Empowering adolescents to become agents of change in their own lives by co-constructing solutions to enhance mental health.
A Message from Dr. Marina Niznik
Over half of students with psychological issues do not receive any mental health services.
Recognizing the need for help is the first step. You have already started.
Guided by a philosophy of giving psychology away, INLIGHT Psychological Services strives to make relevant research, interventions, and resources easily accessible, immediately usable, and widely appealing to adolescents, while equipping school-based professionals and caregivers to support positive change.
Direct work with a large number of adolescents, with a continuum of presenting issues, is my great privilege as a licensed psychologist. As such, I have a well-developed understanding of the variability and severity of adolescent mental health concerns and the importance of simultaneously working within existing systems. Though at times I have witnessed the negative outcomes when supports are insufficient, far more often I have been able to appreciate the unlimited growth, success, and positive changes that emerge when a young person’s needs are heard, validated, supported, and ultimately met.
I listen to one adolescent at a time to manage psychological distress and maintain positive mental health.
I am here for you.
Dr. Niznik is a licensed psychologist compassionately serving adolescents in the East Bay area of San Francisco, California. In her private practice, Dr. Niznik utilizes an integrative method, combining relevant evidence-based treatment (EBT) in a solution-focused manner. Extensive training and experience in child and adolescent-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), treating adolescents and children with a wide range of mental health needs, guides her systems-based therapeutic approach.
As an engaging speaker, Dr. Niznik has been invited to present at national conferences and for organizations in her areas of specialization: adolescent suicide prevention and self-injury. She conducts professional development presentations for mental health professionals and educators on suicide prevention, self-injury, violence and crisis prevention, ADHD, bipolar disorder and other relevant topics. Committed to supporting mental health professionals, Dr. Niznik has supervised doctoral level interns, conducted training for intern cohorts, and served as an adjunct professor for graduate-level psychology courses.
Dr. Niznik has accumulated significant experience co-leading school-based crisis responses on the individual, campus, and district level. She has co-authored articles on suicide prevention and self-injury and was trained in school-based crisis response, in addition to the National Organization of Victims Assistance (NOVA) model. Dr. Niznik was invited to be an Implementation Advisory Board member for the JED Set-to-Go High School Initiative (Thank you, Dr. Madelyn Gould!) and worked as a consultant on the development of their Innovative Comprehensive Approach for High Schools to Strengthen Suicide Prevention plan.
Credentials Dr. Niznik earned her doctoral degree (PhD) in school psychology from The University of Texas at Austin, and her bachelor of science degree (BS) from Syracuse University with a dual major in psychology and advertising. She completed an APA-accredited internship and post-doctoral training under the direct supervision of Dr. Scott Poland, an internationally recognized expert in suicide prevention and crisis response. She worked in the doctoral-level Department of Psychological Services in a school district of over 100,000 students in the Houston area for over 15 years providing counseling, consultation, and psychological assessment, and has consulted with organizations, school districts, and parents. Currently, she is a licensed psychologist in the state of California and is the President of INLIGHT Psychological Services PC.
About the name “INLIGHT”
While building this practice, the name “Inlight” repeatedly revealed itself while watching sunsets on the Pacific coast. The dynamic created by the golden California sunlight radiating on the ever-changing surface of the water, yields a fluidity of purpose, clarity, and optimism—an aspirational state for my life and work.
INLIGHT Psychological Services Professional Affiliations
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American Psychological Association (APA) member
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National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) member
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Advisory Board Member of JED Foundation Set-to-Go High School Initiative
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California Association of School Psychologists (CASP) member
Recommendation Excerpts from Colleagues
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“I have known [Dr. Niznik] professionally for more than twenty years. I have found her to be very sincere, engaging, and extremely focused on helping others…..I consider her the most motivated and outstanding school psychologist that I have known in my thirty-five plus years in school psychology.”
—Dr. Scott Poland, Professor and Co-Director Suicide and Violence Prevention Office Nova Southeastern University
Formerly Director of Psychological Services, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD -
“Dr. Marina Niznik is by far the most exceptional psychologist that I have had the pleasure to team with as a counselor. Her passion for student mental health, dedication to collaboration with all staff, and ability to develop successful intervention plans is unparalleled.”
—Sandra Poag, M.S.
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, College and Career Specialist
Formerly Lead Counselor at Cypress-Ranch High School, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD -
“[Dr. Niznik’s] experiences, insights, research abilities, responsibilities such as meeting deadlines, were all exceptional. She works collaboratively, presents effortlessly and feels passionately about youth.“
—Richard A. Lieberman MA, NCSP
School Psychologist; Consultant; Lecturer, Graduate School of Education, Loyola Marymount University Formerly Director of Psychological Services at Los Angeles Unified School District