Leihua Edstrom

Highest Degree:   PhD
Snohomish, Washington

Title(s):
Professor of Psychology
Graduate School of Clinical Psychology
George Fox University

Education:
2000 PhD in Educational Psychology, University of Washington

Licensure/Certification and State:
Licensed Psychologist: Washington State (No. PY00002829), Oregon (No. 3672)
Diplomate in School Neuropsychology, American Board of School Neuropsychology (No. 10600)
Previously certificated School Psychologist, Washington State (No. 329913H)

Professional Memberships:
American Psychological Association (APA)
APA Division 17: Society of Counseling Psychology
APA Division 35: Psychology of Women
APA Division 36: Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality
Christian Association for Psychological Studies
National Association of School Psychologists
Pacific Northwest Neuropsychological Society
Society for Psychological Study of Social Issues
Washington State Psychological Association

Member of CAPS since 2016

Brief Bio:
Leihua Edstrom, PhD, ABSNP is a Professor in the Graduate School of Clinical Psychology at George Fox University where she teaches psychological assessment and provides research mentoring and clinical training supervision. Graduate training in school psychology from the University of Washington (M. Ed., Ph.D.) and background as a prevention researcher and school psychologist prepared her well for health service psychology education and training. She also has a private practice where she provides school neuropsychological assessment and consultation with neurodivergent and culturally diverse children and their parents and educators.

In addition to assessment, Leihua’s special interests include culturally sensitive training and mentoring, and religious/spirituality factors in treatment. She is particularly interested in gender identity development and has launched a qualitative study to understand meaning making about gender for children and adolescents in Christian-identified families. She has published in the areas of school bullying and prevention, religious/spiritual abuse, and socially responsive education and training in health service psychology. She also serves in a variety of leadership roles, including as the 2022-23 President of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology, and Vice Chair of the Doctoral Education Commission of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

Statement of Vision for CAPS: 

CAPS serves a critical role in the field of psychology by offering a unique lens from which to view human behavior, purpose, and healing. In my experience, few forums provide the true freedom to authentically ponder, debate, and embrace faith integration with psychology. Upon stumbling on to CAPS in 2016, I’ve found this organization and its members to not only fulfill my need for a professional home, but also to be a portal to deeper (and divine) understanding through recognition of the spiritual dimension of being human.

In a zeitgeist in which Christianity is denigrated, yet spirituality is increasingly longed for, our work in faith integration is more critical than ever. My vision for CAPS now and in the future is to equip our members to further expand our work and impact across settings and divides, beyond the confines of faith affiliation. As we are connected to the ultimate source of knowledge, through the Spirit, we are poised to contribute uniquely to meeting human needs—touching not only psyches and, in turn, aiding the healing of bodies, but reaching souls as well.

I would be honored to serve CAPS and my colleagues as a board member to advance our mission.