Sam Rushworth, Ph.D.

Dr. Rushworth is a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania and nationally certified school psychologist, specializing in child mental and behavioral health. Her clinical interests focus on using consultation and trauma-informed approaches to support youth mental health across settings, particularly in schools.

Dr. Rushworth’s overarching research focus is investigating best practices for marginalized populations and bridging the research to practice gap for youth mental health services. Specifically, she is interested in studying measurement of mood and behavior (validity, utility across cultural groups), children and adolescents with developmental and behavioral differences (ADHD, Autism) and their families/caregivers, school-based consultation, ethical and multicultural considerations in consultation, implementation of evidence-based practice in non-specialty settings (schools), and barriers to mental health care for historically marginalized groups.

Dr. Rushworth’s favorite activities include spending time outside, watching movies, visiting local markets and shops, and sharing good food with her friends and family.

Areas of Expertise

• Child and adolescent mental health

• Consultation

• Validity of mood and behavior measures

• School-based mental health services
• Multicultural considerations

Education

• Licensed Psychologist (Pennsylvania)
• Nationally Certified School Psychologist
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Penn Center for Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania
• APA Accredited Internship, Sarah Reed Children’s Center
• Ph.D., School Psychology, Temple University
• M.S., School Psychology, Eastern Illinois University
• B.A., Child and Family Studies, Albright College

Teaching

• PSY 707: Psychopathology II: Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
• PSY 711: Human Diversity
• PSY 762: Advanced Seminar in Clinical Child & Family Psychology
• PSY 787: Consultation & Education
• PSY 799: Clinic Team & Supervision

Representative Publications

Rushworth, S.J., Tugendrajch, S.K., Creed, T.A., Wolk, C.B., Steinberg, M., Becker-Haimes, E. (In Press). Ethical considerations and practical suggestions for CBT consultation in mental health implementation research and practice. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

Albright, J., Rushworth, S., Duresso, B., Testa, S., Kuriyan, A., & Wolk, C. B. (In press). Feasibility and acceptability of an adapted evidence-based team training approach from healthcare to the early intervention context: A brief report. Journal of Early Intervention.

Lamb, P.S., Talley, J., Griesmer, A., Rushworth, S., Smith, A.N., & Brown, W.J. (Under Review). Pathways from traumatic stress symptoms to physical restraint incidence among youth enrolled in psychiatric residential treatment. Residential Treatment for Children & Youth.

Tugendrajch, S. K., Comly, R., Rushworth, S., Eiraldi, R., Wolk, C. B., & Creed, T. A. (2025). Prioritizing partnerships in school-based implementation research and practice: Applying the ACCESS Model. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/23794925.2025.2485085

Albright, J., Worley, J., Rushworth, S., Cappella, E., Hwang, S., Testa, S., Duresso, B., Dallard, N., Banks, J., Du, C., & Wolk, C.B. (2024). A community-partnered process for adapting a mental health teacher consultation model for a large-scale roll-out in urban schools. School Mental Health, 16(3), 601-617. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-024-09645-x

Kuriyan, A. B., Albright, J., Rushworth, S., Duresso, B., Testa, S., Eiraldi, R. B., Marshaleck, E. W., & Wolk, C. B. (2024). Partnering with schools to adapt a team science intervention: Processes and challenges. School Mental Health, 16(3), 695–709. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-024-09665-7

Representative Presentations

Reinhardt, J.S., Sevon, M., & Rushworth, S.J. (2024, November). Decolonizing Consultation: Applying Motivational Interviewing Skills for De-centered Consultative Practice. Two-Part Workshop selected for Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania Annual Conference. Harrisburg, PA.

Talley, J.M. & Rushworth, S.J. Collaborative Transition Planning for Students Returning from Psychiatric Residential Treatment. (2024, February). Practitioner Conversation selected for National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention. New Orleans, LA.

Albright, J., Worley, J., Rushworth, S., Cappella, E., Hwang, S., Testa, S., Duresso, B., Dallard, N., Banks, J., Du, C., & Wolk, C.B. (2023, November). A stakeholder-engaged process for adapting a trauma-informed mental health teacher consultation model for a large-scale rollout in urban schools. In J. Albright (Chair), Engaging Stakeholders in Treatment Development and Implementation: Increasing Inclusivity and Improving Access to Evidence-based Care. Symposium presented at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Annual Convention. Seattle, WA.

Talley, J.M. & Rushworth, S.J. (2023, February). Truancy or Trauma? Combating Truancy Through a Trauma-Informed Lens. Practitioner Conversation selected for National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention. Denver, CO.

Rushworth, S.J., Canivez, G.L., & Pendergast, L.L. (2018, August). Factor Structure of the Learning Behaviors Scale with Ojibwe Native American Children. Poster presented at American Psychological Association Convention, San Francisco, CA. APA Division 16 Poster Award Nominee.

Hutman, H., Rushworth, S.J., Hill, T., Macera, G., & Myhre, K. (2018, March). Taking Clinical Supervision to the Next Level: Supporting Trainees in Developing Resistance, Resilience, and Resolve. Structured Discussion presented at the Association of Women in Psychology Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Rushworth, S.J. & Canivez, G.L. (2018, February). Construct Validity of the Teate Depression Inventory with Black/African Americans. Poster presented at the National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention, Chicago, IL.

Rushworth, S.J. & Canivez, G.L. (2017, February). Disparity in Treatment of Internalizing Disorders in Ethnic Minority Groups. Poster presented at the Illinois School Psychology Association Conference, Springfield, IL.

Professional Memberships

• American Psychological Association
• National School Psychology Association
• Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
• Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania