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About Parkside

Trauma-Informed Mental Health Care You Can Trust

Parkside Psychological Associates (Parkside) LLC is a privately-owned mental health practice specializing in trauma-specific treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. Serving Crawford, Erie, and Mercer Counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania, Parkside provides expert, compassionate care designed to support individuals and families on their path to healing.

Founded by Audrey Smith, Licensed Psychologist, Parkside brings more than 25 years of specialized experience in trauma treatment—particularly in the areas of sexual abuse and complex trauma. Audrey’s leadership and clinical expertise has anchored Parkside’s deep commitment to delivering high-quality, trauma-informed care across multiple settings.

Our main office is located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, with licensed mental health therapists offering in-person services in Meadville, Erie, Mercer, and Sharon. In addition to our office-based services, we also provide school-based therapy in 12 schools across Crawford County, ensuring accessible support where children and adolescents need it most.

Initial and On-going Trauma Assessment 

All clients referred to Parkside Psychological Associates participate in an initial assessment to obtain information related to the client’s trauma history and the emotional and behavioral impact of those experiences. The Parkside Initial Assessment Outline details assessment methodology and instruments specific to each age group. Assessment results are synthesized into a unique client picture of the client’s strengths and needs.

The results of all Initial Assessments are used to determine if clients are appropriate for Parkside treatment or if referral to a different service is warranted (PCIT, general mental health treatment, in-home services, etc.).

The results also assist the clinician in making a clinical diagnosis and in selecting the treatment model that is best suited to meet the client’s needs. Assessment scores are also utilized to evaluate treatment effectiveness during and post-treatment.

Training and Supervision: 

In addition to external trauma training, new therapists are trained by Audrey Smith, Jen Adams, and Michele Tome.

Topics covered include:

• Multi-faceted trauma assessment
• Synthesizing assessment information to inform diagnosis and treatment planning
• Caregivers as co-regulators
• The neurobiology of trauma
• Emotional regulation techniques: quieting the survival brain
• Education about complex trauma and elements of effective treatment.

After the initial orientation, therapists receive ongoing consistent clinical supervision, minimally on a bi-monthly basis.

A Comprehensive Continuum of Trauma Treatment

At Parkside Psychological Associates, we recognize that the needs of individuals impacted by trauma can vary widely. In response, we have invested significant time, training, and resources into building a comprehensive continuum of trauma-specific treatment services tailored to meet those diverse needs.

All treatment models offered at Parkside are grounded in clinical research and best practice standards. They are listed on the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) and/or recognized by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) as evidence-based or promising practices.

This ensures that every client receives care that is not only compassionate and individualized—but also proven to be effective.

These include:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
• TF-CBT (Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
• TFCBT for Complex Trauma
• SMART (Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment)
• Seeking Safety
• Real Life Heroes
• SPARCS (Structured Psychotherapy Responding to Chronic Stress)
• TIR (Traumatic Incident Reduction)
• ARC (Attachment Self-regulation and Competency for Complex Trauma)

Parkside Trauma Informed Community Origins:

The Parkside Director has collaborated with Robin Saenger, the founder of Peace 4 Tarpon, a trauma informed community initiative in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and continues to have contact with this extraordinarily successful initiative. Peace 4 Tarpon has collaborated with SAMHSA’s National Center on Trauma Informed Care and is referred to as the first trauma informed community in the United States.