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Devereux Center for Effective Schools launches ‘Not Your Average School Psychologist’ podcast

Villanova, PA – Sept. 11, 2023 – Today, the Devereux Center for Effective Schools (CES) launched a new podcast, titled “Not Your Average School Psychologist.”

The podcast aims to provide a resource for school psychologists to learn about evidence-based practices from a behavioral perspective, with a focus on the implementation of all aspects of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) practice model.

Podcast hosts include the following CES team members: Director Lisa Thomas, Ph.D., NCSP; Assistant Director Laura Rutherford, Ph.D., NCSP, BCBA; and Consulting and Research Psychologists Rachel Eisenberg, Ph.D., NCSP, and Janna Sanders, Ph.D., BCBA.

The CES is part of Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, one of the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit providers of behavioral healthcare.

“This podcast allows us to highlight the important work school psychologists perform in schools and other practice settings across the country – every day,” said Dr. Eisenberg. “We titled our podcast, ‘Not Your Average School Psychologist’ because episodes will focus on ways in which professionals in the field are breaking down the barriers of a traditional role and championing best practices, regardless of their setting. Currently, there is a national shortage of school psychologists. We hope this podcast not only provides valuable information for practicing school psychologists, but also raises awareness about the critical role school psychologists serve in helping students thrive.”

About Episode #1

The podcast’s inaugural season will feature eight episodes (released bi-weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible). In the first episode, NASP 2023 School Psychologist of the Year Jason Pedersen, Ph.D., NCSP, offers guidance on how school psychologists can break out of a traditional testing role and advocate for student needs. “Jason is a school psychologist in the Derry Township School District in Pennsylvania, and has held leadership roles at the state and national levels,” Dr. Rutherford shared. “He is the epitome of someone who is ‘not your average school psychologist,’ as evidenced by his work within his school district to adopt a multi-tiered system of support framework for behavior, academics and mental health.”

Empowering school psychologists

Throughout the season, podcast episodes, will focus on a variety of topics, including universal screenings, academic assessments and interventions, behavioral interventions, prevention frameworks, equitable practices, advocacy, and more. “There is something for all school psychologists,” Dr. Rutherford noted. “We want to foster a sense of community within the field and empower school psychologists to advocate for best practices for their students. Our guests have wonderful advice to assist school psychologists as they continue to learn and grow.”

About the Devereux Center for Effective Schools

The Devereux Center for Effective Schools is a nonprofit research and training center dedicated to building the capacity of schools and other child-serving institutions to better serve children and adolescents with, and at risk for developing, emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). This mission is accomplished through training, consultation and applied research. CES is a division of Devereux’s Institute of Clinical and Professional Training and Research. Established in 1999, CES is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania. From its inception, the primary focus CES was, and continues to be, addressing the needs of children with, and at risk for, EBD, and their families, by promoting effective practices, informed by scientific evidence, to improve lives.

About Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations, providing services, insight and leadership in the evolving field of behavioral healthcare. Founded in 1912, Devereux operates a comprehensive national network of clinical, therapeutic, educational and employment programs that positively impact the lives of tens of thousands of children, adults – and their families – every year. The organization’s unique approach combines evidence-based interventions with compassionate family engagement.

With nearly 6,500 employees working in programs across the country, Devereux is a trusted partner for families, schools and communities, serving many of our country’s most vulnerable populations in the areas of autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, specialty mental health, education and foster care. For more than a century, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health has been guided by a simple and enduring mission: To change lives by unlocking and nurturing human potential for people living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences. www.devereux.org

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