Dr. Amanda McKerracher

Psychologist

Hi! I am Dr. Amanda McKerracher, a Licensed Psychologist dedicated to serving children, adolescents, and young adults with visual impairments. My practice, VI Psych, bridges the gap between psychology and the unique needs of the blind, low vision, CVI, and deafblind communities.

Academic and Professional Background

My clinical foundation is rooted in rigorous academic research and teaching:

Education:
- I earned my Ph.D. and M.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.
- I earned a B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Toronto, and an M.A. in Education from OISE/UT.
- I completed clinical experiences at specialized organizations serving the visually impaired community during my PhD training, and have continued to do so continually post licensure.
- My dissertation focused on the psychoeducational evaluation of students with visual impairments.

Professional Qualifications
- I am a Licensed Psychologist in Ontario, British Columbia, and California.
- I am a Diplomate in School Neuropsychology.
- I am a Credentialed School Psychologist in California.
- I am an Ontario Certified Teacher.
- I am an Ontario Registered Early Childhood Educator.

Faculty Appointments
- I have been a Clinical Faculty member at UC Berkeley, in the doctoral program where I was trained.
- I have held Adjunct Lecturer Positions at Vancouver Island University, and Simon Fraser University.

I have published extensively on the topics of IQ testing, tactile graphics, braille literacy, and mental health in journals such as Optometry and Vision Science, and the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, as well as in edited volumes.

Expertise and Specializations

My work focuses on providing clarity for families and professionals through specialized assessments and consultations. I offer:

Neurodevelopmental and Psychoeducational Assessments: Diagnostic exploration for Autism, and ADHD, Dyslexia, Intellectual Disability, and Mental Health Conditions (e.g., Anxiety and Depression) within the context of blindness, low vision, CVI, and deafblindness.

Consultation with Professionals: Consultative services for psychologists, pediatricians, teachers, and mental health professionals serving the visually impaired community.

My Clinical Approach

Unlike traditional psychological practices, I utilize adapted assessment tools, including a curated collection of specialized, out-of-print tests designed specifically for the VI community. I understand how to modify standard psychological metrics to accurately reflect the cognitive, academic, and social-emotional profiles of students with vision loss, ensuring that sighted-normed tests do not lead to misdiagnosis.

My "Why"

An early career experience working with visually impaired students ignited a lifelong passion for this field. I saw firsthand the systemic gaps in psychological care for this community and have dedicated my practice to ensuring no student is left without a clear developmental roadmap.