Licensed Educational Psychologist | Bethany Deniz

Seeing the Whole Picture of Your Learner

When your child is putting in effort and school still feels harder than it should, it can be confusing and draining for everyone.

I work with students and families who sense that something about learning, attention, or emotions is getting in the way and want to understand why. At EmpowerED, my work centers on school neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluations that pull together multiple sources of information to create a clear, practical understanding of how a child thinks, learns, and experiences the world.

My specialties are in:

Learning differences, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia

ADHD and executive functioning challenges

Autism spectrum profiles

Anxiety, depression, and school-related stress

Complex or overlapping presentations that are not easily captured by a single label

Psychoeducational Evaluations

School Neuropsychological Evaluations

Independent Educational
Evaluations (IEEs)

IEP Consulting & School Meeting Support

Curiosity is at the Heart of My Work

I am interested in every clue: how your child approaches tasks, what helps them stay engaged, where they get stuck, and how they feel about school.

I enjoy working with a wide range of students, from early elementary through college-aged.

Seeing learners across this span helps me recognize:

Developmental patterns in reading, writing, math, and attention

How social-emotional factors differ across ages

How the tools and strategies that work in elementary school may need to shift as schoolwork demands increase

I regularly collaborate with families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams in public and private schools, and help families navigate IEP and 504 Plan processes.

Thoughtful, Student-Centered Assessment

Every child is unique, and I approach each evaluation with a child-centered lens. I focus on understanding your child’s strengths, challenges, history, and the environments where they do best.

Families can expect that I will:

Take time to get to know your child and your family’s concerns

Gather information from parents, teachers, and other providers

Create a calm, supportive testing environment

Explain results in language that is clear and meaningful

My goal is not only to describe what is difficult, but to help you understand why it is happening and what can be done in practical, everyday ways at home and at school.

Changing the Way Students See Themselves

I was drawn to this field because I have always loved learning and noticed early on that not every student experiences school as a place where they can thrive. I wanted to understand how we can make learning feel more accessible, positive, and emotionally safe.

The experience of growing up with a sibling who has ADHD helps me approach each child and family with empathy and respect. It also keeps me committed to the work of shifting how children and families see themselves. Meaningful change is possible when we move from confusion or frustration toward clarity and self-understanding.

Training That Deepens My Practice

The science of how people learn and process information has advanced significantly in recent years, and keeping pace with that progress matters for every child I evaluate.

Education

B.S. in Human Development, University of California, Davis

M.A. in School Psychology, California State University, Sacramento

Ed.S. in School Psychology, California State University, Sacramento

Credentials

Diplomate, American Board of School Neuropsychology (ABSNP)

Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) #3463

Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)

Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS)

My continuing education has included:

Studying the neuroscience of reading, attention, and problem solving, and how differences in these areas can show up in school

Advanced training in how to select, administer, and interpret tests

Ongoing learning in strengths‑based and neurodiversity‑affirming approaches, so students are understood and described in ways that are accurate and respectful

Regular consultation with colleagues and interdisciplinary teams to think carefully through complex student profiles and recommendations

This ongoing learning allows me to provide evaluations and recommendations that are both thorough and useful in classrooms and homes.

Life Outside the Office

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and friends. As a mom of two, I'm always on the go with ice skating, soccer, baseball, and 4-H. I also enjoy volunteering with the Santa Rosa Figure Skating Club and helping care for our family's dairy cows.

When I'm not keeping busy with all of that, you'll usually find me with a good book or checking out a new local restaurant.