Kate McDonald

Director of Behavioral Services

Kate, who has been at Charles River for 4 years, oversees three other clinicians, all of whom work with our persons-served to manage behavioral challenges. They step in if there’s a difficult situation, create and monitor individual behavior support plans (BSPs) if needed, and work with parents and staff to implement positive behavior supports. Most rewarding part of her job? Ironically, it’s when an individual progresses to the point where he/she no longer needs her assistance. “I come in during crises, when someone is struggling – it’s so nice to continue a relationship with that person when they no longer need my services.”

Kate and her team are certainly there if there is a crisis, but so much of what they do is more proactive. By creating behavior support plans when needed, and teaching parents, staff and individuals positive behavior supports, they help our persons served develop strategies and skills to replace problematic behaviors with more adaptive behaviors, thereby reducing their need for intervention and support.

She is excited to be expanding their services to our Family and in Home Support families. She has led a few training sessions for parents and she will also be providing clinical support for kids programming this fall.

Outside of work, Kate enjoys spending time with her fiancée, her dog and two cats. She is currently busy organizing the last-minute details of her October wedding, and is very much looking forward to a honeymoon trip to Jamaica!

Thank you, Kate – we are very grateful for all that you and your team do to improve the quality of life for our persons-served.