Dr. Mary Ekdahl, Child Psychologist & Co-Founder

Mary Ekdahl, Ph.D.
Mary Ekdahl, Ph.D.Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Ekdahl specializes in the treatment and evaluation of children and adolescents, with a strong emphasis on providing parents with the tools they need to assist and advocate for their child. Areas of specific expertise include Psychological Evaluations, parenting support for parents unsure about how best to meet their child’s current needs, and treatment of anxiety and depression for children, adolescents, and young adults.

Dr. Mary Ekdahl is the co-founder of Arkansas Families First, LLC. She has over 20 years of experience in providing behavioral therapy and psychological evaluations for children and adolescents in outpatient settings. Dr. Ekdhal works specifically with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learning Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorders, and Anxiety Disorders, as well as the provision of community and school programs that support mental health and access to mental health services.

In addition, Dr. Ekdahl provides clinical supervision of master’s level examiners, as well as administrative oversight and planning as a co-owner of Arkansas Families First.

For an appointment with Dr. Ekdahl, use the button below, or chat with a staff member at the bottom of the page. 

  • Ambetter

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans

  • Champ VA

  • Health Advantage

  • Qualchoice

  • Tricare

  • True Blue

  • United Healthcare

  • Individual, Family, & Group Counseling

  • Psychological Evaluation

  • Pre-Adoption Evaluation and Planning

  • Dyslexia Testing

  • Comprehensive Educational Evaluations

  • Autism & Developmental Evaluations

Chat Below, Call, or Message Us for an Appointment

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Education

  • Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology May 14, 1995
    Binghamton University
    State University of New York

  • Internship in Clinical Psychology August, 1993 – August, 1994
    UAMS/Arkansas Children’s Hospital
    Little Rock, AR

  • Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology May, 1986.                                                                                                                                  Stephen F. Austin State University
    Nacogdoches, TX

Memberships

  • Member, American Psychological Association

  • Member, Arkansas Psychological Association

  • Board Member, Educational Services Coordinator, Arkansas Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Community Involvement

  • Autism Speaks Walk. Dr. Ekdahl is a regular sponsor of the local Autism Speaks Walk that occurs yearly in Little Rock.

Publications

  • Ekdahl, Mary, (2018) Parents in Tech Industry Limit Family Digital Time, Should You. THV11

  • Benton, Adam & Ekdahl, Mary, (2015) Back To School Stress: Tear Free Strategies. Savvy Magazine

Favorite Blog Articles

About Us

Arkansas Families First is a multidisciplinary behavioral health care group that offers a variety of health services for children, teens and families in Central Arkansas. Our group of independently practicing providers strive to provide the best, most comprehensive care that modern psychology, psychiatry, counseling, and other disciplines have to offer.

Mission

Arkansas Families First is devoted to unlocking the full potential of children and families. We utilize the latest research and the most skilled providers in the service of improving people’s lives. We strive to empower parents and to integrate multiple disciplines in the building of strong families and healthy children.

Our Promise

We take a strengths-based approach utilizing the latest evidence-based treatments and include parents in all aspects of treatment and assessment. We’ll find the service and the provider that best fits your family. With our growing list of clinicians, if you are not satisfied with your provider or services will help you make the necessary changes.