The North Hills School District School Psychology Department helps foster a healthy and supportive learning environment for all students by identifying and removing barriers to ensure educational success.

NHSD has four full-time certified school psychologists with responsibilities that include completing comprehensive evaluations for determination of special education and gifted services, providing psychological counseling, participating in functional behavior assessments, conducting academic and behavior screenings, providing research-based interventions, consulting with parents, teachers and administrators, and participating in district-level teams for students experiencing learning, social, emotional or behavioral difficulties.

NHSD school psychologists are also involved in facilitating professional development training to staff and teachers, and further support parents through parent forums.

In the summer of 2021, NHSD added a new school psychologist position specifically designed to provide a wide range of direct, intensive support for students with emotional and behavioral concerns.

NHSD psychologists regularly consult with building level teams to support students who have been referred by school staff and/or parents/guardians for academic, emotional or behavioral needs. Parents/guardians with concerns regarding their child’s educational performance are encouraged to reach out to their child’s school.

Dr. Lynn Kiselica joined the North Hills School District in 1995 and currently serves as the school psychologist for Ross Elementary School and secondary students with the last names L through Z.

Dr. Kiselica has worked with students at all grade levels during her time at North Hills and she has experience supporting students with various academic, cognitive, emotional and behavioral needs.

She previously served as the student assistance specialist at the North Hills Junior High School for five years and elementary school counselor at West View Elementary for two years.

Dr. Kiselica received her doctorate in psychology from Duquesne University and prior to North Hills, was a school psychologist in the Wilson School District in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Emily Stephenson is a graduate of North Hills High School and received her doctorate in psychology from Duquesne University.

She has been a school psychologist since 2015 and has experience with children and adolescents from pre-K through grade 12 with various academic, cognitive, behavioral and emotional needs.

Dr. Stephenon joined NHSD in 2019 and currently serves as the school psychologist for West View Elementary and secondary students with the last names A through K.

Prior to working in North Hills, she worked in the Chartiers Valley School District as the primary school’s school psychologist.

Christine Hardgrove is a graduate of North Hills High School and received a Master of Science degree from California University of Pennsylvania.

She has been a school psychologist since 2017 working with children and adolescents with significant learning, behavioral and mental health needs.

Mrs. Hardgrove joined NHSD in 2021 and currently serves as the school psychologist for Highcliff and McIntyre elementary schools.

She was previously a school psychologist for The Bradley Center, a residential treatment facility, and the Cornell School District.

Dr. Miriam (Ferguson) Lang joined NHSD in 2021 and serves as the Counseling School Psychologist for all buildings and all grades K-12 in the district. Her primary role is to provide mental health support and services to our student population through individual and group psychological counseling. She also works closely with parents and staff to help manage difficult behaviors, develop behavior plans, and generalize skills across settings.

Dr. Lang received her doctorate in psychology from Duquesne University and completed her doctoral internship at Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia. Following her internship, she worked as a school psychologist at Washington County Public Schools in Maryland.

Her practical and work experiences include involvement in the assessment process for special education eligibility, individual and group psychological counseling, and behavior management and consultation. Dr. Lang has also worked with a wide range of individuals including children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as children who have experienced trauma.