Whitney Strong-Bak, PhD

Psychology
Munroe-Meyer Institute
985450 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-5450

Phone: 402-559-6408
E-mail

Professional Summary:

Whitney Strong-Bak, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation. She received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and completed her internship and post-doctoral training at the Munroe-Meyer Institute. Dr. Strong-Bak is a member of the interdisciplinary team at the Developmental Pediatrics Clinic located at the Omaha Children’s Hospital. UNMC campus. Dr. Strong-Bak works closely with three developmental pediatricians, nurses, 2 pediatric nurse practitioners, and social work to diagnose and treat patients with a variety of developmental concerns (e.g., Autism, Intellectual Disability, ADHD, Developmental Delay, congenital heart defects, premature birth).

Dr. Strong-Bak’s research interests revolve around factors improving the early identification and access to intervention services in children who are not reaching developmental milestones. Specifically, her research interests are related to identification and validation of high quality developmental screening tools, identifying supplemental intervention strategies to improve early intervention outcomes, and systemic approaches to increasing accessibility of neurodevelopmental evaluations and intervention. Dr. Strong-Bak is a co-instructor in the genetic counseling program, where she trains Masters-level students in interviewing and brief counseling approaches, and provides training in developmental monitoring and screening to medical residents at UNMC. Dr. Strong-Bak provides clinical supervision to post-doctoral fellows, interns, Ph.D. students, and Masters-level students.

Education:

• PhD, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 2018
• MA, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 2014
• BS, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 2012

Research Interests and Projects:

• Validation of high quality screeners for Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Supplemental intervention approaches to improve behavioral outcomes for families waiting to access ABA.
• Improving systems for timely evaluation and referral to intervention services for children with developmental delays and disorders.