Staff
Important Information Regarding Our Providers
Behavioral Health Services strives to provide counseling services via well-qualified therapists. Currently, five therapists and, at times, interns are available to provide you with therapy. In the near future we shall have our sixth therapist joining us. Your insurance coverage, however, plays a role in which therapist you will work with as our providers are on different insurance panels (i.e., Highmark, Western, VBH, BHBS).
Because we strive to provide our clients with the best possible care and believe that it is important for each individual to feel comfortable with his/her therapist, if you feel as though your current therapist is not a good match or you feel uncomfortable, we are happy to provide you with the opportunity to meet with a different provider. We want you to know that this is always an option, at any point. In order for therapy to be effective, it is important for you to feel as though you can trust and have a connection with your counselor. Please take the time to let us know if you would like to have the opportunity to meet with someone else.
Danielle Leighty, Psy. D.
Dr. Danielle Leighty joined Pediatric Care Specialists in 2011 as the Director of Behavioral Health. Dr. Leighty has received her Doctorate to practice as a Clinical Psychologist from Argosy University in 2006 but has worked in the mental health field since 1997. Dr. Leighty has post-doctoral specialized training in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Recovery and Resiliency, Trama, Co-Occurring Disorders and Eco-Systemic Structural Family Therapy. She has experience working with various diagnoses and populations from children to older adults. She is skilled in diagnostic evaluations and assessments including: cognitive (intelligence and achievement), personality, developmental, competency, mental status and neurological screenings. Dr. Leighty volunteers her time to Co-Occurring Disorders, the Change Agent and Work Group committees and was recently appointed as a liaison for these groups.
Brian McLeary, M.Ed., NCC, LPC
Mr. McLeary joined PCS in 2007 and provides child, adolescent, family, and group therapy. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, he has spent several years in private practice and has worked closely with local school districts to provide counseling services to area students and their families. He is a member of the American Counseling Association and the Pennsylvania Counseling Association.
Jayna L. Mood, M.A.
Ms. Mood received her Master's Degree in Community Counseling with a Child Focus from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2005. Prior to earning her degree, she had worked with children for many years and also obtained a Bachelor's degree in elementary education. Jayna has experience with individual and group therapy, play therapy, and parent training, as well as coordinating with families and schools. She joined Behavioral Health Services in 2007.
Tracy Tredennick, MSW, LCSW
Ms. Tredennick earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. She is a Clinical Social Worker and is licensed by the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. She has extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of child abuse and domestic violence. Tracy also has expertise in evaluating types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. She is a Johnstown native and has many years of experience assisting child, adult, and geriatric populations.
Sarah M. Barrett, LCSW
Ms. Barrett received her Master's of Social Work in political social work from the University of Houston in Texas and her bachelor's degree in social work and politics from Juniata college in Huntingdon, PA. Ms. Barrett is a Licensed Social Worker with the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors. She previously worked with homeless youth, the therapeutic foster care system, and Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services. Ms. Barrett joined PCS in 2009.
Joshua Watt, Psy. D
Dr. Watt received his Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with specialized child and family training. He also received Baccalaureate and Master's degrees from IUP. Dr. Watt completed his internship at the Watson Institute in Sewickley, PA working with children and their families. He also received training at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh - Child Development Unit as a student at IUP. Dr. Watt has experience treating and assessing children with all mental illnesses and has specialized in working with children with autism spectrum disorders in the past. He is a member of the Association for Psychological Science, American Psychological Association, and the Pennsylvania Psychological Association.
Prudence Zarra, MS
Ms. Zarra received her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with a Child and Adolescent focus from Chatham College in 2006. She has been working with children and their families since 2005 and has extensive training in Strategic Family Therapy. Ms. Zarra has provided intense therapy in the home, school, and community settings. Prior to joining Behavioral Health Services in 2011, Ms. Zarra served as the director of two separate agencies focusing on intensive in-home therapy for at-risk children.
Vicki Hess, LCSW
Ms. Hess received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh in 2002. She is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Professional Counselors. Ms. Hess has extensive experience working with at-risk children and adolescents and adult populations. Ms. Hess also has worked as a director for various mental health programs, including two Partial Hospitalization programs and an Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic.
Ian Goncher, Psy. D
Dr. Goncher received his Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from Loyola University, Maryland with focused training in child and pediatric psychology. Dr. Goncher completed a pre-doctoral internship at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, a joint affiliate of the University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Medicine, in Baltimore, Maryland. At Mt. Washington, Dr. Goncher received intensive training providing outpatient psychotherapy, psychological/neuropsychological assessment, and specialty pediatric psychology services in Mt. Washington’s Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Rehabilitation. He also completed specialized rotations in Mt. Washington’s Pediatric Feeding Disorders, Weigh Smart Pediatric Obesity, and Pediatric Endocrinology/Diabetes Programs. Dr. Goncher is an active member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and several APA divisions including the Division of Pediatric Psychology, Division of Psychotherapy, and Division of Psychologists in Independent Practice. Dr. Goncher has authored or co-authored several professional publications and has presented at the state and national level regarding professional ethics and psychotherapist self-care.
Ashley Goncher, M.S. N.C.C.
Ms. Goncher received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University in Maryland in 2007. She became a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Maryland in 2010 and is currently pursuing professional counselor’s license in Pennsylvania. Ms. Goncher is also a National Certified Counselor. She has been working with children, adolescents, and their families since 2005 in group and individual therapy and has provided counseling in home, community, and college settings. Prior to joining PCS, she worked with young adults with learning and psychological disabilities, in a wraparound setting, a day treatment facility, and an intensive outpatient facility with adolescent drug abusers. Ms. Goncher is a member of the American Counseling Association and the National Board of Certified Counselors.