Leni W. Swails, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Pediatrics
Professional Background
Dr. Swails graduated from Emory University and completed her PhD in Clinical Child Psychology at the University of Kansas. She completed her APA accredited internship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, with primary rotations at the Boling Center for Disabilities, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Center of Excellence for Children in State Custody. Dr. Swails completed her postdoctoral fellowship at KU Medical Center with Kansas LEND, in the Department of Pediatrics, and then joined faculty as an Associate Professor.
Dr. Swails has a particular interest in autism and developmental disabilities, dissemination of evidence based practice, and interdisciplinary teaching and training. Dr. Swails is engaged in efforts to train providers across Kansas in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), a behavioral intervention for young children, and is a PCIT International Within Agency Trainer. She is the chair of the PCIT International Policy and Advocacy Task Force. She is also faculty on the Kansas LEND grant and training program.
Education and Training
- BA, Psychology , Emory University, Decatur, Georgia
- PhD, Clinical Child Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
- Internship, Professional Psychology Internship Consortium, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Centers, Memphis, TN
- Post Doctoral Fellowship, Clinical Child Psychology, Developmental Disabilities, Center for Child Health and Development at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Licensure, Accreditations & Certifications
- Certified Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Therapist, Parent Child Interaction Therapy International
- Licensed Psychologist, Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board
- PsyPact APIT (Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology Holders), Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
- Within Agency Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Trainer, Parent Child Interaction Therapy International
Professional Affiliations
- Div 54 APA, Society for Pediatric Psychology, Faculty Mentor, 2021 - 2022
- Div 54 APA, Society for Pediatric Psychology, Member, 2019 - Present
- Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, Member, 2015 - Present
- Div. 53 Society for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Member, 2009 - Present