Specializations: Infant/Toddler mental health, developmental differences, parenting, developmental and psychoeducational assessment, social skills training, behavioral intervention, childhood anxiety issues, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).

Dr. Patricia “Pat” Blackwell is a licensed psychologist who specializes in developmental assessment, individual child therapy, Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and parenting consultation. Dr. Blackwell also consults with teachers and other professionals to address the needs of children. She has particular expertise working with infants and toddlers, anxious children, and neurodivergent individuals (including ADHD, “quirky kids” and autism). She also assists parents with typical developmental concerns such as discipline, toileting, and sleep issues.

Psychoeducational assessment, ADHD, and autism testing are her evaluation specializations. Testing is conducted by Dr. Blackwell herself using gold standard assessments. Comprehensive reports include detailed recommendations and a thorough discussion of the results with parents. Her therapeutic style is warm and playful but goal-directed, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) scaled to each child’s level of understanding. Parent education and participation are essential aspects of her clinical approach.

Dr. Blackwell completed her Ph.D. in developmental psychology at Tulane University, her master’s at Teachers College, Columbia University, and her bachelor’s at Loyola. She has worked with children and families for 40 years. In addition to individual work with children and families, Dr. Blackwell conducts parenting workshops.

patblackwellphd.com