Kimberly Lechner,
PH.D., LCPC, NCC, PEL

 
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Dr. Kimberly Melton Lechner is a School Psychologist and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with Kids First Collaborative, PLLC. Kim spent 15 years working in public schools on behalf of children and their families as a behavior intervention specialist, school psychologist, and special education administrator. She twice earned the Those Who Excel Award from the Illinois State Board of Education in the team category and was honored to receive the Champion for Children Award for her work as a special education administrator. Kim founded Kids First Collaborative, a private practice in Wheaton, in 2018. As part of her role at Kids First, Kim supervises a team of school psychologists who provide psychoeducational evaluations, counseling, executive functioning coaching, and special education advocacy services.

She also provides staff development and contractual psychological services for school districts. Kim is passionate about supporting families and educators in data-driven and student-focused problem-solving around social emotional and academic needs. She has a special interest in reading and enjoys collaborating with other specialists to bridge the practice gap between high quality assessment and effective intervention. Kim is also a proud board member of Everyone Reading Illinois, a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of children and adults with dyslexia. 

  • • Lechner, K. M. (2017). Implementing Social and Emotional Learning Standards in a High School Setting: A Case Study. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.

    • Carlson, J., Snow, K., & Melton, K. (2004). Family Treatment of Passive Aggressive Personality Disorder. In M. M. MacFarlane (Ed.), Family Treatment of Personality Disorders: Advances in Clinical Practice, (pp. 241-272). New York: Haworth Press.

    • Sperry, L., Carlson, J., Kjos, D., & Melton, K. (2003). Becoming an Effective Therapist: Student Handbook, Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

    • Wilson, S. G., Smith, S. B., Chesler, E. J., Melton, K. A., Haas, J. J., Mitton, B., Strasburg, K. J., Hubert, L., Rodriguez-Zas, S. L., & Mogil, J. S. (2003). The Heritability of Antinociception: Common Pharmacogenetic Mediation of Five Neurochemically Distinct Analgesics. Journal of Experimental Therapeutics, 304, 547-559.

    • Carlson, J., Kjos, D., Snow, K., & Melton, K. (2002). Theories and Strategies of Family Therapy: Student Handbook. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

    • Wilson, S. G., Mitton, B. A., Haas, J. J., Melton, K. A., & Mogil, J. S. (2000). The Heritability of Pain Inhibition: Pharmacogenetic Mediation of Multiple Analgesic Modalities. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 26:2189.

    • Wilson, S. G., Melton, K. A., Wickesburg, R. E., & Mogil, J. S. (1999). Strain Dependent Antinociception from the Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist, WIN 55, 212-2. Society of Neuroscience Abstracts, 25:924.

  • • National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

    • American Counseling Association (ACA)