Focus Areas

Dr. Gibson sees children, adolescents, college students, and young adults ages 4-24 of any gender, sexuality, disability or socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, religion, or culture. Individuals and families may seek support for many different reasons. Psychological assessment and treatment can help support families and answer questions about learning, development, cognition, behavior, and emotional well-being. Dr. Gibson provides comprehensive assessment and support for a variety of concerns, including:

Neuro-Developmental Differences

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

  • Developmental Delay

  • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Executive Dysfunction

  • Challenges with Memory, Organization, and Processing Speed

  • Intellectual Disability

  • Communication Challenges

Psycho-Educational Concerns

  • Academic Achievement

  • Specific Learning Disabilities

  • Dyslexia

  • Dyscalculia

  • Dysgraphia

  • Giftedness

  • Classroom Readiness

  • Determining Appropriate Testing Accommodations

Psychological and Mood Changes

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms (OCD)

  • Behavioral Challenges

  • Trauma and Adjustment Related Difficulties

  • Emotional Regulation and Personality Related Patterns

  • Social Skills Development

Comprehensive Psychological Evaluations

Comprehensive psychological evaluations help families better understand a child’s strengths, challenges, and developmental needs. Assessment can clarify learning differences, guide diagnostic decisions, and provide meaningful treatment and academic recommendations.

    • What are my child’s strengths and areas for growth?

    • Is this behavior developmentally typical?

    • Could attention, learning, or developmental differences be contributing to challenges?

    • What supports or accommodations would help at school?

    • What treatment recommendations or therapies are most appropriate?

  • Each evaluation begins with a detailed background interview to understand your child’s history and your goals for assessment.

    Testing sessions include structured activities tailored to the clinical questions being explored that feel like play for kids, along with caregiver input to capture functioning across settings.

    A follow up appointment is scheduled to review results in clear, understandable language. Families receive a comprehensive written report outlining:

    • Key findings

    • Identified strengths and challenges

    • Diagnostic conclusions, when appropriate

    • Practical treatment and academic recommendations

    Reports are designed to be shared with pediatricians, school teams, or other professionals to support coordinated care and advocacy.

  • Each evaluation is designed around your unique profile and questions. Cognitive, learning, developmental, emotional, and behavioral factors may all be considered to provide a complete understanding of the whole child.

Mental and Behavioral Health Services

Children and adolescents sometimes struggle with emotions, behavior, or relationships in ways that affect daily life at home or school. Emily provides individualized support to help individuals better understand their experiences and build skills that promote confidence, stability, and resilience.

    • Anxiety and excessive worry

    • Depression or mood changes

    • Attention and impulse regulation

    • Emotional outbursts or behavioral challenges

    • Obsessive or repetitive thoughts and behaviors

    • Trauma and adjustment-related concerns

    • Social difficulties or peer challenges

    Leading with compassion and recognition of individual strengths and weaknesses, care is tailored to each child’s developmental level and specific needs.

  • Therapeutic approaches vary depending on each child and family’s unique needs. Treatment is grounded in evidence-based practices and a trauma-informed perspective. Emily works closely with families to set clear goals and develop practical strategies that can be used beyond sessions. Parents are active partners in the process, helping reinforce skills and support progress over time.

    Emily is trained in evidence-based approaches including:

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

    • Behavioral Skills Training (BST)

    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

    • Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

    • Social skills training

    • Motivational Interviewing

    • Parent training and consultation

    Therapeutic approaches and strategies are used to teach skills through play-based and structured lessons to help each individual grow toward their goals. text goes here

  • The focus of treatment is not simply symptom reduction, but helping children develop tools they can used independently. This may include strengthening emotional regulation, improving communication, increasing problem-solving abilities, or building social confidence.

    Progress is paced thoughtfully through data based decision making with regards to progress toward current goals, and attention to each child’s comfort and readiness.

Advocacy and Educational Support

Navigating school systems can feel complex and, at times, overwhelming. Emily supports families in understanding their child’s educational needs and identifying appropriate services and accommodations within school and other educational settings.

  • It is important that you understand the terminology and details surrounding your child’s educational plan. It is also equally important that your voice is heard as part of your student’s educational team. Dr. Gibson can help with both of these areas!

    Emily provides guidance related to:

    • IEP and 504 plan development

    • Academic accommodations and modifications

    • Behavior intervention planning

    • Communication within school teams

    • Interpretation of evaluation results for educational planning

    Her background in special education and school psychology gives her insight in both clinical and education perspectives involved in student support.

  • Advocacy does not have to feel adversarial. It is the intention to help the team work together to communicate ideas with a shared goal in mind: what is best for the student based on their unique needs. Emily works collaboratively with families and school teams to promote thoughtful, developmentally appropriate plans that support a child’s success across settings.

    The goal is clarity for parents, coordination, and sustainable support.

  • Families receive clear recommendations and documentation that can be shared with educators and pediatric providers. When appropriate, Emily can help parents prepare for meetings, understand their options, and approach school discussions with confidence.

    Support extends beyond sessions to ensure children receive consistent care across home, school, and community environments.

Not sure what service you may need?

You don’t need to know the right terminology before reaching out. If you have questions about your child’s learning, behavior, or emotional health, we can begin with a conversation and determine the most appropriate next step together.

Let's Talk