Dr. James Walsh joined The Chicago School in 2005, and has served as department chair since 2009. Before coming to the Chicago School he was a school psychologist for the LaGrange Area Department of Special Education in Chicago's western suburbs, and practiced as a clinical psychologist for a group practice. He completed his postdoctorate at Washburne Middle School in Winnetka, IL. He completed his predoctoral internship at The Ethan Allen School for Boys, a juvenile corrections facility in Wales, Wisconsin.

• B.A. in Politics, Washington & Lee University
• M.S. in Developmental Psychology, The Johns Hopkins University
• Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin

• Licensed Clincial Psychologist—Illinois
• Certified School Psychologist

Select Presentations

• Kelly, R., Cruise, T., Walsh, J., Swerdlik, M., Newman, D. (2013).  State Wide Internship Plan Ratings:Consideration of Professional Competencies.  Presented at the National Association of School Psychologists Trainers Conference.  Seattle, WA.
• Walsh, J. (2013).  What is Your Ethical Dilemma?  Presented at the Illinois School Psychologist's Association Annual Conference.  Springfield, IL. 
• Walsh, J. (2012). Working with Schools:  How to Help Your Clients.  Presented to Pre and Post-doctoral Interns at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. 
• Barrett, T., Quinonez, V., Walker, D., & Walsh, J. (2012).  I Know a Quality Academic Department When I See it-- Right?  Presented at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Multicampus Faculty Conference.  Chicago, IL

• Walsh, J. (2011).   Learning Disabilities and Law Students.  Presented at John Marshall Law School Conference for Disability Law Association.

• Walsh, J. (2011).  Admissions at The Chicago School:  What do we do?  What should we do?  Presented at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Multicampus Faculty Conference.

• Walsh, J. (2008). Parenting Girls in the New Millenium. Presented at The Naomi Ruth Cohen Foundation Annual Community Conference.

• Walsh, J. (2008). Ethics and Professional Issues for School Psychologists. Continuing Education Workshop for School Psychologists, presented at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
• Halpin, M., Berg, E., & Walsh, J. (2005) A toolkit for consulting to schools. Presented at the Illinois Psychological Association Annual Meeting, November 2005.

Select Publications

• Walsh, J. (2013, in press). Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. In C.R. Reynolds.,  K.J. Vannest & E. Fletcher-Janzen (Eds.) Encyclopedia of special education-fourth edition: A reference for the education of children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and other exceptional individuals.  Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

• Walsh, J. (2013, in press). Ethics. In C.R. Reynolds.,  K.J. Vannest & E. Fletcher-Janzen (Eds.) Encyclopedia of special education-fourth edition: A reference for the education of children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and other exceptional individuals.  Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Professional Memberships

• Illinois Psychological Association
• National Association of School Psychologists

Q&A

Q: Please describe your teaching philosophy.
A: I believe the most important skills a good psychologist can have are the abilities to actively listen to the client, and to give feedback that is relevant for the client. Likewise, the most valuable tool a psychology professor can have is the ability to model these skills by actively listening to students and providing feedback that is relevant for their careers and lives

Q: Please provide a statement or philosophy regarding the practice of psychology.
A: At its best, the practice of psychology combines the science of research based interventions with the art of establishing authentic, individualized meaning for the client or clients.

Q: Why did you choose to enter the field of psychology?
A: I graduated from college with a degree in politics and economics, and quickly realized I did not want a career in politics or economics. What I did want to do was work with children, adolescents, and their families to help them make their lives better. After some research, I realized that becoming a psychologist was the best way for me to accomplish this goal.

Q: What advice would you give to a student entering The Chicago School?
A: Ask lots of questions - it is the best way to get answers!