Dr. Cheryl B. McNeil, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Florida, has been honored with the 2025 Trailblazer Award from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)’s Parenting and Families SIG. The award was presented during the Parenting and Families SIG’s annual meeting at the 2025 ABCT Convention held in New Orleans this past November.
Dr. McNeil’s career has been defined by her pioneering work in early-intervention mental health, especially in parenting and family-focused therapy. As a leading developer and global trainer in Parent‑Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), she has authored numerous books, more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and chapters, and played a central role in disseminating PCIT worldwide.
Through her research, training, and clinical outreach in both home and school settings, Dr. McNeil has dramatically advanced the field’s understanding of how early, evidence-based interventions can transform outcomes for children and families. Her work reflects exactly the mission of the Parenting and Families SIG: to promote and honor excellence in parent- and family-focused research and clinical care.
We congratulate Dr. McNeil on this well-deserved recognition. Her leadership, dedication, and impact continue to inspire clinicians, researchers, and families around the world.