Molly R. Machemehl, MA, LSSP, School Psychologist

Psychologist | School

****** Flower Mound TX, 75028 Show map

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About

Ms. Molly Ruth Machemehl is a School Psychologist (MA LSSP) practicing in Texas most often for Texas schools. She is licensed in Texas and Vermont. Ms. Machemehl specializes in evaluation, counseling, and intervention for students with needs as well as supports classroom and home recommendations to help students. As a School Psychologist, Ms. Machemehl evaluates; supports learning initiatives; and determines strengths and challenges through a variety of methods. Collaborating, using insight from a multi-disciplinary team, understanding child development, and recognizing strengths are important skills she uses. Students usually are referred to Ms. Machemehl if they, their school, and/or their family want answers to questions. They also are referred if they need school-based support. After working in a compliance arena with businesses, while helping identify obstacles co-occurring with identifying opportunities, and after working as a full-time certified teacher, Ms. Machemehl became licensed while maintaining certification. She uses various classroom strategies to help determine the level of effectiveness. Ms. Machemehl recognizes the unique potential in all students as part of humanity. She also cherishes the differences in each human life. Emulating virtue, teaching by example, helping people reach their goals, and promoting safe schools are core initiatives. She maintained tenure throughout the state of Texas working in more than one region to help with training and development ideas. Because schools are not clinics (even with a school nurse on site for emergencies), as a MA LSSP - School Psychologist, she is used as a liasion with consent to communicate with the medical community, if necessary, as it pertains to evaluation needs, behavior support, suicide prevention, recovery programs, and more.

Education and Training

Baylor University BBA 1999

HBU (now HCU) MA 2011

Provider Details

Female English, Spanish

Molly R. Machemehl, MA, LSSP, School Psychologist

Molly R. Machemehl, MA, LSSP, School Psychologist's Expert Contributions

My Latest Posts
My Answers

Guide to Texas - Confidentiality Citations in the Texas Guidance
I. When must you break confidentiality with the legal and ethical citations?A. Texas Administrative Code, Title 22, Part 21, Ch 465, Rule 465.12 pertains to privacy and confidentiality by psychologists in practice:TAC, Title 22, Part 21, Ch. 465, Rule 465.12 (e): “Licensees disclose...
The Willingness of Educators to Utilize Video Modeling as a Form of Supplemental Instruction on Verbal Expression of Emotion in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Ms. Molly R. Machemehl – submitted 04/28/2010 to Houston Baptist UniversityAbstractThe present research considers the predictors of the willingness of educators to use video modeling as a supplemental instruction technique on verbal expression of emotion for communication as well as social...

Can anxiety attacks be stopped with medications?
Medication can be used as a remedy and can be used to help alleviate symptoms. Most medications were not designed to be used the entire duration of a person's life. As you might be aware, what medication a doctor prescribes and the prescription varies and depends upon the frequency, intensity, and duration of symptoms. Ongoing maintenance and prevention can be a life-long journey in combination with medication if the anxiety attacks were not tied to any particular stressor. Do consult with a physician. Avoid self-medicating. READ MORE
How long is the treatment for alcohol addiction?
First of all, I applaud you for helping your friend. Having a trusted friend through treatment serves as a lifeline. If I may say so, I will be praying for you and your friend in this journey. The length of time can vary. The questions to ask at some point are these to determine the length of time: 1. Are you referencing functional alcoholism or something greater? 2. In reference to "treatment," are you referencing short-term in patient, out patient, support group, long-term hospitalization, and/or something else? Other questions can be asked as well. Most states now require that patients not be denied faith-based treatment options. Faith-based recovery programs such as "Celebrate Recovery" https://celebraterecovery.com/ offer devotionals, mentors, and support groups. They received excellent recommendations, yet most completed "Celebrate Recovery," and programs such as these, in combination with one of the other treatment options listed in #2. Programs such as these usually have local referrals, too. Other programs such as "Alcoholics Anonymous" https://www.aa.org/ are similar and provide support groups as well as referrals to those that want faith-based options, too. Some have sponsors that help. If law enforcement got involved, at times officers, chaplains, and other mentors are available if the recommendation came through a court-order or other community-based response to enforce the law and protect the public. Again, the length of time can vary. I have mostly seen six months as the starting point. Most in-patient treatment plan providers offer treatment in 30-day increments. Actually stopping the habit of drinking can vary from days to years, depending upon which treatment option your friend needs. Ongoing maintenance and prevention?.... very different for complete recovery. Patients often require ongoing maintenance and prevention daily even after complete recovery to avoid relapse and the struggle to return. Those I know that recovered made it a life-long commitment and are living life abundantly in a new frame of mind. I encourage you as the friend to encourage friends and family to get support as well as training. If the addiction resulted in self-injurious behavior that became a physical health crisis, encourage your friend to confide in a doctor. Recovery, healing, and tending to physical health needs are separate matters, yet physical health ramifications are evaluated in the treatment process. If your friend is in danger of hurting self or someone else, please call 911 - Emergency, or call/text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255. READ MORE
Can alcohol addiction be cured?
Yes and no. This is true of any addiction. Yes and no. Stopping consumption and misuse? yes. The need for maintenance and prevention? Many that recovered described a life-long journey. Treatment options can vary. Please refer to similar questions about how long treatment lasts and possible treatment options for more information: https://www.findatopdoc.com/doctor/85022114-Molly-Ruth-Machemehl-Psychologist (Molly R. Machemehl, MA LSSP - School Psychologist). Consult with a physician on physical health-related matters while considering what treatment options you use. Also, keep in mind that most states now require that patients not be denied faith-based treatment options. Programs such as Celebrate Recovery https://celebraterecovery.com/ and Alcoholics Anonymous https://www.aa.org/ are aware of that. They also provide referrals. If you are in danger of hurting yourself or someone else, please call 911 - Emergency, or call/text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255. READ MORE
What are some effective anxiety coping mechanisms?
What a great question. First of all, you are not alone in your bewilderment. At that same time, there might be others that do not understand, and someone might feel alone. A. To really address any challenging emotion, consider health first and foremost. The formal definition of anxiety describes anxiety as an emotion. Since stress, high blood pressure, worrisome thoughts, and doubt can characterize anxiety, first consider the following: 1. Faith to overcome doubt while also applying reason to understand our humanity (both our significance and our frailty) while even considering healthy religious practices, prayer, and spiritual discourse that many use https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9713100/ 2. A trusted family member or trusted friend in whom someone confides while keeping in mind the person in need applies these principles 3. Physical health - diet, exercise, and rest B. A variety of terms describe the word "coping." People might use managing, "dealing with," coping and holding on as some of the phrases. 1. First identify the source of frustration. a. Did a distressing event occur? b. Did any particular event occur? c. Did someone experience constant worry? d. Other factors? 2. If tied to one event, people can put the event into a realistic and honest perspective. a. For example, if someone witnessed harm, provide a perspective with the actual facts, statistics, and more. What is honest about the situation? How many were impacted? Is it a reflection of one? An isolated incident? b. If it is a significant threat, it would be important to seek help, call 911 if needed, and remove yourself from the threat for a period of time if the danger is not immediately addressed. Cautiously consider when you might resume interaction. Be sure to confide in another. 3. Once a person prioritizes health, identifies a source, and provides an honest perspective, a person can easily apply additional strategies listed. Keep in mind that anxious triggers have varying levels of significance. There also might have been nothing specific that someone identified as a trigger. Here are some additional strategies: "Thought distortions," as psychology world calls them, are basically what the others call lies, deceptions, and fears that keep us and others from reaching our potential. They are what caused ancient writers to encourage us "take every thought captive." It does not mean you are despised and a dishonest person. Recognizing the misconception, however, helps to keep your emotions in line with what is true. https://www.verywellmind.com/ https://www.healthline.com/health/cognitive-distortions?fbclid=IwY2xjawFaerVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHW9scNbyicjqNwSvp3JmRau_gfE5nzPbnYc-5_Af_wMMTA31vFRM2toBrQ_aem_xDoNjtdXrpv9oLgQura_bw#should-statements Be extra careful with these, however. Please know that small tendencies; fatigue; not knowing what to do in unique circumstances; substance(s), and/or Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired ("H.A.L.T.") moments can make these matters seem bigger. This one lists CBT techniques and references psych conditions. Merely because they are listed does not mean any evidence of READ MORE
How do you manage angry behavior?
Casual answer from me: First of all, anger is okay. However, misapplied anger is inappropriate. Uncontrolled anger can be redirected. It is important to define what is meant by angry behavior. Has it been violent? Has it been aggressive? to objects? people? What happens before the person gets angry? Were substances/graphic images involved? What was the frequency, intensity, and duration of the "angry behavior?" Did the angry behavior coincide with an unmet need? Determining the source of the anger is important as well. Since most anger is a reaction, finding the source is significant. Most often, the reasons for a behavior occurrence (positive or negative) are one or a combination of the following: seeking attention; seeking escape/avoidance; seeking control; and/or seeking justice. Answer from me as a practitioner (MA LSSP - School Psychologist): For your friend, it is important to know that while challenging, there are answers. Not all answers might be known immediately, yet with time and support, your friend can find new strategies. Mere behavior management is not sufficient for most people to make necessary changes. Finding strategies to replace inappropriate responses is important. Above all, recognizing the challenge, acknowledging frailty, recognizing a need, using a variety of trusted sources, and avoiding immoral influences that would lead astray are essential elements. Excessive deviant/anti-social influences while trying to make a change can intensify maladaptive responses. First, it is important to try to help determine the function of the behavior. The function of behavior is the reason why a behavior challenge occurred. Here are some of the most common functions of behavior: 1. attention seeking 2. power/control 3. escape/avoidance 4. justice* *If your friend is a younger child, please consider this. While less common in younger children, seeking justice was found to be a function of behavior that increased in areas where injustice was ignored. Keep in mind that all people need healthy forms of attention. They also need to have power within reasonable amounts to manage what has been entrusted to them. All need healthy forms of escape, and all need to obtain some form of justice if injustice occurred to them. Determining the function of behavior is obtained from a variety of sources (with consent): family, educators, other faculty, trusted caregivers, personal comments and reflection, responses to previous attempts to intervene, developmental factors, and/or observations. Rating forms that are interpreted by those credentialed for the intended use of the rating form when used to develop behavior strategies can also be utilized. Keep in mind, however, that the younger the person and the less time raters have known the person within the previous six months, the greater emphasis that someone places on observation. Observations are best across multiple settings, at various times of the day, on separate days, more than once and in a variety of settings with various activities. People helping to form strategies (including the person needing adjustment) can start to identify the antecedents/triggers observed before the anger increased. Knowing what happened during and after the anger responses is also important. Once considered, people can then start to consider replacement behavior strategies to Prevent (P); Teach replacement behavior strategies (T); and Replace/reinforce/repeat the appropriate behavior (R). Most people (even younger, impaired, and/or less aware people) respond to intrinsic motivators to make long-term change. Tangible motivators can also be used. Inward motivation, however, is often most significant. Most researchers also found that if using rewards for appropriate behavior, it is best to reserve rewards for times when people go above and beyond. If the expectation is for all to follow non-negotiable rules (such as laws and codes of conduct), then people do best to be rewarded for what is negotiable and exceeds those expectations. Also, while learning new strategies, most people usually see they are struggling. In those moments, it is wise to increase the amount of non-contingent positive encouragement that is extended because the person is in the world. Non-contingent positive encouragement is based off of the concept of unconditional care and support that is not based on mere performance measures. It is easy for people to show positive attention to those that do well in grades and more. Thus, recognizing the humanity of the one making the change is best through unconditional measures that are not based on mere performance. It is essential to let that person know about potential, purpose, presence, humanity, and life. READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

Psychological evaluations - school-based for educational considerationsPsychoeducational evaluations - school-based for educational considerationsRelated service counseling and school-based psychological servicesConsultationReport writingCollaborating with stakeholdersIEP, ARD, and MDR participationObserving, writing, formulating and implementing BIPs from FBAsFIEs and FIIEsProviding recommendations for students within the least restrictive environmentHelping with placement changes, accommodations, and modifications if necessaryCompliance work helping businesses by identifying risk factors and offering solutions - 1999 to 2006Teacher-tutor-school business owner - 2002 to nowWork as certified teacher in Texas - 2006 to 2011Work as MA LSSP School Psychologist as direct hire - 2012 to now with Intern and Trainee year 2011Work as MA LSSP School Psychologist on contract - 2021 to nowPublic office holder in an appointed position while working in school psychology in three areas - 11-2021 to 6-2022Work to help community stakeholders by providing school safety questionnaires - grants and other support - 2022 to nowExpert witnessMandatory reports as requiredServing on ARD committees, IEP meetings, and manifestation determination reviews

Faculty Titles & Positions

MA LSSP School Psychologist contractor in Central & North Texas 2021 - Present
MA LSSP - School Psychologist direct hire Gulf Coast, Central & North Texas 2012 - Present
MA LSSP - School Psychologist intern and trainee Gulf Coast 2011 - 2012
Practicum Gulf Coast - school-based and counseling/testing site 2010 - 2011
MA LSSP School Psychologist contractor Vermont 2024 - Present
Expert Witness MA LSSP Texas 2024 - Present

Professional Memberships

TASP, NASP, DFW RASP

Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors

* Faith community
*Health community
*Arts - Dance societies and syndicates in Texas - Gulf Coast, Central and North Texas
Family associations
*School safety endeavors and advocacy

Professional Society Memberships

TASP, NASP, DFW RASP; Family associations; Dance societies and dance syndicates

What do you attribute your success to?

In addition to Faith, in the midst of obstacles and barriers, unconditional care was extended instead of only mere performance-based measures. I was encouraged to then extended that care to others.

Areas of research

2010-2011 - Willingness of educators to use video modeling (including self-modeling) as a form of supplemental instruction to "catch" students making appropriate decisions even if only partially mastering skills for students with forms of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Awards

Best School Psychologist in Texas - 2024

Teaching and speaking

I have been a teacher/tutor since 2002. Prior, I helped recruit and speak to recruits about University programs with my undergraduate University and my employer. In recent years, I spoke on public safety matters. Please hear these required audit findings. In February of 2021, I spoke before the Senate Redistricting Committee for the Gulf Coast area for Texas. There were alterations and interferences during that recording. I gave testimony at two hours and 43 minutes into the House redistricting session on 5-1-2021 (Saturday) with information that was required to be released to the public. It is approximately three to four minutes in length if you forward it to the location in the video. Please listen to this as it pertains to audit findings over a series of years: This was in May 2021 to the Texas House Redistricting Committee for Central Texas. https:// tlchouse.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=46&clip_id=20617. This was/is required to be shared.