Learning struggles that mask emotional pain – or mental health symptoms that hide learning differences – create some of the most challenging cases clinicians face. Brent Moore has spent his career mastering the art of untangling these complex presentations, helping practitioners recognise when academic difficulties and psychological distress are interconnected.
With over 15 years in higher education and clinical practice, Dr. Moore serves as Chair and Professor of Behavioral and Health Sciences at Indiana Wesleyan University while operating Neural Pathways Learning Center, his specialised clinic for learning disability assessment in Liberty, Missouri. His recognition as the 2024 Dr. Linda Seligman Counselor Educator of the Year by the American Mental Health Counselors Association reflects his excellence in preparing the next generation of clinicians to address complex cases involving anxiety, ADHD, and learning differences.
Moore’s clinical focus spans educational diagnostics, play therapy, health psychology, and clinical mental health counseling, with particular expertise in learning disabilities that co-occur with anxiety and attention issues. As a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and Licensed Professional Counselor in multiple states, he bridges the gap between educational assessment and therapeutic intervention. His approach helps clinicians recognise when academic struggles mask underlying emotional issues – and when learning differences complicate traditional mental health treatment.
What sets his training apart is practical integration. Moore doesn’t just teach assessment or therapy in isolation – he shows practitioners how to weave together educational testing, play-based interventions, and evidence-based counseling to create comprehensive treatment plans. His work with diverse populations, from children with dyslexia to adults navigating career transitions, gives him real-world insights that inform his teaching.
For your practice, expect to gain specific skills in identifying learning differences that impact mental health, practical play therapy techniques for various age groups, and assessment tools that reveal the full picture of client functioning. His methods particularly benefit clinicians working with clients whose presenting concerns may have underlying educational or cognitive components.
Quick Win: Moore’s integrated assessment approach helps clinicians distinguish between anxiety that causes academic problems and learning disabilities that create anxiety – a crucial differential that transforms treatment planning and outcomes.
Qualifications
- Ph.D., Health Psychology, Walden University, 2010
- Ed.S., Educational Diagnostician, Northwest Missouri State University, 2023
- MBA, Business Administration, Indiana Wesleyan University, 2022
- M.A., Biblical and Theological Studies, Belhaven University, 2022
- M.A., Clinical Psychology, Wheaton College, 2003
- B.A., Psychology and Theology, MidAmerica Nazarene University, 2000
- Licensed Professional Counselor & Supervisor (Missouri)
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor & Supervisor (Kansas)
- Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S)
- Board Certified Coach (BCC)
Teaching & Roles
- Chair & Professor, Behavioral and Health Sciences Division, Indiana Wesleyan University, 2023 – present
- Owner, Neural Pathways Learning Center, Liberty, MO, 2021- present
- Adjunct Faculty, California Baptist University, 2022 – present
- Associate Professor, Counselor Education, MidAmerica Nazarene University, 2012 – 2017
Featured & Recognition
- Podcast guest on Broken Beautiful Me, “Finding Light in Loss” (2025)
- Writer, Dystinct Magazine (2022)
- Presenter, British Psychological Society Division of Health Psychology conference, Stirling, Scotland (2024)
- International travel grant recipient to present on AI use at European Society of Psychology Learning and Teaching, Germany
Ready to better serve clients where learning and mental health intersect? Discover how Dr. Moore’s integrated approach can enhance your clinical toolkit and improve outcomes for complex cases.