About Dr. Bethany R. Russell

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 

Bethany R. Russell, Ph.D., LMHC, RPT, NCC

EDUCATION/TRAINING 

University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Ph.D.

08/2021

Counselor Education & Supervision

University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

M.A.

05/2018

Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Play Therapy

University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

M.A.

05/2011

Human Development & Family Studies, Child Life

University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

B.A.

12/2005

Human Development & Family Studies, Child Life; Spanish

A. Personal Statement
My career has been dedicated to advancing mental health services for children and families, with a specific focus on play therapy, integrated behavioral health, and the application of innovative technologies. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, and an Assistant Professor of Counseling, I have a strong foundation in both clinical practice and research methodologies. My doctoral research involved the development and initial validation of a new instrument, the Highly Sensitive Child Scale for Preschool Age Children (HSCS-P), providing me with direct experience in psychometric development and pilot testing – skills crucial for the proposed work on the AI-Enhanced Virtual Play Therapy Hub (VPTH). My research interests include "Artificial Intelligence & Technology in Mental Health" and "Change Mechanisms in Play Therapy". I have experience in leading research initiatives, as demonstrated by my role as Assistant Director of Research at the UCF Center for Play Therapy Research and Training, and a track record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations in these areas. I am working on projects to develop, aiming to create a scalable and impactful tool to improve mental health service delivery for children. 

B. Positions, Scientific Appointments, and Honors

Positions and Scientific Appointments

• 2023-Present Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL

• 2023-Present Owner, Researcher & Mental Health Therapist, Bethany R. Russell, Ph.D., P.A., Babcock Ranch, FL

• 2021-2023 Visiting Professor, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Stetson University, DeLand, FL

• 2022-2024 Therapist, Orlando Counseling Services, Orlando, FL

• 2021-2022 Program Therapist, Halifax Health - Child & Adolescent Behavioral Services, Daytona, FL

• 2020-2021 Clinic Research Assistant, Community Research and Counseling Center (CCRC), Orlando, FL

• 2019-2020 Clinical Coordinator, Community Research and Counseling Center (CCRC), Orlando, FL

• 2018-2021 Assistant Director of Research, UCF Center for Play Therapy Research and Training, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

• 2018-2019 Community Outreach Coordinator, Community Research and Counseling Center, Orlando, FL

• 2018-2021 Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern, Community Research and Counseling Center, Orlando, FL

Honors (Selected)
2025 Perplexity Business Fellow (March 2025) Awarded $40,000.00 in research credits 

2025 Florida Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (November 2024)

President-Elect

2025 Senator, Florida Gulf Coast University Faculty Senate (2025-Present)

2024 ACA Conference (August 2024) Proposal Reviewer

2024 SACES Conference (April 2024) Proposal Reviewer

C. Contributions to Science

1. Development and Validation of Psychometric Instruments for Child Mental Health: My doctoral dissertation focused on the development and initial validation of the Highly Sensitive Child Scale for Preschool Age Children (HSCS-P). This work addresses the need for nuanced assessment tools for specific pediatric populations and provided me with rigorous training in instrument design, psychometric evaluation, statistical analysis, and pilot testing methodologies.

   • Russell, B. R. (2021). Highly Sensitive Child Scale for Preschool Age Children (HSCS-P): Development and Initial Validation of a New Instrument (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL. (This would be listed if formally published or publicly accessible; if not, describe the work and its significance).
     
     

2. Advancing Evidence-Based Approaches and Understanding Mechanisms in Play Therapy: I have contributed to the understanding and evaluation of play therapy approaches, including examining evidence-based treatment criteria..

   • Russell, B.R., Dillman Taylor, D., & Thompson, K. (2024). Understanding evidence-based treatment criteria through the evaluation of play therapy approaches. International Journal of Play Therapy, 33(2), 93-106. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000214

   • Dillman Taylor, D., Thompson, K., Russell, B. R., & Meany-Walen, K. K. (2021). Utilizing play therapy in schools: Lessons learned. International Journal of Play Therapy, 31(1), 22–33. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000156

3. Integration of Play Therapy in Diverse Settings, Including Pediatrics: My work has explored the application and integration of play therapy principles in various settings, including pediatric hospitals.

   • Russell, B. R., Oh, S., Dillman Taylor, D. (2019). Integration of Adlerian play therapy in pediatric hospitals. Journal of Child and Adolescent Development, 5(1), 61-72. https://doi.org/10.1080/23727810.2018.1556987

   • Russell, B. R., Morales, A., & Russell, D. R. (2015). Using children as informal interpreters in pediatric consultations. Int'l Jrnl Human Rights Health, 8(3), 132-143. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-07-2013-0009

4. Research on Therapeutic Interventions for Child-Welfare Involved Families: I have investigated the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, such as Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), within vulnerable populations like child-welfare involved families. This research highlights my commitment to improving mental health outcomes for at-risk children and provides experience in conducting pilot studies to assess intervention feasibility and impact.

   • Russell, B.R., Frawley, C., Wilson, N., Dillman Taylor, D., Cypret, A. (2024). The Efficacy of Child Parent Relationship Therapy Among Child-Welfare Involved Families: A Pilot Study. The Family Journal, 33(1), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807241268515

5. Application of Technology and AI in Mental Health (Emerging Contribution): My current research focus, as evidenced by recent research awards (Google Cloud, Perplexity.ai for Play Therapy Research), is on the integration of artificial intelligence and technology into mental health services. This emerging area of my work aims to develop and evaluate innovative tools to enhance the accessibility, efficiency, and effectiveness of pediatric mental healthcare. 
   
   

D. Research Support

Ongoing Research Support

• Google Cloud Research & Education Grant Russell (PI) 01/2025 -Present
  Title: Highly Sensitive Child Scale for Preschool Age Children (HSCS-P): Development and Initial Validation of a New Instrument - Further Research and Analysis
  The goal of this award is to support further research and analysis of dissertation topic.
  Role: Principal Investigator

• Perplexity.ai Business Fellow Research Credits Russell (PI) 03/2025 -Present
  Title: FGCU Play Therapy Research Team Support
  The goal of this award is to provide AI tool access for use with the FGCU Play Therapy Research Team.
  Role: Principal Investigator / Team Lead