The Temple University School Psychology, Counseling Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs, in collaboration with key partners such as the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania, the School District of Philadelphia, and CORA Services, invite mental health trainees and professionals to attend the 44th Annual School Psychology, Counseling Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis Conference on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Temple University’s Main Campus.
This year’s conference will bring together leading experts, scholars and practitioners in the fields of school psychology, counseling psychology and applied behavior analysis. Attendees will engage in sessions, interactive discussions and networking, exploring critical issues in mental health and education.
Keynote Speaker: Germán A. Cadenas, PhD
The conference will feature a keynote address by Germán A. Cadenas, PhD, associate professor of clinical psychology at Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology and the inaugural associate director of the Center for Youth Social Emotional Wellness (CYSEW).
Cadenas, an immigrant from Latin America, specializes in the psychology of immigration and critical consciousness as a tool for social justice. His research has informed policies and programs supporting undocumented students in higher education and has reached congressional leaders, the White House, federal courts and the United Nations.
His keynote presentation, "Holding Sanctuary for Immigrant Youth and Families in Educational Spaces," will explore the impact of immigration policies on youth and young adults, as well as strategies for fostering safe, supportive and empowering educational environments.
Conference Highlights
Session 1 (10:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.)
• "How Kids Learn Reading, Math, and Literally Everything: Using Behavioral Science to Inform Academic Instruction" by Shana Levi-Nielsen, PhD, NCSP, BCBA (Temple University)
• "Navigating the Depths: Enhancing Suicide Risk Assessment Skills" by Jessica Reinhardt, PhD, NCSP (Temple University)
Lunch & Poster Session (12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.)
Session 2 (1:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.)
• "Assessment Planning for Different English Learner Profiles" by Sofia Pham, PhD, NCSP (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine)
• "Culturally and Structurally Responsive Supervision: An Ethical Mandate by Melanie M. Wilcox, PhD, ABPP (University at Albany)"
Session 3 (5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.)
• "Advocacy in Action: Student-led Panel" featuring Monica McHale-Small, PhD; Beverly Kirby, MS, BCBA, LBA; and Rachel Ascione, PsyD
Expert Insights
Reflecting on the importance of the keynote, Heidi Hutman, conference coordinator and faculty member in counseling psychology at Temple University, said, “We have an incredibly timely lineup of speakers, particularly our keynote. This is a pivotal moment nationally for supporting immigrants and immigrant youth, and Germán’s work aligns with the values of school psychology, ABA and counseling psychology. His strengths-based, social justice-oriented approach makes him an ideal keynote for this year’s conference.”
Cadenas shared, “We must have conversations about keeping our communities safe and supporting immigrant youth in their growth and development. My keynote will address the mental health challenges caused by anti-immigrant policies and, more importantly, how we can move from awareness to action. Sanctuary is more than a policy—it is a practice, a relationship and a commitment to creating safe spaces in schools and communities.”
Registration Information
Early bird registration is available through Feb. 15, 2025, and general registration will close on March 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. For details and to register, visit https://education.temple.edu/schoolpsychology/conference.
Join us at Temple University for an enriching day of learning, discussion and professional growth as we work together to advance mental health and education.
About Our Programs
Temple University’s School Psychology program offers both PhD and Educational Specialist (EdS) degrees, following a scientist-practitioner model that emphasizes a strong foundation in psychological science. This rigorous training equips school psychologists to adapt to evolving professional demands while contributing to advancements in the field.
The Counseling Psychology program prepares students for careers as mental health counselors or certified school counselors through its Master of Education (MEd) degree. Students develop essential assessment and therapeutic skills to work with diverse populations, supporting well-being across the lifespan in individual, group, and systemic contexts.
The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program trains graduates to apply behavior analysis principles across various fields, including education, intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, behavioral health, rehabilitation and human performance improvement.
Additionally, Temple offers graduate certificates and professional development opportunities to enhance the expertise of current professionals, including educators, school psychologists, counselors, speech and language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, and therapeutic support staff. Learn more at https://education.temple.edu/academics.