Dr. Perfect is an Assistant Professor in the School Psychology Program at the University of Arizona. Dr. Perfect received her doctorate in Educational Psychology (specialization: School Psychology) from the University of Texas at Austin and her Masters degree in Psychology from the New York University. She completed her APA-accredited pre-doctoral psychology internship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, NJ. Afterward, she completed postdoctoral fellowships in pediatric psychology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX and in health psychology and biostatistics at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, TX. She has also taken postdoctoral coursework in psychopharmacology. Her research focuses on the intersection of physical and mental health, with a particular focus on the impact of sleep and pediatric chronic illnesses on school, mental health, and neurobehavioral functioning. Dr. Perfect also engages in research and service activities aimed at addressing the educational and behavioral health needs of youth who have been maltreated or experienced trauma, preparing school psychologists to be competent to provide school and community mental health services to children and families, and to participate in general health promotion (e.g., sleep, obesity prevention, sexual health). In particular, she applies a positive psychology framework that examines resiliency in the face of adversities and mind-body interventions (e.g., Hypnosis, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) that can promote the well-being in children. Dr. Perfect's teaching interests are in development, early childhood, therapy, evidence-based interventions, and school-community mental health.
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