Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Clionsky.
Hi Leah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a northerner from western Massachusetts who never expected to become a Texan. I grew up as the child of two psychologist parents, and I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a child psychologist—more specifically, a child psychologist business owner with a private practice.
I went to Vassar College and then to the University of Florida for graduate school, working with Dr. Sheila Eyberg, the founder of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). I matched for internship at Baylor College of Medicine, which is how I became a Houstonian. After my internship and fellowship at BCM, I worked there for several years as an Assistant Professor before opening my own practice, Thriving Child Center, with a specialty clinic called PCIT Experts, where all we do is Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, an evidence-based treatment for kids 2-8 with big feelings and even bigger behaviors.
My group practice has grown over the years. We currently provide assessment and therapy services to children and teens locally in the River Oaks and The Woodlands areas, and nationally via telehealth across PSYPACT states. I am also the host of The Educated Parent podcast, where I provide evidence-based advice for solving everyday parenting problems, so families don’t have to depend on ChatGPT or “mommy influencers” for guidance.
I’m also a parent of two young children (ages three and six) and married to an electrical engineer who works in the space industry. I enjoy traveling, good food, and exploring. I am also a member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization and love to spend time with other entrepreneurs.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Generally, yes, my career success has always come easily to me. However, when my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022, I did have to reshape the way that I participated in my business so that I could travel frequently back to Boston to take care of her. She passed away in May 2024.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Thriving Child Center (TCC) is our generalist child and teen psychology practice in Houston. and since 2016, the mission has been to provide treatment that really works to our community. We have offices in River Oaks and The Woodlands, and we also see families by telehealth in 42 states. Our mission is straightforward: provide evidence-based care that truly helps, so parents and kids get the right help for what they are facing. We treat anxiety and depression, ADHD, neurodivergence, school and learning struggles, difficult behaviors and parenting challenges. We also provide psychological assessments through TCC, including evaluations for autism, ADHD, and learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. When a case involves the courts, we have clinicians who handle forensic work.
PCIT Experts is our specialty clinic within TCC. It exists for one thing: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for children ages 2 to 8 with big feelings and challenging behavior. We deliver PCIT virtually because it works best in the child’s real environment, with real routines and moments to practice. I am the regional PCIT trainer for Texas, and I was trained directly by Dr. Sheila Eyberg, the developer of the treatment. That helps us keep the work faithful to the model and practical for families.
A few things to know about us: we only bring on seasoned clinicians, and we put real care into matching each family with the right person based on fit and expertise. Caregivers are part of the work from the start, goals are clear, and we check progress so you can see change. Families often tell us we are both effective and kind. That is the standard we aim for every day.
I also host The Educated Parent podcast. It is a free resource I offer so we can spread this kind of help to the community. I answer practical questions like what to do if your young child hits you and how to reconnect after an argument, and I bring on expert guests to talk through those topics. The goal is simple: give families simple strategies that actually work that they can implement today.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I think about making genuine friends with other practice and business owners in the community. I don’t think about “networking,” I think about “friendship building” and sharing resources with other people who are building similar businesses. I like to ask other business owners out to coffee and really get to know them, what they’re about personally, and what their businesses are like. I am in Masterminds with other group practice owners across the Houston area. I also joined Entrepreneur Organization, which has really opened my eyes to all the ways that businesses are really all the same, even though we do different things. I also pay for business consultation when I need to.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thrivingchildcenter.com and www.pcitexperts.com
- Instagram: @thrivingchildcenter, @pcitexperts, @educatedparentpodcast
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrivingchildcenter/ and https://www.facebook.com/p/PCIT-Experts-100082962920789/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-clionsky-129299142
- Other: https://educated-parent.captivate.fm/listen
Image Credits
Claire Thom photography
