Therapy Statement
I view therapy as a collaborative process that assists individuals in identifying their inherent strengths as well as providing a safe environment to develop and practice new strategies that facilitate growth and change. Although I predominantly utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, I also integrate interpersonal and solution-focused strategies. By integrating several techniques, I am able to develop an individualized treatment plan for each client. When working with children, I believe it is essential to incorporate the systems (family, school) that impact a child’s life. Therefore, I often collaborate with parents and, when appropriate, teachers on how to support and encourage the child in utilizing new skills.
I work with school-aged children with a range of referral concerns (such as depression, anxiety, social difficulties, behavioral problems, and autistic spectrum disorders). I also enjoy consulting with parents to develop strategies for children with special needs, including Autistic Spectrum Disorders and ADD/ADHD.
About Dr. Shepard
I earned my Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2009. As a graduate student, I received extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of difficulties (including ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, depression, anxiety, and autistic spectrum disorders) in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, an inpatient psychiatric hospital, a community health center, and private practice. I completed my pre-doctoral internship at the Lewisville Independent School District, where I received additional training in assessment for special education eligibility, consultation and therapy. In all of my clinical work, I seek to obtain a holistic understanding of an individual’s strengths as well as weaknesses and to utilize this knowledge to develop an individualized list of recommendations for both home and school settings. In addition to my clinical work, I have published several peer reviewed book chapters and journal articles.
Degrees
B.A. 2002 Tulane University
M.A. 2006 The University of Texas at Austin
Ph.D. 2009 The University of Texas at Austin
Post-Doctoral Intern
Areas of Specialization
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
- Learning Disability Identification
- Autistic Spectrum Disorders
- Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties
- Individual Counseling with Children and Adolescents
