Faculty: Nadja N. Lopez, PhD

Nadja Lopez

Nadja N. Lopez, PhD

Executive Director, Center for Behavioral Health, Equity, and Leadership in Schools

Director, Graduate Certificate in Classroom Mental Health

Faculty, Children and Families of Adversity and Resilience Concentration

Adjunct Faculty, School Psychology Department

Email
nadja_​lopez@williamjames.edu
Phone
617-327-6777 x1225
Location
Work Space 19

Dr. Nadja Lopez is the Executive Director of the William James College Center for Behavioral Health, Equity, and Leadership in Schools. Throughout her career, Dr. Lopez has focused on translating research and clinical practice into accessible school and community-based approaches aimed at promoting youth mental health. Dr. Lopez completed her graduate work at the University of Miami, Florida, and her pre and post-doctoral work at Boston Children’s Hospital, where she worked until 2011.  She has worked directly with thousands of educators, parents, and community leaders, directed philanthropy-based initiatives focusing on prevention of adolescent depression and suicide, served as Co-Director of a Graduate Certificate in School Climate and Social Emotional Learning for educators, and was the Training Director for an internship program at William James College. Her primary clinical and research interests focus on the treatment of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents, school climate and social emotional learning, culturally responsive treatment and teaching, and systems change. Nadja has written multiple publications to support student mental health, including her book Anxiety and Depression in the Classroom: A Guide to Promoting Self-Regulation in Young Students, and is co-editor of the book The Parents' Guide to Psychological First Aid: Helping Children and Adolescents Cope With Predictable Life Crises, to be released Spring 2024.

Degree Major/Emphasis Institution
PhD Clinical Psychology University of Miami
MA Clinical Psychology University of Miami
BA summa cum laude Florida International University

Courses

  • Director of Training, Freedman Center Internship (part of WJC’s APA internship consortium)

Research and Practice Interests

  • School climate and social emotional learning
  • Systems change
  • Culturally responsive practice
  • Treatment of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents

Professional Licenses and Certifications

  • Licensed Psychologist/Health Service Provider (Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists)

Publications and Presentations

  • Reilly, N. (2015). Anxiety and depression in the classroom: A teacher’s guide to fostering self-regulation in young students. Norton: New York.
  • Hannah, M., and Reilly, N. (2013). Whywellness: On-line wellness program for children. Retrieved from www.Whyville.net
  • Guery, J., Reilly, N. and Prinstein, M. (2011). Adolescent self-injury. In G.P. Koocher, G.P. and A.M. LaGreca, (Eds.), The parents’ guide to psychological first aid: Helping children cope with predictable life crises (323-332). New York: Oxford.
  • Reilly, N. (Ed.). (2011). Break free from depression. Boston: Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Reilly, N. (Ed.). (2006). Preventing depression: A toolkit for schools. Boston: Boston Children’s Hospital.
  • Botta, A., Reilly, N., and Watts, C. (2004). Assessing class safety to determine curriculum level. In D. DeMaso and J. Gold (Eds.), An adolescent mental health and wellness curriculum: A starter kit for schools. Boston: Boston Children’s Hospital and McLean Hospital.
  • Reilly, N., Botta, A., and Watts, C. (2004). Depression in adolescents. In D. DeMaso and J. Gold (Eds.), An adolescent mental health and wellness curriculum: A starter kit for schools. Boston: Boston Children’s Hospital and McLean Hospital.
  • La Greca, A. M., and Lopez, N. (1998). Social anxiety among adolescents: Linkages with peer relations and friendships. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 26(2), 83-94.
  • Wasserstein, S. B., Lopez, N., and Routh, D. K. (1997). The Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology at 25. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 25(1), 1-5.
  • Reilly, N.N. (2016, October). Anxiety and depression in young students. Presented at the 2016 Scituate SEPAC meeting, Scituate, MA
  • Reilly, N.N. (2016, October). Integrating social emotional learning into school climate and classroom practice. Keynote presented at the 2016 Littleton School District Professional Development Day, Littleton, MA
  • Reilly, N.N. (2016, July). Anxiety and depression in students – A developmental perspective. Keynote presented at the 2016 Melrose Professional Development Day, Melrose, MA
  • Reilly, N.N. (2016, April). Anxiety and depression – A developmental perspective. Parent presentation, Hingham, MA
  • Reilly, N.N. (2016, March). Addressing the whole child – Student mental health and wellness and social emotional learning. Keynote presented to Scituate School District, Scituate, MA
  • Reilly, N.N. (2016, February). Addressing student social emotional learning. Keynote presented at the 2016 Manchester School District Professional Development Day, Manchester, MA
  • Reilly, N.N. (2016, February). Anxiety and depression in elementary school students. Presentation to West Bridgewater School District Professional Development Day, West Bridgewater, MA
  • Reilly, N.N. (2016, February). Addressing student social emotional learning. Presentation to Superintendent Round Table, Merrimack Group, Andover, MA
  • Reilly, N.N. (2015, September). Access to mental health care. Presented at the 5th Annual Prevention of Underage Drinking and Substance Abuse Conference, Randolph, MA
  • Reilly, N.N. (2015, September). Whywellness Project. Presented at the Digital Kids Summit Conference, San Francisco, CA
  • Reilly, N.N. (2015, August). Addressing student mental health and wellness needs. Presentation to Dartmouth School District, Dartmouth, MA
  • Reilly, N.N. (2015, July). Importance of addressing social emotional learning in schools. Presented at the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Mashpee, MA
  • Reilly, N.N. and Anthony, R.W. (2015, April). Teens leading the way. Presented at the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, Franklin, MA

Concurrent Leadership, Service and Professional Activities

  • Practitioner at private practice

Prior Experience

  • Core Faculty, Clinical PsyD Program, William James College
  • Associate Scientific Clinical Staff, Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children’s Hospital Medical Staff
  • Director, Swensrud Depression Prevention Initiative, Children’s Hospital Neighborhood Partnership Program, Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Attending Psychologist, Pediatric Consultation Liaison Service, Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Consultant to Boston Latin School, Children’s Hospital Neighborhood Partnership Program, Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Attending Psychologist, Developmental Medicine Center, Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Lecturer of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Professional Affiliations

  • American Psychological Association

Community Involvement

  • Speaker on mental health topics and group facilitator for faith based organizations
  • Speaker and trainer for Interact groups – local and international Rotary clubs
  • Speaker on mental health topics for parent teacher organizations