JENNIFER STOCKSLAGER, MS, EDS, LEP, NCSP, NCC
Jennifer is the owner of Developing Minds Psychology, LLC, located in El Dorado Hills. She holds credentials as a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP), Nationally Credentialed School Psychologist (NCSP), and National Certified Counselor (NCC). With over 20 years of experience, Jennifer brings warmth, insight, and a strength-based, goal-oriented approach to the individuals and families she supports.
Jennifer provides educationally-related services including psychoeducational evaluations, counseling, and consultation for children, adolescents, and young adults—from age 4 through the college years. She enjoys working with individuals across this wide age range, appreciating the unique challenges and strengths that come with each developmental stage.
In 2022, Jennifer transitioned from the school setting to private practice to offer more individualized care and flexibility in supporting clients and families. She believes deeply in the power of collaboration and works closely with parents and schools to ensure a continuum of care, keeping all parties aligned in the best interest of the individual. When appropriate, she also provides in-school support to help generalize progress across environments.
Jennifer works with individuals experiencing a wide range of social, emotional, behavioral, and academic concerns, including anxiety (such as selective mutism), depression, grief and loss, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and learning challenges. She is experienced in supporting neurodivergent individuals and takes a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach. She uses a variety of evidence-based approaches, including Collaborative Problem Solving, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Solutions-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), play-based therapy, and mindfulness. She also provides social skills and life skills training for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Jennifer began her career as a Child Life Specialist, working in hospital settings with children and adolescents with cancer and blood disorders. In 2006, she became a school psychologist in Denver, Colorado, and has since worked across multiple states with students from diverse backgrounds and in varied educational settings.
Her clinical experience includes working in a mental health clinic, where she provided individual and group therapy to adults with a range of mental health concerns. In schools, she has worked extensively with students experiencing trauma, crisis, suicidal ideation, and behavioral challenges, as well as those with more significant developmental and learning needs. For the latter group, she provided structured teaching of life skills, social skills, emotional regulation, and adaptive behavior strategies to promote greater independence and functional success across settings. She has conducted hundreds of psychoeducational evaluations and is highly experienced in Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), and school-based mental health consultation and training.
While in Colorado, Jennifer worked for Douglas County School District—one of the largest districts in the state—where she developed and led the mental health program for a new high school, served as the crisis team lead, regularly conducted suicide and threat assessments, and provided comprehensive school-based trainings to staff. These trainings covered a variety of mental health topics, including suicide prevention, self-harm, staff wellness and self-care, and crisis intervention. In response to a local student substance use crisis, Jennifer organized and facilitated a community panel discussion with diverse partners and providers aimed at educating and informing parents about pharming parties, drug use, and strategies to keep their children safe.
In South Carolina, she worked for Charleston County School District, the second-largest district in the state, where she revised the district’s suicide assessment procedures and developed a comprehensive, structured threat assessment model. She also trained more than 200 counselors and psychologists on both suicide prevention and threat assessment protocols, serving as a key resource and liaison for complex cases. Jennifer was invited to present at the district’s end-of-year Symposium to train school professionals on threat assessment. She earned the Suicide Prevention Specialist credential through the American Association of Suicidology and has guest lectured for the College of Charleston and The Citadel Graduate College on topics including implementing mental health in schools, suicide assessment/intervention, and threat assessment.
Jennifer is passionate about professional growth and regularly seeks out training opportunities to stay up to date with current research and best practices in the field.
Outside of her professional life, Jennifer enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors. She loves gardening, running, working out, skiing, playing golf, practicing yoga, and spending time with her husband, two children, and their black labs.
Education and Certifications
Bachelor's Degree in Education and Psychology, University of Hartford, May 2002
Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology, University of Colorado Denver, May 2006
Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Canisius College, May 2017
California Pupil Personnel Services Credential
New York Certified School Psychologist
Licensed Educational Psychologist, LEP #3879
Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)
National Certified Counselor (NCC)