Psychological Services

Child Psychologist Charlotte, NC

Psychologists work closely with educators and other developmental therapists to understand the learning needs of school-aged children, adolescents, and young adults during comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations.

Who it's for

We help kids, adolescents and young adults with difficulties, including but not limited to:

Anxiety & depression

Anxiety or depression can manifest in children in a variety of ways including: feeling nervous, having an increased heart rate; breathing rapidly (hyperventilation); sadness, a feeling of hopelessness, and mood changes (i.e., irritability or anger); social withdrawal; changes in appetite; changes in sleep; vocal outbursts or crying; difficulty concentrating; fatigue and low energy, physical complaints (such as stomachaches, headaches); or feelings of worthlessness or guilt.

ADHD and other attention difficulties

ADHD is marked by a pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Children and adolescents with ADHD, however, experience these symptoms repeatedly and in a way that is severe enough to have an impact at home, at school, or in social situations. Problems with executive functioning are common in children with ADHD and include difficulties with planning, organization, strategizing, paying attention to and remembering details, and managing time and space.

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is said to be a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life. Children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often present with: social communication difficulties, poor social interactions, and restricted interests and/or repetitive behaviors.

Learning disorders

Learning disorders are neurologically-based processing problems. These processing problems can interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing and/or math.  They can also interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time planning, abstract reasoning, long or short term memory and attention.

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Play Therapy

During play therapy a licensed mental health clinician who has received special training in counseling with young children will use specially chosen toys to provide children a safe space to communicate and understand their underlying emotional needs in a way that is meaningful to them.

Psychoeducational Evaluations

During evaluations, we assess the following domains: attention, language, memory, visual processing, reasoning ability, speed, academic achievement (e.g., reading, writing, math), visual-motor functioning (e.g., handwriting), phonological processing abilities, organization skills, and social/emotional functioning.

Counseling

Psychologists and counselors provide ongoing therapy services to preschoolers through young adults to address concerns related to mood, behavior, and social skills. In children and adolescents, playing, drawing, building, and pretending, as well as talking, are important ways of sharing feelings and resolving problems.

Skilled intervention techniques

Individual Psychotherapy

Psychologists and counselors provide ongoing therapy services to preschoolers through young adults to address concerns related to mood, behavior, and social skills. In children and adolescents, playing, drawing, building, and pretending, as well as talking, are important ways of sharing feelings and resolving problems.

Parent training

Parent training, is a family of treatment programs that aims to change parenting behaviors, teaching parents positive reinforcement methods for improving pre-school and school-age children’s behavior problems (such as aggression, hyperactivity, temper tantrums, and difficulty following directions). Treatment focuses on parents learning to provide positive reinforcement, such as praise and rewards, for children’s appropriate behaviors while setting proper limits, using methods such as removing attention for inappropriate behaviors.

Group therapy

Social skills are the tools that enable people to communicate, learn, ask for help, get needs met in appropriate ways, get along with others, make friends, develop healthy relationships, and protect themselves. Children or adolescents who have difficulty forming age-appropriate friendships, demonstrate avoidance of social situations, or impulsive or aggressive behaviors that interfere with successful social functioning may benefit from participation.

Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future. Emotional self-regulation or regulation of emotion is the ability to respond to the ongoing demands of experience with the range of emotions in a manner that is socially tolerable and sufficiently flexible to permit spontaneous reactions as well as the ability to delay spontaneous reactions as needed.

Questions from Parents

What’s the difference between a psychological evaluation and therapy?

A psychological evaluation assesses your child’s learning, behavior, and emotional functioning to identify conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, or learning differences. Therapy focuses on helping your child practice coping skills, manage emotions, and improve social and academic functioning over time. Evaluations provide insight and recommendations, while therapy helps apply those strategies in everyday life.

How do I know if my child needs a psychological evaluation?

An evaluation may be helpful if your child struggles with school, has frequent emotional outbursts, or faces challenges with friendships or behavior. Signs can include difficulty paying attention, high anxiety, or trouble learning new skills. A professional assessment provides clarity, identifies underlying factors, and guides effective strategies for home, school, and therapy.

I am worried about labeling my child. Why does a diagnosis matter?

It’s natural to feel concerned about labeling your child. A diagnosis is not a label; it is a tool that provides clarity and helps families and schools understand a child’s unique needs. A proper diagnosis guides treatment, accommodations, and support strategies so your child can thrive, both academically and socially, while building confidence and coping skills.

My child is a toddler- can you tell if they have autism this young?

Yes, it is possible to identify signs of autism in toddlers, though early identification can be nuanced. Early evaluations focus on social communication, play patterns, sensory responses, and developmental milestones. Early detection is beneficial because it allows families to access interventions and supports that can significantly improve social, emotional, and communication outcomes.

What conditions do you treat in children and teens?

We provide assessments and therapy for ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder, learning differences, and behavioral challenges. Each plan is customized to your child’s unique strengths, needs, and goals. Our aim is to support your child’s academic success, emotional well-being, and social growth.

What happens during a psychological evaluation?

A psychological evaluation includes interviews with both parents and the child, standardized testing, behavioral observations, and rating scales. These tools provide a comprehensive understanding of your child’s cognitive abilities, learning strengths and challenges, emotional functioning, and social skills. After the assessment, you will receive a detailed report that includes findings, diagnoses (if applicable), and practical recommendations. These insights help guide support at home, school, and in therapy to help your child succeed.

How do therapy sessions for children work?

Therapy sessions are engaging, age-appropriate, and tailored to each child’s needs. Techniques may include play therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), social skills training, and problem-solving exercises. Therapy provides a safe and supportive space for children to practice coping strategies, build emotional regulation skills, and develop confidence in social and academic settings. Sessions can also involve parent guidance and collaboration to reinforce skills at home and school.

Our team

All of our team hold Master’s or doctoral degrees and are licensed in the state of NC. They have worked in hospitals, schools, and community centers.

Shavonda Bean

MA Appalachian State University

Pineville

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Brittany Chiu

PsyD The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, DC Campus
MA The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, DC Campus
BA University of Connecticut

Pineville

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Cecily Gadaire

PhD University of North Carolina at Charlotte
MA University of North Carolina at Charlotte
BA Elon University

Pineville

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Gretchen Hunter

PhD University of Georgia
MHS University of Florida
BA University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Midtown

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Caroline Leonczyk

PhD University of Alabama at Birmingham
BA University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Midtown

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Melissa Lloyd

MA Wake Forest University
BA Queens University of Charlotte

Pineville

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Jerica McIntyre

MA Western Carolina University
BA University of North Carolina at Asheville

Midtown

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Chelsea Menard

SSP Appalachian State University
MA Immaculata University
BA Lees-McRae College

Midtown

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Lindsey Pallas

PsyD Mercer University
MS Mercer University
BS Mercer University

Midtown

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Brandyn Street

PhD Vanderbilt University
BA Wake Forest University

Pineville

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Lizzy Widener

MA Denver Seminary
BA Montreat College

Pineville

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Insurance for Psychological Services

· Aetna
· Aetna State Health Plan
· Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
· Healthgram
· Medcost
· Will file with out-of-network plans

Book a Free Consultation

Your first step: Schedule a free consultation with a Phycologist to talk with an expert.

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