Main content
Home - Faculty/Staff - Bethany Claes

Bethany Claes, Psy.D.

Associate Professor of Psychology


585.594.6283
Claes_Bethany@roberts.edu

NYS Licensed Psychologist

Teaching Experience

Assistant Professor of Psychology, Roberts Wesleyan College, Department of Psychology, Rochester, NY 
Teaching undergraduate psychology courses, and graduate level school psychology and school counseling courses
Current teaching responsibilities include: Play Therapy, Social-Emotional Assessment, Cognitive Psychology, Child & Adolescent Development, Consultation, and Physiological Psychology

Assistant Professor of Psychology (half-time), Nazareth College, Department of Psychology, Rochester, NY 
Taught two psychology courses each semester (Abnormal Psych, Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science)Assisted the department in updating materials and aspects of the program for the Professional Internship Program in Psychology

Adjunct Professor of Psychology, Alfred University, Alfred, NY 
Taught upper level psychology course (PSY 472: Child Interventions)

Norm-Referenced Testing Teacher Assistant, Alfred University, Alfred, NY 
Taught first year school psychology graduate students how to administer and score cognitive, achievement, and diagnostic tests
Oversaw five other advanced graduate students who worked in a similar capacity
Helped initiate program changes in collaboration with supervisors, in how this learning process was completed

Teaching Assistant, Alfred University, Alfred, NY 
Graded academic papers for four upper level undergraduate courses
Aided in teaching when appropriate
Assisted professor in psychological research activities

Clinical & Research Experience

Consulting Psychologist, Step by Step Pediatric Therapy Center, Evaluator/Private Practice Rochester, NY 
Conducting Early Intervention evaluations as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Consulting with clinicians and families regarding behavioral concerns in young children

Licensed Psychologist, Rochester Psychological Associates, PLLC, Private Practice, Rochester, NY 11/11-12/13
Provided therapy to children and adolescents (cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, family therapy) , and consultation with parents
Primarily provided treatment for the following problems: Depression, anxiety, ADHD, behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and adjustment disorders
Consulted with schools and pediatricians whenever appropriate

Associate Psychologist, Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Service Organization Office for People with Dev. Disabilities, Rochester, NY 9/10-12/11

• Developing Behavior Support Plans for individuals with developmental disabilities

• Conducting psychological assessments to aid in diagnosis, treatment planning, and appropriate provision of services

• Working as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team (psychiatrist, nurse, dietician, and direct care staff)

• Conducting individual and group therapy focusing on anger management, social skills, and having appropriate social relationships

School Psychology Intern, Newfane Central School District, Newfane, NY 9/09-06/10

• Conducted individual and group counseling with students on a weekly basis

• Engaged in consultation with parents, teachers, and school administrators

• Conducted over 50 psycho-educational and social-emotional assessments to determine appropriate special education classification and provision of services

• Developed functional behavioral analyses and behavioral intervention plans for students exhibiting behavioral problems in school

• Actively participated in Student Support Team, Section 504, and Committee on Special Education meetings

• Primarily serviced grades 4-12

Special Academic Services Academic Consultant, Alfred University, Alfred, NY 08/08-05/09

• Met with undergraduate students with disabilities and with students on academic probation on weekly basis to assist them in setting and achieving reasonable goals, adjusting to college demands, and utilizing any appropriate supports available to them (testing accommodations, writing center, tutoring services, etc.)

• Developed and presented workshops in the skill areas of time management, study skills, and organization

• Evaluated effectiveness of tutoring program through data collection and analysis

Consulting Researcher, Alfred University, Alfred, NY 07/08-08/08

• Statistically analyzed data from 100+ faculty surveys regarding teaching/professional activities, job satisfaction, and personal goals

• Created formal report of results and shared results with university administrators

Graduate Clinician, Child & Family Services Center, Alfred, NY 08/07-05/09

• Conducted individual therapy, family therapy, play therapy, and consultation with parents

• Conducted psycho-educational assessments for children and college students, including diagnosing psychological disorders as part of a clinical team

• Utilized animal assisted (dog) therapy when appropriate

• Participated in case conferences

• Serviced children, adolescents, and college students

Preschool Practicum Student, Dansville Head Start, Dansville, NY 08/07-12/07

• Completed preschool assessments that measure cognitive and academic functioning

• Conducted and implemented functional behavioral analyses and behavioral intervention plans for preschoolers

• Completed classroom assessments to determine classroom strengths and weaknesses

School Psychology Practicum Student, Wayland-Cohocton Central Schools, Wayland, NY 09/06-05/07

• Practiced psycho-educational assessments with children grades K-6

• Designed and implemented academic interventions, and evaluated the effectiveness of those interventions

• Initiated consultative relationships with teachers and the school counselor regarding student academic and behavioral issues

• Assisted in a kindergarten inclusion classroom

Honors, Awards, and Grants

2010 Lea R. Powell Honors Award

2009 Lea R. Powell Institute Dissertation Research Grant

2005 Recipient of the American Society for Quality Scholarship

2002-2006 Dean’s List, Roberts Wesleyan College

Professional Affiliations

American Psychological Association (APA)

Genesee Valley Psychological Association (GVPA)

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

Biographical Information

I received my BA from Roberts Wesleyan College with a double major in psychology and communication. Upon graduation, I began graduate school at Alfred University, obtaining both my MA and PsyD in School Psychology. I then began to work with the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) as an Associate Psychologist. My responsibilities primarily included monitoring the psychological health of 35+ individuals with developmental disabilities, developing behavior support plans for problematic behaviors, and conducting individual and group therapies.

Though my time with OPWDD was valuable, I was interested in doing more clinical work with children and adolescents. I left my job with OPWDD after a year to pursue an independent private practice. For the next few years I worked with children and adolescents in the greater Rochester area, primarily doing play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and parent consultation.

Throughout my clinical experience, I always knew that I would eventually find my “home” back in front of the classroom. I had loved the prior experiences I had teaching over the years on a part-time basis. When I learned of the possibility to return to my alma mater and teach full-time, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. It has been awesome to work in an environment where faith is integrated into the learning environment. I have very much enjoyed my return to academia, though I also plan to continue some clinical work on a small scale.

When I am not busy working, I love spending every minute with my husband Nathan, and two young children, Mira and Eli. I think that being a mom has helped me to be even more effective at my job by helping me to keep a healthy perspective of what is important in life. My passion will always be for helping people, whether that is obtained through direct clinical work, or educating those who will be helping others in the future.