Dr. Bodnar: (410) 870-4898 — Dr. Blaha: (410) 870-8499

Mission Statement At Bodnar & Blaha, we are committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate, and professional assessment and treatment that is tailored to the unique needs of every person and family in a multiculturally and LGBTQIA-inclusive environment. To learn more about the accessibility of our offices and services, please contact us. About Dr. Beth Bodnar, Ph.D. Dr. Bodnar grew up in Baltimore City enjoying the things that make living here unique—Berger Cookies, sledding on "Secret Hill", the holiday lights of Hampden, and Faidley's crabcakes are some personal favorites. She attended Friends School of Baltimore and completed her undergraduate degree at Colgate University. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from American University in Washington D.C. and completed predoctoral and postdoctoral training in Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. She then worked in the Kennedy Krieger Behavior Management Clinic and Neuropsychology Department. Dr. Bodnar specializes in comprehensive assessment services designed to identify individual strengths, as well as determine the best interventions to support areas of need. Data from the assessment process is also used to clarify diagnoses and aid in treatment planning. Dr. Bodnar frequently assesses individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and Anxiety, as well as OCD, Tic Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Gifted or 2E profile students. She also works with a small number of therapy clients using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Behavioral Parent Training approaches. About Dr. Katie Blaha, Ph.D. While Dr. Blaha grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, she fell in love with Baltimore when she moved here to go to college at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Blaha has found there are many things to love about Baltimore, including the beautiful seasons, delicious food, wonderful museums, and the strength and heart that make Baltimore distinct from other cities. After completing her bachelor's degree at Hopkins, Dr. Blaha earned her doctorate in clinical child psychology at St. John's University in Queens, New York. She concluded her time in New York with a postdoctoral fellowship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Blaha then moved to Boston to take a position as a staff psychologist at McLean Hospital's Anxiety Mastery Program with an appointment as an instructor in psychology at Harvard Medical School. During her time at McLean, Dr. Blaha developed a curriculum to train school staff in evidence-based therapeutic practices, consulted with public school districts around the Boston area, and launched the McLean School Consultation Service with her colleagues. In addition to her work at Bodnar & Blaha, Dr. Blaha holds a per diem psychologist position at Mt Washington Pediatric Hospital. In therapy, Dr. Blaha's focus is supporting children, adolescents, young adults, and families who are struggling with Anxiety and related disorders, including Depression, OCD, Tic Disorders, and Post-Traumatic Stress. Dr. Blaha utilizes evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness techniques and tailors these strategies to meet each individual's unique needs. The Assessment Process The assessment process includes a series of meetings. The process starts with a parent or caregiver intake. During this meeting we thoroughly discuss the presenting concern, goals for the evaluation, and background information/history. We will also discuss whether to involve teachers, tutors, or other professionals in the evaluation process. The next step of the process is the testing sessions. The testing measures and approach are tailored specifically to the needs identified in the intake. Testing can be lengthy and is often split across days. Most assessments include evaluation of intellectual function (reasoning and problem solving), attention, working memory, processing speed, visuomotor skills, learning, memory, executive function, academics, and emotional and behavioral functioning. Once testing is completed, a feedback session is conducted with parents or caregivers to review the findings and discuss recommendations. A child-centered feedback is offered once parents have completed the first feedback session. Each family receives a written report with the findings and recommendations of the assessment. The Therapy Process The purpose of therapy is to achieve sustainable emotional, psychological, and behavioral wellness by helping clients meet their personally-tailored treatment goals. Throughout evaluation and treatment, we work collaboratively with clients and their families. We are straightforward in our recommendations, and we always welcome discussion of clients' concerns or questions related to our treatment approaches. Therapy begins with a diagnostic evaluation in which a client, their family, and their clinician will discuss goals for treatment and assess the fit between client and clinician. If therapy is begun following evaluation, therapy sessions are generally scheduled for 45-50 minutes once per week. The appropriateness of longer or more frequent sessions based on a client's treatment goals can be discussed at any point, and longer or more frequent sessions may be scheduled if needed. To ensure progress in treatment, we ask clients and their families to actively work toward their treatment goals in sessions as well as their lives outside of sessions.