New provider spotlight: Jessica Cox

Jessica Cox is a new provider at UNMC.

• Name: Jessica Cox
• Hometown: Papillion, Neb.
• Title and department at UNMC: Behavioral health practitioner in the Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) Department of Psychology

Professional interests:

• Treatment of school-related behavioral issues
• Training educational staff in behavior analysis
• Developmental disabilities

How I fell in love with applied behavior analysis (ABA): I have always been passionate about working with kids, especially those with disabilities or with behavioral challenges. While working at another clinic that did not specialize in applied behavior analysis, I heard about all of the success my clients were having with applied behavior analysis. I then observed the logic and science behind what the therapists were doing, as well as how much they clearly cared about their clients, and I fell in love.

Degrees:

• B.A., psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 2017
• M.A., psychology (concentration in applied behavior analysis), University of Nebraska at Omaha, 2019

Three things people may not know about me:

• I love to backpack and hike (anywhere where there is no cell service).
• I am an Air Force Brat and moved eight times before I was 15.
• I am a big Harry Potter fan! (I have read the series all the way through five times.)

Clinic location: I will be working at OPS through an ABA consultation contract with MMI, at Madonna School & Community-Based Services doing ABA consultation and providing services with Lisa Neitzke, Ph.D., at MMI for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.