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About

Matthew R. Lunsford

M.ED., MS, BCBA, LBA, C-IAYT

Matthew Lunsford is a licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, yoga therapist, and educator in Virginia. Matthew currently holds an M.Ed. in SPED and an MS in psychology focusing on developmental neurobiology and forensic psychology. He is currently finishing his MSW and will start his residency for clinical social work in January 2024. Matthew will earn his Doctor of Social Work from the University of Kentucky in May 2026.

 

Working with Matthew is a collaborative process in which ideas are exchanged between clinician and patient equally and examined through a "solutions focused" lens. Furthermore, Matthew believes that maladaptive behaviors are a result of conflict with the environment rather than inherent psychopathology. Matthew enjoys working with all populations, but especially enjoys working with LGBTQ children, teens, and young adults and those with gender dysphoria and/or anxiety. 

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Matthew prides himself on creating a safe space for all of his patients, but especially individuals that are part of the LGBT+ community and their families and allies. In addition, Matthew firmly believes in advocating for his patients and will fight for whatever is necessary for their wellbeing. 

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Outside of work, Matthew is an adjunct professor at Germanna Community College where he teaches psychology courses. Matthew also teaches at SNHU in the psychology and special education departments. He is also a part-time online high school English and social studies teacher. Matthew currently serves on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee for IAYT where he advices of disability education and licensing efforts for yoga therapy on an international scale. He enjoys traveling, reading, photography, writing, and anything to do with the paranormal. 

Education

University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Doctor of Social Work / Clinical & Medical Social Work, May 2026

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University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Master of Social Work / Clinical Social Work, December 2023

 

George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Graduate Certificate / Applied Behavior Analysis, December 2019

 

University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Master of Education / Special Education, December 2020

 

Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, NH

Master of Science / Psychology, February 2017

 

University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Bachelor of Arts / English, December 2014

 

Germanna Community College, Fredericksburg, VA

Associate of Arts and Sciences / Education, May 2012

Areas of Expertise

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Anxiety Disorders

LGBTQ Issues

Pediatric Gender Dysphoria 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

Clinical Behavior Analysis

Yoga Therapy

Disability and Society

Teaching Experience and Courses Taught

Instructor of Psychology, Germanna Community College

  • Principles of Psychology

  • Developmental Psychology

  • Abnormal Psychology

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Adjunct Professor of Psychology & SPED, SNHU

  • PSY 108: Introduction to Psychology

  • PSY 200: Foundations of Addictions

  • PSY 205: Forensic Psychology

  • PSY 215: Abnormal Psychology

  • PSY 216: Psychology of Personality

  • PSY 225: Health Psychology

  • PSY 226: Psychology of Individual Differences and Special Needs

  • PSY 300: Biopsychology

  • PSY 310: Criminal Psychology

  • PSY 314: Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence

  • PSY 323: Psychology of Gender

  • PSY 331: Human Sexuality

  • PSY 491: Psychology & Social Change

  • PSY 500: Foundations in Psychology

  • SCS 501: Foundations in Statistics 

  • SCS 502: Foundations in Research Methods 

  • PSY 510: Research Methods in Psychology I

  • PSY 520: Research Methods in Psychology II

  • PSY 530: Social Psychology

  • PSY 540: Cognitive Processes 

  • PSY 545: Forensic Psychology

  • PSY 550: Measurement and Assessment 

  • PSY 560: Theories of Personality 

  • PSY 570: Ethical Practice in Psychology

  • PSY 632: Developmental Psychology

  • PSY 634 Cognitive Neuropsychology

  • PSY 636: Intervention Strategies

  • PSY 638: Child and Developmental Psychology Seminar

  • PSY 790: Capstone in Psychology

  • SPED 501NC: Students with Exceptionalities 

  • SPED 520: Assessment of Student Performance 

  • SPED 540NC: Classroom and Behavior Management

  • SPED 610: Executive Function and Study Skills

  • SPED 624NC: Professional Collaboration

  • SPED 650: Social-Emotional Competencies and Students with LBLD

 

Assistant Professor of Psychology and English, University of the People, October 2018 – Present

  • UNIV 1001: Online Education Strategies

  • ENG 1010: College Composition I

  • PSYC 1504: Introduction to Psychology

  • PSYC 1205: Emotional Intelligence  

  • CPH 4241: Psychopathology and Mental Health

Professional Experience 

Lunsford Behavioral Consulting & Yoga, LLC
Owner/Behavior Analyst/Yoga Therapist, September 2021 – Present

Southern New Hampshire University
Adjunct Professor of Psychology & SPED, October 2021 – Present

Northern Virginia Instructional Consulting, LLC

Board Certified Behavior Analyst, August 2021 – February 2022


University of Mary Washington
Adjunct Professor of Psychology & SPED, March 2021 – Present 

 

VHS Learning

AP Psychology, Health, & English Teacher, August 2020 – Present

 

City of Fredericksburg Public Schools, Fredericksburg, VA

Substitute Teacher, May 2017 – May 2021

  • Supervise students in multiple environments including classrooms and cafeterias

  • Enforce administrative policies and rules governing students

Volunteer Experience

Northern Virginia Instructional Consulting
Intern in Clinical Behavior Analysis, August 2020 – April 2021

 

Gladys H. Oberle School

Intern in Behavior Analysis, June 2019 – December 2019

University of the People, Pasadena, CA

Assistant Professor of Psychology and English, October 2018 – Present

  • Promoted to Faculty Trainer March 2020

 

Crisis Text Line, New York, NY

Certified Bilingual Crisis Counselor, June 2017 – Present

  • Multitask and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team in a technological environment to provide crisis services to those in need

  • Trained and comfortable in high-risk scenarios

  • Trained in active rescue protocol

  • Deliver crisis services utilizing a high degree of empathy and active listening

Licenses And Certifications

  • Massachusetts English 5 – 12 Educator License # 516473

  • Board Certified Special Educator, American Academy of Special Education Professionals

  • Registered Yoga Teacher E-200/500-hour, Yoga Alliance

  • Certified Yoga Therapist, International Association of Yoga Therapists

  • Certified Health Specialist

  • Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Behavior Analyst Certification Board, 1-21-5205

  • Virginia Teacher License PGP-0704379

  • Virginia Licensed Behavior Analyst, License 0133002098

  • Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP)

Professional Affiliations

  • Member of Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society

  • Associate Member of the American Psychological Association

    • Division 2: Society for the Teaching of Psychology

    • Division 25: Behavior Analysis

  • Member of Psi Beta International Honor Society

  • Member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society

  • Member of Omicron Delta Kappa

  • Professor Member of the National Association of Special Education Teachers

  • Member of the Association for Contextual and Behavioral Sciences

  • Member of the Virginia Association of Behavior Analysis

  • Member of Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society

  • Member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International

  • Member of the National Association of Social Workers

Publications

Epps, B., Lunsford, M. R. (2020). Psychopharmacology in the classroom: What do teachers of emotionally disturbed students need to know and why?. Unpublished manuscript, College of Education, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, USA.

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Epps, B., Lunsford, M. R. (2020). The braille literacy crisis: Why is it occurring and how can it be remedied?. Unpublished manuscript, College of Education, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, USA.

Media

Lunsford, M. R. (2020, July 14). What is precision teaching?, from https://thinkpsych.com/blog/what-is-precision-teaching-aba/

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