Amy M. Briesch

Amy M. Briesch is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology at Northeastern University's Bouvé College of Health Sciences, where she serves as Program Director for the School Psychology MS/CAGS and PhD Programs. She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and co-director of the Center for Research in School-Based Prevention (CRISP).

Dr. Briesch's educational background includes a PhD and MA in Educational Psychology from the University of Connecticut and an AB in Psychological and Brain Sciences/English and Creative Writing from Dartmouth College.

Her research focuses on developing and evaluating tools for assessing students' social, emotional, and behavioral functioning in school settings, with emphasis on creating effective and usable assessment methods. She investigates feasible and psychometrically-sound measures for formative assessment of student social behavior, self-management as an intervention strategy for reducing classroom problem behaviors, and student involvement in intervention design and implementation. Her work bridges research and practice to address critical school mental health needs, particularly in the post-pandemic educational landscape.

Dr. Briesch has authored three books and over 90 peer-reviewed journal articles, with recent publications examining school mental health resources, pandemic-related impacts on student mental health, and evidence-based behavioral assessment approaches. Her research shows consistent trends toward practical, school-friendly assessment tools and interventions that prioritize usability alongside psychometric rigor.

• Lightner Witmer Award, Division 16 of the American Psychological Association
• Northeastern University Excellence in Teaching Award

Dr. Briesch receives funding from the U.S. Department of Education and collaborates extensively with colleagues like Sandra M. Chafouleas. She has supervised numerous students as co-authors on research publications. Her work has significant implications for school mental health workforce development, particularly given the critical shortage of school psychologists nationwide.

As co-director of CRISP, Dr. Briesch leads research initiatives focused on school-based prevention strategies and evidence-based practices that promote student social-emotional well-being and academic success.