Valerie Slattery, Ph.D.; Psy.D.

Making the decision to help a child or teen who is struggling academically, behaviorally, socially and/or emotionally may be the most important decision that you make. I see each child/teen as a puzzle. I use a variety of techniques to help each child/teen negotiate this time in their lives and to help them find their own voice.

Again, I see each child/teen as a puzzle. Sometimes the pieces fit together perfectly and other times it is necessary to work really hard to find the right piece to complete the puzzle. I believe that a child/teen is part of a larger system, including parents, siblings, friends, extended family, community and school. I strive to work with all aspects of a child's world.

I see children and teens with anxiety; depression; trauma (including but not limited to sexual abuse, neglect, domestic violence, emotional and/or physical abuse); problematic sexual behavior (PSB); low self-esteem; ADHD, self-regulation concerns; learning differences; social relationships and bullying. In addition, I work with children and teens whose families are involved in separation and divorce.

I conduct psychoeducational/neuropsychological evaluations – ages 3 through young adults. Testing encompasses: cognitive assessment; achievement testing; processing abilities; attention; memory; language; executive functioning; ADHD; and learning differences. I also administer Admissions tests for the Washington area Independent Schools.

I hold two doctoral degrees – one in Education/Special Education/Learning Disabilities and the second in Clinical Psychology/Child and Adolescent. I completed a postdoctoral program in neuropsychological assessment and have advanced training in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT); play therapy; Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT); children with problematic sexual behaviors (PSB-TF-CBT). In addition, I have worked in schools and with educators for my entire career. With my experience and training, I feel that I am able to look at children and teens through a variety of different lenses.

I am a licensed psychologist in Maryland and Washington, DC. In addition, I have the Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) under the PSYPACT Commission.