headshot of Brea Banks

Assistant Professor of Psychology at Illinois State University Brea Banks

The Illinois School Psychology Internship Consortium and Central Illinois Area Health Education Center will present a continuing professional development opportunity: Intervention Tools and Strategies for Special Populations with keynote speaker Assistant Professor of Psychology at Illinois State University Brea Banks.

Banks will give a talk titled “The Provision of Culturally Responsive Clinical Services,” which will be followed with presentations by doctoral psychology interns on clinical tools and strategies for use with special populations. The event will take place from 8:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Friday, November 8, at the ISU Alumni Center, located at 1101 N. Main St. in Normal, Illinois.

Banks, Ph.D. earned a doctorate from Illinois State University specializing in school psychology. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Illinois. Prior to her current position, she worked in private practice conducting psychological assessments and providing family therapy. She also previously served as the lead counseling liaison at a university counseling center, providing direct and indirect services to college students holding marginalized identities. Banks’ research interests include the cognitive consequences of microaggression and student of color experiences in higher education. She has also published material surrounding autism spectrum disorder, neonatal follow-up, literacy in refugee children, and behavioral treatment integrity. Her teaching interests surround cognitive assessment, multicultural counseling, and diversity in psychology.

The goal of this event is to encourage psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals to think critically about the cultural responsiveness of their psychological services, as they are charged to respond to the needs of children and adolescents, using a lens of social justice and inclusion.  Session content will primarily focus on the importance of self-reflection and examination, while attendees will also be encouraged to consider the impact of traditionally implemented therapeutic techniques on individuals, groups, and families holding marginalized identities.

Click here for more information regarding the event.