A Group Room at the Alexis Joy Center with comfortable chairs and tables in a U shape along the wall.

Alexis Joy D’Achille Center for Perinatal Mental Health

We believe so strongly in the emotional health of moms that we built a facility dedicated solely to it. Families who choose AHN Women’s Behavioral Health benefit from support during their pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.

Alexis Joy D’Achille Center for Perinatal Mental Health
West Penn Hospital
4800 Friendship Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
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Helping moms and families

The Alexis Joy D’Achille Center for Perinatal Mental Health offers a mother-baby intensive outpatient program for women during or after pregnancy.

The 7,300-square-foot facility houses rooms for individual therapy as well as space for the intensive outpatient program. Offered three-hours-daily, three-days-a-week, the goal of the program is to strengthen the bond between mother and baby, and increase maternal self-confidence.

 

A view of a kitchen at the Alexis Joy Center.
o	A Group Room at the Alexis Joy Center with comfortable chairs and tables in a U shape along the wall.

The Center features a complete kitchen where moms can learn how to cook healthy meals for themselves and their families. We focus on bonding and stress relief techniques such as: infant massage, baby wearing, yoga, meditation, and art therapy.

Childcare for older children of moms who are undergoing treatment is provided, addressing a major barrier to care for many women.

Learn more about signs and symptoms of perinatal depression.

Let’s break the silence

Join AHN Women, moms, and soon-to-be moms in our initiative to reduce the stigma of postpartum depression and anxiety.

Contact us

For more information on the program or if you are an established patient, please call (412) 578-4030. If you are interested in making a new patient appointment, please call (412) 526-9520.

Meet our Team

Greater Pittsburgh Area

Sarah Homitsky, MD

Sarah Homitsky, MD

Medical Director of Women’s Behavioral Health

Rebecca Brent, PsyD

Rebecca Brent, PsyD

Director of Clinical Operations

Andrea Favini, MD

Andrea Favini, MD

Psychiatrist

Elizabeth Samson, PhD

Elizabeth Samson, PhD

Psychologist

Samantha Ferris, CRNP

Samantha Ferris, CRNP

Nurse Practitioner

Jennifer Lubawski, RN

Jennifer Lubawski, RN

Registered Nurse

Ann Frerotte, RN, LCSW

Ann Frerotte, RN, LCSW

RN Behavioral Health Therapist

Liana Verzella, MHA

Liana Verzella, MHA

Program Manager

Emily Standridge, LCSW

Emily Standridge, LCSW

Behavioral Health Clinician

Rebekah Ventura, LPC

Rebekah Ventura, LPC

Behavioral Health Clinician

Mallory Hendricks, LPC

Mallory Hendricks, LPC

Behavioral Health Clinician

Kathleen Tomko, LCSW

Kathleen Tomko, LCSW

Behavioral Health Clinician

Lauren Barrett, LPC

Lauren Barrett, LPC

Behavioral Health Clinician

Desiree Vazquez, CRNP

Desiree Vazquez, CRNP

Nurse Practitioner

Kelly Stawecki, LPC

Kelly Stawecki, LPC

Behavioral Health Clinician

Courtney Utz, LPC

Courtney Utz, LPC

Director of Maternal Infant Mental Health

Lauren Schlegel, LPC

Lauren Schlegel, LPC

Behavioral Health Clinician

Caitlin Ingros, LCSW

Caitlin Ingros, LCSW

Behavioral Health Clinician

Chidinma Yvette Anih, LCSW

Chidinma Yvette Anih, LCSW

Behavioral Health Clinician 

Erie Region

Kimberly Bogart, RN

Registered Nurse

Tiara Gunnell, LPC

Tiara Gunnell, LPC

Behavioral Health Clinician

Kara Scott, CRNP

Kara Scott, CRNP

Nurse Practitioner

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