Boston School Psychs Podcast - Episode 1: Beyond a Kit, a Kid, & a Closet

Welcome to the Boston School Psychs Podcast! These conversations with Boston school psychologists highlight the people, practices, and partnerships that strengthen behavioral health and promote student well-being across Boston Public Schools.

In our very first episode, we are honored to sit down with Dr. Andria Amador, Senior Director of Behavioral Health Services in BPS and the driving force behind the Comprehensive Behavioral Health Model (CBHM). A nationally recognized leader, Dr. Amador has led the transformation of behavioral health in Boston schools, taking CBHM from a small pilot to a district-wide framework that is now shaping practice across the country.

This conversation comes at a historic moment. Boston Public Schools has been awarded the 2025 NASP Excellence in School Psychological Services Award at the Exemplary level, the highest honor our field can bestow on a district. Together, we celebrate this recognition, reflect on CBHM’s growth, and hear Dr. Amador’s perspective on leadership, equity, and the future of school-based behavioral health.

Listeners will learn how Dr. Amador’s personal and professional journey led her to school psychology leadership in Boston, how CBHM has evolved and impacted the district over the past 14 years, and which milestones make her most proud. She also shares her advice for new school psychologists entering the field, why equity, multilingual hiring, and diversifying the workforce are central to the future of behavioral health, and what keeps her hopeful and motivated in a time of great need.

Join us as we go beyond a kit, a kid, and a closet, and into the comprehensive role of school psychologists building safe and supportive schools, one conversation at a time.