About Us

I bring many years of training and varied experiences into the therapy and assessment rooms at B ‘n G Psychological Services. I have worked with clients/students that cover a wide range of ages that include preterm infants and their families in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; children and youth in schools and private practice; children and families involved in domestic violence and/or rape crisis programs; and adults in correctional settings. My training and expertise emphasizes adjustment, attachment, temperament, disabilities, gender identity and gender diversity, anxiety, depression, trauma, and early childhood school readiness. My therapeutic approach is based on the child’s needs and a play, expressive art, cognitive behavioral, or trauma focus may be used. As a certified school psychologist, I have conducted school-based evaluations for seven years in a school district as well as taught a graduate level advanced assessment course for 15 years at Eastern Kentucky University.

My current licenses and certifications are listed below.

• Licensed Psychologist and Health Services Provider in Kentucky

• Nationally Certified School Psychologist

• State Certified School Psychologist in Kentucky

Below is a list of my degrees.

• Ph.D. from University of Kentucky in Educational Psychology with specialization in School Psychology

• Ed.S. from University of Kentucky in School Psychology

• M.A. from Nicholls State University in Psychological Counseling

• B.S. from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in Therapeutic Recreation

• A.A. from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in Correctional Services

Email: tnowak@bngpsych.com 

*To learn more about the significance of pronouns, go to: https://en.pronouns.page/ 

I joined B ’n G Psychological Services in summer 2020, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, in response to the increasing therapeutic needs of children, teens, and families in our region. We had no idea then how hard things were going to get.

I foster a safe and positive environment and caring therapeutic alliance to build upon individuals' and families' strengths, using cognitive, behavioral, and brain-based strategies to help clients...

• increase awareness of their own needs as well as the needs of others;

• focus on health and wellness and practice good self-care;

• tune in to body feedback, thoughts, and feelings and learn how their brains manage their self-regulation;

• learn mindful and effective strategies to help navigate their complex worlds;

• choose goals and then plan and follow through with actions to meet them;

• feel calm, have fun, appreciate joy, and build healthy relationships; and

• grow in competence and confidence.

In addition to therapeutic services, I provide consultation, workshops, & trainings for groups and organizations in the following areas:

• cultural awareness and competence;

• needs of and interventions with children, teens, and families;

• parenting and teaching individuals with behavioral and learning challenges associated with ADHD, trauma, ASD, and/or anxiety;

• sexuality education for folks in middle school and high school;

• brain-based teaching and learning; and

• positive self-regulation and growth.

Here are my credentials:

Licensure/Certifications

• Psychologist (Kentucky licensure)

• Health Services Provider (Kentucky)

• School Psychologist (Kentucky and national certifications)

Education

• B.A. Psychology and Sociology from Emory University, Atlanta

• M.Ed. Early Childhood from Georgia State University, Atlanta

• Ph.D. Educational Psychology with School Psychology specialization from the University of Texas at Austin

• APA-approved pre- and post-doctoral internships through Louisiana School Psychology Internships Colloquium (LASPIC), in Lafourche Parish

Employment

• Early Childhood: preschool teacher, kindergarten teacher, university laboratory school instructor, preschool director

• Special Education: teacher with children with severe emotional and behavioral challenges

• University: tenured faculty member, department Chair

On a personal note, my family and I enjoy hiking, gardening, kayaking, biking, traveling, music, theater, cooking & eating, and playing with our rescued dogs.

Contact me via e-mail at jrainey@bngpsych.com or business cell phone at 859-447-6150.

Be well and take care!