of psychology at Harvard Medical School. She specializes in pediatric psychology with a focus on the connection between mental health and gastrointestinal conditions, treating concerns such as chronic abdominal pain, anxiety, and encopresis. Dr. Distel earned her PhD from Loyola University Chicago, completed her clinical internship in pediatric psychology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and pursued advanced fellowship training in GI psychology at Boston Children’s Hospital. Her work centers on helping children and families manage the behavioral and emotional aspects of digestive health conditions through integrated, multidisciplinary care.