Bio

Dr. Kleinstaeuber is a licensed psychologist in Utah and Colorado and an Associate Professor of Psychology at Utah State University, where she directs the Physical and Mental Health Interactions Lab and the Somatic Symptom Disorder service line. She completed her clinical psychology training in Germany, where she worked as both a researcher and therapist until 2017. Before moving to the United States and joining USU in 2021, she served in a Persistent Pain Service and worked in academia in New Zealand.

Dr. Kleinstaeuber’s clinical and research work focuses on the intersection of psychology and medicine. Throughout her career, she has integrated science and practice, with a longstanding commitment to evidence-based care. She specializes in helping patients manage persistent physical symptoms—bodily symptoms lasting three months or longer (e.g., pain, tinnitus, gastrointestinal symptoms) that often contribute to emotional distress and impair daily functioning. Her work aims to reduce symptom-related distress and disability, which can otherwise exacerbate physical complaints.

She works with both adults and adolescents. In addition to treating persistent somatic symptom distress, she has extensive experience supporting individuals with related concerns such as anxiety disorders, depressive and other mood disorders, substance use disorders, and obsessive–compulsive disorder. Dr. Kleinstaeuber is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

Grounded in a biopsychosocial approach, Dr. Kleinstaeuber views health and illness through a multidimensional lens in which mind and body are deeply interconnected. Her goal is to provide a safe, validating space for patients and to work collaboratively toward improving quality of life and overall well-being.

Credentials/Licensure

• Licensed Psychologist, Utah and Colorado

Education and Training

• PhD in Clinical Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz (Germany)
• Diploma in Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz (Germany)
• Prediploma in Psychology, Technical University, Darmstadt (Germany)