Jaclyn Halpern, Psy. D.
Director/Co-Founder, The SOAR Program for Psychotherapy and Testing;
Licensed Psychologist & Clinical Supervisor
Education
• Brandeis University, B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Sociology and Certification in Elementary Education in 2000
• George Washington University, Doctorate in Professional Psychology (Psy.D.) in 2008
Internship and Post Doctoral Training
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APA approved internship at the Institute for Child and Family Health (ICFH), a community mental health center in Miami, FL.
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Psychoeducational evaluation, child/adolescent therapy, school based therapy, and parent training. Private Group Practice with focus on individual, group, and family therapy in Rockville, MD.
Credentials
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Licensed Psychologist in the State of Maryland
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Licensed Psychologist in the State of Delaware
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Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia
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Licensed Psychologist in Washington, D.C.
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Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) under the PSYPACT* Commission E. Passport issued 6/14/21 Mobility Number#8206
Membership
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Maryland Psychological Association (MPA)
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American Psychological Association (APA)
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National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology
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MCPS Special Education Committee
Services Provided
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Therapy with children, teens, adults, families, and groups
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Parent Training & Consultation
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Educational Consultation
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Supervision
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Speaking Engagements
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Advocacy (attending 504/IEP meetings)
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‘Next Steps’ Consultations
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Comprehensive Evaluation (Psychoeducational, Neuropsychological, Psychological, Developmental, Emotional, Giftedness, Adoption, and Admissions) with children, teens, and adults
Expertise
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Neurodiversity Affirming Care
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Attachment-Based Parenting
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ADHD
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Executive Functioning
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Learning Differences
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Autism
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Developmental Differences
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Emotional and Behavioral Functioning (Anxiety, Depression, Mood Disorder, Adjustment Disorders, Self-Esteem, Anger Management, etc.)
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Coping Skills
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School Support
Pronouns
She/her/hers
Bio
Dr. Jaclyn Halpern is a licensed psychologist in Maryland, DC, Delaware, and Virginia with Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) under the PSYPACT. She is the Director, Co-Founder, and Clinical Supervisor of The SOAR Program for Psychotherapy and Testing. As Director, Dr. Halpern supervises our clinical staff and oversees general programming to ensure that therapy and testing are strengths-based, affirming, culturally competent, trauma-informed, and anchored in up to date, evidenced-based neuroscientific and psychological research. Dr. Halpern has worked in private practice since she was licensed in 2010. She has extensive experience as a clinical director, evaluator, therapist, parent coach, and supervisor.
Dr. Halpern focuses foremost on building a nurturing, supportive, honest, and empathic interpersonal therapeutic relationship with every patient. When appropriate, Dr. Halpern enjoys collaborating with family members, and other members of each patient’s support system (like teachers, tutors, other therapists, and doctors), to provide the highest level of care, and to promote health, growth, and stability. In therapy, Dr. Halpern develops treatment plans based on the specific needs, strengths, vulnerabilities, and goals of the patient(s). It is imperative to Dr. Halpern that she meets her patients ‘in the moment,’ while also looking to the future (and to the past when necessary). Dr. Halpern incorporates ACT, psychodynamic, play, CBT, Self-Compassion, and Mindfulness based techniques into therapy. She particularly enjoys incorporating expressive therapies (like drama, art, music, writing) within sessions, based on her considerable training in the arts. Dr. Halpern provides individual, group, and family therapy for patients of all ages. Dr. Halpern also provides parent coaching, utilizing attachment-based parenting techniques. Her approach is neurodiversity affirmative, strengths based, and inclusive and welcoming to all.
Dr. Halpern has specialized in evaluation over the course of her career. Currently, Dr. Halpern supervises all testing cases within WBMA SOAR Program. Dr. Halpern helps design personalized assessments for patients of all ages and demographics. Dr. Halpern oversees that reports and recommendations are individualized in consideration of test data, and with the particular needs of each patient in mind. Dr. Halpern ensures that providers seek to understand, integrate, and explain educational, social-emotional, cognitive, and adaptive strengths and vulnerabilities to support each patient as a ‘whole’ person, and to inform recommendations for every aspect of day-to-day life. Prior to returning to school for her doctorate, Dr. Halpern spent four years as an elementary school teacher. Her experience in the classroom helps her to aid in crafting realistic school-based recommendations. Having worked in the area throughout her career, Dr. Halpern has an extensive network for referrals across fields, and familiarity with local public and private schools. Additionally, since interactions with patients and observations of their behaviors, emotions, and experiences during testing are a significant component of evaluations, Dr. Halpern ensures that each practitioner works directly with their patients throughout the duration of the testing process.
Dr. Halpern has spoken on Fox5, NPR, and on panels for WISER and Diamonds in the Rough. She has also recently presented for Fusion Academy, Auburn School, xMinds, and the MCPS Special Education Committee. Dr. Halpern presents regularly at conferences and trainings for mental health providers, educators, and parents. Dr. Halpern’s presentations and workshops have focused on topics including Neurodiversity Affirming Care, ADHD, Anxiety, bullying prevention, parenting skills, the therapeutic relationship, cultural considerations, and sibling rivalry. Her most recent presentations include Understanding the Neurodiversity Affirming Paradigm, Attachment-Based Parenting and Teaching Techniques, Social Media and Mental Health, and Therapeutic Brain Breaks within the school setting.
Along with writing blogs for WBMA, Dr. Halpern has recently published articles on accessing neurodiversity affirming care, parenting and discipline, understanding ADHD in both children and adults, social media’s impact on mental health, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has contributed to articles about suicide, parenting, and dissociation.
In her free time, Dr. Halpern enjoys managing her husband’s music career, exercising, reading, drawing, writing, traveling, preparing vegetarian food, volunteering and advocating for animal rescue groups, and spending time with her husband, son, and dog. Fall is her favorite time of year, and blue is her favorite color.
PSYPACT is an interstate compact which offers a voluntary expedited pathway for practice to qualified psychologists who wish to practice in multiple states. PSYPACT is designed to facilitate the practice of telepsychology and the temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across state boundaries. In order to practice telepsychology in PSYPACT states, psychologists licensed in PSYPACT states only, can apply to the PSYPACT Commission for an Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT). In order to conduct temporary practice in PSYPACT states, psychologists licensed in PSYPACT states only can apply to the PSYPACT Commission for a Temporary Authorization to Practice (TAP). The PSYPACT Commission is the governing body of PSYPACT and is comprised of one representative from each PSYPACT state. More information regarding PSYPACT and its requirements can be found at www.psypact.org
Recent Media:
TikTok’s Effect on Child & Adolescent Mental Health
When Discipline Becomes Child Abuse
What Not to Say to Someone with ADHD
Children & Teens Exercise During the Pandemic