Deana Plaskon, educator, mental health expert, children's book author

Education and Mental Health Expert, Deana Plaskon

Deana Plaskon is an educator, author, and mental health expert whose work guides and equips children (and adults) with social and emotional knowledge and tools to help them live healthier lives. With a PhD in Education specializing in human behavior, a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and a Master’s in Arts specializing in Teaching and Learning with Technology, Deana has a uniquely informed, yet fun-loving approach to children’s books. Her series, Bella and Bird the Emotion Explorers, is inspired by her real-life therapy horse Bella, and her friend Bird–the not-so-common barn swallow.

In addition to her decades of expertise, Deana is also a speaker who loves sharing the latest research, methods, and insights in education and mental health with audiences nationwide. With focus areas in child psychology, equine and talk therapy, bullying, resiliency, motivation, and emotional intelligence, she is a uniquely informed speaker, author, and expert.

A Sampling of Talking Points

(see more below in the media kit)

How Stories Help Children Process Emotions

How We Can Help Children Improve Their Emotional Intelligence

Feelings versus Emotions: What’s the Difference?

Emotional Intelligence (EI or EQ) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in Children’s Books

Past Speaking Engagements

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Guest Speaker at Horses Helping Humans Podcast: Finding ourselves through the eyes of the horse with Cathy Huddleston – October 2022
Presented university-wide on the topic: How to apply Grit in the Classroom.
Presented university-wide on the topic: Grit in Education.
Presenter at the Drug and Alcohol Alliance of Monmouth County, Manalapan, NJ – May 2011 Presented to the community on the topics of bullying and suicide (Bullycide) as part of the S.A.V.E. Program.
Twice presented at St. Barbara’s Orthodox Church, Toms River, NJ – January 2011 – Presented to 6th-12th graders, and the community of Toms River, on the topics of bullying and suicide (Bullycide) as part of the S.A.V.E. Program.