Caitlyn Francis

I am an advanced graduate student in the School Psychology PhD program at the University of Arizona, with a minor in Special Education.  I am trained in conducting cognitive, academic, personality, behavioral, and early childhood assessments, and in administering evidenced-based therapeutic approaches. My dissertation research examines the effects of a computer-assisted reading intervention with high school students that struggle in reading. I have also been involved in graduate research with Dr. Jina Yoon that has looked at student engagement, teacher-student relationships, teaching style, and peer victimization. As well as research with Dr. Michael Sulkowski working with homeless youth (Youth on Their Own) looking at peer victimization, academic, and psychosocial functioning.

I received my M.A. in School Psychology from the University of Arizona, and my B.A. in Psychology and B.S. in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University. I completed my undergraduate honors thesis in the Barrett Honors College, entitled The Impact of Maternal Expectations on Relationship Quality and Maternal Stress. As an undergraduate student I competed in Division 1 Women’s Volleyball. I thoroughly enjoy participating in teams and working together to achieve a common goal.

During my time as a graduate student I have gained experience working on interdisciplinary teams within the school (TUSD and Amphitheater School District), community mental health (Jewish Family and Children’s Services), group practice (Intuition Wellness Center), and hospital setting (UA MIND Clinic and Diamond Children’s Hospital School). I enjoy collaborating with pediatric providers to improve the overall health of the student/client/patient I am working with. I look forward to the integrative approach of the LEND program, encouraging collaboration on research, clinical, and leadership training in an interdisciplinary setting. I am excited to learn more about neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, to be able to bring my knowledge to interdisciplinary teams that I am a part of.