Treatment Services
Using an Individualized, Developmental, & Strengths-Based Approach
Dr. Stephanie Child, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT Dyads
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Observations and Behavior Assessments
Parent Training and Support
Dr. Child is a licensed clinical psychologist who earned her doctoral degree from Argosy University with a concentration in Children and Families. She has provided services in public and private schools, outpatient settings, and homes. She has a wide variety of supervision and clinical experience, including conducting psychological and neuropsychological assessments, parent training, and individual and group therapy. She specializes in the treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and other developmental, emotional, and/or behavioral disorders. Dr. Child has worked with individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders across the age span since 2002, from Early Intervention to young adults in transition programs. She has unique experience in working with children with developmental disabilities and co-morbid mental health diagnoses, including those with anxiety, depression, and/or trauma histories.
Dr. Child spent over 13 years at the May Institute as a clinical director, where she met Dr. Bennett in 2008. Dr. Child provided mentorship to Dr. Bennett about compassionate Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and the treatment of children with ASD and self-injurious behavior. At the May Institute, Dr. Child supervised and trained Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and behavior technicians in conducting and implementing Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA), behavior plans, and other behavioral interventions for students with ASD with and without intellectual disabilities. She supervised individual and group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and consultation services, as well as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). More recently, Dr. Child supervised clinical and behavioral services at ACCEPT Educational Collaborative for students with ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, and/or trauma histories (ages 4-22). She served as the program’s clinical coordinator, and eventually the Director of Student Services, providing supervision and training to all clinical and school staff.
Dr. Child currently works part-time at Bennett Assessment and Behavior Center for Children, providing empirically-based therapy to children and adolescents (ages 5-15) with ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, trauma histories, social skill difficulties, executive functioning skill deficits, and other emotional and/or behavioral disorders. She uses a developmentally appropriate approach to teach children of all abilities to identify their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, as well as to identify and modify maladaptive patterns of thinking that can lead to negative emotions. Additionally, Dr. Child teaches children to utilize a wide-range of coping skills and express their thoughts and feelings in more socially appropriate ways. Through this frame-work, the children build confidence, become more flexible throughout their daily routine, and learn how to better self-regulate at home and school. Dr. Child believes that the relationship between a therapist and child, and a therapist and family, is critical for a successful outcome. She provides a supportive and positive environment for children and families to share and grow together. Dr. Child provides parent coaching and support to help children generalize skills learned in therapy to the home and community. She also helps families utilize positive reinforcement techniques and behavioral intervention to facilitate more adaptive and flexible behavior.
Like Dr. Bennett, Dr. Child believes in understanding the “whole child” and uses a family-oriented treatment approach that is tailored to the unique needs and strengths of each child and parent. She is dedicated to providing a supportive, nurturing, and positive space for children and families to grow. She is a strong advocate for children, and partners with each family in the treatment process. Her goal is to provide supportive, high quality, evidence-based intervention, in order to help children and families set goals, meet their goals, and move towards their fullest potential! The services she offers provide wrap-around support for the children evaluated by Dr. Bennett, and the collaboration between Dr. Child and Dr. Bennett provide high quality and effective continuity of care for the child and their family.
Allegra Denehy, MA, LCSW
Licensed Social Worker
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
College Preparation and Coaching
Special Education Advocacy Services
Parent Support and Service Navigation
Leads Monthly Parent Support Groups
Ms. Denehy earned a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Clark University and a Master's degree in social work from Boston College. She has a wide range of experience, including working with children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction. She has expertise in working with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities throughout the lifespan. She has additional training from the Department of Developmental Services focused on family leadership and advocacy.
Ms. Denehy currently works part-time at Bennett Assessment and Behavior Center for Children (BABCC). Given her extensive background in community outreach and collaboration across different human service organizations, she helps parents at BABCC navigate the complex behavioral health system. She is well connected to local resources and previously served as the outreach coordinator at Holliston Youth and Families Services. She is also the co-chair of Holliston SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council). Ms. Denehy is passionate about empowering parents and supporting families through their journey. At BABCC, she provides advocacy services for families, reviews IEPs, and attends school meetings. She connects families to the appropriate resources, reducing stress and assisting with service navigation. Ms. Denehy follows families over time and provides additional consultation, therapy, and/or support as needed.
Ms. Denehy also provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to teens & adults with ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, social skill difficulties, executive functioning skill challenges, and other emotional and/or behavioral disorders. She uses a developmentally appropriate approach to teach skills to teens and adults of all abilities. She works closely with Dr. Bennett and Dr. Child within BABCC's short-term empirically-based therapy programs. Dr. Bennett provides ongoing consultation and supervision to Ms. Denehy.
Ms. Denehy provides therapy to parents with a newly diagnosed neurodivergent child, as part of BABCC's diagnostic support program. She uses both her personal and professional experience to support parents every step of the way, providing empathetic support, validation, and psychoeducation in a warm, non-judgemental space. Ms. Denehy also leads parent support groups at BABCC for parents of neurodivergent children, as well as neurodivergent parenting groups. Through this frame-work, families feel empowered to support their neurodivergent child(ren). Ms. Denehy provides a supportive and positive environment for families to share and grow together. Lastly, she also provides college preparation coaching to help teens and support families through the transition to young adulthood.
Like Dr. Bennett, Ms. Denehy believes in understanding the “whole person” and uses a family-oriented treatment approach that is tailored to the unique needs and strengths of each family unit. She is dedicated to providing a supportive, nurturing, and positive space for families to grow. She is a strong advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities and partners with each family in the treatment process. Her goal is to provide supportive, high quality, evidence-based intervention, in order to help families set goals, meet their goals, and move towards their fullest potential! The services she offers provide wrap-around support for the children evaluated by Dr. Bennett, and the collaboration between Ms. Denehy, Dr. Bennett, and Dr. Child provide high quality and effective continuity of care for every family at BABCC.