Psychology Services
KidsLink psychologists are experts in behavioral intervention for children, teens, and young adults with a variety of psychological and medical diagnoses. They provide a full range of psychological and psychoeducational testing, as well as a variety of treatment options for individual and family therapy, including Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Exposure with Responses Prevention (ERP), and Habit Reversal Training (HRT).
Psychology Services at KidsLink Include:
- Center for Autism Diagnostic Evaluation
- Center for Down Syndrome Assessment
- Center for OCD Diagnosis and Treatment
- Center for Pediatric Anxiety Disorders
- Center for ADHD Assessment and Treatment
- Center for Adolescent Mood Disorders & Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT)
- Psychological and psychoeducational testing to assess intelligence, attention, learning abilities, and cognitive abilities
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Exposure with Responses Prevention
- Habit Reversal Training
- Individual and Family treatment
- Social skills groups for ages 6 – 25
Psychology Centers
Psychology Department – Directed by Dr. Michelle DePolo, Psy.D., BCBA-D
KidsLink psychologists are experts in behavioral intervention for children, teens, and young adults with a variety of psychological and medical diagnoses with an expertise in dual diagnosis (e.g., Autism Spectrum, Developmental Disabilities) available in all of our Centers. Treatment options for individual and family therapy include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP, and Habit Reversal Training (HRT).
1. Center for Autism Diagnostic Evaluation: Co-Directors - Dr. Michelle DePolo & Dr. Amy Ciardi
The Center for Autism Diagnostic Evaluation is staffed by Drs. DePolo and Ciardi. The Center offers evidence-based comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and assessment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related conditions. Data will be obtained regarding developmental, cognitive, adaptive, behavioral, and social-emotional functioning. Preschoolers will also meet with a speech and language therapist for further evaluation of language development. Results will be integrated into a comprehensive written report and intervention recommendations are offered. Medical consultation with Dr. Nevada Reed, Pediatric Neurologist. Please see our Autism Diagnostic Clinic handout for further details.
2. Center for Down Syndrome Assessment: Director - Dr. Amy Ciardi
The Center for Down Syndrome Assessment will provide evidence-based, comprehensive assessments to identify individual areas of strength and weakness to assist with treatment and educational planning. Prior to joining KidsLink, Dr. Ciardi was a psychologist in the Division of Developmental Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. She served as the staff psychologist for Boston Children’s Hospital’s Down Syndrome Program, where she conducted comprehensive neuropsychological assessments, behavioral consultation, treatment, and parent training. Please see our Down Syndrome Clinic handout for further details.
3. Center for Pediatric Anxiety & Obsessive Compulsive Disorders: Director - Dr. Michelle DePolo
The Center for Pediatric Diagnosis and Treatment is directed by Dr. Michelle DePolo. The Center offers evidence-based assessment and treatment of pediatric OCD and related conditions, including tic disorders, trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder), and other body-focused repetitive behaviors (i.e., skin picking, nail biting). With a focus upon evidence-based practices, Dr. DePolo places an emphasis upon cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) for the treatment of these conditions (i.e., exposure with responses prevention (ERP) for OCD, comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT), habit reversal training (HRT) for trichotillomania).