University News

WIU Alumnus Carves a Path for Success Since Graduation

March 21, 2022

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MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University alumnus Brett Andersen has excelled in his time since graduating and recently launched his own private practice.

Andersen graduated from the WIU Department of Psychology with his bachelor's degree in 2007 and then continued his studies with WIU and graduated with his specialist degree in school psychology in 2010.

"Brett was keenly interested in understanding assessment and how it related directly to interventions," said Tracy Cruise, one of Andersen's former professors. "Brett was a kind student with a wonderful ability to make others around him feel welcomed and supported."

Andersen completed his internship training with Special School District in St. Louis, MO as his culminating fieldwork experience. Special School District served as a foundational training site and is recognized as "one of the great success stories in public education in the St. Louis region" in which SSD has become an icon for special education and technical education.

Anderson continued his professional training by obtaining his National Credential in School Psychology (NCSP) upon completion of his specialist degree. After graduating from WIU, Anderson completed a year-long post-graduate certification and obtained his American Board of School Neuropsychology (ABNSP) credential in 2012. He then relocated to Phoenix, AZ and completed his doctorate of psychology in school psychology from Argosy University.

Still passionate about his learning, Anderson completed a two-year post-doctoral residency in clinical neuropsychology. In Spring 2019, Anderson reached a new milestone and opened up his own practice, Anderson Psychological Services.

Throughout all of his time in higher education, and relocation to warmer climates, Andersen has maintained practice in Prek-12 schools supporting students with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injury and epilepsy. Most recently, he is ready to embark on expanding his private practice and make the business a full-time career conducting clinical neuropsychological evaluations, independent educational evaluations (IEE), and advocacy support for families in the Phoenix community.

The Department of Psychology at WIU has 25 faculty who teach both undergraduate and graduate courses across the many disciplines of psychology. Students can earn a bachelor of science degree with a major in psychology or forensic psychology. Students can also complete a minor in psychology, neuroscience, aging studies, forensic psychology or mental health. The WIU School Psychology program has been in existence since 1968, and has been fully approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) since 1995.

For more information about WIU's undergraduate major in Psychology, visit wiu.edu/cas/psychology.

For more information about WIU's specialist program in School Psychology, visit wiu.edu/cas/psychology/school_psychology.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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