College of Education and Human Development Launches the Behavioral Change Lab
مشاركة
08 Dec 2024
The College of Education and Human Development at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University has launched the Behavioral Change Lab (BCL), which in its first phase targets beneficiaries from within the university to provide counseling, preventive, and advisory services for psychological and developmental issues. The Lab aims to achieve positive change by offering behavioral programs based on the innovative NUDGE methodology, a leading approach in behavioral change that helps individuals improve undesirable behaviors and guides them toward more beneficial ones, while also supporting organizations in creating environments that enhance productivity. Dr. Wafaa bint Saad Al-Kathiri, Head of the Department of Psychology at the College, stated that the importance of the Lab lies in providing a specialized environment for behavioral interventions for change and development, and in addressing psychological and developmental problems through specialists in psychology, special education, and childhood studies, in addition to optimally investing in qualified human resources in counseling and psychological assessment. The Lab offers services in several areas, including developmental disorders in children and adolescents, intellectual disabilities at all levels, learning disorders, and behavioral disorders. It also provides accredited psychological assessments, including cognitive ability and personality measures, administered by certified specialists in psychological measurement and licensed by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. The second phase of the Lab’s services will include beneficiaries from outside the university, according to a specific service delivery mechanism based on assessing beneficiaries’ needs. Behavioral intervention services will require field visits to beneficiary entities, while requests for counseling and preventive sessions will be coordinated with the relevant university departments. The launch of the Behavioral Change Lab contributes to the objectives of Princess Nourah University’s Strategic Plan 2025 by promoting a health-supportive university environment, encouraging healthier lifestyles, and developing human potential.