Compassionate Care, Real-World Impact

When Donald “Don” Bearden, PhD, ABPP-CN, joined the Le Bonheur team, he didn’t just step into a new role as the hospital’s inaugural chief of Psychology and Behavioral Health — he began shaping a vision for the future of pediatric mental health in Memphis and beyond. The newly established position marks a significant milestone in Le Bonheur’s expansion of behavioral health services, and Bearden brings both the clinical expertise and collaborative spirit to build something lasting and far-reaching for children requiring psychological assessment and integrated care.

“I’ve always been driven to better understand the intricate connections among brain function, behavior and development,” said Bearden, who transitioned to Le Bonheur after nine years of service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA). “I came here because I saw an opportunity to make a more direct and lasting impact. In a smaller setting, I can shape the direction of clinical care more meaningfully while expanding access to evidence-based treatments for children who might otherwise be underserved.”

A neuropsychologist by training, Bearden visits with a patient in Le Bonheur’s Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU), pictured above.

With a career rooted in pediatric neuropsychology and a passion for patient-centered care, Bearden has long been guided by a deep curiosity about how the brain works — and a determination to help children thrive. In his previous post at CHOA, he spearheaded neuropsychology services within their Epilepsy Center, drove quality improvement initiatives to increase access for vulnerable populations and developed a Spanish-language training program to better serve Hispanic patients and families.

Learning to speak Spanish is one of Bearden’s proudest personal and professional accomplishments, as it better positions him “to provide care to the growing Hispanic community in the U.S.” That commitment to equity in care continues at Le Bonheur, where he is already fostering inclusive clinical practices and planning future research collaborations. He also heads the Pediatric Neuroscience and Cognition Laboratory, where he and his team investigate neuropsychological function in patients with epilepsy and other medical conditions.

Beyond his extensive research contributions and emphasis on family-centered care, Bearden’s academic and clinical credentials speak volumes. He is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist with advanced training from UCLA and Boston Children’s Hospital. He previously served as assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine and is now associate professor of Pediatric Neurology at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine.

As head of Le Bonheur’s new Division of Psychology and Behavioral Health, Bearden has a platform to merge his dual passions: research and real-world impact. While his plans are ambitious, they remain rooted in compassion and community.

“My vision is to establish a nationally recognized center of excellence in mental health,” said Bearden. “That means integrating innovative clinical care, evidence-based research and comprehensive training. We want to serve our patients beyond the walls of the hospital — supporting them through accessible follow-up services that help them thrive at home, in school and in everyday life.”

For children facing the complex challenges of neurological conditions, developmental concerns or the psychological toll of chronic illness, timely and effective support can truly change the trajectory of a life. That’s why Bearden aims to expand access to hospital-based services, strengthen outpatient support and develop community partnerships that ensure no child falls through the cracks.

“Working with children allows me to intervene at critical stages, helping to shape their cognitive and emotional trajectories in meaningful ways,” he said.

Bearden reflects that his professional journey has been inspired by mentors — scientists and physicians who, like him, aspire to make brain-based care more personal, empathetic and accessible. That mission continues at Le Bonheur, where he is excited to roll up his sleeves and lead with both vision and heart, building a team of clinicians who are equally dedicated to research, mentorship and holistic care.

“By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and mentoring the next generation of clinician-scientists, I intend to position our division as a leader in transforming pediatric behavioral health care,” he said.

As the hospital deepens its commitment to pediatric mental health, Bearden’s arrival signals a bold and hopeful step forward. Under his leadership, the new Division of Psychology and Behavioral Health is shaping up to be more than a service line: it is a promise fulfilled.

Donald Bearden, PhD, ABPP-CN

Education and Training

• Georgia State University – Graduate School
• University of California, Los Angeles/Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior – Pediatric Neuropsychology Internship
• Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School – Pediatric Neuropsychology Fellowship

Board Certifications

• American Board of Professional Psychology/American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology

Society Memberships

• American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology
• American Epilepsy Society
• American Psychological Association
• Child Neurology Society
• Hispanic Neuropsychological Society
• International Neuropsychological Society