About Me
Hi, I’m Abby and I’m so glad you’re here. I know that reaching out for support can feel overwhelming, but let me assure you—you’re not alone. My passion is helping children, teens, and families navigate life’s challenges in a way that feels meaningful, empowering, and most importantly, true to you.
I became a therapist because I’ve always believed in the power of connection. Life can be messy and unpredictable, but having someone in your corner to listen and support you can make all the difference. My approach is down-to-earth and compassionate. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, I work with you to understand your unique story, strengths, and goals, so we can figure out the best path forward together.
Whether we’re exploring big feelings, tough transitions, or family dynamics, I create a space where you can be yourself—no judgment, just kindness, curiosity, and even a little humor when the moment calls for it. Therapy doesn’t have to feel intimidating; it’s about building trust, finding what works for you, and celebrating progress, no matter how small it might feel.
Outside the therapy room, I’ve had the privilege of supporting families in different ways—starting a non-profit toy library, advocating for inclusive practices, and working on research to improve telehealth services. These experiences shape my work and remind me every day of the resilience and potential that lives in all of us.
What it’s like to work with me
Together, we’ll work toward creating a sense of balance—where the child feels empowered to take steps toward adulthood while knowing they always have a safe and loving foundation to rely on.
For Parents
Parenting is one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs out there, and I’m here to help you navigate the ups and downs. When we work together, I provide a nonjudgmental space where you can express your concerns, frustrations, and hopes for your child. Whether it’s managing difficult behaviors, understanding developmental needs, or feeling more confident in your parenting, we’ll tackle it together. My goal is to empower you with strategies and insights that fit your unique family while also encouraging you to take care of yourself in the process.
For Young Children
When working with young children, my goal is to help them feel safe and understood while also strengthening the bond between them and their parents. Through play, stories, and creative activities, I give children the tools to express their feelings and experiences in ways that make sense to them. But the real magic happens when we bridge those expressions back to you, their parent. I’ll guide you in understanding what your child’s behavior or play might be communicating, and together we’ll develop strategies to support their growth and connection. My aim is to help your child feel seen and supported while empowering you to feel confident and connected in your parenting journey.
For Older Children
Older kids and teenagers are often navigating a world of big changes—school pressures, friendships, family dynamics, and figuring out who they are. I also focus on helping them develop the skills they need to make confident decisions, set healthy boundaries, and communicate effectively—all while staying connected to their family. A big part of my work includes bringing parents into the process, not as onlookers but as active partners in their child’s journey. I help parents understand what their child might be experiencing and how to provide support that respects their growing independence while maintaining a strong, supportive relationship.
Evidence-based
As both a researcher and a clinical psychologist, it is vitally important to me to make sure the treatment I provide is grounded in research. Before receiving training in a new intervention, I research that intervention in depth, ensuring that research supports its effectiveness for the families I see.
Family-centered
I am committed to tailoring each approach to align with your family’s unique needs, values, and intersecting identities. I believe that effective care not only follows proven methods but also respects and integrates the diverse experiences and traditions that shape your family’s identity. By combining structured, research-supported interventions with a deep respect for what makes your family unique, I strive to create a collaborative and inclusive path toward healing and growth.
I love exploring children’s books about mental health. I think that there are so many topics that as adults we have a hard time explaining to kids that we can explain more effectively using children’s books. I have a YouTube channel where I celebrate some of the books I’ve found that do a good job tackling difficult childhood topics.
I am so enthusiastic about working with the families I see, and making sure that they reach their goals according to their values. In 2023 I was honored to receive a county-wide award in Miami for Excellence in Direct Service to families.
I am passionate about making change on a wider scale as well. One of the ways I work toward this goal is to engage in research . The aim of my research is overall to find ways to reach more families who need mental health services and to successfully provide culturally humble services so families feel safe with their therapists. During COVID I created and published an 80+ page manual of how to effectively complete Parent-Child Interaction Therapy virtually so that more therapists could transition from in-person to telehealth quickly so that not as many families lost access to services. We distributed this manual for free to decrease the barriers to more families and therapists.
The treatment that I do the most, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, takes place in the context of play. I coach parents live (through a headset) through different interactions with their children. This has highlighted for me the importance of play for child learning, development, and engagement. In 2021, I founded a non-profit toy library in Miami-Dade, FL to increase child access to toys and play. In 2024, we launched in the Miami Dade Public Library System so that kids can borrow toys for free through the same system that they borrow books.
In my free time , you can find me going for long runs, taking my dogs for a walk, gardening (in the summer!), hiking and exploring new places (my favorites are mountainous places or new national parks!), or cooking something delicious!
Research
Publications
Impact of parent child interaction therapy on child eating behaviors
- Authors: Abby Peskin, Barth, A., Mansoor, E., Farias, A., Rothenberg, W. A., Garcia, D., & Jent, J.
- Published 2024 in Appetite
Clinical approaches, treatment formats, and predictors of success for an 18-week model of parent-child interaction therapy.
- Authors: Jent, J., Rothenberg, W. A., Abby Peskin, Acosta, J., Weinstein, A., Concepcion, R., Dale, C., Bonatakis, J., Sobalvarro, C., Chavez, F., Hernandez, N., Davis, E., & Garcia, D.
- Published 2023 in Frontiers in Psychology
New therapy for a new normal: Comparing telehealth and in-person parent-child interaction therapy.
- Authors: Abby Peskin, Barth, A., Rothenberg, W.A., Turzi, A., Formoso, D., Jent, J., & Garcia, D.
- Published 2023 in Behavior Therapy
"This was my dissertation!"
Harnessing parent-child interaction therapy for the behavioral treatment of a child with tuberous sclerosis complex and autism spectrum disorder.
- Authors: Abby Peskin, Rothenberg, W. A., & Jent, J.
- Published 2022 in Evidence-based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health
A natural helper intervention to address disparities in parent child interaction therapy: A randomized controlled trial.
- Authors: Garcia, D., Barnett, M. L., Rothenberg, W. A., Perez, C., Espinosa, N., Salem, H., Davis, E., Weinstein, A., Abby Peskin, Davidson, B.
- Published 2022 in Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
Rapid, full-scale change to virtual PCIT during the covid-19 pandemic: Implementation and clinical implications.
- Authors: Garcia, D., Blizzard, A. M., Abby Peskin, Rothenberg, W. A., Schmidt, E., Piscitello, J., Espinosa, N., Salem, H., Rodriguez, G. M., Sherman, J. A., Parlade, M. V., Landa, A. L., Davis, E. M., Weinstein, A., Garcia, A., Perez, C., Rivera, J. M., Martinez, C., & Jent, J. F.
- Published 2021 in Prevention Science
Ages and stages questionnaire: Social-emotional as a teacher-report measure.
- Authors: Abby Pooch, Natale, R., & Hidalgo, T.
- Published 2019 in Journal of Early Intervention
Book Chapters
Book: Telemental health care for children and families by L. Niec & C. Schoonover
Chapter: Byte-sized bonding: The tech-savvy route to internet-based parent-child interaction therapy
Authors: Abby Peskin & Jent, J.
Treatment Manuals & Guidelines
Internet Based-PCIT (I-PCIT): Recommendations for Service Delivery: Version 2
Abby Peskin, Sherman, J., Schmidt, E., Parlade, M., Jent, J., & Rothenberg, W.A. Published 2020
We wrote and published two versions of this before we were out of 2020 and distributed it completely free to PCIT therapists around the world so they could start using PCIT via telehealth with their patients during the pandemic
My Credentials
License
Licensed Psychologist in Florida, Michigan, Virginia, and Iowa
Authorized to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology in PSYPACT states
Education
PhD in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University
MA in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University
BS in Psychology from University of Miami
Predoctoral internship completed at University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development
Postdoctoral training completed at University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development
Specialized Training
Within-agency trainer and certified therapist in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
Certified therapist in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic treatment of Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Adolescents and Children
Project ImPACT for autism early intervention
Research Reliable ADOS-2 training through UCSF for autism evaluations
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) trainee
Why Allied?
The word “allied” in our title reflects our core values of partnership, collaboration, and support. It signifies our commitment to walking alongside our clients, families, and community as allies in their journey toward growth, healing, and empowerment.
To us, being “allied” means fostering strong, trusting relationships where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued. It also speaks to our dedication to inclusivity, standing as allies for diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives. Additionally, “allied” represents our collaborative approach to care—working closely with clients, families, and other professionals to provide comprehensive, personalized support tailored to each unique situation.
