Licensed School Psychologist
Ms. Woods is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) with over a decade of experience working with children and adolescents across public and private schools and residential treatment settings in Ohio and Florida. She provides comprehensive evaluations for youth ages 6 to 18, with particular expertise in identifying Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in older girls and adolescents whose differences may have been overlooked or masked. She also evaluates for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, giftedness, and emotional or behavioral concerns. She also provides evidence-based therapy incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), play therapy, and mindfulness strategies to address anxiety, executive functioning challenges, school-related stress, and emotional or behavioral difficulties.
A deeply meaningful focus of Ms. Woods’ practice is supporting children and families through cancer, serious illness, and grief. After losing her husband to cancer, she completed specialized training to become a Certified Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist (CAGCS). Her work in this area is shaped by both her professional training and her experience as a mother helping her young daughter through her father’s illness and death. Ms. Woods understands that grief in children does not always look like grief. It may look like anxiety, anger, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, declining grades, or meltdowns over seemingly small things. Sometimes, it looks like a child who seems completely fine while carrying something much bigger inside. She also understands the parent on the other side of that child, wondering, “How do I help my child through this when I am trying to make it through this, too?” Ms. Woods provides compassionate, developmentally appropriate support for families facing parental cancer or serious illness, anticipatory grief, and bereavement. Her goal is not to take grief away, but to help children understand and express what they are feeling, help parents feel more confident supporting their children, and help families stay connected through some of life’s most difficult seasons.
Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Ms. Woods earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cleveland State University and her Master of Arts in Psychology and Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Psychology from Marshall University. Her professional background also includes teaching as an adjunct professor and contributing to published research. Outside of her professional work, Ms. Woods enjoys running, traveling, spending time with her daughter, and a good maple syrup latte. Her journey through grief has shaped how she lives, reminding her to be present, find joy in ordinary moments, and cherish the time we have with those we love.