Meet Our Providers

Mallory Schneider Hughes, PhD

Dr. Hughes, a licensed child psychologist, is dedicated to providing evidence-based therapy and evaluations to children in the Atlanta area. With a rich and diverse background, she offers a spectrum of assessments and therapy services, all of which are supported by research.

Clinical Expertise:

Dr. Hughes brings a wealth of clinical psychology expertise, adeptly addressing behavior problems, emotion dysregulation, anxiety, and ADHD in children. Her commitment extends beyond traditional realms, as she holds specialized training in working with youth and families grappling with chronic and acute health conditions.

Specialization in Early Childhood:

At the heart of Dr. Hughes’ practice is her specialization in working with families of young children aged 2-10, who face emotional and behavioral difficulties. Her tailored approach recognizes the unique needs of this age group, creating a nurturing environment for growth and resilience.

Certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT):

Dr. Hughes is a certified practitioner of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an evidence-based treatment specifically designed for young children with emotional and behavioral challenges. This certification reflects her commitment to employing cutting-edge, effective strategies in her therapeutic interventions.

Individualized Assessment Approach:

In the realm of assessments, Dr. Hughes takes an individualized approach, crafting specialized assessment batteries tailored to each child’s unique needs. She dynamically adjusts the testing process throughout evaluations, keenly identifying both areas of strength and areas for growth.

Emphasizes Parent Involvement:

Dr. Hughes places a high value on providing timely and thorough feedback to families. Her commitment ensures that parents leave each session equipped with a clear understanding of their child’s strengths and weaknesses, along with actionable steps for the future.

Dr. Hughes is dedicated to fostering the emotional well-being of young minds and empowering families with the tools they need for a brighter future.

Areas of Specialty:

• Ages 2 – 10
• Parenting
• Defiance
• Aggression
• Outbursts
• Emotion dysregulation
• Sleep
• Separation anxiety
• Generalized anxiety
• Social anxiety
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Kristy Larsen, PhD

Dr. Larsen is a licensed clinical child psychologist who provides evidence-based therapy and evaluations to young children and their families. She is passionate about helping children thrive emotionally, behaviorally, and academically by offering services that are grounded in the latest research and tailored to each child’s unique needs.

Clinical Expertise:

Dr. Larsen specializes in the assessment and treatment of disruptive behaviors, anxiety, and ADHD. She also has extensive experience conducting comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations, including those focused on ADHD, learning difficulties, reading disorders, and intellectual disabilities. She provides therapy for children primarily ages 2–8 and offers comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations for children and adolescents ages 4–17.

Specialization in Early Childhood:

Dr. Larsen has a strong focus on working with young children who are experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges. Her warm, collaborative approach helps families better understand their child’s needs and build practical tools for lasting change.

Certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT):

Dr Larsen is currently certified in PCIT, a gold-standard treatment for young children with behavioral and emotional challenges. She also has specialized training in adapted versions of PCIT for selective mutism and childhood anxiety.

Comprehensive, Individualized Evaluations:

In her assessment work, Dr. Larsen takes a thoughtful, individualized approach. She carefully selects and adjusts testing tools to gain a full picture of each child’s strengths and areas of need. She also collaborates closely with schools, pediatricians, and other providers to ensure a well-rounded understanding of the child across settings and to support coordinated care.

Collaborative and Supportive Care for Families:

Dr. Larsen values strong collaboration with parents and caregivers. She prioritizes clear, compassionate communication and provides families with practical strategies, timely feedback, and a roadmap for moving forward.

Areas of Specialty:

• Parenting
• Defiance
• Aggression
• Outbursts
• Emotion dysregulation
• Selective mutism
• Generalized anxiety
• Social anxiety
• Separation anxiety
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Learning difficulties

Select Research and Publications

Larsen, K. L., & Jordan, S. S. (2022). Factors that link consistent bedtime routines to better sleep  outcomes. Children’s Health Care, 51, 139-162.

Larsen, K. L., Erp, L. A., Jordan, M., & Jordan, S. S. (2021). Bedtime routines of young children, parenting  stress, and bedtime resistance: Mediation models. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 54, 683-691.

Larsen, K. L. & Jordan, S. S. (2020). Organized chaos: Daily routines link household chaos and child behavior problems. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29, 1094-1107.

Larsen, K. L., Jordan, S. S., & Green, B. A. (2017). Assertiveness Training. In V. Zeiger-Hill, & T. K. Shackelford (Eds). Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. Springer International Publishing.

McQuade, J. D., Mendoza, S., Larsen, K. L., Breaux, R. P. (2017). The nature of social positive illusory bias: Reflection of social impairment, self-protective motivation, or poor executive functioning? Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 45, 289-300.

Caitlin Scannell, LMSW

Caitlin Scannell is a child and family therapist who provides evidence-based therapy to children and their caregivers. With a strong foundation in family systems and child development, she helps children build confidence, resilience, and practical coping skills that carry over into home, school, and everyday routines.

Clinical Expertise

Caitlin specializes in working with children ages 6–15 who experience anxiety, low self-esteem, anger, emotional outbursts, and difficulty adjusting to stressors such as divorce or family changes. She uses structured, research-supported strategies to address emotional and behavioral challenges, while also helping children feel more confident and in control.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Caitlin provides individual therapy for children ages 6–15. Her sessions are structured, goal-oriented, and tailored to each child’s developmental level. She uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies across ages, helping children learn to recognize their emotions, manage stress, and respond more effectively to everyday challenges.

For younger children, Caitlin adapts CBT strategies using a play-based approach. Through games, storytelling, role-play, and creative activities, children learn essential skills like emotion regulation, frustration tolerance, and flexibility. This interactive style helps children stay engaged while learning in a way that matches how they naturally express themselves and make sense of the world.

Each session also includes time for parent collaboration. Caitlin partners with caregivers to explain what was covered, offer coaching, and share specific strategies to practice at home. This consistent parent involvement helps reinforce progress and generalize skills between sessions. Parents will leave each visit knowing exactly what to do over the next week to support their child.

Parent-Directed Interventions

In addition to working directly with children, Caitlin also specializes in parent-directed interventions that focus on equipping caregivers with practical, in-the-moment strategies to support their child’s emotional and behavioral needs. This approach allows children to receive consistent, therapeutic support in their natural environment, when it matters most.

She is trained in evidence-based models including Parent Management Training and SPACE-informed interventions, which help parents effectively respond to challenges such as behavior difficulties, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation. Through this work, parents gain the tools and confidence to reduce problematic behaviors, support coping skills, and create lasting change at home.

Areas of Specialty

• Ages 6–15
• Anxiety
• Self-esteem
• Perfectionism
• Sportsmanship
• Emotion dysregulation
• Stress management
• Frustration tolerance
• Trauma

Brittany Wagner, Clinical Extern

Brittany Wagner is a clinical extern who provides evidence-based support to caregivers and their young children through Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). With a strong background in early childhood education and child development, Brittany is passionate about helping families strengthen relationships, improve child behavior, and build practical skills that support success at home, in school, and in everyday life.

Clinical Expertise

Brittany specializes in working with families of young children experiencing behavioral challenges, emotional outbursts, anxiety, difficulty following directions, or stress related to developmental transitions such as starting school. Her warm, collaborative approach emphasizes caregiver coaching, helping parents feel confident and consistent while strengthening their connection with their child.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Parent Coaching

Brittany completed her formal training in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) through Little Futures prior to joining the practice as a clinical extern. She has also completed specialized training in parent coaching, behavioral interventions, and play therapy techniques to support young children and their families. Brittany has fulfilled the requirements for PCIT certification and is currently in the final stages of the certification process.

As part of her ongoing professional development, Brittany continues to receive consultation and advanced training to ensure families receive high-quality, evidence-based care.

In PCIT, Brittany coaches caregivers in real time using an evidence-based framework that helps improve child behavior, strengthen the parent-child relationship, and promote emotional regulation. Her calm, encouraging style helps caregivers feel supported and empowered as they learn practical strategies they can confidently implement at home.

Drawing on her years of experience as a preschool teacher, Brittany has a strong understanding of early childhood development and the unique challenges young children and their caregivers face. She brings practical insight into concerns related to routines, emotion regulation, school adjustment, attention, and peer relationships, helping families apply skills across home and school environments.

Collaborative, Family-Centered Approach

Brittany believes that parents are the most important part of a child’s success. She partners closely with caregivers to develop individualized goals, celebrate progress, and build practical strategies that fit each family’s unique needs and values. Families leave sessions with clear, achievable skills to practice between visits, empowering them to create meaningful, lasting change beyond the therapy room.

Areas of Specialty

• Ages 2–10
• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
• Parent coaching
• Behavioral challenges
• Emotional outbursts
• School adjustment
• Frustration tolerance
• Emotion regulation