Emily J. Helder, Ph.D.
1110 Giddings Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616-901-5595
emily.helder@calvin.edu
EDUCATION
University of Chicago Medical School – 2008-2009
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences
Pre-doctoral Internship
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI – 2009
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology
Minor areas of Specialization: Neuropsychology, Developmental
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI – 2006
M.A. Clinical Psychology
Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI – December 2002
B.A. in Psychology
Minor: Communication Arts & Sciences (Oral Rhetoric)
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Helder, E. J., Mulder, E.*, Gunnoe, M. L. (in press). A longitudinal investigation of children
adopted at school-age. Child Neuropsychology.
Helder, E.J., Behen, M. E., Muzik, O., Bhatt, A., Chugani, H.T. (2014). Language impairment
following early deprivation: Neuropsychological and functional neural correlates. Child
Neuropsychology, 20, 470-492.
Kumar, A., Behen, M. E., Singsoonsud, P., Veenstra, A., Wolfe-Christensen, C., Helder, E.,
Chugani, H. (2013). Microstructural abnormalities in language and limbic pathways in orphanagereared children. Journal of Child Neurology, advance online publication, DOI:
10.1177/0883073812474098.
Donders, J. Elzinga, B.*, Kuipers, D.*, Helder, E. J., Crawford, J. R. (2013). Development of an
8-subtest short form of the WISC–IV and evaluation of its clinical utility in children with traumatic
brain injury. Child Neuropsychology, 19, 662-670.
Emily J. Helder, Ph.D.
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Larsen, T. L.*, Helder, E. J., Behen, M. E. (2012). Neurocognitive and behavioral correlates of
nonright-handedness in internationally adoption children. Journal of Clinical and Experimental
Neuropsychology, 34, 999-1007.
Helder, E. J., Austria, E., Lacy, M., Frim, D. (2011). Behavioral outcome in congenital shunted
hydrocephalus without spina bifida. Journal of Pediatric Neurology, 9, 40-47.
Alkonyi, B., Chugani, H. T., Behen, M. E., Halverson, S., Helder, E. J., Makki, M., & Juhasz, C.
(2010). The role of the thalamus in neuro-cognitive dysfunction in early unilateral hemispheric
injury: A multimodality imaging study of children with Sturge-Weber syndrome. European Journal
of Pediatric Neurology, 14, 425-433.
Munian Govindan, R., Behen, M. E., Helder, E. J., Makki, M., & Chugani, H. T. (2010). Altered
water diffusivity in cortical association tracts in children with early deprivation identified with tractbased Spatial Statistics (TBSS). Cerebral Cortex, 20(3), 561-569.
Batista, C., Juhasz, C., Hu, J., Haake, M., Behen, M., Helder, E. J., Chugani, H. T. (2008).
Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging detects abnormalities in normal-appearing frontal lobe
of patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome. Journal of Neuroimaging, 18, 306-313.
Behen, M., Helder, E. J., Rothermel, R., Solomon, K., Muzik, O., Chugani, D., Chugani, H.
(2008). Incidence of specific absolute neurocognitive impairment in a sample of children with
histories of early severe social deprivation. Child Neuropsychology, 14, 453-469.
Behen, M.E., Chugani, H.T., Juhász, C., Ho, A., Maqbool, M., Helder, E. J., Muzik, O. (2007).
Abnormal brain tryptophan metabolism and clinical correlates in Tourette syndrome. Movement
Disorders, 22, 2256-2262.
Juhasz, C., Lai, C., Behen, M. E., Helder, E. J., Chugani, D. C., Chugani. H. T. (2007). White
matter volume is a major predictor of cognitive function in Sturge-Weber syndrome. Archives of
Neurology, 64, 1169-1174.
Nyenhuis, D. L., Gorelick, P. B., Geenen, E. J., Smith, C. A., Gencheva, E., Freels S. & deToledoMorrell, L. (2004). The Pattern of Neuropsychological Deficits in Vascular Cognitive ImpairmentNo Dementia (Vascular CIND). The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 18, 41-49.
*indicates student participation
BOOK CHAPTERS
Helder, E. J., Larsen, T. L.* (2013). Pediatric movement and motor control disorders. In S. J.
Hunter & E. Sparrow (Eds.), Executive function and dysfunction: Identification, Assessment, and
Treatment. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Helder, E. J. & Hunter S. J. (2011). Tourette Syndrome. In J. Kreutzer, J. DeLuca, & B.
Emily J. Helder, Ph.D.
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Caplan (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. New York: Springer.
*indicates student participation
ABSTRACTS & PRESENTATIONS
Helder, E. J., Walker, L.*, Elzinga, B.*, & Larsen, T.* (2013). Trajectory of catch-up and areas of
continued deficit in children adopted internationally at school-age. Poster presented at the
International Neuropsychological Society Meetings, Hawai’i
Donders, J. Elzinga, B.*, Kuipers, D.*, Helder, E. J., Crawford, J. R. (2013). Development of an
8-subtest short form of the WISC–IV and evaluation of its clinical utility in children with traumatic
brain injury. Poster presented at the International Neuropsychological Society Meetings, Hawai’i.
Walker, L.*, Helder, E. J., Gunnoe, M. L. (2012). Assessment of the validity of placement
practices in adoption: the impacts of family structure and family size on adjustment in international
adoption. Poster presented at the Midwest ECO Conference, Lansing.
Helder, E. J., Elzinga, B.*, Larsen, T.* (2012). Cognitive, behavioral, and emotional outcomes in
older international adoptees. Poster presented at the International Neuropsychological Society
meetings, Montreal.
Elzinga, B.*, Helder, E. J., Larsen, T.* (2012). Neuropsychological and behavioral correlates of
the inattentive/overactive profile in internationally-adopted children. Poster presented at the
International Neuropsychological Society meetings, Montreal.
Guy, W., Behen, M., Taylor, S., Wolfe-Christensen, C., Halverson, S., Helder, E. J., Chugani, H.
T. (2010). Attachment style predicts executive function in cognitively intact institutionally reared
children. Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Science, Boston.
Halverson, S., Behen, M., Wolfe-Christensen, C., Helder, E. J., Taylor, S., Wilson, B., Chugani, H.
T. (2010). Nonright-handedness is associated with attention problems in cognitively intact
institutionally reared children. Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Science,
Boston.
Taylor, S., Behen, M., Wolfe-Christensen, C., Halverson, S., Helder, E. J., Chugani, H. T. (2010).
Executive functioning predicts conduct problems in cognitively intact institutionally reared children.
Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Science, Boston.
Alkonyi, B., Chugani, H. T., Behen, M. E., Halverson, S., Helder, E. J., Makki, M., & Juhasz, C.
(2010). Metabolic and diffusion abnormailities of the thalamus and their cognitive correlates in
unilateral Sturge-Weber Syndrome. Poster presented at the American Academy of Neurology,
Toronto.
Emily J. Helder, Ph.D.
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Helder, E. J., Lacy, M., Austria, E., Frim, D. (2010). Emotional and behavioral adjustment in
children with hydrocephalus. Poster presented at the International Neuropsychological Society
Meetings, Acapulco, Mexico.
Felix, L., Helder, E. J., Drossos, T., Tonsgard, J., Hunter, S. J. (2010). NF-2: A case study of
complex neurobehavioral disability. Poster presented at the International Neuropsychological
Society Meetings, Acapulco, Mexico.
Behen, M. E., Muzik, O., Helder, E. J., Wilson, B., Chugani, H. (2009). Abnormal fronto-striatal
connectivity in children with histories of early deprivation: A diffusion tensor imaging study.
Poster presented at the Society for Research on Child Development meetings, Denver.
Behen, M. E., Helder, E. J., Halverson, S., Thomas, K., Chugani, H. (2009). Neurocognitive
correlates of inattentive/overactive phenotype in globally intact children with histories of early
deprivation. Poster presented at the Association of Psychological Science meetings, San Francisco.
Helder, E., Behen, M., Halverson, S., Bhatt, A., Chugani, H.T. (2008). Neuropsychological and
behavioral outcomes in children with histories of early deprivation: Impact of country of adoption.
Poster presented at the International Neuropsychological Society Meetings, Atlanta.
Munian Govindan, R., Juhasz, C., Behen, M., Helder, E., Batista, C., Chugani, H. T. (2008).
Abnormal diffusion of specific white matter regions in children with unilateral Sturge-Weber
syndrome: Correlations with epilepsy and cognitive functions. Poster presented at the American
Epilepsy Society Meetings.
Behen, M.E., Munian Govindan, R., Helder, E.J., Makki, M., Bhatt, A., Wilson, B., Chugani, H.T.
(2008). Tract-based spatial statistics of diffusion tensor images in children with histories of early
deprivation. Poster presented at the Child Neurology Society Meeting.
Behen, M.E., Helder, E.J., Muzik, O., Wilson, B., Chugani, H.T. (May, 2008). Decreased frontal
and temporal cortical gray matter volumes in children with histories of early social deprivation.
Poster presented at the Association for Psychological Science Meetings, Chicago.
Meade, J., Rothermel, R., Helder, E. J., Baker, S., Moore, E., Secord, E. (April, 2008).
Neurocognitive monitoring of perinatally HIV-infection with children and adolescents:
Examining clinical care data. Poster presented at the National Conference in Child Health
Psychology, Miami.
Meade, J., Baker, S., Helder, E. J., Lam, P., Conners, V., Mickens, L. (April, 2008). Prevention
for perinatally-infected HIV positive children and adolescents. Poster presented at the National
Conference in Child Health Psychology, Miami.
Helder, E. J., Behen, M. E., Primeau, E., Perry, J., Muzik, O., & Chugani, H. (February, 2008).
Specific language impairment and associated language activations in children with histories of early
severe deprivation. Poster presented at the International Neuropsychological Society meetings,
Wiakoloa, Hawaii.
Emily J. Helder, Ph.D.
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Behen, M. E., Helder, E. J., Muzik, O., Rothermel, R., Perry, J., & Chugani, H. T. (October,
2007). Preliminary validation of a subclassification scheme for children with Tourette Syndrome
based on co-morbid symptomatology. Poster presented at the Child Neurology Society Meetings,
Quebec City.
Helder, E. J., Behen. M. E., Rothermel, R., Perry, J., Chugani, H. T. (October, 2007). Incidence of
absolute and relative neurocognitive impairment in a sample of children with Tourette Syndrome.
Poster presented at the Child Neurology Society Meetings, Quebec City.
Behen, M., Juhasz, C., Batista, C., Rothermel, R., Helder, E., Chugani, H. T. (October, 2006).
Cognitive function in Sturge-Weber syndrome: Effect of side and extent of severe unilateral
hypometabolism on PET scanning. Poster presented at the Child Neurology Society Meetings,
Pittsburgh.
Behen, M., Geenen, E., Rothermel, R., Chugani, H., Chugani, D. (June, 2006). Pilot efficacy of
treatment with buspirone in autistic children: A randomized double blind study in children 2 to 6
years of age. Poster presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research, Montreal.
Behen, M., Geenen, E., Rothermel, R., Chugani, D. (June, 2006). Sensory problems in autism:
Incidence, symptom patterns, and correlates of sensory dysfunction. Poster presented at the
International Meeting for Autism Research, Montreal.
Geenen, E., Behen, M., Solomon, K., Rothermel, R., Chugani, H. (May, 2006). Emotion
recognition deficits in children with postnatal deprivation predict internalizing problems. Poster
presented at the meetings of the Association for Psychological Science, New York.
Behen, M., Rothermel, C., Geenen, E., Rothermel, R., Chugani, H. (May, 2006). Language
impairment secondary to early social deprivation is associated with reduced cerebral glucose
metabolism in inferior frontal and superior temporal cortices. Poster presented at the meetings of
the Association for Psychological Science, New York.
Zuverza, V., Geenen , E., Miller, J., Whitman, R. D. (May, 2006). Implicit priming in aging:
Reduced hemispheric asymmetry. Poster presented at the meetings of the Association for
Psychological Science, New York.
Geenen, E. J., Behen, M. E., Rothermel, C., Rothermel, R., & Chugani, H. (2006, February)
Executive dysfunction in children with history of early severe social deprivation. Poster presented
at the meetings of the International Neuropsychological Society, Boston.
Behen, M., Geenen, E., Solomon, K., Makki, M., Muzik, O., Chugani, D., Rothermel, R., &
Chugani, H. (2005, September). Incidence of specific absolute neurocognitive impairment in a
sample of children with histories of early severe social deprivation. Poster presented at the
meetings of the Child Neurology Society, Los Angeles.
Behen, M., Chandana, S., Rothermel, R., Muzik, O., Juhasz, C., Geenen, E., Chugani, H., &
Chugani, D. (2005, May). Lateralized cortical serotonergic abnormalities in autistic children are
associated with social subtypes. Poster presented at the International Meeting for Autism
Emily J. Helder, Ph.D.
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Researchers, Boston.
Abeare, C., Hill, L., Zuverza-Chavaria, V., Geenen, E., & Whitman, R. D. (2005, February). Time
course differences in semantic priming in the hemispheres and level of creativity. Journal of the
International Neuropsychological Society, 11, 38. Poster Presented at the meetings of the
International Neuropsychological Society, St. Louis.
Geenen, E., Nyenhuis, D. L., Gencheva, E. & Gorelick, P. B. (2003, February). Comparison of
VaD frequency using NINDS-AIREN and ADDTC diagnostic criteria. Journal of the International
Neuropsychological Society, 9, 166. Poster presented at the meetings of the International
Neuropsychological Society, Honolulu.
Tellinghuisen, D. J. & Geenen, E. (2002, November). Perceptual load effects: The role of
individual differences in working memory capacity. Abstracts of the Psychonomic Society, 7, 42.
Poster presented at the meetings of the Psychonomic Society, Kansas City, MO.
Geenen, E. (2002, April). Individual differences in working memory correlated with visual
attention. Presentation at the Michigan Undergraduate Psychological Research Conference.
ACADEMIC WORK
August 2009 - current
Assistant Professor, Calvin College, Grand Rapids MI
 Introductory Psychology
 Clinical and Counseling Assessment
 Fundamentals of Research and Practice
 Brain and Behavior
 Principles of Human Neuroanatomy
 Psychopathology
July 2008 – June 2009
Psychology Intern, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
 Neuroanatomy Sequence for Graduate Level Externs
September 2004-June 2008
Research Assistant, PET Center, Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Supervisor: Dr. Michael Behen
Assisted in protocol development, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript and grant
preparation for several research projects including:
 “The Role of the Fronto-Striatal Thalamic Circuit in Tourette Syndrome and Co-Morbid
Symptomology: Evidence from Functional and Structural Imaging” (Funding: Tourette
Syndrome Association)
 “Structural and Functional Neural Correlates of Early Postnatal Social Deprivation: AMT
PET and Autism” (Funding: NIH/NINDS - 1 K08 MH079176-01A1)
Emily J. Helder, Ph.D.
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“Longitudinal Neuroimaging in Sturge-Weber Syndrome” (Funding: NIH/NINDS - 2 R01
NS041922-05A1)
“Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies in Normal Children”
“Neurological Substrates of Learning Disabilities”
“Analysis of Brain Structure and Connectivity Using DTI MRI”
“A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Study of Brain Protein Synthesis in Children with
Developmental Delay”
September 2003 – May 2008
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
 Field Study in Psychology
 Theories of Personality
 Abnormal Psychology
 Introduction to Psychology, Lab
LICENSES
State of Michigan, Fully Licensed Psychologist #6301014193
CLINICAL WORK
September 2013 – current
Neuropsychologist, Hope Network Rehabilitation Services
Currently completing outpatient neuropsychological assessments on a part-time contractual basis.
August 2011 – October 2011; April 2014 - current
Neuropsychologist, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Providing part-time contractual work, including outpatient neuropsychological assessments, report
writing, and patient feedback.
February 2011 – March 2011
Psychologist, Broene Counseling Center, Calvin College
Provided part-time coverage for a maternity leave, with responsibilities including individual
psychotherapy.
September 2009 – December 2010
Psychologist, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
Responsibilities included outpatient and inpatient neuropsychological assessments and consultations
with a wide range of patients and referral questions.
July 2008 – June 2009
Pre-doctoral Internship, Psychiatry Department, University of Chicago Medical Center
Emily J. Helder, Ph.D.
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In addition to carrying a therapy caseload of children, adults, and families, rotations included:
 Pediatric Neuropsychology – Conducted outpatient and inpatient pediatric
neuropsychological assessments under the supervision of Dr. Scott Hunter. Responsibilities
included interviewing patients and families, testing, report writing, and occasional feedback
sessions.
 Adult Neuropsychology – Conducted outpatient and inpatient neuropsychological
assessments with adult and elderly patients under the supervision of Dr. Maureen Lacy.
Responsibilities included interviewing patients and families, testing, report writing, and
feedback sessions.
 International Adoption Clinic – Provided consultative services in coalition with a
multidisciplinary team for families adopting children internationally. Responsibilities
included participation in pre-adoption consults, post-adoption medical and developmental
assessments, and development of a screening procedure that would facilitate more consistent
referrals of families with additional questions or intervention needs.
September 2007 – June 2008
Clinical Placement, Project Challenge, Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Project Challenge provides comprehensive psychosocial care to children and adolescents with HIV.
My responsibilities included conducting neuropsychological screenings with children to assess for
cognitive decline and/or learning difficulties, assisting in group therapy for children and parents,
and conducting individual therapy with patients in the program.
August 2005 – August 2007
Clinical Placement, Psychology/Psychiatry Department, Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Responsibilities included conducting outpatient neuropsychological assessments for children ages
3 – 19 and report writing. Additional opportunities included participation in Wada procedures and
brain stimulation mapping in epilepsy surgery patients. During the second year of this placement
additional duties were added including participation in feedback sessions and inpatient
neuropsychological assessments.
Spring 2005 – June 2008
Outpatient Therapy at Wayne State University Psychology Clinic
Conducted treatment with clients of varying age, sex, and presenting problems using multiple
therapy techniques in an individual and/or family therapy setting.
December 2004 – May 2007
Psychometrician, Private Practice, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Responsibilities included conducting neuropsychological assessments with adults with a wide range
of presenting problems.
Summer 2004 - Summer 2005
Clinical Coursework, Assessment Practicum I, II, & III
Psychoeducational assessments at Wayne State University Psychology Clinic with both children and
adults.
Emily J. Helder, Ph.D.
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INVITED TALKS & LECTURES
“Overview of brain development in adolescence and early adulthood” Resident Director Series
Calvin College, March 19th, 2014.
“Outcomes among children internationally adopted during school-age” Social Science Lunch
Series, Calvin College, November 15th, 2013.
“Outcomes in International Adoptees” Families Through Adoption Seminar series, April 16th, 2013
“Psychiatric concerns among international adoptees.” Hope Network Center for Autism Grand
Rounds Series, August 3rd, 2012
“Neuropsychological perspectives on psychological disorders.” Broene Counseling Center Staff,
February 7th, 2012
“International adoption: How can the church support children and families?” Grace Christian
Reformed Church, March 3rd, 2011.
“What does research tell us about children who have been adopted internationally?” Families
Through Adoption, December 2nd, 2009
“Neuropsychological and social-emotional outcomes in internationally adopted children: Guiding
assessment and intervention.” Pine Rest Psychology Staff Meeting, April 14th, 2009
“Introduction to clinical neuropsychology.” University of Chicago Medical Student Clerkship
Lecture Series, October 8th & 22nd, 2008
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Honors Contract Competition, Calvin College, 2014
Supervised an honors project with Ye In Oh entitled “Interhemispheric and Gender
Difference in ERP Synchronicity of Processing Humor.” Her project was selected as a
winning project in the Honors Program Contract Competition.
Faculty Lectureship Award, Calvin College, 2013
The faculty lectureship award recognizes the scholarly achievements and professional
contributions of individual Calvin faculty members, with an award given to a single
faculty member from each of the three academic divisions of the college.
Calvin Research Fellowship (2 course release, Spring 2013 & 1 course release Fall 2013)
McGregor Fellowship, Calvin College, 2011
Calvin Alumni Association Board Faculty Grant, 2010
Rosenbaum Endowed Training Scholarship in Clinical Psychology, Wayne State University, 2008
This scholarship is targeted to support an advanced clinical psychology graduate student
who is conducting research related to psychopathology, neuropsychology, health
Emily J. Helder, Ph.D.
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psychology, or related fields. One scholarship is awarded annually in the amount of
$1,000.
Summer Dissertation Fellowship, Wayne State University, 2007
This university-wide competitive fellowship is awarded to students completing their
dissertation research. It provides a stipend of $8,000 to allow the commitment of fulltime work towards the completion of the student’s dissertation work during the summer
semester.
Graduate School Dissertation Research Support, Wayne State University, 2007
Grant support of $1,000 was awarded towards costs of completing dissertation research
Departmental Service Award, Wayne State University, 2006
One departmental service award is presented annually to a student within the psychology
department at Wayne State University.
Graduate Professional Scholarship, Wayne State University, 2005-2006, 2007-2008
The Graduate School sponsors an annual competition for Graduate-Professional
Scholarships (GPS). The competition is held for full academic year tuition awards.
Scholarships are offered to qualified applicants pursuing graduate or advanced
professional degrees in all University programs.