Valerie Scelsa, PhD
licensed clinical Psychologist
Dr. Valerie Scelsa is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the use of evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders, OCD, mood disorders, and behavior problems in children, adolescents, and adults. Dr Scelsa takes a collaborative and supportive approach to the treatment of the children she works with and their families. She recognizes that each individual child’s needs vary and utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based approaches flexibly to meet each child where they are at and help them reach their specific goals for treatment.
Dr. Scelsa has extensive experience utilizing CBT in a range of settings including hospitals, community mental health centers, and schools. In addition to CBT, Dr. Scelsa integrates components of other evidence-based treatments, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). She also has expertise in providing Parent Management Training (PMT) to parents to help them learn skills to address their child’s disruptive behaviors. Dr. Scelsa has trained at various sites including Genesee Behavioral Health Center for Children and Families at Rochester Regional Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Miami University Psychology Clinic, and Miami University Center for School-Based Mental Health.
Dr. Scelsa earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Miami University. Before earning her Ph.D., she completed her M.S. in Clinical Research Methods at Fordham University and her B.A. in Psychology at Trinity College. Most recently, Dr. Scelsa completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Westchester Anxiety Center Psychological Services. Dr. Scelsa’s research has focused on the role of emotion dysregulation, especially around anger, in the development and maintenance of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems among children and adolescents.