ABOUT
About Us
Dr. Vaughan as a preschooler!
Why I started this practice:
After my fellowship and time as a staff psychologist at Kennedy Krieger, I returned to Pittsburgh because this is home. But I also returned because I wanted to practice differently than large institutional settings allow. I wanted to bring all of the amazing parent training skills I learned in my post graduate work to Pittsburgh parents. At our practice, we do this in an intentional way that is not always feasible at a large institution. This means getting to know you and your family, and taking parenting strategies that are backed by research and individualizing it to your specific family’s needs.
We want parents and children who seek our services leave us feeling equipped, confident, and hopeful that change is possible. If you are struggling with your child’s behavior, know that you are not alone, and I do hope you will reach out to us!
Dr. Vaughan
About Dr. Vaughan
Dr. Helena Vaughan is a licensed psychologist and Pittsburgh native with a deep passion for helping children who are misunderstood. During graduate school for a degree in school psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park, Helena encountered many children who were referred to by adults as “the difficult kid”; the child with big emotions, the child who no one can get to speak in class, the child who is constantly getting into fights with peers. When searching for the best way to help, Helena was often unsatisfied with the types of services available for these children and wondered if there were any professionals who had actual answers.
This search led Dr. Vaughan to seek out specialized certification and training in the area of disruptive behavior and child anxiety. Dr. Vaughan completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the Kennedy Krieger Institute's Behavior Management Clinic in Baltimore, one of the most respected pediatric behavioral health programs in the country. She went on to serve as a staff psychologist there before returning to Pittsburgh to open Child Behavior Management Pittsburgh.
Her clinical specialties include ADHD, childhood anxiety, Selective Mutism, and disruptive behavior, with a particular focus on evidence-based approaches that involve parents as active partners in treatment. She is a certified PCIT therapist and one of a small number of providers in the Pittsburgh area with specialized training in Selective Mutism.
Outside of her practice, Dr. Vaughan enjoys spending time with her husband and two adorable daughters.
About Dr. Rea
Dr. Sarah Rea is our evaluation expert! Dr. Rea is a licensed psychologist and state/nationally certified school psychologist who strives to collaborate closely with families to understand each child and adolescent’s unique strengths and needs.
She graduated with a degree in school psychology from Duquesne University. While studying at Duquesne University and completing her pre-and post-doctoral training through the Pittsburgh Psychology Internship Consortium Dr. Rea gained professional experiences supporting children, adolescents, young adults, and their families in direct care across community mental health, residential treatment, and school settings (i.e., public school districts, private schools, and approved private schools for children with developmental disabilities).
Dr. Rea aims to combine her knowledge of special education eligibility and neuropsychological functioning to provide thorough neuropsychological or psychoeducational evaluations for children and adolescents. Dr. Rea’s approach to assessment includes collaboration with caregivers, schools, and service providers to best identify patterns of strengths and areas of need. She specializes in working with children and adolescents with a variety of mental and behavioral health needs including ADHD, autism, learning disorders, intellectual disabilities, and emotional or behavioral concerns. She enjoys working with families to understand factors that affect their child’s well-being and success.
Our Values.
At Child Behavior Management Pittsburgh, we believe that the most powerful thing we can do for a child is help their parents feel equipped, confident, and hopeful. That's why parent involvement is at the center of everything we do.
We believe that every family deserves care that is built for them specifically. That means we take the time to actually know your child, understand your family's dynamics, and build a treatment plan that fits your real life.
We believe in early intervention. The earlier a child gets the right support, the better the outcomes. You don't have to wait for a crisis to ask for help.
And we believe that evidence-based care and warmth are not opposites. You can get the best science has to offer and still feel like you're working with someone who genuinely cares about your family.
Qualifications
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Licensed Psychologist in Maryland and Pennsylvania
Able to serve families in PsyPact participating states
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PCIT Certified Therapist
Work with me
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Families interested in services at Child Behavior Management Pittsburgh can participate in a free, 30 minute consultation session to determine their appropriateness for a group or individual therapy.
work with me
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