Biography
Kaitlyn Switalski, M.S., is a Child/Pediatric Psychology Intern in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Florida. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Syracuse University, and completed her Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Florida. Currently, Kaitlyn is a doctoral candidate at the University of Florida.
Research Focus
Kaitlyn’s research is primarily focused on treatment outcome studies examining the efficacy and effectiveness of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for preschool children with ADHD and disruptive behavior disorders. Her masters’ thesis sought to determine the child characteristics affecting outcome following PCIT. She has recently examined the connection between parenting skills and child behavior at 1-year post PCIT to determine that the presence of harsh parenting (rather than positive parenting skills and warmth) predicts continued child behavior problems following treatment. Finally, Kaitlyn’s research has demonstrated that children with ADHD are not sufficiently generalizing their behavior improvements to the classroom environment following PCIT. This knowledge has guided her dissertation, entitled Improving Generalization of Treatment Effects in Parent Child Interaction Therapy Using a Teacher Consultation, a manualized teacher consultation intervention that will be administered alongside PCIT to improve generalization of classroom behavior change.
Clinical Focus
Kaitlyn enjoys working with children, adolescents and families with a range of concerns. She has completed advanced practicum training in child clinical assessment and intervention. Additionally, she has received advanced training in neuropsychological methods of child assessment. Kaitlyn is also experienced in consultation, liaison and brief assessment with pediatric populations, both in outpatient and inpatient medical settings. Kaitlyn has a particular interest in providing intervention for children with disruptive behavior disorders using Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Additionally, she is skilled in other evidence-based treatments for children and adolescents including Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Parent Management Training and Coping Cat.
Grants
Title: Improving Generalization of Treatment Effects in Parent Child Interaction Therapy Using a Teacher Consultation
Agency: Center for Pediatric Psychology and Family Studies
Period: November 2012 – August 2014
Role: Primary Investigator
Courses Taught
- Introduction to Clinical Child and Pediatric Psychology, Course Instructor
- Measurement, Research Design, and Statistics I, Teaching Assistant
- Measurement, Research Design, and Statistics II, Teaching Assistant
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Teaching Assistant
Professional Presentations
Powers, K.A., Fritz, A., Boggs, S.R, Bussing, R., Eyberg, S.M. (September 2013). PCIT at One Year Follow-up: Which Parent Behaviors Predict Child Behavior? Presented at the poster session of the 2013 PCIT International Convention, Boston, Massachusetts.
Powers, K.A. (August 2013). Using the Right Coping at the Right Time. Presented at the IBD support group, Hope Lodge, Gainesville, Florida.
Powers, K.A., Edwards, C., Boggs, S.R, Bussing, R., Eyberg, S.M. (July 2013). Generalization of PCIT Treatment Effects to the Classroom in Children with ADHD. Presented at the poster session of the 2013 Annual American Psychological Association Convention, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Powers, K.A. Boggs, S.R., Eyberg, S.M., Bussing, R (November 2011). Child Variables as Predictors of Responsiveness to Treatment in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. Presented at the poster session of the Association for the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 45th Annual Convention, Toronto, Canada.
Powers, K.A. & Spigner, J. (February 2010). Project SHAPE: Treatment of Young Children with ADHD. Presented to the Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County, Gainesville, Florida.
Switalski, K.A., Rothong, N.D., McCool, S., Krenek, M., Labbe, A.K., Funderburk, J.S., Maisto, S.A., & Ewart, C.K. (June 2009). Coping as a Moderator between Reactivity and Aggression in a Substance Dependent Sample. Presented at the poster session of the 2009 Research Society of Alcoholism Annual Meeting, San Diego, California.
Professional Memberships
- American Psychological Association (APA) – Divisions 53 and 54
- Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)