Dr. McNeil obtained her Ph.D. in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at UF in 1989 and is excited to be conducting research at her alma mater. Her academic interests are focused on program development and evaluation, specifically with regard to managing the disruptive behaviors of young children in both the home and school settings. Dr. McNeil has co-authored many books (e.g., Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: Second Edition, PCIT-Toddler, Time-out in Child Behavior Management, Handbook of PCIT for Children with ASD, Short-Term Play Therapy for Disruptive Children), a continuing education package (Working with Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Children), a classroom management program (The Tough Class Discipline Kit), and a Psychotherapy DVD for the American Psychological Association (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy).

She has a line of research studies examining the efficacy of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and Teacher Child Interaction Training across a variety of settings and populations, including over 150 research articles and chapters related to the importance of intervening early with young children displaying a range of mental health concerns. Dr. McNeil is a Global Trainer for PCIT International and has disseminated PCIT to agencies and therapists in many states and countries, including Norway, New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Dr. McNeil’s hobbies include fishing, tennis, travel, and swimming.

Dr. McNeil works in PCIT and related approaches, provides training and consultation services at Springhill II, and teaches Psychology Postdoctoral Fellows, MHC interns, and Psychology Graduate students while promoting the research, educational and clinical mission of the Department of Psychiatry.