Phil Tenaglia

Phil Tenaglia, M.A. is a school psychologist with over 30 years of experience working collaboratively with teachers and at-risk students in regular and special education classrooms, k-12. He specializes in consultation, counseling, interventions, and program development. Phil is also a certified nonviolent crisis expert through the Crisis Prevention Institute.

At the Growth Opportunity Center in Southampton Pa., Phil is a licensed psychologist, helping families, children, and adolescents who present with life challenges and stressors.

In 2016, Phil was named the school psychologist of the year by the New Jersey Association of School Psychologists for his innovative work in schools.

In 2017, Phil founded Evolving Solutions to deliver services, in-person workshops, and online training to schools and professional organizations. He is a long-time practitioner of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Training (ACT). He developed the ACT Matrix approach to social-emotional learning, educational team building, and workplace interventions through his training and work with Dr. Kevin Polk, the creator of the ACT Matrix. Phil authored the chapter on “Promoting Psychological Flexibility in Education” in the original ACT Matrix book published by New Harbinger in 2014.

The Matrix is a visual representation of a cognitive-behavioral approach to values-based living and learning. It is an empowering, evidence-based process to developing healthy classrooms and wellness for teachers, students, and parents. The Matrix combines “street mindfulness” with the behavioral science of what works to promote respectful conversations, social-emotional intelligence, and a life worth living.