Jay D. Trenhaile

Jay D. Trenhaile serves as a Professor in the Counseling and Human Resource Development Program within the School of Education, Counseling and Human Development at South Dakota State University. He maintains dual professional certifications as both a licensed psychologist in South Dakota and Minnesota, and as a certified school psychologist/counselor across both states, while operating a private practice focused on child and adolescent evaluations.

His educational foundation includes:

• B.S. in Education from Dakota State University
• M.S. in Adult and Continuing Education from Kansas State University
• M.S. in Counseling and Human Resource Development from South Dakota State University
• Ed.D. in Educational Psychology and Counseling from the University of South Dakota

Dr. Trenhaile's research centers on solution-focused brief therapy methodologies, with significant contributions to student-athlete mental health interventions and developmental disability support systems. His work bridges clinical practice and academic theory through practical applications like the "Creating Solutions" counseling game for children, emphasizing strength-based approaches across educational and therapeutic settings.

Analysis of his 12 publications reveals consistent focus on solution-focused frameworks across diverse populations - from K-12 school counseling to collegiate athletics and developmental disability support. His scholarship demonstrates evolution from foundational therapeutic techniques (1990s steroid education studies) toward specialized applications in educational psychology and crisis intervention.

Professional recognition includes:

• 2009 Outstanding Professional Achievement Award (Dakota State University)
• 2006 Triple Honors: School Psychologist of the Year (SDASP), E. Gordon Poling Award, and Mavis Booze Mentoring Award (SD Counseling Association)
• 2001 Distinguished Service Award (SDSU College of Education)

Securing over $120,000 in competitive grants since 2003, his funded research spans EMDR concussion treatment (Sanford Sport Science, 2019), motivational interviewing for weight loss (Sanford Health, 2014), and multiple South Dakota Council on Developmental Disability initiatives addressing crisis response and therapeutic interventions for vulnerable populations. His private practice and game development demonstrate applied translation of academic work into community resources.

Through partnerships with Sanford Health and the South Dakota Council on Developmental Disability, Dr. Trenhaile operates integrated clinical-academic teams that connect university resources with community mental health services, particularly serving school systems through his private practice conducting child/adolescent evaluations.