About Dr. Laura Frame
Important Note: As the APACenter has closed, Dr. Laura Frame can be reached at her new practice, Psychological Associates of Central Texas.
Hello! I am Dr. Laura Frame and am a Licensed Psychologist and a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP). Prior to returning to school for my doctorate, I practiced in the schools for over a decade with my master’s degree in school psychology from Texas Woman’s University. While working as an LSSP in central Texas schools, I developed an interest in supporting students with mental health concerns in the classroom and advocating for disability supports and services. I earned my doctoral degree at Texas A&M University with a focus on clinical child and adolescent psychology. I completed a school-based mental-health doctoral internship through the Psychological and Social Services Department of the Dallas Independent School District. In August of 2017, I joined the APACenter team as a postdoctoral fellow and I was trained by both Dr. Vickie Schafer and Dr. Lindsay Evans.
Throughout my career and training, I have provided interventions for children, adolescents, and young adults. Given my extensive background in education as well as working in community mental health and hospital settings, I have served children and families from diverse settings; therefore, I am able to assist individuals and families presenting with a wide range of concerns. My intervention experience encompasses a variety of challenges including learning difficulties, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, attention disorders, and other health impairments. I have specialized training in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy (SFT), behavioral consultation, parent coaching/training, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), trauma-focused cognitive-behavior therapy (TF-CBT), mindfulness, crisis intervention, eating disorders, and grief. Additionally, I have extensive experience and training in completing comprehensive psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults.
Therapy Approach
I believe that a supportive therapeutic relationship is a key factor in motivating positive life changes. During sessions, I strive to help clients experience acceptance, respect, and positive regard. I offer developmentally-appropriate therapy, consultation, and coaching for my clients. Furthermore, I practice ongoing progress monitoring and continued collaboration between myself and my client’s support systems (family members, teachers, or outside health professionals) to ensure continuity of care and treatment effectiveness.
I utilize an integrative approach for both case conceptualization and intervention planning. Because human development is influenced by the interaction of multiple factors, I find that a transactional bio-psycho-social perspective best accounts for the complexity of human behavior and its origin. My training has afforded me experience in utilizing multiple evidence-based therapeutic techniques, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, and solution-focused therapy. Therefore, I believe an integrative approach is essential given each client’s unique circumstances, demanding flexibility when developing and implementing a treatment plan.
Areas of Therapy/Consultation Specialization
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Behavior Therapy for anxiety, mood, social challenges, and adjustment difficulties
- Parent training and coaching to enhance development and reduce challenging behaviors
- Teacher training and consultation
- Coping with disability in children, adolescents, and young adults
Assessment Approach
My goal during the assessment process is to identify each unique client’s pattern of strengths and weaknesses and determine what recommendations will best enable the client to reach their goals. I have school-based experience which allows me to conduct evaluations that are both useful and accessible to students, parents, and teachers. My specialized knowledge in the special education process and Section 504 enables me to assist clients with accessing services that will support their educational needs. Additionally, I have conducted evaluations for college-age students in order to assist them with obtaining disability accommodations. I specialize in the assessment of individuals preschool age through young adulthood with neurodevelopmental concerns such as learning difficulties, attention-deficit disorders, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, emotional/behavioral disorders, and social-communication difficulties.
Areas of Assessment Specialization
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Learning disabilities in reading, math, and written language
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
- Emotional Disturbance (ED)
- Other Health Impairments (OHI)
- Independent Educational Evaluations
- Twice-Exceptional Assessments
- Mood Disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression)
Degrees
- 1998 — Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Texas A&M University-Commerce
- 2004 — Master of Arts, School Psychology, Texas Woman’s University
- 2017 —Doctor of Philosophy, School Psychology, Texas A&M University
Licenses/Certifications
- Licensed Psychologist, Texas (#37988)
- Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, Texas (#32692)
- Nationally Certified School Psychologist (#34155)
- National Register Health Service Psychologist (#56356)