Developmental Psychology
We strive to help each child reach their full potential and enjoy a happy, productive life. Early identification and treatment is vital to improving the quality of life for a child with a developmental disability. Psychology Services provide comprehensive testing for children with developmental disabilities. Ph.D. level clinicians focus on intensive testing in order to identify developmental delays and disorders.
Diagnostic evaluations
- Comprehensive review of historical information and school records
- Testing of intellectual and academic functioning
- Behavioral observations
- Emotional and behavioral symptom rating
Recommendations are given based on diagnostic impressions. Therapeutic interventions may include individual therapy as well as parent training. Social skill groups may be offered periodically. Psychologists provide expert diagnosis and treatment to children from 3 through 21 years of age with developmental differences. Dr. Moen also provides therapy and training for parents of children with developmental and behavioral disorders.
We are very grateful and have been tremendously blessed by the Child Study Center.
Areas of expertise
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorders
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Behavioral disorders
- Developmental delay
- Developmental difficulties associated with genetic syndromes
- Learning disabilities
- Intellectual disabilities
Psychology Services
Margaret T. Dempsey, Ph.D.
Manager of Psychology
Licensed Psychologist
Margaret Dempsey, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who joined the Child Study Center as a psychologist in 2009 at the Child Study Center which later became the current Developmental Psychology department at Cook Children’s She completed her Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctorate in School Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Dempsey completed her internship year at the Pediatric Psychology program at Michigan State University. Afterwards, she was an assistant professor at Tulane University for five years. Dr. Dempsey transitioned into clinical work at Mercy Family Center in Mandeville, Louisiana for five years conducting psychological evaluations and individual therapy. Her work at Cook Children’s Developmental Psychology focuses on the evaluation of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual developmental disorders, genetic disorders, attention difficulties, behavior disorders, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Dempsey has also provided clinical supervision for pre-and post-doctoral students. She works closely with the referring Developmental Pediatrics practitioners at Cook Children’s.
Dr. Dempsey is a 2014 WPS 65th Anniversary Unlocking Potential Award recipient. She was recognized not only for her fifteen years of service to children and families in North Texas, but also for her high degree of professionalism, highly individualized approach to testing and treatment planning, constant pursuit of up-to-date measures and testing procedures and for her unwavering dedication to her clients. In March 2013, she was recognized as a Health Care Hero by the Fort Worth Business Press for excellence in the health care community.
Tracy L. Harrington, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Tracy Harrington, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who was hired as a psychologist in 2009 at the Child Study Center which later became the current Developmental Psychology department at Cook Children’s. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Oklahoma State University and her Master of Arts degree and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Tulsa. Dr. Harrington completed her child and pediatric clinical internship and a one year fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her training sites included the Civitan-Sparks Interdisciplinary Clinics, a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) and University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities training site (UCEDD), and Children's of Alabama. While in graduate school, Dr. Harrington was awarded the Scientist Practitioner Award in recognition of her work in meeting the ideas of the scientist practitioner model of psychology training and practice. In March 2013, she was recognized as a Health Care Hero by the Fort Worth Business Press for excellence in the health care community.
Dr. Harrington's work in Developmental Psychology at the Jane and John Institute for MIND Health includes the evaluation of infants, toddlers, and child with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, learning differences, attention difficulties, disruptive disorders, and mild mood issues. Dr. Harrington regularly works with students and families from the Jane Justin School and the Child Study Center Autism Services program. In addition, she provides psychological consultative services to Developmental Pediatrics and other specialty groups at Cook Children’s.
Amanda Moen, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Amanda Moen, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who joined Developmental Psychology in 2022. She completed her Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctorate in School Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Moen completed her clinical internship and postdoctoral training at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Kennedy Krieger Institute. Afterward, she worked as a clinical child psychologist in the Behavior Management Clinic at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. At Kennedy Krieger, she performed therapy in both individual and group settings, and provided assistance in the training of clinical interns and postdoctoral fellows. While in graduate school, Dr. Moen was named as a Buffett Early Childhood Institute Scholar, and received grants for dissertation research from both the Buffett Early Childhood Institute and the Society for the Study of School Psychology.
Dr. Moen's work in Developmental Psychology includes evaluation and delivery of evidence-based treatment, primarily via Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), behavioral parent training, and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). She specializes in working with children 2-10 years of age with disruptive behavior (noncompliance, tantrums, mild to moderate physical aggression), ADHD, ODD, anxiety, sleep concerns, toileting concerns, and developmental concerns.
Amanda Moen, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Amanda Moen, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who joined Developmental Psychology in 2022. She completed her Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctorate in School Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Moen completed her clinical internship and postdoctoral training at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Kennedy Krieger Institute. Afterward, she worked as a clinical child psychologist in the Behavior Management Clinic at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. At Kennedy Krieger, she performed therapy in both individual and group settings, and provided assistance in the training of clinical interns and postdoctoral fellows. While in graduate school, Dr. Moen was named as a Buffett Early Childhood Institute Scholar, and received grants for dissertation research from both the Buffett Early Childhood Institute and the Society for the Study of School Psychology.
Dr. Moen’s work in Developmental Psychology includes evaluation and delivery of evidence-based treatment, primarily via Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), behavioral parent training, and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). She specializes in working with children 2-10 years of age with disruptive behavior (noncompliance, tantrums, mild to moderate physical aggression), ADHD, ODD, anxiety, sleep concerns, toileting concerns, and developmental concerns.
Haley Brown, Ph.D.Licensed Psychologist
Haley Brown, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who joined the Developmental Psychology clinic in 2023. She completed her Master of Social Work degree at Texas Christian University and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Brown completed her clinical internships at the UT Southwestern/Children's Health Center for Autism Care and the Children's Health Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence. She completed a one-year postdoctoral fellowship at the Cook Children's Developmental Psychology clinic before joining the team as a fully licensed psychologist.
Dr. Brown's work at the Developmental Psychology clinic includes evaluation and treatment for children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental differences, including autism spectrum disorders, intellectual developmental disorders, learning differences, attention difficulties, disruptive behaviors, anxiety, trauma, and depression. She provides evidence-based therapies to children and families, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).
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