Jaqueline Lepore Navin, PhD in Baltimore: Developmental Psychology and Parent Coaching
Jaqueline Lepore Navin holds a PhD in developmental psychology and operates as a parent coach and behavioral consultant in Baltimore, working primarily with families navigating childhood developmental concerns, behavioral challenges, and parenting strategy adjustments. She does not provide psychiatric medication management, make formal diagnoses, or serve as a replacement for clinical mental health treatment; instead, she bridges the gap between parenting instinct and evidence-based developmental science, helping families understand why a child is behaving a certain way and what to do about it.
What Lepore Navin actually offers
Lepore Navin's work focuses on translating developmental psychology research into practical household strategies. Common client concerns include sleep resistance, sibling conflict, defiance, anxiety-related avoidance, screen time negotiation, and transition difficulty. Sessions typically involve an intake conversation about the specific behavior, the child's developmental stage, and family context; observation or parent report of patterns; and a collaborative action plan that gives parents concrete language, sequencing, and timing for intervention. She does not prescribe medication, order testing, or diagnose developmental disorders; families working with her often do so in parallel with pediatricians, school systems, or child mental health clinicians who handle those roles.
Fee structure and engagement model
Parent coaching is typically billed at an hourly or per-session rate; most consultants in this space charge $100 to $200 per session in the Baltimore region, though rates vary by credential, experience level, and whether the engagement is ongoing or a single consultation. Lepore Navin's specific rates and session format (phone, video, in-person, or hybrid) should be confirmed directly. Many parent coaches offer initial consultations at a reduced rate or sometimes free, allowing families to assess whether the approach and rapport make sense before committing. Some work on a package model (e.g., four sessions bundled at a discount), while others bill session by session. Insurance typically does not reimburse parent coaching unless it is delivered as part of a clinical mental health service; this is an out-of-pocket cost for most families.
How parent coaching compares to other Baltimore options
Parent coaching sits outside the clinical mental health system. A family might pursue coaching when a pediatrician notes a behavioral concern but the child does not meet criteria for therapy, when a child is already in therapy but parents want practical strategies tailored to specific routines, or when a family prefers evidence-based guidance over parenting books alone. Baltimore-based child therapists and licensed clinical social workers at practices like Kennedy Krieger Institute also address family dynamics and parenting, but therapy is typically longer-term, insurance-covered, and clinically focused on diagnosis and treatment. Parent coaches like Lepore Navin work faster, at lower total cost, and are practical-strategy focused rather than clinical-history focused. Parent education programs through Baltimore County or City public school systems (offered free or low-cost) provide group-based information but not personalized, ongoing guidance. For families seeking expert psychology background without psychiatric care, coaching fills a distinct role.
Who suits this option and who does not
Parent coaching is a strong fit for families with a specific behavioral or developmental concern (a child won't sleep through the night, sibling fighting has escalated, transition anxiety is blocking school entry) and parents who are willing to implement the strategy between sessions. It works well when the family dynamic is fundamentally secure but parenting approach needs adjustment. It is not appropriate for a child with an active mental health crisis, untreated ADHD or autism diagnosis, or severe anxiety or depression; those require clinical care first. Coaching also assumes the parent or caregiver can attend sessions and carry out the plan; families in crisis or with chaotic structure benefit more from therapy or case management.
What a first engagement involves
A prospective client typically contacts Lepore Navin to describe the concern (often over phone or email) and may have a brief intake or no-charge consultation to discuss whether her approach fits. If both parties agree to proceed, an initial session usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes and covers the child's age and developmental stage, the specific behavior or pattern, when it started, what has been tried, family context, and any relevant medical or school history. Lepore Navin will likely ask the parent to describe a recent episode in detail, the parent's reaction, and how the child responded. From there, she develops a hypothesis about what the child might be communicating (through the behavior) and proposes a concrete intervention. Follow-up sessions refine the plan or address new issues. Parent coaches do not usually require weekly sessions indefinitely; many engagements are 4 to 8 sessions spaced over 2 to 3 months.
Hours, location, and logistics
Confirm current hours and availability directly with Lepore Navin's office. Many parent coaches in Baltimore offer evening or weekend slots to accommodate working parents; some operate virtual-only, which eliminates travel time for families. Whether she holds office space in a specific Baltimore neighborhood or offers sessions entirely by video should be verified.
Jaqueline Lepore Navin's credentials in developmental psychology and her focus on translating that research into family-level strategy make her relevant for Baltimore parents seeking expert guidance beyond parenting books but without requiring clinical diagnosis or medication.
