Psychology Department
Munroe-Meyer Institute
985450 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-5450
Professional Summary
Rachel Schumacher, PhD is a licrensed psychologist and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation. Rachel received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and completed her internship and post-doctoral training at the Munroe-Meyer Institute. She has completed specialized training in screening, diagnosing, and treating autism spectrum disorders in early childhood and is certified in parent child interaction therapy (PCIT). Her clinical and research interests include early identification and intervention, including behavioral parent training, for common childhood problems. She values working within a collaborative, systems approach to facilitate clients’ most optional development by strengthening supports across all familial, educational, medical, and community contexts. Rachel is also passionate about translating research to practice and policy and disseminating effective psychological services and tools to practitioners and families.
Specialty Certifications
- Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
- Specialized Traineeship, Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Education
- PhD, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 2021
- MA, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, 2017
- MA, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, 2015
- BA, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, 2013
Teaching
- UNMC LEND Leadership Seminar, Invited Lecture: Selection and Application of Screening Tools and Delivering Difficult News to Families
- UNMC LEND Clinical Topics, Invited Lecture: Pediatric Sleep Disorders
- MMI 855/PSYC 8550: Psychotherapeutic Interventions, Invited Lecture: Consultation, Training, and Supervision: School Settings
- UNMC Department of Pediatrics Resident Training, Invited Lecture: Autism Spectrum Disorders in Primary Care
- UNMC Department of Pediatrics Resident Training, Invited Lecture: Developmental Monitoring and Screening
Research Interests and Projects
- Behavioral parenting interventions
- Impact of parental mental health and parent-child relationships on child behavior
- Improving systems for early identification and referral to intervention services for children with developmental delays and disorders
- Dissemination of evidence-based practices
Selected Publications (within the last 5 years)
- Witte, A. L., Schumacher, R. E., & Sheridan, S. M. (2022). The efficacy of technology-delivered mental health services: Addressing rural Appalachia child and family needs. Journal of Educational & Psychological Consultation. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10474412.2022.2083624
- Iruka, I. U., Sheridan, S. M., Koziol, N., Schumacher, R. E., Kerby, H. M., Prokasky, A., Choi, D. (2022). Examining malleable factors that explain the end-of-kindergarten racial/ethnic gaps. The Elementary School Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1086/718072
- Schumacher, R. E., Bass, H. P., Cheng, K. C., Wheeler, L. A., Sheridan, S. M., & Witte, A. L. (2021). The role of target behaviors in enhancing the efficacy of conjoint behavioral consultation. School Psychology Review. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/2372966X.2021.1938210
- Sheridan, S. M., Knoche, L. L., Boise, C., Witte, A. L., Koziol, N., Prokasky, A., Schumacher, R. E., & Kerby, H. M. (2021). Relationships as malleable factors for children’s social-behavioral skills: Concurrent, lagged and sustained associations for children of low income from preschool to grade 1. Early Education and Development. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2021.1936374
- Sheridan, S. M., Knoche, L. L., Boise, C. E., Moen, A. L., Lester, H., Edwards, C. P., Schumacher, R. E., & Cheng, K. (2019). Supporting preschool children with developmental concerns: Effects of the getting ready intervention on school-based social skills and relationships. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 48, 303-316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2019.03.008
- Moen, A. L., Sheridan, S. M., Schumacher, R. E., & Cheng, K. C. (2019). Early childhood student-teacher relationships: What is the role of classroom climate for children who are disadvantaged? Early Childhood Education Journal, 47, 331-341. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-019-00931-x
- Gormley, M. J., Meisinger, R. E., & Sheridan, S. M. (2019). Behavioral collaboration and consultation. In K. Radley (Eds.). Handbook of behavioral interventions in schools: Multi-tiered systems of support (pp. 134-155). Oxford University Press: Oxford, United Kingdom.
Professional Affiliations
- Nebraska Psychological Association
- American Psychological Association
Awards
- UNL Outstanding Student in School Psychology Award (2019)