Dr. Curtis has worked for over 30 years with children presenting with neurodevelopmental, behavioral, emotional, and medical issues. He currently is a child clinical psychologist with Lifespan Psychological Services and focuses on helping children, and their families, who are presenting a variety of presenting issues. His particular expertise is in the area of assessment of children. He loves to help children who have very complex challenges (e.g., those with autism, dyslexia, mood disorders, etc.). He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and frequently consults with physicians, school districts, and attorneys.
His career began at UCLA where he became interested in children with ADHD and autism. After receiving his BA in psychology, Dr. Curtis worked for several years in an inpatient unit for children/adolescents with significant psychiatric issues. He took a break from his career to work as a fisherman in Alaska and then returned to his studies to complete an MS in School Psychology and PhD in Professional-Scientific Psychology (APA approved in school, clinical, and counseling psychology) from Utah State University. He completed his predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship in Child Clinical Psychology in the Department of Child Psychiatry at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Upon completion of his formal clinical studies, Dr. Curtis worked as a child clinical psychologist for seven years at South East Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) in Sitka, Alaska. SEARCH is an Alaska Native Health medical facility which serves a broad population of Native Alaskans in the vast territory of Southeast Alaska.
Dr. Curtis took the second break in his career to complete a Diploma in Hispanic Studies at the University of Granada, Spain. The study of Spanish has always been a “hobby” of his and he wanted to become fluent in the language in order to work with Spanish-speaking individuals. In Spain, he completed the DELE (International Test of Language Fluency). He has used this acquired knowledge to become an expert in bilingual assessment and to teach teachers in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Dr. Curtis returned to the States after Spain and has worked with Lifespan Psychological Services since that time. Along with his clinical work, he has been an Assistant Professor at Seattle University where he was the Special Education Director for 7 years. He also periodically been contracted to work in the local school system to provide services to students as a school psychologist.
Dr. Curtis completed his Postdoctoral Master Degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology. He is now a Licensed Psychologist and Prescribing Psychologist in the State of New Mexico. He has reduced his private practice and is now flying once per month to work as a Prescribing Psychologist at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM. He became interested in prescription privileges for psychologists after being less-than-satisfied with the prescribers he was referring to for his patients. He is now helping with the quest to bring psychologist prescription privileges to our State of Washington. He will be President of the APA Society for Prescribing Psychology (Division 55) in 2024.
Affiliate Faculty, PsyD Program
School of Applied Psychology, Counseling and Family Therapy
- Conditional Prescribing Psychologist Fellowship, Family Medicine Clinic/Memorial Medical Center, Las Cruces, NM
- Postdoctoral Master’s, Clinical Psychopharmacology (MSCP), Alliant University, San Francisco, CA
- PhD, Professional-Scientific Psychology (APA-approved in combined School, Clinical, & Counseling Psychology), Utah State University
- MS, School Psychology, Utah State University
- BA, Psychology, University of California Los Angeles
Other Credentials
• Nationally Certified School Psychologist
• Licensed Clinical Psychologist, States of Washington and New Mexico
• Certified Prescribing Psychologist, State of New Mexico
• Diploma, Hispanic Studies, University of Granada, Spain
- Curtis, S. E. (2023-under editorial review). Chapter 23: Physical and Mental Disabilities in the Pediatric Population. In B. Marshall & A. Lobelo, Psychiatric Mental Health Guidelines for the Advanced Practice Nurse. Springer.
- Curtis, S. E.,Hoffmann, S., & O’Leary Sloan, M. (2022). Prescriptive authority for psychologists: The next step. Psychological Services. DOI: 10.1037/ser0000667
- Curtis, S. E. (2008). Understanding your child’s puzzling behavior: A guide for parents of children with behavioral, social, and learning challenges. Bainbridge Island, WA: Lifespan Press. (Distributed by Greenleaf Book Group).
- Curtis, S. E. (March, 2005). Parents and litigation: Insights from a special education law clinic. Phi Delta Kappan. (Note: The Phi Delta Kappan is one of the major professional journals for educators. Articles are accepted on a very competitive basis (about 20% of submitted proposals are accepted)).
- Curtis, S. E., Matsuda, L., & Johnson, C. (2005). Teaching students with severe emotional and behavioral disorders: A best practice guide to intervention (DVD to accompany manual). Olympia, WA: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
- Curtis, S. E., Galbreath, H., Curtis, & Matsuda, L. (2004). Teaching students with severe emotional and behavioral disorders: A best practice guide to intervention. Olympia, WA: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). (Note: This manual was placed on the OSPI website).
- Curtis, J.E., & Curtis, S. E. (1999). Why travel with children? Transitions Abroad, July/Aug, 54.
- Curtis, S.E., Curtis, J.E., Halfon, L., Holt, T., Knap, M., Konshin, L., Schroeder, T., Navitsky, M., & Sunde, E. (1998). Alaska native personal leadership program. Multicultural Education, 6 (1), 14-18.
- Curtis, S. E. (1998). Emergent literacy in children. NASP Communique.
- Curtis, S. E. (1998). Asthma in children: Information for parents. Helping Children at Home and School: Handouts from Your School Psychologist. Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.
- Curtis, S. E. (1998). Asthma in children: Information for teachers. Helping Children at Home and School: Handouts from Your School Psychologist. Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.
- Curtis, S.E. (1992). Childhood asthma: A teacher handout. Helping Children Grow Up in the 90’s: a resource book for parents and teachers. Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.
- Curtis, S. E., & Skidmore, J. R. (1992). School-based cognitive-behavioral group treatment of adolescent depression. Dissertation.
- Curtis, S. E. (1991). Childhood asthma: A teacher handout. NASP Communique.
- Curtis, S. E., & Adams, G. R. (1990). The development of the Stress-Response Scale for Adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Research, 6(4), 454-469.
- Curtis, S. E. (1989). The development of the Stress-Response Scale for Adolescents. Thesis.
- Curtis, S. (2023). Prescribing psychotropics to young children with challenges: Prescribe now or wait, and see? Presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, DC.
- Curtis, S., Barnhardt, G, & Woehler, L. (Summer, 2019). Children and medications: What psychologists need to know. Workshop for the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Chicago, IL.
- Curtis, S., Barnhardt, G, & Woehler, L. (August, 2018). Children and medications: What psychologists need to know. Presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA,
- Curtis, S. (2017). Gifted children and medications. Presented at the SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted Children) Annual Convention, Chicago, IL.
- Curtis, S. (2015). The ultimate goal: Achieving a successful, meaningful, and happy life. Presented at SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted Children) Annual Convention, Seattle, WA.
- Curtis, S. (2011). Jumping through the hoops: Helping our boys find the path to success. Presented at SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted Children) Annual Convention, Seattle, WA.
- Curtis, S. (2011). Treating gifted children: A neglected area of practice. Presented at SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted Children) Annual Convention, Seattle, WA.
- Curtis, S. (2011). Understanding your gifted child’s puzzling behavior. Presented at SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted Children) Annual Convention, Seattle, WA.
- Curtis, S. (2008). Does your gifted child need professional help? Presented at SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted Children) Annual Convention, Salt Lake City, UT.
- Curtis, S. (2007). Meeting the educational needs of twice exceptional gifted children: A collaborative approach to understanding and intervention. Presented at SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of Gifted Children) Annual Convention, Kansas City, KS.
- Curtis, S. (2005). Teaching students with severe emotional and behavioral disorders: Advice from veteran teachers. Presented at the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Baltimore, MD. (1-hour workshop).
- Curtis, S. (2005). Is litigation ever justified? Insights from a special education law clinic.
- Annual convention of the Council for Exceptional Children, Baltimore, MD. (poster presentation).
- President-Elect, Society for Prescribing Psychology, Division 55, American Psychological Association, 2023
- Advisory Board Member of SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) 2007-Present
- Seattle University Summer Fellowship Award, 2005
- Sitka Youth Home Board of Directors, Vice Chair, 1994-1997
- Reuben E. Crossett Fund Recipient, 1994
- Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program, 1993-1996
- Ph.D. Program Student Representative, 1989-1990
- President’s Fellowship – Utah State University – Logan, UT, 1989
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Division 55 Society for Prescribing Psychology
- National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
- Washington State Psychological Association (WSPA) - Board Member
- RxP Task Force, 2019 to present – Washington State Psychological Association (WSPA)
- Member, 2019 to present – HB 1041 Submitted in January 2023