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

Watch Christina's video message

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.

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.

Watch Lori's Video Message

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.

Watch Brianna's Video Message

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.
 

Destiny has experience with working in the behavior health field alongside children and adolescents with not only behavioral and mental health needs but students with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED). From working in school settings, partial hospitalization, and community settings Destiny was able to create a diverse toolbox to help individuals with trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Destiny has a passion for creating a safe space where clients can feel comfortable with being themselves. Additionally, Destiny areas of interest include (and are not limited to) art therapy, play therapy, group therapy, mindfulness, mood and or anxiety disorders, and CBT. Destiny's therapeutic approach centers around systems theory, strengths-based and client- centered. Additionally, trauma-informed care is also a modality that Destiny utilizes with her clients, in hopes to improve client engagement and treatment outcomes.