Georgia Autism Center | Autism Specialist | Pediatric Psychology

April L. Coleman, Psy.D.

Dr. April L. Coleman is a Georgia licensed psychologist, published author, professional speaker, and the clinical training site coordinator for GAC. She has been working in the mental health field since 2009. Dr. Coleman specializes in the comprehensive assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and anxiety. She works with individuals as young as 12 months old. Dr. Coleman also speaks at various parent events and workshops in which she educates parents and caregivers about the common signs of ADHD, ASD, and anxiety; when it is time to seek support from a qualified professional for an assessment; and what next steps should be once the assessment process is complete and diagnoses are shared.

Dr. Coleman developed a strong interest in working with children and adolescents since prior to completing her undergraduate and graduate studies. She became more interested in working specifically with children after completing an undergraduate externship through The Georgia Center for Children (now The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy) and continuing to work in settings serving the needs of children in the foster care system with histories of trauma. She began her initial graduate training working in a community counseling center serving the needs of children and adolescents residing in a group home setting with histories of trauma. She went on to gain additional experience within the pediatric population where she first received training in working with children and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and gained additional experience working within a specialized treatment center providing individual, family, and group therapy to children and adolescents with histories of sexual abuse and/or sexual behavior problems.      

Dr. Coleman enjoys working with families from diverse cultural backgrounds and circumstances. She has worked in a variety of settings, including schools, community mental health clinics, community service boards, child advocacy centers, specialized treatment centers, social service agencies, and private practice. She has also collaborated with institutions to conduct assessments within residential treatment facilities, within juvenile detention centers, within foster homes and group homes, and for the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services. In addition to child work, Dr. Coleman also has extensive experience in assessment within the adult population in examining a variety of concerns, including anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, and severe and persistent mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia). She also has conducted assessments specifically as part of the process for undergoing bariatric surgery, for obtaining social security disability income, for admittance to substance abuse treatment facilities, and for determining eligibility for undergoing organ transplants. With her years of experience, Dr. Coleman’s clinical work extends beyond the assessment process and also involves providing support, guidance, and consultation to parents and caregivers post diagnosis to ensure that the families’ needs are met as best as possible.

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Dr. Coleman earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Georgia State University, and then earned her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology and her Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology through the Georgia School of Professional Psychology. While a graduate student, Dr. Coleman taught multiple courses related to administration, scoring, and the interpretation of a variety of assessment measures. She also received the outstanding leadership and scholastic achievement award upon completion of obtaining her doctoral degree.  Dr. Coleman completed her American Psychological Association accredited internship with the University of Massachusetts’ Community Healthlink Youth and Family Services, where she received specific training from a certified trainer and coach in conducting Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) through a joint initiative with the Massachusetts Child Trauma Center and Community Healthlink. She also received training in the assessment of autism spectrum disorder, specific learning differences, and common challenges presenting in childhood. Dr. Coleman returned to Atlanta, Georgia in 2011 where she completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship through Optimal Psychological Services and received specific training in conducting various types of evaluations for the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). These evaluations were utilized to assess general psychological functioning, domestic violence risk, parenting fitness, and substance use/abuse risk.

Dr. Coleman is a former clinical psychology graduate level professor of five years in which she taught child and adolescent psychopathology and life span development, and she led a diagnostic assessment seminar for students within the child and family curriculum. She also is the current practicum site supervisor for graduate level students at Mercer University, the University of Georgia, and Brenau University.

Dr. Coleman is very active in her community, participating in various activities involving mental health awareness and advocacy and uplifting and empowering youth and their families. Dr. Coleman is on the Board of Directors for SPECTRUM Autism Support, Education, and Resources; a member of Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties (JLGNF); a member of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA); the Georgia Psychological Association (GPA); the Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA); and the American Psychological Association (APA). She has conducted workshops at community mind/body/health fairs sponsored by the Georgia Psychological Association, has presented on learning disabilities and ADHD at an annual regional psychological association conference, and she has provided pro bono workshops, trainings, and educational sessions for parents and families within community and school settings on various topics, including ASD and ADHD assessment, childhood trauma, trauma assessment, childhood anxiety, and conflict resolution.

In her spare time, Dr. Coleman enjoys traveling, reading, being outdoors, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends.