Dr. Vaccaro's Philosophy
A whole-person approach to change
Specializing in Autism, ADHD, OCD, Mood Disorders, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, High Conflict Family Dynamics, Personal Growth and Achievement, Life Transitions, Academic Planning, Parent Coaching, LGBTQIA+ and Psychological/Neurodevelopmental Assessment in Rockwall
Dr. Casey
Vaccaro
Dr. Vaccaro utilizes a goal-oriented, solutions-focused approach to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (& it’s subtypes; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectial Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)), but her philosophy is less about rigid models and more about creating meaningful change that actually translates into real life. Dr. V works collaboratively with clients to identify maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors and carry out individualized interventions to promote lasting change. She utilizes a whole heath approach, often collaborating with other professionals, and encouraging positive lifestyle change in many areas of life.
In contrast to traditional psychology’s emphasis on pathology and illness, Dr. Vaccaro’s training emphasized a strengths-based approach to treatment and positive psychology.
I believe that thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are constantly interacting, and when you learn how to shift even one of those, you create a ripple effect across the others. Insight alone isn’t enough; people don’t change just because they understand something. They change when they experience something different.
That’s why I’m intentional about getting out of the strictly “clinical” space when it makes sense, whether that’s walking sessions, real-world exposures, or practicing skills in the environments where challenges actually occur. Therapy should feel relevant, and applicable.
Professional Affiliations
and Memberships
COunseling Specialties
Dr. Vaccaro's Counseling Specialties
Dr. Vaccaro provides specialized psychological services across the lifespan, from early childhood through adulthood with services spanning comprehensive assessment, evidence-based therapy, parent and family intervention, and professional consultation. Her approach is the philosophsy of the practice which emphasizes understanding the whole person, including developmental history, cognition, behavior, emotional functioning, relationships, family systems, and educational or occupational demands, rather than viewing symptoms or diagnoses in isolation. Education is an important part of the work: we help clients and families understand why patterns are occurring and translate that understanding into practical strategies that create meaningful change in everyday life.
Areas of Specialty
Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan
Comprehensive autism assessment beginning in early childhood and extending through adolescence and adulthood, including individuals whose autism may have been overlooked or masked earlier in life. Therapeutic and family support may address emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, social communication, adaptive functioning, independence, relationships, and understanding one's neurodivergent identity.
ADHD, Giftedness, Learning Differences & Executive Functioning Across the Lifespan
Assessment and treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults, with attention to executive functioning, organization, working memory, task initiation, motivation, impulsivity, emotional regulation, time management, academic functioning, and the ways ADHD may present differently across developmental stages. A significant emphasis is placed on helping individuals and families understand both strengths and areas of vulnerability.
OCD & Anxiety Disorders
Specialized treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder, intrusive thoughts, checking, reassurance seeking, rumination, avoidance, perfectionism, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic, health-related anxiety, and difficulty tolerating uncertainty. Treatment incorporates CBT, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), ACT, and behavioral approaches.
Mood Disorders
Treatment and support for depression, emotional dysregulation, and bipolar-spectrum disorders, including helping clients recognize patterns in mood, behavior, sleep, relationships, and functioning while supporting ongoing psychiatric and multidisciplinary care when indicated.
Complex & Severe Mental Health Presentations
Experience working with individuals experiencing significant psychiatric symptoms, including bipolar disorders and psychotic disorders, with an emphasis on appropriate assessment, stabilization, psychoeducation, functional improvement, and coordination with psychiatric and medical providers.
Child, Adolescent & Young Adult Mental Health
Anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, school avoidance, identity development, self-esteem, relationships, emotional regulation, independence, college transitions, and the developmental challenges associated with adolescence and emerging adulthood.
High-Conflict Family Dynamics
Work with families experiencing significant conflict, strained parent-child relationships, difficult co-parenting dynamics, separation or divorce-related stress, communication breakdowns, and complex family-system concerns.
Parenting & Parent Consultation
Individualized support for parents navigating behavioral concerns, emotional dysregulation, neurodivergence, school difficulties, family conflict, limit-setting, communication, and developmentally appropriate expectations.
Forensic & Court-Involved Family Experience
Dr. Vaccaro has a professional background in forensic family work and experience with complex court-involved family systems. Services may include parenting and family intervention, reunification-focused work, family work surrounding adoption and supervised visitation when clinically appropriate and within the defined scope of services. These services are distinct from forensic evaluation and are considered individually based on the needs and circumstances of the family.
Learning, School & Educational Concerns
Assessment and intervention related to learning disorders, giftedness, executive functioning, academic performance, school anxiety or avoidance, behavioral concerns, and educational accommodations. Collaboration with parents, educators, and treatment professionals helps translate clinical findings into practical recommendations for the school environment.
Psychological & Psychoeducational Assessment
Individualized evaluations addressing autism, ADHD, learning disorders, giftedness, cognitive functioning, academic concerns, emotional and behavioral functioning, and complex diagnostic questions. Assessment is designed not only to establish diagnostic clarity, but to provide useful recommendations for home, school, treatment, and daily functioning.
Life Transitions, Relationships & Adjustment
Support surrounding relationships, family changes, parenting, grief, career stress, college, emerging adulthood, and other periods of significant adjustment.
Professional Education & Speaking Engagements
Educational presentations, trainings, workshops, and speaking engagements for schools, parents, mental health professionals, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Topics may include autism and ADHD across the lifespan, neurodivergence, executive functioning, OCD and anxiety, emotional and behavioral regulation, parenting, school-based mental health, and other areas of psychological wellness.
DFWChild
Mom Approved
Leading Women
2026
DFWChild
Mom Approved
APIT®
PSYPACT®
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Transform Your Life with Dr. Casey Vaccaro
EDUCATION:
Psy.D., School-Community Psychology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Dissertation: A Resilience Perspective on Well-Being Variables of Family Caregivers
Masters of Science (M.S.), Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Thesis: A Review of Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) Models: Effects, Limitations, and Future Directions
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549
Honors Thesis: The Effect of an Exposure Based Procedure on Rejection Sensitivity
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES:
ACADEMIC HONORS:
PUBLICATIONS & BLOGS:
Ferri, C. “Nurturing Healthy Boundaries A Guide To Harmonious Family Relationships”
https://www.heritagecounseling.net/blogs/nurturing-healthy-boundaries-a-guide-to-harmonious-family-relationshipsFerri, C. “Autism Testing Your Questions Answered By Dr Casey Ferri Psyd”.
https://www.heritagecounseling.net/blogs/autism-testing-your-questions-answered-by-dr-casey-ferri-psydFerri, C. “Treating OCD in Therapy”. Heritage Counseling
https://www.heritagecounseling.net/blogs/treating-ocd-in-therapyFerri, C. ”Resilience in Relationships“ Heritage Counseling
https://www.heritagecounseling.net/blogs/resilience-in-relationshipsFerri, C. “How to Set Healthy Boundaries in Your Relationships”. Heritage Counseling
https://www.heritagecounseling.net/blogs/how-to-set-healthy-boundaries-in-your-relationshipsFerri, C. & Gordon J. “There are 7 C’s of Resilience, and one of them is Connection”. TLC-VR.
https://tlcvirtualresiliency.com/2021/07/21/there-are-7-cs-of-resilience-and-one-of-them-is-connectionAmatenstein, S. (2021). Balancing Relationships: When We Care Too Much About Our Clients.
Casey Ferri (Eds.), Psycom Pro, Clinician Lifestyle and Practice. Web Journal.
Weisner, L. & Castrovilla, S. (2019). Own a Pet, Save Two Lives.
Casey Ferri (Eds.), 10 Steps to Finding Happy: A Guide to Permanent Satisfaction (p 55-60). Last Syllable Books.