AMAZING IS POSSIBLEChildren's Behavioral Health Services

Dr. Chowdhury earned his bachelor’s degree at Government College and his medical degree at Dhaka University in Bangladesh. He completed a Cognitive Psychotherapy Course at Cleveland Center for Cognitive Therapy and achieved a second board certification in Psychiatry through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Chowdhury continues teaching at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and maintains a private practice at the Associates of Clinical Psychiatry, in addition to providing care as Psychiatrist at Family Resources and Senior Medical Director at Community Care Behavioral Health.

His long tenure in the Pittsburgh medical field has led him to achievements such as the Behavioral Health Best Practice Award and The William Mooney Prize for demonstrated excellence in patient care and professional relationships. Dr. Chowdhury is accepting new patients and will see clients on Thursdays both in-person and via telehealth at The Children’s Institute.

• BA from Government College
• MBBS from Dhaka University
• Cognitive Psychotherapy Course completion from Cleveland Center for Cognitive Therapy
• Board Certified Physician in Psychiatry
• Behavioral Health Best Practice Award

Dr. Melnick provides clinical supervision and consultation to The Children’s Institute’s behavioral health team. He is a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and is a supervisor of psychiatric residents at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital and Allegheny Health Network. For more than 40 years, Dr. Melnick maintained a private practice and previously served as medical director at The Bradley Center and Pressley Ridge and also served as medical director of the St. Francis Medical Center’s in-patient child and adolescent psychiatric units. Dr. Melnick has been recognized as a Distinguished Life Fellow by both the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

• BA in Psychology Antioch College, 1967. MD Drexel University College of Medicine, 1972
• Internship, Residency in Psychiatry and Fellowship In Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 1976
• Board Certified in Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

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Christina Jolley, CRNP, evaluates, diagnoses, and treats children within our behavioral health clinic, including children whose treatment may require appropriate prescription medications. She has worked with children of many ages and abilities, including extensive work with children with autism and other special needs, and loves being able to follow the journeys of children and families as they learn, grow, and meet their goals. Christina wants kids to feel that their voice is highly valued when making treatment decisions and enjoys working together to meet their goals. She also takes the time to connect with other medical providers and schools to gain the best understanding of the children and families she serves.

• Doctorate in Nursing Practice 
• Certified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner 
• Certified as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Certificate in School Nursing

Dana Buchko, M.A., is often the first friendly voice parents and guardians hear on the phone when connecting with our Behavioral Health team to learn more about our services. Having earned her Medical Assistant associates degree from the Sanford Brown Institute of Pittsburgh, she finds great joy in using her skills and knowledge to help connect families with the right resources. Dana loves playing an important role with parents and guardians selecting The Children’s Institute to meet their child’s needs.

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Tia has a background working with child and adolescents in multiple professional settings such as inpatient, school setting, and residential treatment settings. She practices from a trauma-informed and behavioral approach.

Tia’s practice is reflective of the belief that all behavior is learned, and our experiences shape how we view and relate to the world around us. She also believes finding connections with others, building a strong foundation, and finding a sense of belonging can help us reach overall wellness.

She believes in creating a safe and supportive environment to assist in the therapeutic process to develop healthy decision-making skills and build effective coping strategies. Tia loves helping the amazing kids and families to bloom into their best, true self. 

Diagnostic specialties would include mood disorders, anxiety, depression, adhd, trauma, and conduct/disruptive/impulse-control. 

• B.A in Psychology from California University of Pennsylvania 
• M.S in Professional Counseling from Carlow University- with a concentration in trauma informed therapy.

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Tajonae has a background in working with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, and co-occurring substance use disorders. 

She uses therapeutic skills such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, trauma-focused therapy, and person-centered therapy, while keeping careful consideration of cultural concerns and practices. 

Tajonae has previous experience working with adolescents in the criminal justice system, where she discovered her passion to advocate for adolescents and families. 

She is passionate about building positive therapeutic relationships and providing a safe space for amazing kids to share their stories and develop healthy coping skills to adapt to life changes. 

•    B.S in criminal justice and a minor in psychology from Bowling Green State University 
•    M.A in clinical mental health counseling from Bowling Green State University 
 

Kaitlin has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Masters of Social Work, both from the University of Pittsburgh. Kaitlin is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Pennsylvania. Kaitlin has additional training in trauma informed care and substance abuse disorders. Additional areas of interest include play therapy, grief and loss, LGBTQ, issues during adolescence and exploring family dynamics/relationships. She has worked with children of all ages and adults in community settings, outpatient settings and the school environment. Kaitlin’s therapeutic approach is strengths based and person centered. Kaitlin believes that while therapy is a place to process difficult feelings, it is also a place to play, laugh and celebrate life successes. She enjoys helping children and their families work together toward collaborative goals via empathetic communication and cooperation.

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Katherine Macasek, M.S., NCC, has a passion for working with children and their families to promote resiliency, trust, and healing. Katherine has many years of experience working with infants, toddlers, children, and teens in different professional settings. The most valuable lesson Katherine has learned is the importance of connection before correction. Dedicated to building connections, Katherine enjoys working with individuals, groups, and families experiencing foster care/adoption, sensory, mood, and trauma disorders. 

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Mercyhurst University 
• Master's degree in Professional Counseling, Carlow University 
• Nationally Certified Counselors, NBCC 

Jenna uses an eclectic approach in treatment using person centered, trauma-informed, cognitive-behavioral, strengths-based and art therapy approaches in treatment. Jenna has experience working will all ages across the life span from 4 years old to 96 years old in a variety of settings. Jenna believes in creating a safe space for children, teens, and families to share their experiences. As an art therapist, Jenna often uses art therapy in treatment to promote healing and wellness through the creative process. Jenna has a passion for working with children, teens, and families who have experienced trauma. Jenna also has clinical interest in working with autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

• Master of Science in Art Therapy in Counseling from Eastern Virginia Medical School
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Studio Art from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
• Specializations in Trauma-Informed Art Therapy, School Based Art Therapy, and Medical Art Therapy.

Jacqueline is passionate about working with her clients to build rapport and assist them in reaching their goals. Jacqueline hopes that her clients will gain skills and strategies that can help them throughout their lives. She has over twenty years of experience working with children, adolescents, and their families in various settings. Jacqueline has a passion for working with autism, as well as ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression. Some of her therapeutic modalities include strengths based, client-centered, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness. Jacqueline has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in Counseling from California University of Pennsylvania.

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Lori has numerous years of experience working with diverse populations including children, adolescents, and adults in various professional settings. She has experience in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her therapeutic approaches include CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and/or person-centered to support and motivate clients in achieving goals and building skills to adapt to everyday challenges. 

Lori strives to empower her clients to heal, grow, and be resilient to live happy, healthy, and responsible lives. She enjoys working with children and adolescents to assist them in their self-discovery, self-improvement, and self-advocacy. 

Lori is a graduate of California University of Pa., where she received a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.

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Brianna is a graduate of Penn State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in applied clinical psychology and is currently working toward her LPC licensure. Brianna has a clinical interest in working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, particularly childhood sexual and physical abuse, in addition to those with mood and/or anxiety disorders. She has a background in cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. Brianna utilizes a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach that is cognizant of her client’s culture, sexual identity, and gender identity. She is passionate about working with children and their families to help them identify and break intergenerational patterns of trauma. A proponent of social learning theory, Brianna believes that maladaptive and disruptive behaviors can be unlearned through genuineness, empathy, and support.
 

Gemil White, M.S., has numerous years of experience working with children and adolescents in individual, group, and family therapy, as well as facilitated psychoeducational groups and workshops. She utilizes several therapeutic approaches and modalities including strength-based CBT, DBT, play therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions, with specialties in Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Behavior Modification. Her extensive experience includes working on attachments and bonding, parent-child interactions, conflict resolution, crisis management.

Gemil is an empathetic and genuine professional with a direct and down-to-earth approach. She strives to meet clients where they are to provide a sense of safety and support, insight, awareness, and empowerment.
Building a strong, trusting therapeutic alliance while providing clients with a sense of safety and security in a judgment-free environment is what Gemil loves most about her career. She has a life-long interest in the mental health profession, starting in adolescence with her curiosity about the human brain, how behaviors are learned and reinforced, and how connections are made.

Gemil is a graduate of Carlow University, where she received a master’s degree in professional counseling.