Dr. Jessica Douglas is a nationally certified school psychologist who pursued a career in educational psychology because of her desire to help struggling students achieve social-emotional and academic success. She earned a degree in psychology at the University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign, followed by masters and specialist degrees in school psychology from Indiana University. Dr. Douglas received her doctoral degree in human learning and development at National-Louis University, where her research focused on social skill interventions for students with autism spectrum disorders.
Prior to working in private practice, Dr. Douglas worked as a school psychologist in public schools in the north and northwest suburbs. During her time working in the schools she enjoyed working collaboratively with parents, teachers, and specialists to identify the individual needs of each student and determine appropriate levels of educational support. Similarly, her current practices emphasize the importance of working in unison with parents, schools, and private providers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the student’s learning profile, and to ultimately develop an educational plan that will support his or her individual needs. Additionally, she feels it is equally important to help students understand their own strengths and weaknesses, so as to empower them to capitalize on the areas in which they excel and learn compensatory strategies for supporting less developed areas.
Dr. Douglas has experience working with students with a variety of needs, including learning disabilities, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, emotional disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and intellectual disabilities. She also has experience working with gifted and twice-exceptional students. Dr. Douglas has worked with students of all ages, ranging from those beginning their first educational experience in a preschool setting to adults seeking graduate degrees. Dr. Douglas strives to provide parents and students with a detailed and comprehensive diagnostic profile, thoughtful and individualized recommendations, and ongoing consultation related to educational programming.
Dr. Douglas has been actively involved with parent and teacher outreach related to dyslexia and other literacy challenges through her involvement in Everyone Reading Illinois for the past decade, including previously serving as co-president and president. Dr. Douglas is also on the board of trustees of Midwest Academy for Gifted Education (MAGE), which has provided her with the opportunity to work with a variety of gifted learners, as well as provide support to teachers and parents at the school.
Outside of work, Dr. Douglas enjoys spending time with her husband and sons. She also enjoys swimming, watching her children play sports, cooking, and traveling.