Training in Comprehensive, Culturally Affirming Services in School Psychology (TRACCS)

Dr. J. Mark Eddy (Director)

J. Mark Eddy is a professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education within the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin. As a prevention scientist, he develops and rigorously tests prevention and intervention programs intended to benefit children and families, and particularly those who are living in stressful circumstances. His recent work centers on the conduct of randomized controlled trials of multimodal interventions in partnership with school systems, the juvenile justice system, the adult corrections system, the child welfare system, and the military, as well as with nonprofits that work with these and related systems. His research has focused on communities in the U.S. and in Central America. Eddy is a licensed psychologist.

Dr. Courtney Swisher Banks (Co-director)

Dr. Courtney Swisher Banks is an Associate Professor of Practice and Director of the MA/SSP School Psychology program at UT Austin. She received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from Texas A&M University, specializing in Prevention Science. Dr. Swisher Banks is both a Licensed Psychologist and a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology. She has over twelve years of experience in the schools as either an educator or practicing school psychologist. Dr. Swisher Banks teaches School Based Practicum, Individual Assessment, and undergraduate courses in Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities and School Psychology. She is dedicated to applying research to culturally responsive practices for home, school, and community systems.  

Dr. Sarah Kate Bearman (Consultant)

Dr. Sarah Kate Bearman is a professor at the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health and within the School Psychology program in the Department of Special Education and Clinical Services at the University of Oregon. She is the director of the LEAP (Leveraging Evidence and Advancing Practice) Lab and serves as the Director of Clinical Training at the Ballmer Institute. Dr. Bearman’s research focuses on the effectiveness and implementation of scientifically supported mental health practices for youths and families in resource-limited settings. She works in partnership with community stakeholders to adapt, develop, and support interventions that are effective, user-friendly, accessible, and sustainable in places where children and families receive services. She provides training and clinical consultation in the transdiagnostic treatment of anxiety, OCD, depression, disruptive conduct, and traumatic stress to diverse front-line providers across settings.

Mariah Camper (Project Manager)

Mariah Camper is a doctoral student in the University of Texas at Austin School Clinical Child Psychology program. Her research focuses on investigating parental/familial influences on child/adolescent functioning, particularly children and families from historically marginalized communities, as well as, issues in education and their impact on the academic outcomes of minoritized students. Her clinical experiences include neuropsychological assessment in a private practice and training experiences working with youth in school, private practice, and outpatient specialty clinic settings. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and her master’s degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Lavangi Naithani (Project Manager)

Lavangi Naithani is a doctoral student in the School/Clinical Child Psychology program at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests are in disseminating and implementing evidence-based practices for youth mental health, especially in low-resource settings. In the past, Lavangi worked at Sangath NGO as a lead interventionist on a clinical effectiveness randomized control trial working with families of children with autism in Delhi, India. She received a Master’s degree in Applied Clinical Psychology from Jamia Millia Islamia, India, and an Advanced Diploma in Child Guidance and Counseling from the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), India. In addition, she has been an Implementation Science Research Fellow at the Center for Mental Health Law and Policy on the Suicide Prevention Implementation Research Initiative in India.