Podcasts about school psychologists

This episode of The Behavioral View explores collaboration between behavior analysts, school psychologists, special education teachers, and other professionals serving students across educational and clinical settings. The panel discusses practical strategies for building rapport with school teams, coordinating assessment and intervention efforts, and aligning goals across disciplines to improve learner outcomes. To earn CEUs for listening, click here, log in or sign up, pay the CEU fee, + take the attendance verification quiz to generate your certificate! Don't forget to subscribe and follow and leave us a rating and review. Show Notes: References Snyder SM, Huber H, Hornsby T, Leventhal B. (2024). Overlapping Training and Roles: An Exploration of the State of Interprofessional Practice between Behavior Analysts and School Psychologists. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 17(3):880-892. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00904-y Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1(1), 91–97. Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson. Resources CentralReach Institute: https://centralreach.com CR Assessments (ABLLS-R, AFLS, AIM): https://centralreach.com National Association of School Psychologists (NASP): https://www.nasponline.org The Behavioral View Podcast School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS): https://www.pbis.org Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Center

In this episode of The Joyful Rebellion, STEAM Box youth sit down with Highlander Charter School's long-time school psychologist, Miss Dehlia, for an honest and vulnerable conversation about mental health. Turning the tables on the professional, she opens up about her own 20-year journey with therapy, how it helped her navigate trauma related to her mother's alcoholism, and the importance of learning to set boundaries by simply saying "no".Together, the students and their guest tackle tough questions about the dangers of bottling up difficult emotions, the realities of self-medicating when you don't have access to help, and alternative paths to healing, such as equine therapy and restorative peace circles. Whether you are a student struggling to open up or an educator looking to better support youth, this episode reminds us that bringing our internal battles out into the open is the first step toward saving ourselves.#SchoolPsychologist #TeenMentalHealth #JoyfulRebellion #TherapyWorks #StudentVoices #EmotionalWellness #Steambox #HealthyBoundaries #YouthMentalHealth #UnbottledEmotions

Affordable Maryland PAC's ad attacking Will Jawando's record on education leads to push back. PAC Chair Jonathan Robinson joins us. The Montgomery County Board of Education is going to vote on a long list of position cuts this week and MCPS school psychologist Alli Jacobus and parent Rachel Singer join to talk about the impact in one department. MCPS College and Career Navigator Sarah Kessler (whose position is also on the chopping block) joins to talk about University of Maryland's Fall 2026 admission numbers and clear up some common misconceptions about who is admitted and who is not. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.

OEA Locals can amplify the impact of their members' dues dollars through OEA grant programs - especially now, with the new Local Capacity Grants that are available just for completing a Local Capacity Toolkit assessment. The Tallmadge Teachers Association let the needs identified in that self-assessment drive their decisions not only to create a political action committee for their local, but also to create Action Plans to address needs in several other areas. Those Action Plans allowed them to access more Local Capacity Grant funding to support those new projects. TTA leaders join us for this episode to talk about how their Local Capacity and Wellness grants-fueled initiatives have strengthened member, student, and community engagement with their association.  GRANT FUNDING IN ACTION | Watch this short video to see photos from a few of the many grant-supported projects the Tallmadge Teachers Association members mention in this episode!CATCH UP | Click here to listen to our conversation with OEA Secretary-Treasurer Rob McFee from earlier this season about the OEA grants that are available and the changes that have been made to make this funding more accessible and impactful for local associations. Your Dues Dollars at Work: What you need to know about OEA's Local Affiliate GrantsJUMP AHEAD | Helpful timecodes to hear about some of Tallmadge TA's initiatives and projects:4:00 - Starting a political action committee, based on needs identified in the Local Capacity Grant toolkit assessment10:00 - Cultural events at the middle and high schools16:00 - Improving association visibility with kindergarten graduation t-shirts19:45 - OEA Wellness Grant-funded Survival Bags21:00 - Bagel-fed and Bracelet-bound, thanks to OEA Wellness Grant funding21:45 - Promoting Leadership with New TeachersLEARN MORE ABOUT THE OEA GRANTS:For more information about the Local Capacity Grant, click here. Additional information can be found on the OEA Grants and Scholarships page, in the bottom right corner.For more information about the OEA Wellness Grants, click here. For details about the Special Projects and Effective Local grants, click here. The application form is available here.Click here to learn more about the OEA Foundation Grants.SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms. Click here for some of those links so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.Featured Public Education Matters guests: Becky Miller, Tallmadge Teachers Association PresidentBecky Miller taught 5 years in Cuyahoga Falls and 30 in Tallmadge, where she is a second grade teacher. She is a past OEA Board member and past NEA Trainer of the Trainers. She currently serves as TTA president, with her term ending June 1st. Audrey Cunert, Tallmadge Teachers AssociationAshley Graham, Tallmadge Teachers Association memberAshley Graham is a School Psychologist who worked for five years in Akron Public Schools before moving to Tallmadge schools four years ago. This year, she has also taken on the responsibility as the coordinator for the English as a Second Language program, though primarily, she still serves as a school psychologist. This is her first year in a leadership position with TTA and she is currently a building rep at Tallmadge Middle School.  Lianna Dauberman, Tallmadge Teachers Association Secretary-ElectNow in her 12th year as a school counselor -- all 12 of which have been in a K-5 setting -- Lianna Dauberman has been in Tallmadge schools for eight years now. She has been a building representative for TTA for the elementary for two years. This summer, she will start her new role as TTA Secretary. Brooke Nagy, Tallmadge Teachers AssociationBrooke Nagy is a kindergarten teacher at Tallmadge Elementary School.  She has been teaching for 25 years and has been a building rep on Tallmadge Teachers Association for the last 17 years.  Jon Bryan, Tallmadge Teachers Association Vice PresidentJon Bryan is currently a fifth-grade teacher in Tallmadge, Ohio, and is finishing his 32nd year in education.  He holds his master's in education from Kent State and is a Nationally Board-Certified Teacher.  Connect with OEA:Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative WatchAbout us:The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio's schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio's children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio's schools.Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award-winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband an...

1st witness after lunch barely remembered Tanner when he was working & diagnosing kids 26 years agoTanner's school psychologist who completed his 3-year review testifies about Tanner when he was in middle school.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/pretty-lies-and-alibis--4447192/support.ALL MERCH 10% off with code Sherlock10 at checkout  - NEW STYLES Donate: (Thank you for your support! Couldn't do what I love without all y'all) PayPal - paypal.com/paypalme/prettyliesandalibisVenmo - @prettyliesalibisBuy Me A Coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/prettyliesrCash App- PrettyliesandalibisAll links: https://linktr.ee/prettyliesandalibisMerch: prettyliesandalibis.myshopify.comPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/PrettyLiesAndAlibis(Weekly lives and private message board)

Seclusion rooms have been used in Minnesota for decades, as a last-resort response to student behavioral issues in the classroom. The use of these solitary rooms was banned for some of the youngest learners statewide in 2023, after they were deemed harmful and ineffective. But now, the Minnesota Senate is considering reversing that ban for children in grade three and under until 2036. That's because, according to some administrators, schools need more time to plan alternatives to seclusion rooms. Minnesota School Psychologists Association President-elect Tascha Just joined MPR News host Nina Moini to share context on seclusion rooms and the conflict surrounding the ban.

If you've ever looked at your students' reading data and wondered, “What am I actually supposed to do with this?”—this episode is for you.In this episode, we discuss:Why reading data often feels more like compliance than instructionHow to actually use assessment data to guide day-to-day teaching decisionsAssessment is a constant in education—but too often, it's disconnected from what happens in the classroom. In this conversation, we unpack one of the biggest misconceptions about reading data. As our guests explain, different types of assessments (screening, diagnostic, progress monitoring) are designed to answer different questions—and when we misunderstand that, instruction suffers.We also explore what effective data-based decision making really looks like in practice. From thinking of instruction as a hypothesis to understanding why progress monitoring is one of the most underused tools in literacy, this episode offers a clearer, more actionable way to connect data to instruction. The goal isn't more data—it's better use of the data you already have.Guests:Dr. Jessica Toste, Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin and Editor of The Reading League JournalAndrea Setmeyer, School Psychologist and Chapter Director at The Reading LeagueShow NotesResources mentioned:The Reading League JournalMeasuring What Matters (Open Access Article)

Laura Grubb, legislative director for the Maryland School Psychologists Association, joins WAMU to discuss the shortage of school psychologists in Maryland and a lifeline in the form of the School Psychologists Interstate Compact.

What if the data you're collecting could actually make your teaching easier—not more overwhelming? In this episode, we unpack what reading assessment is really telling you and how to use it with clarity and purpose.In this episode, we discuss:The true purpose of different types of reading assessmentsHow to move from data collection to meaningful instructional decisionsAssessment can feel like one more thing on a teacher's already full plate—but when used well, it becomes one of the most powerful tools for improving student outcomes. In this conversation, we explore common misconceptions about assessment, including the belief that one test can tell the whole story, and why understanding the why behind assessment matters just as much as the data itself.Our guests share practical insights on how assessment should function within a larger system—supporting both classroom instruction and schoolwide decision-making. From listening to students read aloud to interpreting screening and diagnostic data, this episode highlights what it looks like when assessment and instruction truly work together.Guests:Andrea Setmeyer, School Psychologist & Professional Learning Director (and now Vice President of Marketing), The Reading LeagueElisabeth Lamoureaux, Professional Learning Director (Leadership & Implementation), The Reading LeagueShow Notes Learn more about The Reading League Summit and resources on assessment:The Reading League Summit

Lily was a school psychologist for 12 years and served as the lead school psychologist in her district in Los Angeles. During that time, she also struggled deeply with anxiety, panic, and OCD.In 2018, Lily had a life-changing realization: she wasn't broken and nothing needed to be fixed. She had been innocently overcomplicating her experience. She discovered it was safe to think less, that thoughts don't need to be believed, and that feelings naturally settle on their own.In 2020, Lily began coaching and now helps people reconnect with the peace that already exists beneath anxious thinking. She works with individuals and groups and shares simple, lighthearted, and transformative teachings on mental wellbeing.In this episode, Lily shares about her mental health journey, her experience as a a school psychologist, and how anxiety impacted different areas of her life. We talk about experiences with driving anxiety, as well as examples of what derealization and depersonalization can look/feel like. We normalize how scary, isolating, and confusing it can feel when there's no understanding. In addition, we explore the role of patience, self-compassion, and learning to accept anxiety instead of constantly resisting or fighting it. If you've ever experienced driving anxiety, feelings of unreality, or the pressure to “fix” or "solve" anxiety quickly, we hope this conversation may help you feel less alone and offer a different perspective on moving forward.FOLLOW LILY:INSTA: @_peacefromwithinTIKOK: @peacefromwithinWEBSITE: www.peace-from-within.comSTAY CONNECTED:INSTA: @trustandthriveTIKOK: @trustandthriveTHREADS: @trustandthriveFACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramontEMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Illinois schools counted on federal grants to ease a shortage of school psychologists. After cancellation and a year of court battles, the future's uncertain.

Schools in Illinois were expecting to receive millions of dollars to hire more mental health professionals before the Trump administration cancelled those grants. We'll take a look at how that's impacting schools in the northern part of the state.

You've heard it a thousand times: “But what about socialization?” “What if my kid falls behind?” “What if they only want screens?” In this episode, I'm joined by Courtney (former teacher + school psychologist, now a private evaluator/advocate) to break down what unschooling actually is — and what it looks like in real life.We talk about the fear parents carry when they step outside the school system, and why so many families need to deschool themselves first. Courtney shares what she's seen from inside education and why forcing kids to meet grade-level standards can backfire — especially when kids develop at different rates.We also get into:What unschooling really means (and why it's not “kids watching TV all day”)Why school “socialization” can be toxic and what healthy socialization looks likeHow to handle screen time without power struggles (and why curiosity matters)The link between anxiety, nervous system regulation, and learningWhy many kids are labeled too early — and what parents can do insteadHow to spark learning naturally through real life, nature, conversation, and connectionA fascinating look at Human Design as a tool for understanding how your child learnsIf you're a parent who's trying to homeschool without recreating school at home — and you want your child to grow in confidence, curiosity, and love of learning — this episode will help you breathe again. 

Here's your local news for Tuesday, January 6, 2026:We find out how a new federal grant could help MMSD expand mental health services for students in need,Get the details on a local project that uses art to help older Black women fight Alzheimer's disease,Consider the potential pitfalls if private interests win out in the county's renovation of the Coliseum,Forecast another difficult year in the dairy business,Stop by JBC Coffee Roasters,Describe how winter ice can be dangerous for animals, too,And much more.

Middle Ground with JLE L.L.C. "Where We Treat You Like Family" on MIDDLE GROUND WITH JLE NETWORK YOUTUBE CHANNEL welcomes Clinical Hypnotherapist, Children's Book Writer, BooksByAlexis, Prosperity Designs Hand Made Resumes by AXH, Professional Resume Writer Owner & Author Alexis Hines as she discusses her journey from School Psychologist to Entrepreneur.

Send us an email @ info@parentcoachesunleashed.com SummaryIn this episode of Parent Coaches Unleashed, hosts Jessica Anger and Carrie Wiesenfeld welcome school psychologists Laura Tracey and Sheba Abraham to discuss the journey parents face after their child receives a diagnosis, particularly in the context of autism and ADHD. The conversation covers the role of school psychologists, the importance of early intervention, navigating the educational system, and the challenges parents encounter, including insurance issues and communication with schools. The episode emphasizes the need for parental advocacy, self-care, and community support, while also introducing the Growing Forward Collective, a practice aimed at bridging gaps in support for families.TakeawaysParents often feel overwhelmed after a diagnosis.School psychologists play a crucial role in supporting families.Early intervention can significantly impact a child's development.Communication with teachers is essential for understanding a child's needs.Parents should trust their instincts regarding their child's behavior.Self-advocacy skills are important for children with diagnoses.Support groups can provide validation and community for parents.Insurance challenges can hinder access to necessary services.Collaboration with other professionals is key to comprehensive care.Taking care of oneself is vital for effective parenting.To reach Sheeba Abraham or Laura Tracey, email them at connect@growingforwardcollective.com

Every few years, conversations about education in the U.S. circle back to the same refrain: Why can't we be more like Finland?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Chrishawn Finister from Your Joy Psychological, PLLC to unpack this comparison.We dig into the nuanced relationship between educational eligibility and clinical diagnosis, which often overlap but aren't interchangeable. From there, we widen the lens to explore the broader systems-level challenges that shape how students are identified, supported, and served.Some key themes we discuss:✅ Orthographic density and literacy: Why differences in written language systems matter when comparing reading outcomes across countries.✅ Population homogeneity and “education tracks”: When we look at instructional outcomes data, the students included in the education system and the numbers matter. Are the same individuals “counting” when we compare results across countries? ✅ Teacher pay and professional identity: What Finland's investment in teacher preparation and salary looks like compared to the U.S. (spoiler alert: Dr. Finister and I both think the US should be more like Finland on this one). ✅ Cultural perceptions of medicine vs. education: Why recommendations from evaluations are perceived differently depending on the setting and who is making decisions about services.✅ Housing instability and socioeconomic factors: We're educating students with complex needs in the US who have varying experiences outside of school. With this in mind, has the education system made more progress than what the media is saying? Rather than looking for a one-size-fits-all solution, we highlight why U.S. educators, policymakers, and clinicians need to understand the challenges and opportunities when designing systems of support.If you've ever wondered where the lines between clinical diagnosis and educational eligibility blur, this conversation will give you a grounded perspective.Dr. Chrishawn Finister is an Independent Practicing Licensed Psychological Associate and a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, possessing over a decade of experience in the role of School Psychologist. Recognized as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, she is committed to utilizing diagnostically sound assessments to identify learning barriers and implementing research-based interventions to amend challenging behaviors effectively. Dr. Finister is an advocate of culturally competent practices and is dedicated to training future practitioners in the field. She received her foundational training in psychological pedagogy and assessments at Texas Woman's University, where she completed her Master's degree in 2010. While working in a prominent North Texas public school district, she advanced her education by earning a Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2019. Her contributions to the field extend to academia, where she has served as a guest lecturer at the College of Education at Texas Christian University.Places to connect with Dr. Finister:Her private practice, Your Joy Psychological, PLLCWebsite: https://yourjoypsych.com/Business Instagram: @yourjoypsychHer NonProfit, Texas Psychological Hive: https://thetexaspsychhive.org/Non-profit Instagram: @texaxpsychhiveAdditional Resources Mentioned in this episode:Steven Pinker: https://stevenpinker.com/Mark Manson: https://markmanson.net/Dr. Tim Shanahan: https://www.shanahanonliteracy.com/In this episode, I mention Language Therapy Advance Foundations, my program that gives SLPs and other service providers a system for language therapy. You can learn more about the program here: https://drkarenspeech.com/languagetherapy/ We're thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments

What happens when schools don't have enough psychologists to meet student needs? And how can associations help their members thrive in such an environment?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Eric Rossen, Executive Director of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Eric discusses:How NASP represents over 24,000 school psychologists across the U.S., many of whom serve multiple schools due to a national shortage.The difference between school psychologists and school counselors, and why having both creates “force multipliers” for student success.NASP's advocacy work around federal funding, including the fight to restore grant money that was being used to address workforce shortages.How NASP is addressing the mental health of its members, who often work in isolated environments, under high stress.Eric's leadership journey from school psychologist to association executive, and how earning his CAE signaled a full embrace of his role as an association professional.His leadership style shift, from “doing” to empowering, and how he intentionally built trust when stepping into the Executive Director role.Why National School Psychology Week is more than recognition of school psychologists: it's a tool for public awareness and appreciation of a critical profession.NASP's upcoming 2026 convention in Chicago, expected to be its largest ever, with Dr. Miguel Cardona as the keynote speaker.How NASP is making its convention more expansive and impactful by welcoming affiliated organizations to host events under its umbrella, creating a “bigger tent” for school psychology.References:NASP WebsiteNASP Annual Convention

(00:00:00) 717 Vintage Fest features a selection of the region’s most established and up-and-coming vintage stores and independent vendors. Learn more about why we should shop vintage, the differences between vintage shopping and thrifting at other stores, and more. (00:21:57) Today marks the start of National School Psychology Week, and we celebrate and learn about the functions of school psychologist and the impact they can make on our students from this year's recipients of the school Psychologist of the year award.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having the right tools in place the first time can make all the difference for patients and families navigating behavioral health. In this episode, Janelle Bierdeman, a nationally certified school psychologist and the Manager of the Healthcare Solutions Group at MHS (Multi-Health Systems), shares her journey from direct care with children and families to driving systems-level transformation in behavioral health. She reflects on the risks of poor assessments, outdated systems, and the importance of rigorous tools to ensure providers deliver the right care from the start. Drawing on her perspective as both a professional and a parent of neurodivergent children, Janelle emphasizes the need for tailored assessments, clinician involvement in digital tools, and cross-cultural insights from North America and Europe. She also highlights a UK success story scaling patient assessments from 25 to 2,500 per month, and sees AI as a powerful way to reduce administrative burdens and free providers to spend more time with patients. Tune in and learn how technology, when done right, can truly expand access to quality behavioral health care! Resources: Connect with and follow Janelle Bierdeman on LinkedIn. Follow MHS on LinkedIn and explore their website.

Greetings!You're likely in the thick of it with back-to-school activities. But back-to-school isn't just about packing lunches and adjusting to new schedules. It's also a time when kids begin to hear harmful messages about food and bodies. In this episode of Sunny Side Up Nutrition Podcast, we're joined by Denise Hamburger, JD, founder and executive director of BE REAL USA, and Selena Salfen, MPH, RD, a public health dietitian working to shift systems toward size-inclusive, weight-neutral models of care. Together, they share insights on BE REAL's Let's Eat curriculum, a nutrition program for middle and high school students that focuses on tuned-in eating teaching students to consider their body cues, nutritional needs, food preferences, and past eating experiences. The lessons are designed to be inclusive across cultures, neurodiverse learners, and varying economic backgrounds.Click here to visit BE REAL USA, Let's EatKey Takeaways * Let's Eat is a new curriculum aimed at teaching nutrition without the influence of diet culture.* The curriculum is free and accessible to all students and educators. * Let's Eat encourages students to trust their bodies and make informed food choices.* The curriculum includes cultural sensitivity and celebrates diverse food practices.* A panel of 42 experts contributed to the development of Let's Eat.* Educators can access Let's Eat through professional development training.* BE REAL USA has ambassadors who are trained to deliver th.e curriculum* Denise and Selena chat about their favorite foods.Links to Resources Mentioned:* BE REAL's Let's Eat Middle and High School Nutrition Curriculum* BE REAL's Body Kind High School Body Image Curriculum* BE REAL's Ambassador Program* BE REAL's Body Kind Peer-Led College Body Confidence Seminar* National Alliance for Eating Disorders* Lutz, Alexander & Associates Nutrition Therapy* Pinney Davenport Nutrition, PLLCMore about Denise and SelenaDenise Hamburger, JDDenise Hamburger, JD, is the founder and executive director of BE REAL USA, a nonprofit that imagines a world where every child can grow up with a healthy relationship to food and their body. In 2016, Denise created a professional development workshop for teachers called Body Confident Schools and has delivered this training to over 10,000 educators around the world. With over 250 conference, keynote, and school presentations, Denise has presented at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to the National Association of School Psychologists; at the Center for Disease Control to their Healthy Schools Division; at the United States Department of Agriculture to their Food and Nutrition Services Group; and to Amazon's Body Positive Peers Employee Resource Group.Denise co-developed Be Real's BodyKind high school, body image curriculum with a team of international body image academics, psychologists and teachers. BodyKind is the first body image curriculum developed for all students. It includes the body image experiences of people of different races, ethnicities, sexualities, gender identities, physical and mental abilities, and body sizes. BodyKind was tested in an 1150-student Randomized Control Trial in Ireland in 2024, and the program has proven to increase to student Body Appreciation, Self-Compassion and Body Appreciation. These aspects are associated with better self-esteem and better mental health.In 2025, Denise--with Ramsey County, MN Public Health--co-developed and launched a weight-neutral nutrition curriculum called Be Real's Let's Eat for middle school and high school students. Let's Eat focuses on Tuned-in Eating, which teaches students to integrate their own body cues, day's nutritional needs, food preferences and eating experiences into their eating patterns. Let's Eat lessons are relevant across cultures, neurodiversity, and economic status.Denise has a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School and was an environmental attorney in her first career. She co-wrote the legal treatise Pollution in the United Kingdom. Denise is an Anti-Bias, Antiracist Certified curriculum writer. She has spent the last 25 years involved in education nonprofits, including Chicago's After School Matters.Instagram: @berealusaWebsite: www.berealusa.orgSelena Salfen, MPH, RDSelena Salfen, MPH, RD (she/her) works on chronic disease prevention in local public health, focusing on sustainable policy, systems and environmental change. Much of her work involves transitioning public health and healthcare systems from weight-focused to size inclusive, weight neutral models of practice. She also presents to educators and school-based health clinics on why weight neutral, eating disorder-aware education is vital to improving and protecting student health.TranscriptElizabeth: Welcome to Sunny Side Up Nutrition, a podcast created by three moms striving to bring you evidence-based information to help support you and the children in your life.Your hosts are Anna Lutz and me, Elizabeth Davenport, both registered dietitians, and Anna McKay, a dietitian-to-be and certified personal trainer.Anna Lutz co-owns Lutz Alexander and Associates Nutrition Therapy in Raleigh, North Carolina, and I co-own Pinney Davenport Nutrition in the D.C. metro area. And Anna McKay is in the process of completing her dietetic internship.Just a note that this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Thanks for being here.In this episode, we're joined by two of the co-creators of the Be Real Let's Eat curriculum: Denise Hamburger and Selena Salfen.Elizabeth: Denise Hamburger, JD, is the founder and executive director of Be Real USA, a nonprofit that imagines a world where every child can grow up with a healthy relationship to food and their body.In 2025, Denise—with Ramsey County, Minnesota Public Health—co-developed and launched a weight-neutral curriculum called Be Real's Let's Eat for middle school and high school students.Elizabeth: Selena Salfen, MPH, RD (she/her), is a registered dietitian in public health. Much of her work involves transitioning public health and healthcare systems from weight-focused to size-inclusive, weight-neutral models of practice.Denise and Selena are two of the many experts who came together to create the curriculum. It focuses on Tuned-in Eating, which teaches students to integrate their own body cues, nutritional needs, food preferences, and eating experiences into their eating patterns. Lessons are relevant across cultures, neurodiversity, and economic status.Anna: Denise and Selena, we are so happy you're here. Welcome.Multiple speakers: Great to be here. Thank you, thank you.Anna: Let's jump in. To start us off, can you each tell us a bit about yourself and the work you do?Denise: Thank you. I guess I'll start. I'm Denise Hamburger. I'm the founder and executive director of Be Real USA, a nonprofit that focuses on providing the highest quality resources on body image and eating disorder prevention for schools.I've been talking to educators and parents for almost ten years now about how to create body-confident environments in schools and in homes. We have a presentation I've been giving for ten years called Body Confident Schools, which helps the adults in young people's lives develop language and understanding that supports raising kids with body confidence.This language and understanding is very different from what we get in diet culture. In the last five years, Be Real added a new piece to its mission: curriculum development. Teachers had been asking us for better resources on body image and nutrition, and we felt compelled to develop them ourselves.Our high school body image curriculum, BodyKind, was developed by a team of academics and tested in schools. We've tested it three times, and we've had four published papers on its feasibility, accessibility, and effectiveness.We're starting that same kind of testing now with our new curriculum, Let's Eat. We also have 150 ambassadors across the country who present our workshops and share our curriculum.Anna: Wow. We certainly need new curricula, so we're so glad you're doing this work and that you're in this space.Elizabeth: I want to hear more about the ambassadors, but we'll leave that for later.Selena: I'm Selena Salfen. I'm a registered dietitian, but I work in public health, so I don't see clients one-on-one. I focus more on macro-level policy, systems, and environmental change.I work on a chronic disease prevention grant, where we support schools in areas like food access, nutrition, and mental health. That's how I ended up working on Let's Eat.I'm also very committed to bringing size-inclusive, weight-neutral work into public health and undoing some of the harm done since the 1990s, when public health began to hyper-focus on weight, weight control, and BMI.I've done a lot of work with WIC, integrating weight-inclusive practices, and expanded that work into other community-based health programs.I'm also a parent to a child with sensory needs around food, which shapes my perspective. And I'm a Be Real ambassador—that's how Denise and I met.Anna: That's wonderful. I really appreciate the work you're doing. I imagine it sometimes feels like swimming upstream in public health.Selena: You know what? It's been better than I expected—and actually really exciting.Elizabeth: That's great to hear.Anna: We're recording this episode just as school is starting across the country, and we're excited to talk about this new curriculum. Denise, can you tell us more about Let's Eat and what inspired you to create it?Denise: Sure. I mentioned earlier that I've been speaking with teachers for the last ten years. They'd often ask me what curriculum they should be using—specifically one that doesn't harm students' body image.We know from research that what's typically being taught reflects diet culture and can be harmful. For example, a few studies have asked eating disorder patients what triggered their eating disorder, and 14% in both studies mentioned their “healthy eating curriculum” in school.So at Be Real, we decided to develop a curriculum that focuses on body cues and interoceptive awareness—helping students learn to eat based on what their bodies are telling them.Selena was reviewing our BodyKind curriculum when we started talking, and she mentioned she was looking for a weight-neutral curriculum for Minneapolis. A lightbulb went off, and we decided to create one together.It's been an amazing collaboration. I come from one angle, Selena comes from another, and we always land in the same place. I focus on making sure lessons are engaging and accessible, while Selena makes sure they reflect the needs of neurodiverse kids, immigrant kids, and food-insecure kids.The result is a free, two-day curriculum for both middle and high school students. It aligns with the HECAT standards, comes in a 42-page toolkit with lesson plans, slides, and worksheets, and includes required professional development for teachers so they can shift away from diet culture before teaching it.We were able to create this thanks to funders like the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, Ramsey County Public Health, and the Minnesota Department of Health.Anna: Wow. That's fabulous. We're so excited that Let's Eat exists. And I love that it's a two-day lesson plan—not something overwhelming. Teachers often worry about how curricula fit with state standards, but as you said, this aligns well.Elizabeth: Selena, what concerns do you have about how nutrition is typically taught to children?Selena: First, I want to acknowledge that educators who teach “good and bad” foods mean well. They've been enlisted in what's been called the “war on obesity” since the 2000s.Good people want children to avoid chronic disease, but they've been told the way to do this is through weight control, calorie tracking, and restrictive eating. We now know this approach is harmful, not evidence-based, and doesn't actually make kids physically or mentally healthier—or smaller.Many existing nutrition education tools encourage weight or body fat measurements, food logs, calorie counting, or labeling foods as good/bad. This can trigger disordered eating, poor body image, and food obsession.With Let's Eat, we focus instead on helping students learn about food in a way that builds trust in their bodies and avoids shame, guilt, or fear.Elizabeth: Denise, how does Let's Eat differ from other nutrition curricula?Denise: Great question. First, we don't use body size as a proxy for health. Instead, we empower students to be the experts on their own eating.We avoid shame-based language, rules, or fear around food. Instead, we use guidelines that leave room for nuance. We also encourage reflection on past eating experiences—like noticing how your body felt after eating—and using that information for the future.Another big difference is the diversity of input. Thanks to Selena, we had 42 experts review the curriculum, including dietitians, doctors, teachers, researchers, body image experts, and students.We're proud of how inclusive it is, and how it focuses on empowerment, curiosity, and calmness around food.Anna: I really enjoyed lending a little part to the project. What I love most is how you've taken weight out of it. Weight is woven through so much of nutrition curricula, but kids are supposed to be gaining weight. Their bodies are supposed to be changing. Let's Eat acknowledges this and empowers students to tune in and trust that they are the experts of their own bodies.Denise: Exactly. What we teach is Tuned-in Eating. It's about helping students feel capable and confident when it comes to food. We encourage them to be curious about past eating experiences—what worked and what didn't—and use that to guide future choices.Instead of rules, we provide guidelines. Rules can encourage black-and-white thinking, but guidelines leave room for flexibility.Selena: One big difference is how we approach foods that students are often taught to fear. For example, ultra-processed foods or sugar. Educators often feel pressure to talk about these, but fear-based teaching isn't helpful.Instead, we explain concepts like whole vs. refined grains in a way that avoids shame. If you prefer white rice, you can pair it with protein, fat, and fiber to balance the meal. We also celebrate cultural foods like rice and tortillas, which are often unfairly stigmatized.We're also committed to making Let's Eat neurodivergent-friendly and trauma-informed. Not every student can rely on hunger cues, and that's okay. Instead of insisting on “no distractions at meals,” we encourage students to experiment with what works for them—whether that includes a tablet or not.We also acknowledge food access and insecurity. Not all students have choices, so we avoid presenting nutrition in a way that assumes unlimited access.I'm also proud that we brought in such diverse perspectives. Reviewers included Dr. Whitney Trotter and Angela Goens, co-founders of the BIPOC Eating Disorder Conference, as well as Anna (you!) and many others.Anna: It really shows. The diversity of expertise and voices makes Let's Eat so much stronger.Creating a curriculum like this must have been a challenge. It's so much easier to be black and white—this is good, this is bad. But you've created something inclusive and nuanced.Denise: Yes, that was one of the challenges. We had to decide how much detail was actually helpful. Thanks to Selena, we avoided going too far down rabbit holes and instead kept lessons high-level and practical.We focus on the basics—carbohydrates, fats, protein—with a nod to vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Just enough to help students fuel their day without overwhelming them.Selena: And credit goes to Allie Latvala, who did a beautiful job writing for the age range. It's a big responsibility to protect young people, and while no curriculum will be perfect, we've done our best to make it safe and inclusive.Selena: Yes, and we'll continue to make adjustments as we receive feedback. We listened to students and teachers during evaluation, and we'll keep listening if improvements are needed.Anna: That's so important. What did students and teachers say during the pilot?Denise: We tested it with 250 students. Their feedback was invaluable—everything from whether the images felt too young or too old, to what activities were engaging.One teacher, Sarah, had her students list reasons we eat, beyond hunger. They filled the board with 100 reasons—celebrations, traditions, comfort, fun. We added that activity to the curriculum, because it gets students thinking about eating as a multi-dimensional experience, not just fuel.Anna: I love that. So many nutrition classes reduce eating to just nutrients or body size. Asking students to reflect on the many reasons we eat helps them appreciate the full picture.Elizabeth: Denise, for parents and educators who want to bring Let's Eat into schools, how can they access it?Denise: There are two main ways. First, it's free. At conferences, we hand out postcards with QR codes. Scanning the code takes you to our professional development training. After completing the training and a short test, teachers gain access to the full toolkit, slides, and worksheets.Second, educators can become Be Real Ambassadors. Ambassadors get access to our presentations and resources, and they bring them into their communities. Right now, we have about 150 ambassadors around the world—teachers, dietitians, public health educators, and more.We provide them with templates, letters, agendas, slides, and other materials so they can succeed in sharing this work locally.Anna: That's incredible. You're not only creating a curriculum—you're creating a movement.Anna: What challenges did you face in creating a curriculum that's both helpful and impactful without causing harm?Selena: It was definitely tricky. We could have created a “masterpiece” that said exactly what we wanted, but it might not have been usable in schools. Teachers often have to align with CDC HECAT standards.We worked hard to meet most of the knowledge expectations, but we were intentional about skipping some. For example, one standard asks students to “analyze healthy and risky approaches to weight management.” We didn't include that, because it would reinforce harmful weight-focused thinking.Another standard says to “avoid sugary drinks.” Instead, we reframed it around hydration—water, milk, and other options—while acknowledging that sugary drinks exist without making them forbidden.Denise: Teachers don't expect every curriculum to meet every single standard, but we wanted to cover most. And it was important that Let's Eat still teach the core of nutrition—like macronutrients and hydration—just in a less fear-based way.Selena: Exactly. We frame carbohydrates as “short energy” and protein and fat as “long energy.” It helps students contextualize food in ways that feel supportive, not restrictive.Anna: That's such a refreshing approach. All right, let's move into our last question. We love to ask our guests: what's one of your favorite foods right now? It doesn't have to be forever, just what you're enjoying at the moment and why.Denise: I just made a summer fruit buttermilk cake with Michigan cherries, blackberries, peaches, and blueberries. We had four cups of fruit in it. My kids were visiting, and we finished the whole cake in under an hour. It was so good I've been waking up thinking about when I can make it again.Anna: That sounds amazing. And you may not know this, but Elizabeth used to be a professional baker.Denise: Oh, then I'll have to send you the recipe!Elizabeth: Please do. Selena, what about you?Selena: I had to think about this. I love all foods, so nothing stood out at first. But then I realized I've been cooking a lot from the cookbook Curry Every Day by Atul Kochhar. It's full of curries from around the world. I know it's summer, but I still love making them.Elizabeth: That sounds wonderful. I'm going to have to check that out.Anna: Thank you both so much for joining us and for sharing your work. Let's Eat is such an important resource, and we'll link everything in the show notes so parents and teachers can access the training and curriculum.Denise: Thank you—it was a pleasure.Selena: Thank you so much.Anna: And thank you to our listeners. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review us in your podcast app. Just scroll down to the stars in Sunny Side Up Nutrition Podcast and leave a review.We'd also love for you to join our 12-module membership, Take the Frenzy Out of Feeding. Visit our website and look for the Membership tab to join today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit snutrition.substack.com

The use of artificial intelligence for therapy is growing, including for minors. AI makes therapy more accessible. But clinicians want to make sure kids get medically sound advice and stay safe.We weigh the pros and cons of this mental health approach with Dr. Steven Schlozman, the chief of child psychiatry at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, as well as an associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at UVM's Larner College of Medicine, and Shannon Newell, who works with the Greater Rutland County Supervisory Union and is president of the Vermont Association of School Psychologists.Plus: Dartmouth researchers recently conducted the first-ever clinical trial of an AI therapy chatbot. Nicholas Jacobson is the study's senior author. He's an associate professor of biomedical data science, psychiatry, and computer science at Dartmouth. He also directs the AIM HIGH Lab at Dartmouth, which stands for AI and Mental Health: Innovation in Technology Guided Healthcare.Broadcast live on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or check us out on Instagram.

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with school psychologist Kay Kelly to explore her unique journey within the educational system and how she's thinking outside the box to create real-world opportunities for students. Kay shares stories from her experiences in various school settings and how those shaped her passion for integrating mental health support with practical, hands-on learning. This episode is a powerful look at the intersection of mental health, education, and innovation, and how one educator is helping schools create opportunities that last far beyond the classroom. Quotables **All quotes are from the interviewee** "I think connecting with kids... It does feel different, but in some ways you still do the same things we want to have genuine connections with them, actively listen... I think theres a lot to hear in their lived experience." "The foundations haven't really changed that much, but the way we engaged with them might be a little different." "There's a lot of benefit in having those virtual communities where you can be a sounding board and provide those resources." About Kay Kelly Kay Kelly is a dedicated and experienced School Psychologist with a proven track record in educational settings. Her expertise spans diagnostic assessment, counseling, intervention, and advocacy, and she is passionate about supporting students across all levels and settings. She is skilled in crisis response, collaborating within multi-disciplinary teams, and ensuring compliance with educational regulations to improve student outcomes. As a life-long learner, Kay Kelly emphasizes a solution-focused approach, working within a problem-solving framework to support students' emotional and academic development. Over the years, she's had the opportunity to lead and contribute to several impactful initiatives, including collaborating with the University of Kansas to help develop Multi-Tier Systems of Support and securing grants for innovative programs, such as a self-sustaining, student-run car detailing service at the high school where she worked. This program provided students in the life skills program with hands-on, real-world experience. Kay Kelly remains committed to creating positive, lasting impacts on students, families, and educators through her current position with eLuma, a tele school-based company that provides access to high quality mental health providers. Contact Kay Kelly: kkelly@elumatherapy.com

Ever googled "Am I depressed or just sad?" at 2 AM? You're not alone! Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey breaks down the key differences between anxiety and depression - two common mental health conditions that often get confused.What anxiety and depression actually are (and how they show up differently)Why these conditions get mixed up and can occur togetherPractical tools you can use right nowWhen to seek professional helpHow to break mental health stigmaKey insight: Anxiety is future-focused fear; depression affects your present state. Both are treatable medical conditions, and seeking help is strength, not weakness.Your mental health is essential to reaching your full potential - you're DOPE (Destined to Obtain Prosperity in Everything)!Crisis Support: 988 | Text HOME to 741741Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube#MentalHealth #AnxietyVsDepression #Psychology #NowThatsLife #DrNinaEllisHervey #DOPE❤️ HELP ME GET THISTO 3,000 LIKES! ✨ F R E E R E S O U R C E S ✨

Tired of being everyone's go-to person? Dr. Nina is breaking down the psychology behind people-pleasing and giving you the tools to set boundaries that actually STICK.From why your nervous system sees saying "no" as dangerous, to real scripts that work without guilt, this episode is your guide to boundary recovery. Dr. Nina shares her own journey from people-pleasing to protecting her peace, plus introduces her Boundary Setting Checklist to help you practice daily.Whether you're struggling with family expectations, work boundaries, or just learning to put yourself first, this episode teaches you that boundaries aren't mean - they're necessary.Ready to stop apologizing for having needs? It's time to become DOPE at protecting your energy.❤️ HELP ME GET THISTO 3,000 LIKES! ✨ F R E E R E S O U R C E S ✨

Your hormones are running your life more than you know, and Dr. Nina is about to spill ALL the tea! In this raw episode, she shares her own hormone rollercoaster journey through pregnancy, postpartum, and turning 40.From the psychology-hormone connection that most people don't understand, to practical tools for every life stage, Dr. Nina breaks down what really happens to your mind AND body during hormonal changes.Whether you're dealing with birth control mood swings, pregnancy hormones, postpartum struggles, or perimenopause chaos, this episode gives you the science plus real solutions.Stop suffering in silence. Your hormones affect your psychology, and that's not weakness - that's biology.❤️ HELP ME GET THIS TO 3,000 LIKES! ✨ F R E E R E S O U R C E S ✨

Hey y'all! Today on Now THAT'SLife, we're talking about something that's probably affecting ALL of us - our relationship with our phones and social media.I'm breaking down how all thisscreen time is messing with our minds, why you feel anxious when you can't find your phone, and some real talk about digital addiction. We'll explore practical ways to set boundaries with technology without going completely off the grid(because let's be real, we still got bills to pay and lives to live!).If you've ever felt overwhelmed by notifications, caught yourself doom-scrolling at 2am, or noticed you can't enjoy a moment without posting about it, this episode is for YOU. I'msharing some evidence-based strategies to help you reclaim your attention and actually be present in your own life.Because baby, we deserve better than being slaves to our screens!❤️ HELP ME GET THIS TO 3,000 LIKES! ✨ F R E E R E S O U R C E S ✨

Hey beautiful people! Your girl is BACK for Season 2 and we are about to get INTO it!In this raw episode, I'm giving you the REAL behind-the-scenes of my life - getting married, having my baby, becoming a Full Professor, and turning 40 while pregnant. This is the unfiltered truth about navigating major life transitions that I couldn't share in my regular posts.We're talking about what it really means to be DOPE (Destined to Obtain Prosperity in Everything) even when you feel like you're barely keeping it together. If you've been riding with me, you KNOW we're about to have some real conversations! ✨⭐ Key Topics Covered·       The reality of major life transitions happening all at once ·       Getting married and learning to be a wife ·       Becoming a Full Professor while managing life changes ·       Having a baby and turning 40 during pregnancy ·       What it means to be DOPE in Season 2

Join us for an in-depth conversation exploring the intersection of mental health awareness and early risk detection in school safety. This session will focus on equipping educators, administrators, and safety professionals with the tools and insights necessary to identify and address early signs of at-risk behaviors. By integrating mental health frameworks with threat assessment strategies, we aim to create proactive approaches to school safety that prioritize student well-being while preventing harm. Our panel of experts share actionable insights, real-world examples, and innovative practices to enhance the safety and security of our schools.GuestsMelissa KreeSchool Psychologist·Oxford Community SchoolsMelissa Kree has been a School Psychologist with Oxford Community Schools for the last 12 years. She has worked at all levels from PreK through high school. She coordinates building level MTSS teams and special education evaluations and is a district level IEP Coach. She serves on the district's crisis team as well as building level threat and suicide risk assessment teams, following both BTAM and PREPaRE models. She has been an ongoing part of Oxford's response to the tragedy on November 30th, 2021, and works closely with the Executive Director of School Safety, Operational Technology, and Student Services to regularly review and implement policies and procedures, as well as lead building level teams in the implementation as situations arise. She serves on the district mental health/SEL committee and participates in county level PREPaRE community of practice groups. Melissa serves on the Mental Health subcommittee of the Michigan Association of School Psychologists and is an advocate for the mental health involved in all aspects of school safety before, during and after an event. Melissa lives in Oxford with her husband and two children (2nd and 5th grade)Randolph MercedExecutive Director of Public Safety & Emergency Management·Seattle UniversityCareer university public safety professional with extensive experience supporting student well-being and campus safety. Currently serving as Executive Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management at Seattle University. An active member of the university's CARE Team and contributor to the development of student support strategies. Previously held a leadership role at the Community College of Philadelphia, where I established the institution's first BITA/CARE Team. Also provided instruction to graduate counseling students, bringing a public safety lens to student behavioral intervention and support.Rick ShawFounder·First PreventersRick Shaw founded Awareity in 2004 and is the CEO. Rick also founded First Preventers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in 2019. Rick is a Pre-Incident Prevention Expert, author of The First Preventers Playbook, and Prevention Coach to forward looking leaders of schools, universities, organizations, and communities. Rick Shaw has been researching failed preventions for over 25 years and has identified dangerous gaps, silos, disconnects, and blind spots that are common in nearly every failed prevention. Rick's visionary pre-incident prevention innovations offer a new category of solutions that have been recognized with the Risk Innovator award from Risk & Insurance Magazine, Responsibility Leader award from Liberty Mutual, Business Innovation award from Business Insurance, Campus Safety BEST Award from Campus Safety Magazine, and MVP Award from Security Sales & Integration Magazine. Rick also created the First Preventers Framework, a different category of solutions to deliver different and better results, which has been delivering impressive successes and safer schools, workplaces, and communities since 2016.

There may be two sides of the IEP table, but at the end of the day, we're all on the same team — the learner's.I had the pleasure of chatting with Ryan Hogan, also known as @TheWorldsOkayestSchoolPsych, the creator behind the popular, lighthearted school psych meme account on Instagram.We talked about the intersection of ABA, special education, and school-based work in the social media space. Ryan shared some great insights, especially the reminder that you control your own online space. Protect your peace: block people, delete comments. Thoughtful questions and concerns deserve a response; negativity for its own sake does not.As both a school psychologist and an autism parent, Ryan brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to the IEP table. He knows firsthand what it feels like to be both the professional and the parent — and how overwhelming it can be. Sometimes, parents need not just data and research, but connection, empathy, and that parent-to-parent understanding.It was a meaningful and insightful conversation — one that reminds us that compassion and collaboration go a long way (and so does a joke!).#autism #speechtherapy What's Inside:Navigating Negativity on Social MediaWhat it's like to be a parent AND a professionalA perspective from both sides of the IEP tableMentioned In This Episode:(@worldsokayestschoolpsych) on InstagramSpeech Membership - ABA Speech  ABA Speech: Home

In this episode of the Prepared School Psych Podcast, the host welcomes Kristine Esposito, the immediate past president of the New Jersey Association of School Psychologists. Kristine shares her journey and various roles within the association, including her leadership during the 2020-2024 term. She discusses her background in business, which has influenced her work in school psychology, and emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health and supporting students' academic success. Kristine also talks about her efforts in professional development, mentorship, and the challenges and strategies of transitioning back to in-person events post-COVID. The episode delves into initiatives Kristine has led, like the Be Well Initiative and collaborations with state universities. Listeners gain insights into balancing professional and personal life, managing time, and the significance of self-care and continuous learning in the field of school psychology.Resources:NJASP Home: ⁠ https://www.njasp.org/⁠Be Well Initiative: ⁠https://www.njasp.org/Professional-Development⁠Government and Professional Relations Committee: ⁠https://www.njasp.org/page-1097355⁠Curriculum Shared: ⁠https://www.socialthinking.com/?https://www.socialthinking.com?utm_source=google-ads&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=branded-search-dynamic&utm_content=brand-1&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=8927758213&gbraid=0AAAAACnN8MLBSOkF-Bmlk8wmYdL31jBNU&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_dbABhC5ARIsAAh2Z-QKZ4zNpiNVywpWH11LKSKXNlL9lWAs9KQu2Xso_fo5YEMNc2qAhYoaAsJEEALw_wcB**NEW** Try the Prepared School Psychologist Membership for FreeWe're offering a free 4-week trial of the Prepared School Psychologist Membership. Use the code PODCAST to explore our valuable resources, including 2 mini-courses designed to support your professional growth and development.Be prepared for whatever your role throws your way. The Prepared School Psychologist Membership gives you the resources and support you need to confidently serve students and navigate the challenges of school psychology.Start your free trial today: https://jennyponzuric.ac-page.com/the-prepared-school-psych-free-trial---------------------------------------------------------Follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more:Instagram: @jennyponzuric LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ponzuric-1562a8119/Join my FREE LinkedIn Group "Resources for Special Education Professionals": https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462888/Time Stamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview00:23 Christine's Background and Experience01:42 Personal Insights and Favorite TV Shows03:05 Journey into School Psychology05:03 Leadership and Involvement in NJASP05:58 Key Initiatives and Accomplishments13:05 Advice for New School Psychologists19:14 Balancing Professional and Personal Life20:35 State Association Highlights and Resources22:36 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThe information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only, and all participants are required to follow federal and state law and their school district guidelines and policies.

Parenting in today's fast-paced, always-online world is tough—and even more so when you're raising a neurodivergent child. In this episode, I sit down with my friend and colleague David Krasky, a licensed school psychologist and newly published author of Raising Future Adults. With over 20 years of experience working with kids, teens, and young adults, David brings a compassionate and insightful lens to what it really takes to help children with ADHD thrive in the long run—not just survive the day-to-day.We dive into everything from emotional regulation and sleep deprivation to tech use, behavior challenges, and building independence. David shares practical, real-life strategies for supporting kids through the lens of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, executive function skills, and long-term developmental growth. David Krasky is a Licensed School Psychologist working in private practice with over 20 years of experience working with children, teens, young adults and their parents. David's focus is on both assessment and treatment of behavioral, learning, emotional and social difficulties. He places a strong emphasis on empowering children so they can grow up to be thriving, well-adjusted adults. Episode Highlights:[0:58] – Meet David Krasky: school psychologist, ADHD EdCamp volunteer, and author of Raising Future Adults. [3:33] – Why Maslow's hierarchy of needs is essential for managing ADHD and executive function challenges. [6:47] – The connection between movement, sleep, nutrition, and attention regulation. [10:38] – Doom scrolling, dopamine, and the deeper impact of social media on mental health. [14:59] – Should we let kids socialize through video games? Finding a balanced approach. [18:51] – Parallel play and introversion: understanding the full spectrum of social needs. [21:57] – Rethinking behavior: consequences, natural learning, and executive function development. [27:06] – Tween and teen challenges: consequences, consistency, and making choices. [34:08] – How to balance homework with extracurricular commitments in real-life parenting. [35:58] – Emotional dysregulation: when to step in and when to give space. [43:06] – Creating real connection: how to ask questions that kids will actually answer. [47:16] – Performance vs. personhood: how parental focus can either shut down or open up communication. [55:41] – The ultimate parenting reframe: you're not just managing behavior—you're teaching for life. Connect with David Krasky:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dkraskyDavid Krasky's book: Raising Future Adults on Amazon Thank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD.Want to be ‘SuccessFULL with ADHD' by Activating Your ADHD Potential?Order our 3x best-selling book/workbook for adults with ADHD ▶️ http://bit.ly/activateadhd

In this episode of the Prepared School Psych Podcast, host Jenny Ponzuric interviews Amanda Gamble, a dedicated school psychologist and yoga instructor. Amanda shares her journey from Kentucky to Indiana, emphasizing her passion for supporting students and educators. They discuss her involvement with the Indiana Association of School Psychologists, where she held various leadership roles, including president. Amanda highlights her efforts to combine yoga with school psychology, teaching mindfulness and breathing techniques to students. She also talks about her initiatives as state association president, focusing on professional development and membership engagement. Amanda offers valuable advice for new school psychologists on self-care, professional growth, and leadership. The episode provides insights into balancing personal passions with professional responsibilities.Resources:Website: https://iaosp.wildapricot.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inschoolpsych/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IASPonline**NEW** Try the Prepared School Psychologist Membership for FreeWe're offering a free 4-week trial of the Prepared School Psychologist Membership. Use the code PODCAST to explore our valuable resources, including 2 mini-courses designed to support your professional growth and development.Be prepared for whatever your role throws your way. The Prepared School Psychologist Membership gives you the resources and support you need to confidently serve students and navigate the challenges of school psychology.Start your free trial today: https://jennyponzuric.ac-page.com/the-prepared-school-psych-free-trial---------------------------------------------------------Follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more:Instagram: @jennyponzuric https://www.instagram.com/jennyponzuric/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ponzuric-1562a8119/Join my FREE LinkedIn Group "Resources for Special Education Professionals": https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462888/Time stamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:14 Amanda's Background and Journey01:06 Personal Interests and TV Shows02:16 Professional Insights and Experiences02:49 Leadership and Association Involvement05:45 Combining Yoga and School Psychology08:56 Key Initiatives and Accomplishments14:40 Advice for New School Psychologists18:33 Leadership Advice and Time Management21:54 State Association Highlights28:04 Final Thoughts and ConclusionThe information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only, and all participants are required to follow federal and state law and their school district guidelines and policies.

Tune into our Take Care Tuesday Podcast to discuss why in an increasingly complex world, understanding and managing behavioral threats is more critical than ever. Dr. Shannon Devlin, School Psychologist and Certified Threat Manager will demystify the vital process of behavioral threat assessment and case management. Dr. Devlin is a strong believer in the threat assessment process. She consistently reminds us that the “Process is guaranteed but the outcome is not.…” Our goal is to highlight the strategies, tools and real-world applications that can prevent violence and safeguard communities. 

We're doing something a little special for Episode 159...In continued celebration of Women's History Month, we're revisiting Episode 90, when Tressa sat down to talk about the Girls Supporting Girls Club with Carlynton School District's School Psychologist, Dr. Tricia Serdy, Carlynton 2nd Grade Teacher/Co-Founder of Freestore 15106 & Free Fridge 15106, Don Alexander, and Carlynton High School students and Club members, Alexis & Talia. Then in its first year, this Club was already changing students' lives by connecting them with each other, providing counseling and guidance, and encouraging them to mentor and support each other. This multi-generational conversation is a must-listen :)www.yinzaregood.comHave a story of gratitude or kindness to share? Want to request a Kindness Crate drop off at your business or school? Know someone who would make a great guest?Email us: yinzaregood@gmail.comInstagram: @yinzaregoodFacebook: @YinzAreGoodOriginal Air Date: June 3rd, 2023

Welcome back to another episode of the Empower LEP podcast. This episode was such a fun and insightful conversation with Tim McIvor, the founder of schoolpsych.com. As a fellow school psychologist, I was genuinely inspired by his entrepreneurial journey and impact on our field.You won't want to miss this episode—here's why:

In this episode of the Prepared School Psych Podcast, host Jenny Ponzuric interviews Dr. Amy Smith, a distinguished school psychologist and President of the Ventura County Association of School Psychologists (VCASP). Dr. Smith shares insights into her role, the importance of community involvement, and the value of professional development within the association. She discusses her journey with VCASP, emphasizing the benefits of networking with colleagues and the numerous workshops and trainings offered by the affiliate. Dr. Smith also offers advice for new school psychologists, highlighting the importance of joining local professional communities to advance knowledge and leadership skills. This episode underscores the significance of ongoing education and the role of supportive networks in the field of school psychology.Resources:VCASP Website: https://www.vcasp.org/VCASP Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/VCASP**NEW** Try the Prepared School Psychologist Membership for FreeWe're offering a free 4-week trial of the Prepared School Psychologist Membership. Use the code PODCAST to explore our valuable resources, including 2 mini-courses designed to support your professional growth and development.Join today to see how the membership can help you enhance your skills and make a greater impact in the field of school psychology. Try the Prepared School Psychologist Membership for FreeWe're offering a free 4-week trial of the Prepared School Psychologist Membership. Use the code PODCAST to explore our valuable resources, including 2 mini-courses designed to support your professional growth and development.Join today to see how the membership can help you enhance your skills and make a greater impact in the field of school psychology. https://jennyponzuric.ac-page.com/the-prepared-school-psych-free-trial---------------------------------------------------------Follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more:Instagram: @jennyponzuric https://www.instagram.com/jennyponzuric/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ponzuric-1562a8119/Join my FREE LinkedIn Group "Resources for Special Education Professionals": https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462888/Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:38 Getting to Know Dr. Amy Smith01:16 Role and Impact of VCASP01:44 Amy's Journey with VCASP03:36 Balancing Volunteering and Career04:18 Importance of Affiliates05:27 Professional Development and Workshops06:54 Advice for New School Psychologists07:59 Encouraging Leadership and Involvement09:04 Final Thoughts and ConclusionThe information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only, and all participants are required to follow federal and state law and their school district guidelines and policies.

Discover the essential role of Seneca Valley's Student Services Department in supporting students' academic, social, emotional and physical well-being. This episode highlights the wide range of special education programs and resources available to ensure every student receives the support they need to thrive.IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL REVIEWA general overview of SV's Student Services DepartmentTypes of special education programs that are offeredStudent counseling services across the districtTransition programing and community partnershipsHow students and parents can access resources and support provided by the Student Services Department SPECIAL GUESTSDr. Cassandra Doggrell, Director of Student Services; Dr. Mallory Eyles, Assistant Director of Student Services and Ms. Ashley Pattison, Special Education SupervisorDr. Cassandra Doggrell began her career at Seneca Valley in 2010 as an Autism and Emotional Support Teacher at Rowan Elementary. She has held various administrative positions, including Principal of Haine Middle School and Assistant Principal at Evans City and Haine Middle. Before returning to Seneca Valley, she spent five years at Upper St. Clair School District as Director of Student Support Services and Special Education. Her research and practice interests include comprehensive mental health systems in schools, students with autism, students with emotional/behavioral disorders, and inclusionary service delivery models. Dr. Doggrell holds multiple degrees, including a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Pittsburgh.Dr. Mallory Eyles has been working in the Seneca Valley School District since 2011.  She has filled a variety of roles within the district including School Psychologist, Assistant Principal at Rowan and Evans City Elementary, Assistant Director of Special Education and currently, Assistant Director of Student Services. Dr. Eyles received her Doctorate in Psychology from Duquesne University. Ms. Ashley Pattison began her career at Seneca Valley School District in 2008 as a learning support teacher and later developed the district's elementary life skills program. She has served as a special education teacher, behavior specialist, and currently works as the supervisor of special education, overseeing programs for students with exceptionalities. She holds a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Elizabethtown College, a Master's in Education from the University of Pittsburgh, and a School Supervision Certification from Slippery Rock University.

In this episode of the Prepared School Psych Podcast, I speak with Annalise Puentes, a licensed educational psychologist in private practice focused on psychoeducational assessments, behavior support, and staff training. Annalise shares her journey, contributions to the Sonoma County Association of School Psychologists, and the invaluable impact of collaboration and professional development. Additionally, she offers advice for aspiring school psychologists and highlights the importance of connecting with local affiliates. Upcoming professional training opportunities in 2025 are also discussed, emphasizing practical skills for immediate application. Join us for an in-depth conversation on fostering growth and support within the school psychology community.Resources:SCASP Website: https://www.scasp.org/SCASP Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoCoPsychsSCASP Instagram: @scaspreg1-------------------------------------------------------------Follow Jenny for updates and resources:Instagram: ⁠⁠@jennyponzuric⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ponzuric-1562a8119/⁠⁠⁠Join our LinkedIn Group:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462888/⁠⁠⁠Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:08 Meet Annalise Puentes00:22 Annalise's Journey in School Psychology01:20 Favorite TV Shows and Personal Interests01:54 Role and Impact of the Sonoma County Association03:06 Leadership Roles and Experiences06:53 Balancing Volunteering and Professional Life12:09 Upcoming Trainings and Events13:53 Advice for Aspiring School Psychologists19:31 Final Thoughts and FarewellThe information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only. All participants must adhere to federal and state law, along with their school district guidelines and policies.

In this episode of the Journey of My Mother's Son podcast, I talk with Joe Engler. Joe played for our organization back in 2003.  He was on our Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League (ACBL) team between his sophomore and junior seasons at Minot State University in North Dakota.  I refer to him as one of my old players, but he never actually played a game for me, he just played in our organization.  He was one of the players who I really connected with while he was with us. Joe and I talk about the life lessons that the game of baseball taught him and how he is using them today in both his work and personal life.  Joe is now an Associate Professor and Director of School Psychology at Gonzaga University. Dr. Engler received his BA in psychology at Minot State University in Minot, ND and his Ph.D. in school psychology at The University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD. Dr. Engler began his professional career as a school psychologist in Tooele, UT and remains active in the profession through advocacy and leadership at the local, state, and national level. Dr. Engler holds the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential through the National Association of School Psychologists and is a diplomate in school neuropsychology through the American Board of School Neuropsychology. His research interests include preschool assessment, critical evaluation of psychometric tests, and parental involvement. Joe recently co-authored his second book titled, “Essentials of Addressing Infants, Toddlers, and Pre-schoolers.”  It will be released in early April of 2025. We wrap the conversation up by talking about Joe's recent love for playing music.  He, his wife, and a group of friends recently started the cover band, Close Enough, in which Joe plays lead guitar. Joe was also inducted into the Minot State University Hall of Fame in September of 2024. If you're ever in the Spokane area and want to see the band play somewhere, check them out on social media on either Instagram or Facebook.

In this episode Tanya and her guest Dr. Gigi discuss the importance of advocating for your child and using additional services for their education. About my guest: About my guest: Over the course of her career, Dr. Gallup Larsen has worked in public and private school settings, outpatient clinics, and residential settings. In all settings, Dr. Gallup Larsen collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to provide school-based services, outpatient therapy, and/or interventions to children, adolescents, and their families. Dr. Gallup Larsen is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP), a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), and has a Diplomate credential in School Neuropsychology (ABSNP). Dr. Gallup Larsen earned a Doctorate in Clinical and School Psychology from James Madison University's Combined-Integrated Doctoral Program, an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited program. Prior to returning to school for her doctorate, she also obtained her Master's and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in School Psychology from George Mason University, a National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) accredited program. Dr. Gallup Larsen has served as a school psychologist in Alexandria, Virginia, and Loudoun County, Virginia. She was recognized as the School Psychologist of the Year for 2013 by the Virginia Academy of Schools Psychologists (VASP). Clinically, she also currently works as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with Metropolitan Psychological Services, PLLC. Offices are located in McLean and Arlington, Virginia. Dr. Gallup Larsen completed an APA-accredited Pre-Doctoral internship in the Psychiatric Mental Health Clinic (PMHP) and the Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress (CCFTS) with Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. The PMHP at Kennedy Krieger Institute provides diagnostic evaluation and treatment services for children and adolescents who are having difficulty with mood, behavior, or relationships at home, within the family, at school, and with peers. The CCFTS provides mental health evaluation and treatment services to children, adolescents, and families who have experienced or may be at risk for trauma. Dr. Gallup Larsen specializes in treating children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. Her specific areas of interest include anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tic disorders, depression, relationship issues, trauma, and adjustment-related distress. In addition, she provides parent/caregiver therapy, and has received specialized training in the Chicago Parent Program (CPP) and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). In therapy, Dr. Gallup Larsen uses an assimilative-integrative approach to best meet the unique needs of her individual clients and their families. This approach emphasizes a client-centered, systemic approach that is also informed by cognitive-behavioral, developmental, and relational or attachment-based evidence-based treatments. Dr. Gallup Larsen approaches her work with each client and family using an open and warm therapeutic style which puts her clients at ease. Dr. Gallup Larsen greatly values diversity and culture and views therapy as a collaborative process meant to foster positive change as clients and families develop more compassion for themselves and one another. Personally, Dr. Gallup Larsen has two young adult children, a bonus teen son, a bonus adult daughter, and a bonus grandson. She and her partner enjoy spending time with their diverse family, as well as traveling. Virginia "GiGi" Gallup Larsen, PsyD, LCP, NCSP Licensed Clinical Psychologist (VA Lic # 0810007625) Nationally Certified School Psychologist Metropolitan Psychological Services, PLLC - Tyson's Corner Office 8401 Greensboro Drive Suite 550 McLean, VA 22102 2000 N 15th Street, Suite 200 Arlington, VA 22201 |(ph)| 703.831.6008, ext. 512 |(e)| drgalluplarsen@mpspllc.com |(w)| www.mpspllc.com

In this episode we discuss how to help your child deal with anxiety. Ages & Stages Information: https://agesandstages.com/ About my guest: Over the course of her career, Dr. Gallup Larsen has worked in public and private school settings, outpatient clinics, and residential settings. In all settings, Dr. Gallup Larsen collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to provide school-based services, outpatient therapy, and/or interventions to children, adolescents, and their families. Dr. Gallup Larsen is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP), a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), and has a Diplomate credential in School Neuropsychology (ABSNP). Dr. Gallup Larsen earned a Doctorate in Clinical and School Psychology from James Madison University's Combined-Integrated Doctoral Program, an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited program. Prior to returning to school for her doctorate, she also obtained her Master's and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in School Psychology from George Mason University, a National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) accredited program. Dr. Gallup Larsen has served as a school psychologist in Alexandria, Virginia, and Loudoun County, Virginia. She was recognized as the School Psychologist of the Year for 2013 by the Virginia Academy of Schools Psychologists (VASP). Clinically, she also currently works as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with Metropolitan Psychological Services, PLLC. Offices are located in McLean and Arlington, Virginia. Dr. Gallup Larsen completed an APA-accredited Pre-Doctoral internship in the Psychiatric Mental Health Clinic (PMHP) and the Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress (CCFTS) with Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. The PMHP at Kennedy Krieger Institute provides diagnostic evaluation and treatment services for children and adolescents who are having difficulty with mood, behavior, or relationships at home, within the family, at school, and with peers. The CCFTS provides mental health evaluation and treatment services to children, adolescents, and families who have experienced or may be at risk for trauma. Dr. Gallup Larsen specializes in treating children, adolescents, young adults, and their families. Her specific areas of interest include anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tic disorders, depression, relationship issues, trauma, and adjustment-related distress. In addition, she provides parent/caregiver therapy, and has received specialized training in the Chicago Parent Program (CPP) and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). In therapy, Dr. Gallup Larsen uses an assimilative-integrative approach to best meet the unique needs of her individual clients and their families. This approach emphasizes a client-centered, systemic approach that is also informed by cognitive-behavioral, developmental, and relational or attachment-based evidence-based treatments. Dr. Gallup Larsen approaches her work with each client and family using an open and warm therapeutic style which puts her clients at ease. Dr. Gallup Larsen greatly values diversity and culture and views therapy as a collaborative process meant to foster positive change as clients and families develop more compassion for themselves and one another. Personally, Dr. Gallup Larsen has two young adult children, a bonus teen son, a bonus adult daughter, and a bonus grandson. She and her partner enjoy spending time with their diverse family, as well as traveling.

Welcome back to another Episode of Empower LEP Podcast!I am beyond excited  because I got to sit down with the incredible Misty Bonta from Get Psyched! If you've been listening for a while, you might remember Misty from about a year ago when she was just starting her private practice. Well, let me tell you—she's been absolutely crushing it!In this episode, Misty takes us through her journey—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. She opens up about her past, including some really tough experiences in high school that ignited her passion for mental health. She knew even back then that she wanted to be the supportive, understanding adult that she wished she had during those years.Fast forward to today, and Misty is running a thriving private practice, diving into Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs), collaborating with parents, and expanding her reach through workshops and trainings. And get this—she's even working toward becoming a Non-Public Agency (NPA) so she can support school districts in a bigger way! She's a little nervous about the leap, but honestly, I have zero doubt that she's going to make it happen.Oh, and here's something so cool—Misty is writing a children's book about mental health, told through the eyes of her beloved dog!

In the season opener of the Prepared School Psych Podcast, host Jenny interviews Ashley Schwenn, a seasoned school neuropsychologist and licensed educational psychologist. Ashley shares her journey in the field and her roles in various school psychology associations across different states, focusing on leadership and advocacy. She discusses her leadership roles in the South Bay Association of School Psychologists, her strategies for professional development, and the importance of local and state-level involvement for systemic change. Ashley also provides practical advice for new school psychologists, emphasizing work-life balance and self-care. Resources: https://casponline.org/resources-for-school-psychologists/ January 16, 2025 PD Flyer SBASP Membership Form Interested in becoming a member or have questions for our executive board?  Please email us at southbayasp@gmail.com! Instagram for the Affiliate: https://www.instagram.com/_sbasp_⁠ ------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Jenny for updates and resources: Instagram: ⁠@jennyponzuric⁠ LinkedIn:  ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ponzuric-1562a8119/⁠⁠ Join our LinkedIn Group: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14462888/⁠⁠ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:22 Getting to Know Ashley Schwenn 02:25 Role and Impact of the South Bay Association 04:27 Journey to Leadership 13:05 Balancing Work and Volunteerism 14:27 Professional Development and Support 16:34 Advice for New School Psychologists 18:22 Encouragement for Aspiring Leaders 19:19 Final Thoughts and Conclusion The information and advice provided are for guidance purposes only. All participants must adhere to federal and state law, along with their school district guidelines and policies.

We live in a society where success is often defined by external markers like prestigious jobs, academic achievements, or traditional milestones. But as parents of neurodivergent kids, we know our children's paths and timelines often look different. And while their journeys may not align with conventional notions of success, that doesn't mean they're any less meaningful or valuable. So, how can we redefine what success means—for our kids and for our families? That's one of the big questions I explore with today's guest, child psychologist Dr. Emily King. In our conversation, Dr. Emily and I dive into redefining success for neurodivergent students, emphasizing the importance of joy, self-discovery, and effectiveness in their learning journeys. We explore how cultural definitions of success can be limiting, what's happening in American public schools regarding neurodivergence, and the actionable steps we can take to help shift the paradigm. Most importantly, we talk about how to reframe “success” in our families in ways that empower our children to build autonomous, self-actualized lives on their terms.   About Dr. Emily King Dr. Emily King is a Child Psychologist and former School Psychologist who has worked with neurodivergent children and teens for over 20 years. She received a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she worked at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities. She spent five years as a School Psychologist in Houston, Texas specializing in providing school-based mental health services in K-12 public schools. Dr. Emily now works in private practice in North Carolina supporting the mental health needs of neurodivergent youth, their families, and their teachers. Dr. Emily hosts the Learn with Dr. Emily Substack where you can find her blogs and monthly parent workshops. She is also the creator of The Neurodiverse Classroom, a professional development curriculum for elementary and middle school educators. Dr. Emily has been featured on MSNBC's Morning Joe, quoted in The New York Times and The Washington Post, and has written for Parents.com. You can learn more with Dr. Emily by listening to her podcast or following her on Substack.   Things you'll learn from this episode Why the 2 key ingredients for success for neurodivergent students are joy coupled with effectiveness How cultural definitions of success can be limiting for neurodivergent kids, and what we can do about it What is the state of neurodivergence understanding in American public schools and what we can all do to shift the paradigm forward How we can redefine “success” in our families and for our children in ways that empower them to create autonomous, self-actualized adult lives   Resources mentioned Dr. Emily King's website Learn with Dr. Emily (Emily's Substack) Learn with Dr. Emily Podcast Dr. Mona Delahooke's website Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids by Dr. Mona Delahooke Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges by Dr. Mona Delahooke Dr. Mona Delahooke on the Power of Brain-Body Parenting (Tilt Parenting podcast) Dr. Mona Delahooke on Looking Beyond Kids Challenging Behaviors (Tilt Parenting podcast) Dr. Dan Siegel & the Window of Tolerance Stephen Porgess & Polyvagal Theory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host: Dana Jonson Guest: April Rehrig Title: Founder, Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting Bio: April Rehrig is a distinguished advocate in special education with over two decades of experience as a school psychologist, teacher, and parent within the public school setting. As the founder of Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting, April focuses on training parents to be effective advocates for their children. Her strength-based approach emphasizes collaboration, communication, and empowering families to navigate the IEP process successfully.   Episode Summary In this episode, Dana Jonson is joined by April Rehrig to discuss the power of parent advocacy in special education. April shares her journey from being a teacher and school psychologist to becoming an advocate and consultant. Together, they dive into: The importance of strength-based IEPs and reforming deficit-based processes. How parents can become equal participants in the IEP process and proactively address their concerns. Strategies for connecting assessment data to meaningful IEP goals and objectives. Training parents and students to advocate for their needs, especially in preparation for post-secondary transitions. The role of parent reports, accommodations, and self-advocacy in fostering better collaboration between families and schools. Listeners will leave with actionable insights into how they can champion their child's unique needs and strengths at the IEP table.   Resources Mentioned Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting Website Free Consultation Contact Form COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates): copaa.org   Engagement and Sharing Share this Episode: If you found this episode helpful, share it with friends or family who might benefit from learning about parent advocacy in special education. Leave a Review: Help us reach more listeners by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform! Follow April on Social Media Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube | FacebookFollow Dana on Social Media Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn   Related Episodes and Content Parent Advocacy Insights from School Psychologist and Special Education Director Diana Fannon Visit SpecialEd.fm for more episodes and transcripts.   Shortly after publication, a transcript of this episode will be available at SpecialEd.fm. Thank you for listening! 

Lewis & Clark received federal funds for training a pipeline of school psychologists to meet growing needs among kids of color in Oregon.

Shortly after publication, a transcript of this episode will be published on SpecialEd.fm. Host: Dana Jonson Guest: Ilona Phillips Founder of Lotus Consulting, Psychotherapist specializing in eating disorders Guest Bio: Ilona Phillips is the founder of a psychotherapy group practice specializing in treating eating disorders. With over two decades of experience, she evolved from working solo to leading a team of 30 clinicians. Her work emphasizes helping individuals navigate recovery from eating and anxiety disorders while equipping parents and guardians with the tools and resources necessary to support loved ones. Ilona passionately advocates for mental health, mindfulness, and holistic well-being.     Episode Summary In this episode, Dana Jonson speaks with Ilona Phillips about the intersection of academic pressures, societal expectations, and the rise of eating disorders among students. Ilona shares insights into how underlying learning disabilities, anxiety, and perfectionism contribute to these challenges. They discuss the importance of early detection, comprehensive evaluation, and creating a robust support system for recovery. Key topics include: The role of academic demands and societal pressures in shaping mental health. How eating disorders manifest and the warning signs parents and educators should watch for. The connection between eating disorders and other mental health or learning challenges, such as anxiety and ADHD. The critical role of parents, educators, and clinicians in addressing eating disorders. Practical strategies to promote mental wellness, resilience, and healthy relationships with food.     Resources Mentioned Ilona Phillips Website: For information about Ilona's work and resources on eating disorder recovery. Lotus Consulting: Psychotherapy group specializing in eating disorders and mental health. YouTube video by Ilona on warning signs of eating disorders.     Engagement and Sharing Share the Episode with a Friend: Know someone who might benefit from this discussion? Share this episode to spread awareness about eating disorders and mental health in the academic setting. Leave a Review: Help us grow by leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback supports the mission to destigmatize mental health and reach more listeners. Follow Ilona on Social Media Instagram | Website | Youtube Follow Dana on Social Media: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn Related Episodes or Content: Parent Advocacy Insights from School Psychologist and Special Education Director Diana Fannon   Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Jennifer Strong is the founder of Cognitive Diagnostic Associates (CDA), the largest special education company in the United States. An accomplished School Psychologist with specialized expertise in School Neuropsychological Assessment. Boasting an illustrious background in the field, Jennifer has embraced the role of Board Member and Region 9 (IX) Representative for Orange County within the California Association of School Psychologists (CASP). Furthermore, she actively mentors aspiring School Psychologists through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) mentorship program. She has pursued advanced post-graduate training in school neuropsychology, garnering the Diplomate distinction from the American Board of School Neuropsychology. Raised in the diverse landscape of Alaska, Jennifer's unique perspective is enriched by her upbringing alongside her father, Dr. Larry Reynolds, a distinguished Physician in the state of Alaska who earned legislative recognition for his remarkable contributions. Her extensive experience in educational settings includes her recent leadership involvement in shaping policies and procedures for Special Circumstances Instructional Assistance (SCIA) at her previous district. She possesses a profound passion for Special Education Case Law and adeptly provides clients with expert guidance concerning their children's Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Jennifer has exceptional expertise in ADHD/ADD, behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injuries, 504 plans, manifestation determinations, as well as comprehensive assessments of memory, attention, and learning. Beyond her professional pursuits, Jennifer finds joy in skiing, gardening, and culinary exploration. A devoted mother and former athlete, she actively contributes to philanthropic initiatives, including her engagement with the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, membership/involvement with the 11-99 Foundation, and developing “Cans 2 the Curb” with her sons—a meaningful endeavor dedicated to giving back to the Special Education Department of their local school. Jennifer also participates in the Boy Scouts of America's Wreaths for Veterans program with her sons. Furthermore, as the Chair/Head of the Scholarship Program for School Psychology in Graduate Schools, Jennifer is deeply committed to empowering and supporting aspiring school psychologists in their educational endeavors, through a focus on health, wellness, and balance. -- Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at REF Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.