A little About ME
I’m a Helper (with Vision).
I’ve spend my career helping people make sense of complicated problems–especially when kids, families, and educators are struggling. I’m a psychologist, educator, author, and problem-solver. But whenever a student asks me what I do, I usually just say:
“I’m a helper.”
Almost two decades later, that still feels right.
My story
I grew up in suburban Utah, the son of two lifelong educators.
So, yes, teaching is probably in my blood. (Although my fondness for school calendars, summers off, and frequent breaks may also have played a role.)
I became a school psychologist and found my niche helping kids with challenging behavior, mental health needs, and trauma.
That work naturally grew into helping families, teachers, specialists, and school leaders solve difficult problems together.
experience and training
Grounded in Research. Focused on People.
I earned my Master’s and Doctorate in School Psychology at the University of Utah, where I developed a deep appreciation for evidence-based practice, behavioral science, neuropsychological assessment, and systems of support for children and families.
My training also extended beyond the university. I worked in residential treatment settings and autism programs, experiences that taught me that every research article eventually meets a real person, a real family, and real decision.
Today, I continue to maintain my National Certification in School Psychology because I believe lifelong learning is part of serving others as well.
Scientist. Practitioner. Translator.
I’ve always been drawn to the scientist-practitioner model–not because I enjoy research for its own sake, but because good ideas should improve real lives. Some people generate research. Some people apply it. I’ve spent my career trying to build a bridge between the two. Whether I’m writing a book, coaching educators, or creating resources for families, my goal is always the same:
Take complex psychological science and make it practical, understandable, and immediately useful.
Beyond the Credentials
Degrees open doors.
Experience teaches judgement.
But curiosity has probably been my greatest teacher.
After two decades working alongside students, educators, and families, I’ve become less interested in quick answers and more interested in asking better questions. That’s where meaningful change usually begins.
what drives my work
Curiosity Before Certainty
If there is one lesson my experiences have taught me it’s this:
People are rarely as simple as their behavior.
Behind every challenging student is a story.
Behind every struggling school team is a system.
Behind every difficult conversation is usually an unmet need, a misunderstanding, or a question no one has asked yet.
That’s why I’ve always believed curiosity comes before solutions.
Research matters.
Experience matters.
But meaningful change begins when we’re willing to understand people before trying to “fix” them.
★★★★★
“Dr. Ben Springer brings together credibility, clarity, and practical insight in a way that helps people move forward with confidence.”
Amy Lane
Educational & Training Specialist
Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics, UF Health-Jacksonville