Susan Edgar-Smith

Chair and Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology

610-225-5685
sedgarsm@eastern.edu

Dr. Susan Edgar-Smith serves as Chair and Professor of Clinical Psychology for the Master of Arts and Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) programs within the Department of Clinical Psychology in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (CEBS) at Eastern University. She previously held the positions of Dean of CEBS from July 2022 to June 2026 and Dean of the College of Education from September 2017 to July 2022, following more than a decade directing Eastern’s graduate programs in School Counseling and School Psychology.

Dr. Edgar-Smith graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Connecticut College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Child Development. She subsequently completed a Master of Arts in Human Development in 1992 and a PhD in Clinical Developmental Psychology in 1998 at Bryn Mawr College. She holds credentials in Pennsylvania as a Licensed Psychologist and maintains a Pennsylvania Certificate in School Psychology.

Her leadership within the profession includes service on the Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA) School Psychology Board beginning in 2009, during which she served as elected Board Chair from 2015 to 2019 and Chair of the Public Policies Committee. She currently serves on the Master’s Licensure Task Force. In 2026, the PPA honored her with the Award for Distinguished Contributions to School Psychology. Her research and pedagogical focus encompass childhood and adolescent trauma, educational psychology, adolescent family dynamics, and school-based interventions. Her scholarship includes peer-reviewed publications in academic journals—such as the Journal of Preventing School Failure, Counseling and Values, and The Pennsylvania Psychologist—as well as numerous paper presentations, posters, and workshops delivered at national and regional conferences.

From 2018 to 2026, Dr. Edgar-Smith served as Principal Investigator on multiple competitive academic grants totaling more than $7.88 million. Her grant administration includes the Eastern University Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration (EU MHSP) grant ($1.2 million annually over five years), Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency funding targeted at community violence intervention ($949,389 for the Pottstown School District and $499,677 for the Norristown Area School District), the PA Bureau of Special Education Accelerated Special Educator grant ($100,000), the PDE Innovative Teacher Prep2Practice grant ($100,000), and formal evaluations of trauma-informed educational initiatives.

Education
  • Ph.D., Clinical Developmental Psychology – Bryn Mawr College, Department of Psychology (1998)
    • Dissertation Topic: Family Values and Family Processes in the Parent-Adolescent Relationship
  • M.A., Human Development – Bryn Mawr College, Department of Psychology (1992)
  • B.A., Psychology (Minor: Child Development) – Connecticut College (1984) (Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa)
Training
  • APA-Accredited Doctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology – The Center for Mental Health at Reading Hospital (Rotations in Inpatient, Partial Hospitalization, and Outpatient Services)
  • Psychology Intern – St. Gabriel's System, Philadelphia, PA (Therapy with juvenile offenders and psychodiagnostic evaluations)
  • School Psychology Practicum – Child Study Institute at Bryn Mawr College
  • Family Therapy & Play Therapy Practica – Child Study Institute at Bryn Mawr College
  • School Counseling Practicum – St. Athanasius School, Philadelphia, PA
Licenses & Certifications
  • PA Licensed Psychologist (Issued June 2000)
  • PA Certificate in School Psychology (Issued June 1992)

 

Research Interests
  • Childhood and Adolescent Trauma
  • Educational Psychology and School-Based Interventions
  • Adolescent Family Dynamics and Relational Values
  • Trauma-Informed School Practices and Tiered Behavioral Supports
Clinical Interests
  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health Counseling
  • School Consultation and Behavioral Support Strategies
  • Comprehensive Psychoeducational Evaluations and Special Education Services
  • Community Violence Prevention and Trauma Interventions in K–12 Schools
Selected Publications/Presentations
  • Edgar-Smith, S., Henderson, J., & Kunsch, C. (2025). Bridging the gap: Leveraging federal and state grants to expand school mental health services. The Pennsylvania Psychologist, 85(2), 38–39.
  • Kunsch, C.A., Edgar-Smith, S.E., Henderson, J.W., Lee, M., & McKeown, N. (2026). A randomized controlled trial of a trauma-informed school intervention program for an urban early elementary school. [Manuscript submitted for publication].
  • Edgar-Smith, S., Slattery, J., & Tuleya-Payne, H. (2023). PPA membership surveyed on licensure for master-level providers. The Pennsylvania Psychologist, 83(9), 29–30.
  • Edgar-Smith, S., Kunsch, C., & Gidjunis, R. (2023). MTSS in higher education. The Pennsylvania Psychologist, 83(7), 27–28.
  • Edgar-Smith, S. & Palmer, R.B. (2017). Alternative school student perceptions about forgiveness. Journal of Preventing School Failure, 61(4), 259–267.
  • Edgar-Smith, S. & Palmer, R.B. (2015). Building supportive school environments for alternative education youth. Journal of Preventing School Failure, 55(4), 1–8.
  • Edgar-Smith, S. & Daly, R. (2025, October). Student Success in Teacher Prep: Connection, Engagement, and Skill-Building Online. Workshop presented at the Pennsylvania Association for Teacher Educators Conference, Harrisburg, PA.
Academic Grants Awarded
  • Addressing Community Violence in Norristown Area School District (2026): $499,677 (3-year grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency).
  • Addressing Community Violence in Pottstown School District (2024): $949,389 (3-year grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency).
  • Eastern University Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration (EU MHSP) Grant (2023): $1.2 million annually for 5 years ($6.0M total).
  • Accelerated Special Educator Grant (2023): $100,000 (PA Bureau of Special Education).
  • Innovative Teacher Prep2Practice Grant (2023): $100,000 (PA Department of Education).
  • Attract, Prepare, and Retain Future Special Educators Grant (2022): $20,000 (PA Bureau of Special Education).
Professional Affiliations & Leadership
  • Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA):
    • Chair of the Public Policies Committee and Member of the Master’s Licensure Task Force (2024–Present).
    • Elected Chair of the School Psychology Board (2015–2019).
    • Recipient of the PPA 2026 Award for Distinguished Contributions to School Psychology.
  • American Psychological Association (APA)
  • National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
  • American School Counseling Association (ASCA)
  • Association of Counselor Education & Supervision (ACES)
  • Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA)

  • Pennsylvania Association of Counselor Education & Supervision (PACES)

 

Courses Taught
  • Introduction and Advanced Counseling for Children and Adolescents
  • Groups for Children and Adolescents
  • Consultation and Counseling in the Schools
  • Behavioral Support Strategies
  • School Counseling Practicum & Internship
  • Educational & Psychological Research Methods