Philip J. Lazarus, Ph.D., NCSP is an Associate Professor and Director of the School Psychology Training Program at Florida International University where he has served since 1978. He is a graduate of Tulane University and the University of Florida.

Dr. Lazarus is the co-editor of the texts, Psychoeducational Evaluation of Children and Adolescents with Low-Incidence Handicaps and Best Practices in School Crisis Prevention and Intervention. He has written more than ten book chapters and over three-dozen scholarly articles.

Dr. Lazarus has served the profession of psychology as the President of the Florida Association of School Psychologists, founder and Vice President of FASP Children’s Services Fund, Inc., Chairperson of the Florida Council of Trainers and Supervisors, founder and Chairperson of the Florida Board of Examiners in School Psychology. He is the founder and current co-chair of the Florida Emergency Assistance Team of FASP and has responded to Hurricane Andrew, Charley, Frances, and Ivan. He is also a founder of Camp Kadima, a camp for physically and mentally challenged youth that now serves more that 75 youngsters.

Dr. Lazarus is a founder and Past- Chairperson of the National Emergency Assistance Team of the National Association of School Psychologists. This team has provided direct crisis assistance in the aftermath of the tragic school shootings. The NEAT Team also responds to natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods as well as acts of terrorism. He returned from Mississippi and Louisiana where he provided crisis intervention training in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. This nine-person team provides training to professionals in the area of crisis prevention and response as well as consultation to schools and school districts.

Dr. Lazarus has also maintained a private practice for 25 years. He specializes in working with children, adolescents and families. He also consults with schools, law firms and businesses. He consulted with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in their landmark study on profiling school shooters and on school violence prevention and bullying prevention for National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc and VIRTUS®.

Dr. Lazarus has been interviewed by a number of media sources such as the CNBC, CNN, the Glenn Beck Show, Newsweek, Seventeen Magazine, Washington Post, Reader’s Digest dealing with such topics as anxiety and depression in children and adolescents, responding to natural disasters, coping with trauma following school shootings, school violence, helping children deal with grief and trauma following 9-11, bullying in schools, threat assessment, and identifying troubled students.

Dr. Lazarus is a recipient of the FASP Presidential Award for his contribution in writing ethical guidelines for dual practicing school psychologists and the NASP/NEAT “Dare to Dream” Outstanding Contribution Award for his leadership in crisis prevention and intervention. In 2006, he received the NASP Certificate of Appreciation and the NASP Presidential Award for his work in providing crisis intervention services in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In 2008 he received the Willard Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Association of School Psychologists.