Threat Assessment in Schools

Dr. Melissa Reeves, Ph.D., NCSP, LPC is a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed special education teacher, licensed professional counselor, and former district coordinator of social/emotional/behavioral services. She is past president of the National Association of School Psychologists (2016-17), most recently was an Associate Professor at Winthrop University, and previously worked for the Cherry Creek School District in Colorado. She has over 20 years’ experience working in public schools and a private school, in addition to providing mental health services in day and residential treatment settings. She is a senior consultant with Sigma Threat Management Associates, an ONTIC company, and lead author of the South Carolina Department of Education School-Based Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Best Practice Guideline. Dr. Reeves is co-author of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) PREPaRE School Crisis Prevention and Intervention curriculum and former Chair (and current member) of the NASP School Safety and Crisis Response Committee. She also serves on her university’s Critical Incident Management Team and the College of Arts and Science COVID-19 Recovery committee.

She travels both nationally and internationally training professionals in the areas of school crisis prevention through recovery, threat and suicide assessment, the impact of trauma on academic achievement, and works with schools on establishing a positive and safe school climate. Dr. Reeves is also senior advisor for Safe and Sound Schools, an organization founded by two parents who lost their children in the Sandy Hook tragedy and as NASP President, Dr. Reeves appointed the NASP Social Justice Task Force. She has conducted more than 300 workshops and presentations and has also provided consultation and staff development to professionals in the United States Department of Defense Educational Activity Schools located on various military installations. Dr. Reeves has authored six books and multiple publications.