Professional Staff

Pat Sharp, Ph.D.
Licensed Board Certified Mental Health Counselor, Clinic Director
Neuroeducation began in 1978 with Dr. Sharp’s vision of a clinic providing services for children and adults with challenges in learning or behavior. She named it Neuroeducation to stress the important connection between developmental brain processes (neuro), and learning (education). She envisioned that everyone, regardless of IQ or disability, would be able to learn. They needed to be able to learn in a way that matched how they best perceived and processed information.

Dr. Sharp began her professional career as a teacher-trainer in the Peace Corps. Upon returning to the States she was a teacher, and in 7 years had taught from first grade through junior high in the Seattle area. She received her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 1972 from the University of Washington, with an emphasis on reading disabilities. In 1982, she completed her doctoral degree in Education at Washington State University, focusing on neuropsychological applications to learning disorders. She has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in learning and human development at Whitworth College, Eastern Washington University, and Gonzaga University. She has published a children’s book called, Brain Power: Secrets of a Winning Team.

Dr. Sharp has guided and developed Neuroeducation from an individual practice to a broad-based clinic, staffed with caring and professional psychologists and counselors who each bring their own specialties and abilities to the diagnosis and treatment of learning and emotional difficulties.

Roberta Truscott, RN, BSN, BCIAC
Certified Biofeedback Provider
Roberta is a licensed registered nurse with over 30 years of experience in medical and mental health fields. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing form Montana State University in 1973 and obtained national certification in biofeedback in 1988. Currently she is working on a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Loyola University. Roberta has been in private practice in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho since 1985 providing biofeedback services for clients experiencing anxiety and panic, headaches, chronic pain, and stress related symptoms. She joined Neuroeducation in 2001 and now incorporates neurofeedback to treat additional symptoms, including attention and/or hyperactivity disorder, fetal alcohol syndrome, autism, and learning difficulties. Roberta believes that within each person are unique gifts so she uses the tools of biofeedback and neurofeedback to assist each client in discovering these special qualities.

Jon E. Christensen, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Christensen received his Ph.D. from California School of Professional Psychology in Fresno, California. He completed a pediatric Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship while he was on active duty in the U.S. Army at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. He is the father of two children. Dr. Christensen has extensive experience working with and helping children, adolescents, parents and adults who present with behavioral, emotional, learning, and/or social difficulties. He is knowledgeable and specializes in the evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, parenting skills for non-compliant behavior, family/peer relationship problems, depression/mood difficulties, anxiety/fears, adjusting to life circumstances (e.g. divorce), elimination problems (e.g. bedwetting), chronic illnesses (e.g. chronic fatigue syndrome), and neuropsychological evaluations (e.g. brain-behavior relationships) and learning differences (e.g. the inconvenience of learning disabilities and how to overcome them). He has a firm belief that treatment should provide long-term improvements that will help the individual and/or significant others lead a more enjoyable life.

Natalie Krenz, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Krenz received her Psy.D. from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She completed an inpatient adolescent Postdoctoral Fellowship at Citrus Health Network in Miami, Florida. She has been married to her husband since 2003. Dr. Krenz has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings, including inpatient and outpatient, who present with behavioral, emotional, learning, and/or interpersonal difficulties. She is experienced and specializes in the evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with the following: learning difficulties, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, parenting skills for behavioral problems, anxiety difficulties, depression/mood disorders, long-term trauma and single incident trauma, and interpersonal difficulties. Dr. Krenz has a solid belief that all individuals have the potential for happiness and assists them in gaining the tools they need to make their lives more fulfilling and achieve their aspirations.

Carrah James, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. James earned her Ph.D. from the University of Georgia’s School Psychology Program. She completed a pre-doctoral residency in Child Clinical and Pediatric Psychology at A. I. DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. Both her doctoral and residency training programs are accredited by the American Psychological Association. Dr. James also completed a clinical fellowship at Greenville Children’s Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina. During her fellowship, she received specialized training in developmental-behavioral and neuropsychological assessment within several pediatric specialty clinics including Hematology/Oncology, NICU follow-up, ADHD/Learning Problems, Early Childhood Development, and Neurodevelopmental Genetics. Throughout the course of her training, she has authored and co-authored several published works, including textbook chapters, journal articles, and scientific abstracts/conference presentations.

Dr. James offers evidence-based assessment and treatment services for individuals from early childhood to young adulthood and their families. Areas of clinical expertise include: Early identification of developmental delays; Neurodevelopmental assessment and monitoring of children whose current or prior medical involvement (due to illness, injury, or treatment) may impact development or functioning; Consultation to parents, educators, and medical personnel regarding cognitive, academic, emotional, and behavioral supports for children with special needs; Brief, targeted/solution-focused, parent-training interventions for specific problems common to early childhood (e.g., tantrums, establishing bedtime routines, separation anxiety, etc.); Motivational and skill-building interventions for a wide variety of child and adolescent concerns such as impulse control/anger management, adjustment and coping, weight management, learning and attention problems, and parent-child conflict. In all her work, Dr. James’ primary goal is to provide care that is both supported by current scientific knowledge and responsive to the individual needs and circumstances of each client.

Vivian Nielsen, MA.Ed.
The Learning Clinic, Lead Tutor
Vivian has served as a special education teacher and administrator in elementary, middle, high school and higher learning institutions. Vivian has served students for 20 plus years in public and private schools. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in education with a focus in special education and a minor in math from Eastern University. She then went on to acquire a master’s degree in education with an administrative certificate from Whitworth University. She has continued her education by attending doctoral level classes and serves as a consultant for Women Farmers and entrepreneurs. Vivian has experience teaching to the various stages of cognitive development and the application of alternative teaching strategies to accommodate different learning styles. She has advanced training in ADD and ADHD. Vivian’s passion involves working with families, teachers, mentors as a team to work so that her clients reach their full potential.