Advanced Educational Psychology Services

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What We Do

Learning Disability
Dyslexia
Dysgraphia
ADHD/Executive Functioning
Autism
Social/Emotional/Behavioral
Mental HealthPsychoeducational Assessment
Bilingual Assessment
Independent Educational Eval. (IEE)
ERMHS Assessment
Assessment for NPS/RTC
Functional Behavioral Assessment
Educational Consultation Services
Parent Consultation
Tele- and Distanced-Assessment
Threat Assessment
Vocational Assessment

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• Bios

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bios

Anne Eisenmann, ma, lep 2711

Anne is a Licensed Educational Psychologist experienced in complex psychoeducational assessments for children and adolescents. Areas of interest include assessment of dyslexia, learning disability, emotional and behavioral disorders, autism, ADHD and assessment with culturally different children. Anne has wide experience in assessment of children and adolescents for emotional disturbance at residential treatment centers.
 
Anne worked in the public school system as a school psychologist, non-public school case manager and program coordinator for 16 years and is familiar with the range of special education services and special education law.Education. Anne earned her undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley in Chinese History followed by graduate study at Monterey Institute of International Studies, an MA in Clinical Psychology at CSU Dominguez Hills and an MS in Counseling and Educational Psychology at CSU East Bay. In addition Anne has completed a post- doctoral level course in neuropsychology at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. She has worked as part of the assessment team in Shanghai at the Essential Learning Group and helped establish and supervise at the Learning Frontier, a clinic in Beijing that serves international school students as an assessment center and provider of speech and language, occupational therapy and psychological services.Philosophy. Anne’s focus is on understanding the whole child and bringing that understanding to the family and the educational system so they can reach agreement on supports and services so that he or she can succeed. Please contact at [email protected].

Melissa Nolan, MA. MS. LEP 2496

Melissa conducts psychoeducational assessments with school-aged children, adolescents, and teenagers. She specializes in assessments of learning differences/disabilities, dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, autism, and executive functioning deficits. She is an active Educational Consultant in the East Bay and serves as a substitute special education administrator.
 
Melissa has over 25 years experience working with public schools throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. She worked as a Program Supervisor, Lead School Psychologist, School Psychologist, Assistant Principal at middle and K-8 schools, and as a Program Specialist through the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA).  She oversaw special education departments, created special education programs, facilitated legally involved meetings, worked with parents during the Mediation process, and has served during hearings as an expert Licensed Educational Psychologist. She has provided trainings for parents and staff throughout the Bay Area on special education related topics. In addition to working in private practice for over 15 years (both on her own and within two medical practices), she taught graduate level courses in special education at the University of California, Santa Cruz Extension, and the University of San Diego Division of Continuing Education. Melissa was nominated and selected as a California Association of School Psychologists Mentor of the Year, trained charter school administrators on special education law, and trained entire special education departments on best practices/strategies for working with advocates.Education. Melissa has a Master of Arts in Administration and Public Policy from Stanford University, a Master of Science in Counseling/School Psychology from California State University, Sacramento, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Education from University of California, Davis.She has credentials as a Licensed Educational Psychologist, Tier I and Tier II Administrative Services Credential, Pupil Personnel Services Credential, Specialization: School Psychology and an Advanced Advocate Certification from Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. Please contact at [email protected].

Cherie Spivey, MS, LEP 3760

Cherie Spivey is a Licensed Educational Psychologist in the San Francisco Bay Area. She specializes in assessment of learning disabilities, including dyslexia, ADHD, executive functioning, behavioral challenges and autism. Cherie also conducts social-emotional evaluations that assess in the areas of depression, anxiety and mood disorders. Cherie has experience working in a variety of educational settings with children ages three through adolescence. In addition to providing assessment services, Cherie currently offers parent consultation, behavioral support and IEP advocacy.Cherie has over 15 years of experience as an educator supporting students with unique learning needs in a variety of settings. She has developed special education programs, trained school teams and coordinated early intervention services. Cherie has worked closely with families to navigate schools systems and improve the educational experience for their child. She currently provides consultation services to schools on special education program development, implementation and compliance.Education. Cherie earned her undergraduate degree at UC Davis in Psychology followed by a Master’s degree in Counseling with a specialization in School Psychology, Clinical Child Psychology, and Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, East Bay. She has extensive training in dyslexia assessment and intervention, autism, and behavioral interventions.Philosophy. Cherie is an equity-centered educator who values clear communication and collaboration. She uses a strength-based, child-centered approach toward identifying pathways to academic, social-emotional and behavioral success. Her work is rooted in developing relationships, identifying barriers and thinking creatively to achieve positive outcomes. More information can be found at her website cheriespiveylep.com. Please contact at [email protected].

Jennifer Steinback, MS, LEP 3627

Jennifer Steinback is a Licensed Educational Psychologist that conducts Psychoeducational and ERMHS assessments, as well as Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE). She specializes in social-emotional assessments that help school teams better understand the impact of mental health on education in order to determine appropriate supports and services. By working with students in a genuine, creative, and empathetic manner, she is able to build strong rapport in order to effectively evaluate students with high needs such as severe anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and gender dysphoria. Jennifer also conducts assessments for learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and executive functioning deficits.Jennifer has over 20 years of diverse experience in the education and mental health fields. She has supported adolescents in group homes, worked for a neuroscience company that develops educational software tools to help children develop key reading skills, and worked as a School Psychologist in Bay Area school districts.Education: She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburg, PA, and a Master’s degree in Counseling with a specialization in School Psychology, Clinical Child Psychology, and Marriage Family Therapy from California State University, East Bay. In addition, she holds a Neuropsychological Assessment certificate from UC Berkeley Extension.Philosophy: Jennifer is dedicated to helping students find academic, social, and emotional success by following a strengths-based approach, collaborating with families and school teams, and making data-driven recommendations. She does this with the awareness that every child has a unique story and cultural background that should be heard and appreciated. More information can be found at her website jenniferlsteinback.com. Please contact at [email protected].

Sherry Burke, Ed.D., LMFT 81247, LEP 2699

With 30 years of experience in education and mental health, Dr. Sherry Burke is a dedicated Licensed Educational Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist. She has built a robust career working in diverse and multicultural settings throughout the greater Bay Area, consulting with school districts and mental health programs to support children and youth facing learning, behavioral, and emotional challenges.Dr. Burke earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her Master’s degree in Counseling with specializations in School Psychology, Clinical Child Psychology, and Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from California State University, East Bay. She furthered her education with a Doctoral degree in Child and Youth Studies from Nova Southeastern University. Her professional journey has included roles as a School Psychologist, Behavior Analyst, Adjunct Professor, and Dissertation Chair, underscoring her commitment to lifelong learning and staying current with best practices in assessment, intervention, and relevant laws affecting special education.Dr. Burke is passionate about empowering exceptional students, from preschool through their transition years, to achieve their full potential in academics, behavioral health, social-emotional functioning, and life skills. She bridges the gap between mental health and educational systems, adopting a strengths-based approach to assessment that emphasizes the unique attributes of each child while addressing their individual challenges. Known for her collaborative spirit, Dr. Burke excels in creating consensus and unity within IEP teams to best support her clients. Email Dr. Burke at [email protected].

Dena E. McManis, Psy.D, LEP 3100

Background/ Experience: Dr. Dena McManis, PsyD, is a Licensed Educational Psychologist and a Credentialed School Psychologist with close to 30 years of experience working in the education and mental health field. In addition to having a private practice, Dr. McManis is an adjunct professor at St. Mary’s College of California. She has spent the last 20 years in the school system primarily assessing and counseling students with learning and social-emotional difficulties. She has created special education mental health programs for districts and served as a School Psychologist expert witness during hearings. Her extensive work with all age levels across multiple school districts gives her a unique perspective on the challenges students face and the necessary components of a comprehensive evaluation. That acumen and expertise is used to develop evaluations that effectively collaborate with both teachers and parents in developing successful interventions and supports. Prior to working in schools, Dr. McManis’ experience includes behavioral therapy and case management services for children and adolescents in crisis, individual and group therapy and interventions with youth with substance abuse problems as well as incarcerated youth and those involved with the juvenile and family courts.Additionally, Dr. McManis has experience providing services for adults, adolescents, and families involved with community behavioral health organizations. Dr. McManis is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), and she maintains memberships in several organizations (American Psychological Association, National Association of School Psychologists, California Association of School Psychologists, and Psi Chi Honor Society).Education. In addition to a doctorate in Educational Psychology received in 2012 from Alliant University, Dr. McManis has a MA degree in School Psychology, received in 2006 from Chapman University and a MA degree in Forensic Psychology, received in 2000 from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and she has advanced training in neuropsychology.Philosophy. Dr. McManis believes all children have unlimited potential. Her child-centered approach, unique to each client, identifies strengths to help develop recommendations for both parents and teachers that can easily be implemented in order to maximize academic success and social-emotional health. More information can be found on her website bayarealep.com. Please contact her at [email protected].

Desiree Prins, M. Ed., LEP 2573

Experience/History. Desiree is a multilingual licensed educational psychologist with over 20 years’ experience in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, South Bay, El Dorado County and South Africa. Her international training and experience afford her a broad perspective and sensitivity for diversity and multiculturalism in the understanding, approach to and support of children and adolescents. She speaks Afrikaans, German, and Dutch. Desiree has extensive experience in conducting psychoeducational/ERMHS assessments, Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE), and in providing counseling and behavior management support for children and adolescents. She has conducted teacher sensitivity trainings and workshops and continues to provide parent educational consultations and guidance. Desiree trained students in a preschool teacher certification program for two years in Sacramento. She continues to provide assessments for young adults in the welfare-to-work program in El Dorado County.Desiree holds a Pupil Personnel Services Credential. As a school psychologist she has conducted psychoeducational and ERMHS assessments, developed behavior intervention plans, counseled students and oversaw SDC and RSP programs. She coordinated her district’s preschool IFSP transitions, conducted preschool assessments for IEP eligibility and acted as program manager for placements and services. She is well-versed in and keeps current in special education law/IDEA. She is experienced in bringing parents and educators together during the process of navigating IEPs and school based 504 accommodation plans.Education. Desiree has a Master of Education (Psychology) degree, Bachelor of Arts Honors degree with advanced specialization in Counseling Psychology, and a Higher Education Diploma from the Universities of Stellenbosch and Pretoria in South Africa. She additionally completed an internship and select courses in School Psychology at the California State University, Sacramento. Desiree holds a certificate in Solution-Focused Therapy and is a certified Suicidologist. She is consistently focused on continued education and staying current with research and evidence-based practices. She has completed extensive training programs and certificates in the assessment of autism (including the ADOS-2), dyslexia, learning disabilities, giftedness, ADHD, executive functioning, social-emotional/behavioral disorders, trauma, suicide prevention, behavior management and counseling practices.Philosophy. School should be a place where our children not only learn, but also thrive. For many, the goal and path to their fullest education experience involves a more intensive and targeted collaboration (both as process and as goal) among parents and educators. This requires a deeper understanding of the child’s unique strengths and challenges, which is achieved through a thorough psychoeducational assessment and data-collection process. It is Desiree’s hope that her assessments and recommendations will help provide a solid foundation for appropriate, practical educational solutions and interventions, and that a realistic alignment of common goals in the service of the child’s unique profile and educational success can be achieved through the respectful team and relationship-building between parents and educators.More information can be found at Desiree’s professional website, www.adeptassessmentservices.com.
Please contact her at [email protected] or [email protected].

JAKE RANDALL, MS, LEP 3592

Jake Randall is a Licensed Educational Psychologist based in Berkeley, CA. He specializes in Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) and bilingual psychoeducational evaluations for students throughout California. He is proficient in Spanish and Italian. Jake is skilled at working in litigious cases and creating beneficial outcomes for students. He offers free parent workshops and no-cost consultation on special education, IEPs, behavior and learning strategies.Education. Jake earned his undergraduate degree from UC Santa Cruz in Psychology. After teaching English in Italy for three years, he returned to the Bay Area and earned a M.S. in Counseling with specializations in Clinical Child/School Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy from CSU East Bay, a NASP-certified program.Experience. Jake has worked as a school psychologist for the past 13 years and has completed over 300 psychoeducational assessments.
He also founded the Psychology department at a bilingual pre-K to 12 private school in Mexico City.Jake uses a strengths-based, data driven approach to support students of all ages.Please contact Jake at [email protected]

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