The STAR-Center Clinic provides assessment and outpatient treatment for teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 who are at risk for depression or suicide. The treatment staff performs complete psychiatric evaluations and risk assessments resulting in a comprehensive treatment program.

The Staff of the Clinic include:

Clinical Program Manager:
Kim Poling, LCSW

Kimberly Poling received her Bachelor Degree in Social Work in 1980 and her Master Degree in Social Work in 1982, both from West Virginia University. Following graduation from WVU, Ms. Poling worked for two years in Washington, Pennsylvania, providing individual and family therapy to at-risk teenagers. From 1984-1987, she continued her work with children, adolescents and their families by providing mental health services at the Beaver County Community Mental Health Center.

In 1987 Ms. Poling joined the STAR-Center Clinic, a specialty program for suicidal adolescents, a division of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Program of Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. At STAR-Center she works as a therapist and additionally as the Clinical Program Manager.  She also served as administrator for Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic’s general child and adolescent outpatient programs.

In 1991 she completed a year of additional training to become certified as a Cognitive Therapist, through the Cleveland Center for Cognitive Therapy in Cleveland Ohio. In 1996, Ms. Poling completed intensive training with Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).  Ms. Poling also attended specialized training in Family Focused Treatment (FFT) with David Miklowitz, Ph.D. at the University of Colorado in 1999.  In 2006, Ms. Poling completed training in Well-Being Therapy with Giovanna Fava, M.D. in Venice Italy.

During her years at the STAR-Center Clinic she has been involved in developing and implementing treatment protocols and supervising cognitive therapists both in Pittsburgh and throughout the country, for three major federally funded research grants.  She is an expert in the areas of cognitive therapy, psychiatric diagnostic and suicide risk assessments. Ms. Poling provides numerous trainings throughout the country.  She has also served as a faculty member of the Center for Cognitive Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and most recently for the Psychology in Education Department of the University of Pittsburgh.

e-mail:  polingkd@upmc.edu


Clinicians:

Cynthia Baca, RN, MSN

Cynthia joined the STAR-Center outpatient clinic as a nurse in the spring of 2008.  She earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Nursing from Waynesburg University.  She has experience working with adolescents in a dual diagnosis unit.  Cynthia helps lead group therapy, provides assessments and does medication management and education with patients and their families.  She is currently attending training at the Cleveland Center for Cognitive Therapy in Cleveland, OH.

e-mail:  bacaca@upmc.edu


Holly Harmon, LCSW

Holly joined the STAR-Center Outpatient clinic in the spring of 2002 as a therapist for the Anxiety Specialty Clinic and the primary therapist for the CAMS Childhood Anxiety Study.   She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh, and her Master's degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work.  Holly has experience providing individual, family and group therapy in the areas of depression, anxiety and abuse.  She is certified by PCADV as an advocate in domestic violence.  Before coming to STAR-Center, Holly was a therapist at the Center for Children and Families; prior to that she was a supervisor and residential therapist in a Residential Treatment Facility in Allegheny County. 

e-mail:  harmonhn@upmc.edu


Brian W. McKain, RN, MSN

Brian has been with STAR-Center since February of 1999.  He has served in various capacities over the years including clinician, trainer and the Assistant Director of STAR-Center School and Community Outreach.  Brian currently works as an individual therapist, medication nurse and co-leader of the adult Survivors of Suicide Group.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh in 1978, and a Masters of Science in Nursing with a specialty in child psychiatry from Yale University in 1986.

e-mail:  mckainbw@upmc.edu


Chandra A. Taormina, MS

Chandra joined the STAR outpatient clinic in September 2008 as a therapist for children and adolescents.  She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (December 2003) and her master’s degree at Chatham University in Counseling Psychology (August 2008).  Prior to joining the STAR Center, Chandra had experience providing individual, group, and family counseling in areas of mood disorders, anxiety related issues, drug and alcohol addictions, victims of sexual abuse, and with bereavement issues.  She is currently attending training at the Cleveland Center for Cognitive Therapy in Cleveland, Ohio.

e-mail:  taorminaca@upmc.edu


Monica Yeater, PsyD

Monica joined the STAR-Center Outpatient clinic as a therapist in the summer of 2004.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Wheeling Jesuit University and completed her Master’s (2000) and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology at Xavier University in 2003.  Before coming to STAR-Center, Dr. Yeater completed postdoctoral training in psychotherapy and psychological testing at an urban community mental health agency for children and adolescents in Cleveland, OH.  She has experience providing individual and group therapy with children and adolescents in community mental health, school-based, and residential treatment settings.  Upon joining STAR in 2004, Dr. Yeater completed a year of additional training to become certified as a Cognitive Therapist, through the Cleveland Center for Cognitive Therapy in Cleveland, Ohio.  In 2008, she completed training with Alec Miller, Psy.D. and Jill Rathus, Ph.D., in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with Multiple Problem Adolescents.  Currently, Dr. Yeater provides individual and group therapy at the STAR-Center and provides intensive training on diagnostic and suicide risk assessments to Master's and Ph.D. level interns.

e-mail: yeatermw@upmc.edu