Dr. Laura Ehlert
Meet Child Psychologist Dr. Laura Ehlert, Psy.D., LP
Dr. Ehlert specializes in working with youth and their families who struggle with learning disabilities, behavioral problems, ADHD, nonverbal learning disorders and their associated emotional and behavioral challenges. She provides consultation and training to schools and professionals across the country to facilitate better understanding of how difficulties processing information can lead to a variety of emotional and behavioral concerns. Dr. Ehlert helps to merge student needs with community and educational services.
A Note From Dr. Ehlert:
I began working with children and adolescents in 1984 with the hope of helping parents to raise more successful, confident young people. I quickly became aware of the intense need to understand the often-misunderstood way that children process the world around them in order to understand their unique emotional and behavioral challenges. Since that time, I have spent my career working to improve my understanding of the connections between how/what we understand and how we behave.
Learning disabilities, ADHD, and processing deficits such as auditory processing, language, and writing skills deficits are a significant and much-too-often overlooked factor that contributes to the presentation of emotional and behavioral disorders. I help parents and children to understand (1) how our brains work in gaining understanding and meaning, (2) what our individual needs are, and (3) how to go about getting these needs met in a positive and functional way.
When children are more successful socially and academically, behaviors improve. When families begin to understand the relationship between comprehension and behavior and begin to use positive coping and problem-solving strategies effectively, then children and parents feel empowered and conflict is reduced both at home and at school
Experience Working with Children and Adolescents
I began my career working in a group home and living with emotionally disturbed adolescent boys. I had the unique opportunity to experience the daily stressors and complicated dynamics of the 24/7 issues that are a reality for parents raising dysregulated children. I gained insight about what it is like for children and parents in these situations. This has helped me to appreciate the difficulty of raising a challenging child and the effects on both the child and the family system. I approach every situation with openness and without judgment. I know that all parents and children are doing their best and I perceive my role as one of helping everyone do better with support and empowerment and without blame or judgment.
Experience as a Child Psychologist, Child and Family Therapist, and Professional Speaker
I decided to pursue graduate training as a clinical psychologist so that I could better serve children and families. While in graduate school, I focused on developmental issues of childhood/adolescence and child psychopathology issues. I have gained experience working with schools, developing IEP and 504 Plans and aiding schools in developing effective interventions for their struggling students. Working together on behalf of students has been a very rewarding process as children, teachers and families become successful collaborators and problem-solvers with complex issues.
Throughout my career, I have met and worked with thousands of youth and their families in a variety of settings including hospitals, residential treatment centers, group homes, partial hospital programs, day treatment and outpatient mental health settings. My work has included assessment and therapy interventions for children with a variety of mental health concerns including Attention Deficit – Hyperactivity Disorder, Learning Disorders, Mood Disorders (i.e., depression and anxiety), Disruptive Behavior Disorders, Conduct Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Nonverbal Learning Disorders and other learning disorders.
In addition to therapy and consultation, since 2002 I have traveled the United States teaching seminars for educational professionals, mental health professionals, medical professionals and parents about processing deficits, executive skills deficits and behavioral issues. I help them to gain insights that allow them to better understand how information processing is an important component in developing a thorough understanding of a child’s behavioral and emotional functioning and how to create effective intervention plans. These interventions increase social, emotional and behavioral functioning for the children and the important adults in their lives.
Compassion for those I work with
Since the beginning of my career I have believed in the innate desire of those I work with to feel better and to be more successful. I am a tireless advocate for helping people achieve their full potential in every area of their lives. I believe in the goodness of people and believe we are all doing the best they can with the skills they have. My approach in therapy is to identify skills deficits, teach necessary skills and then practice and reinforce those skills so children and their families are better equipped to overcome the roadblocks inherent in their lives. I am dedicated to the collaboration of schools, community and families so that we can ensure a child’s success through common understanding and goals. When therapeutic teams witness the power of successful interventions that result in children being successful, it is very rewarding. Success in one area often feeds success in other areas for children.
Specializing in Child and Adolescent Therapy
My areas of expertise include
- Diagnostic and psychological therapy for children and adolescents related to: ADHD, Learning disabilities in relation to behavior disorders including language processing, auditory processing, social cognition, and writing, Anxiety, Social Cognitive Deficits, Behavioral disorders, Depression/mood disorders.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Problem-Solving Models (including Ross Greene’s Model-Collaborative Problem Solving)
- Individual and family therapy to treat anxiety, depression, and ADHD, learning disorders, and behavioral disorders
- Functional assessment of challenging behaviors
- Behavioral interventions to address challenging behaviors and develop social competencies for children and adolescents
- Collaborative consultation with interdisciplinary teams
- Consultation regarding the special education process and advocacy
- Referral for psychological assessment when symptoms warrant
Education and Credentials
| Licensed Psychologist since 1999 | |
B.S. University of Wisconsin-Stout – 1984
|
Menomonie , WI |
Psy.D. Minnesota School Of Professional Psychology 1998
|
Minneapolis, MN |
Professional Conference Presentations
- Behind the Behavior of the Disruptive Child
- Executive Dysfunction and the Disruptive, Disorganized, and Chaotic Child
- Connecting Sensory Processing, Information Processing and Behavior
- Disruptive Behavior Disorders: Misdiagnosed, Misunderstood
Presentations and Seminars are available for in-house workshops and through CMI Education (formerly PESI).
