Community Mental Health Services

 

Michele Pole, Ph.D. 
Clinic Director

Dr. Pole is a licensed psychologist in the state of PA with experience treating a wide range of mental health issues and specialization in the treatment of trauma disorders and addiction disorders. She has completed training for evidence-based treatments including ACT, DBT, CBT. Additionally, she completed specialized training in Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention, EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD and Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD. Prior to coming to CMHS in 2019, Dr. Pole was the Director of Psychological Services at a nationally known center for the treatment of addiction and behavioral health disorders. Dr. Pole has presented nationally and internationally on addiction and trauma. In addition she has been interviewed by numerous news outlets on various topics including addiction, trauma/PTSD, shame and the #metoo movement. She has 20 years of experience in the field of psychology and enjoys training/supervising WCU doctoral students as part of her role as CMHS Director. Dr. Pole is committed to the CMHS mission to provide high quality psychological services at low cost to those in need.

 

Amanda Sykes, B.S. Anthropology and Sociology, Minor in Architectural History, Kansas State University 
CMHS Administrative Manager

Amanda Sykes has over 17 years of management and leadership experience. Prior to coming to CMHS, she managed multiple local health practices, helped start up a successful muscle therapy clinic, and was a retention manager for a prominent pet insurance company. She looks forward to using her years of experience in neighborhood outreach and fundraising development to assist in providing our community with much needed psychological services at reasonable cost. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing fantasy football, and reading.

 

Veronica Parris, Psy.D. 
Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Program Manager

Dr. Parris received her PsyD from West Chester University (WCU) of Pennsylvania. She completed her predoctoral internship at Carson Valley Children's Aid and her postdoctoral training at a private practice that focused on psychotherapy and psychoeducational assessment. She was awarded the Frederick Douglass Teaching Fellowship at WCU. Dr. Parris specializes in working with children, adolescents, and young adults, particularly populations from under-resourced communities, with trauma backgrounds, or with immigration experiences.

 

Alaina Li - B.S in Psychology, Minor in Sociology, University of Pittsburgh
Social Work Intern

Alaina is a first-year, Master's in Social Work student with experience in ABA Therapy for people in early childhood to young adulthood. She is excited to work with student clinicians to promote wellness and meet the complex needs of people in our community. Alaina strives to encourage social justice, inclusion, anti-oppressive and anti-racist practices in her work. After graduation, she hopes to build on the skills learned at CMHS to obtain her LCSW and provide clinical social work. In her free time, Alaina loves to spend time with her pets, golf and bake.

 

Dylan Pennell – B.A. in Secondary Education & English, Temple University
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern

After dedicating over a decade to educating high school students in Chester County, Dylan pivoted to begin the Master’s Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at West Chester University. Dylan has many interests in the counseling field but has focused primarily on anxiety, depression, and varieties of trauma. Dylan enjoys spending his time hiking, running, and spending quality time with his three cats.

Laura Boznango – B.A. Psychology, minor Neuroscience & Spanish, University of Delaware
Laura is interested in working with adolescents and adults with a variety of mental health concerns including anxiety and mood disorders, trauma and stressor-related disorders, as well as struggles with identity and self-esteem. Currently, Laura’s research interests focus on the physiological & neurobiological underpinnings of behavior and applying their impacts on well-being to building comprehensive, holistic treatments for clients. In the therapy room, Laura aims to take a collaborative therapeutic approach where clients feel safe and emboldened to achieve their individual goals.

Kimberly Bucklin – B.S. Psychology, West Chester University
Kimberly is passionate about working with individuals of all ages and diverse backgrounds who have experienced trauma. She has two years of experience supporting children and adolescents, particularly those on the Autism spectrum, as well as those with other diagnoses. Outside of her professional work, Kimberly enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, listening to music, and reading.

Vanessa Chery - B.S., B.A. University of Florida, majors Psychology & Sociology, minor Health Disparities in Society
Vanessa is interested in working with adults and adolescents, particularly those with trauma-related disorders, personality disorders, and individuals from underrepresented, oppressed, or minority populations. Her research interests include initiatives to destigmatize mental health services, address mental health disparities, support Black and African American individuals, and explore the benefits of single-session interventions. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time at the beach when visiting her hometown in Florida.

Shayna Eubanks - B.S  Major Psychology, Minor Family Studies, Towson University
Shayna’s primary clinical interests are in individuals (children, adolescents, and adults) who have experienced trauma and learning to build resilience from their experiences. She places emphasis on a holistic approach by not looking only at symptoms, but other factors such as culture, family dynamics, and financial obligations.

Mollie Katzen – B.A. in an integrated major of Psychology, Biology, and Linguistics from Franklin & Marshall College.
Mollie’s primary clinical focus is working with Autistic and neurodivergent individuals, helping them feel empowered and develop effective strategies to navigate everyday challenges. She is deeply passionate about advocating for neurodiversity and fostering a broader movement of inclusion, respect, and empowerment for neurodivergent individuals in all aspects of life. In her free time, she enjoys running, baking, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Maddie Kiefer - M.A. in General Psychology from Teachers College Columbia University
Maddie’s primary clinical and research interest is in the intersection of mental health, gender identity, and sexual orientation, primarily in adolescence. In her research, she hopes to learn more about mental health disparities and improving care for LGBTQIA+ populations. She hopes to make the therapeutic space accessible and inclusive.

Haley LeFevre - B.S. West Chester University of Pennsylvania, major Psychology
Haley has previous experience working with children with Autism and leading body image intervention groups for college aged women through the National Eating Disorders Association. Clinically, she is primarily interested in working with children and families, with a specific emphasis on disordered eating behaviors and substance use disorders. Her research interests include body image, motherhood cognitive load, and food and alcohol disturbance.

Jenna Loquercio – B.A. University of Delaware, major Psychology, minor Sociology
Through her research, Jenna has gained a deeper understanding of child development and has experience working with at-risk adolescents. Her research interests focus on integrating psychology into healthcare and improving mental health services for vulnerable children and families. Jenna’s primary clinical interests lie in working with children and adolescents, with an emphasis on creating a safe and supportive environment to help clients achieve their goals.

Amani Patel - B.S. Hofstra University, Major in Psychology
Amani’s primary clinical interests include working with adolescents and adults to develop effective skills for managing symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders. Her research interests include evaluating the impact of sociocultural factors on children’s abilities to regulate their emotions, specifically for children coming from minority cultural backgrounds. Amani hopes to take a collaborative approach with clients, contributing to a therapeutic space built on mutual respect and cultural competence.

Christopher Popielarz – BA Psychology & Criminal Justice, La Salle University, MS General Psychology, concentration in trauma & development, West Chester University
Chris is a first-year Psy.D. Student. Currently, he is studying the effects of sleep quality on various mental health outcomes including depression, anxiety, suicidality, eating disorders, psychosis, and interpersonal conflict in college students. In his practice, Chris aims to improve mental health outcomes in college students and adults by providing a supportive, culturally competent, and trauma-informed environment in therapy where the client can feel understood yet empowered to grow. He hopes to embed his research into his practice by emphasizing quality sleep as a protective factor for mental health. In his free time, Chris likes to travel, follow Philadelphia sports, and spend time with his friends and family.

Lynne Raju – M.S. in Biomedical Sciences concentration in Forensic Biology, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, MFT in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) Drexel University
Lynne is a PA licensed Marriage and Family therapist bringing over 15 years of clinical experience utilizing a diverse range of therapeutic approaches tailored to each client’s unique needs. She integrates evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Play Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (t. Additionally, she has completed Level 2 training in the Gottman Method and incorporates mindfulness techniques to provide a holistic and eclectic approach to therapy. Lynne has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples, specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship conflicts.

Naserra Robinson - B.A. Psychology, Cheyney University; M.Ed Counseling Psychology, Temple University
Nasserra is passionate about breaking down the systemic barriers that Black communities face in accessing mental health care, particularly in regard to the role of cultural stigma and the deep-rooted impact of mistrust within these communities. She is a U.S. Navy veteran and gained her clinical experience at Temple University working in a partial hospitalization program, where she facilitated CBT and DBT-based group therapy. She is primarily interested in collaborating with young adults and advocating for culturally competent equitable mental health services.

Caitlyn Thomas – B.A. Psychology, University of South Carolina
Caitlyn is a first-year student in the Psy.D. program. Her primary clinical interests are in working with underserved and trauma-impacted youth populations. Caitlyn is specifically interested in an integrative approach that analyzes the development of childhood psychopathology by incorporating culture, social-emotional factors, family dynamics, and past experiences. She aims to make community and school settings safe, inclusive, and supportive for all children.

Abreu - B.A. in Psychology from Temple University
My clinical interest is primarily focused on children and adolescents and providing trauma-informed care. I’ve worked in a variety of different communities both in Philadelphia and abroad and am passionate about serving and empowering others to be ambassadors for their own growth. Currently, I am in the beginning phases of conducting research on the impacts of intergenerational trauma and moral injury. A fun fact about me is that I am bilingual and greatly enjoy engaging with and learning about different cultures and languages.

John Cuzzupe - M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Saint Joseph’s University
He is interested in treating clients with trauma-related disorders, as well as substance use disorders. His research interests include mindfulness-based interventions for depression, anxiety and relapse prevention, as well as the emerging science of psychedelics and their therapeutic utility.

Rosie Gertzman - .A. Emory University, majors Psychology & Cultural Anthropology
Rosie is interested in working with children, adolescents, and adults to improve mental well-being, body satisfaction, and future outlook. She is interested in researching and working with Eating Disorder prevention and intervention among adolescent and athletic populations. In her free time, she enjoy spending time with family and pets, finding new ways to workout, and exploring coffee shops!

Taylor Hamill - B.S. University of Delaware, major Psychology, minors Disability Studies & Spanish
Taylor worked in an attachment and parenting research lab exploring evidence-based intervention with under-resourced communities, which is her primary research focus. Clinically, Taylor has worked with children diagnosed with Autism and women dependent on opioids and their infants. She hopes to strengthen her clinical skills through Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy as well as through other modalities while working primarily with children, adolescents, and families. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and making memories with friends.

Izabell Hearst - B.S. University of the Sciences, major Psychology
Izabell is interested in working with adolescents and young adults, specifically with individuals in the LGBTQ+ community and minority populations. Her research interests involve early childhood interventions targeting emotional development and regulation. In her free time, she enjoys playing Pokémon, hiking, and spending time with her cats and tortoise.

Trokon Macauley - M.A. Temple University
Trokon has experience working in early childhood intervention and behavioral therapy. With a clinical focus on addressing trauma and neuropsychological testing in children and adolescents, Trokon is committed to providing specialized care and tailored support. His research interests include digital interventions, reducing barriers to treatment, and addressing racial trauma. Trokon's ultimate goal is to leverage his skills and resources to heal chronic mental illness in Black and Brown communities, pioneering innovative methods to enhance accessibility and break new ground in mental health equity.

Shannon O’Laughlin – bio coming soon

Laura Stahlman - B.A. Temple University, major Psychology, minor Women’s Studies
Laura’s clinical interests include working with adolescents and adults, with a particular interest in those experiencing eating and mood disorders. Her research interests include eating disorder pathology, focusing on minority stressors that are related to food and alcohol disturbance in the transgender population. In her free time, Laura enjoys reading and baking for her friends and family.

Audrey Stephenson - M.A. in Applied Psychology, Rutgers University
Audrey has experience working as a crisis counselor at a hotline as well as a case manager in an addiction medicine clinic. Currently, Audrey’s primary clinical and research interests include personality disorders and interpersonal and family dynamics.

Brielle Turano – bio coming soon

Angela Clarke, Ph.D.
Director of Clinical Training

Dr. Clarke holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. In addition, she participated as a Fellow in the Child Intervention, Prevention and Services (CHIPS) NIMH Mental Health Summer Research Institute, served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and was a Fellow in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment Disabilities (LEND) Program. She is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and specializes in collaborating with families to address child and adolescent mental health, parenting concerns, school problems, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), disruptive behavior disorders, depression and the effects of community violence exposure. Dr. Clarke has 21 years training and experience and is a member of APA Division 52 (Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology). 

Lauren Brumley, PhD

Dr. Brumley received her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and is licensed in Delaware and Pennsylvania. She completed her predoctoral internship at Nemours/AI duPont Hospital for Children and her postdoctoral fellowship at the Child Abuse Research Education and Service (CARES) Institute at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. She has extensive experience utilizing evidence-based treatments for children and adolescents presenting with anxiety and phobias (CBT), obsessive compulsive disorder (Exposure and Response Prevention), tics and trichotillomania (Habit Reversal Training), depression (CBT), trauma (TF-CBT), behavior and parent-child relation problems (behavior therapy), ADHD (Organizational Skills Training), and adjustment to chronic illness (CBT and ACT). She has served children, adolescents, and families across outpatient clinic, hospital, primary care, and telehealth settings.

Michael Gawrysiak, Ph.D.

Dr. Gawrysiak earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and is a Pennsylvania and Delaware licensed Psychologist. Dr. Gawrysiak completed post-doctoral training at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center where he worked within the Center for Studies of Addiction at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Gawrysiak has worked on various clinical trials, as study-clinician as well as principal investigator, assessing the effectiveness and efficacy of behavioral treatments for various mental health disorders. Dr. Gawrysiak specializes in mindfulness-based interventions for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and general management of stress and anxiety. He is additionally trained in both psychodynamic and behavioral approaches to the treatment of personality disorders, depression, addiction, and PTSD.

 

Stevie N. Grassetti, Ph.D.

Dr. Grassetti is a broadly trained, licensed psychologist whose research and clinical work aim to improve clients’ accessibility to science-based mental healthcare. Dr. Grassetti assesses and treats children, youth, and adults in individual, group, and family modalities. Often this clinical work takes place in community-based settings such as schools, pediatric hospitals, community mental health clinics, and juvenile justice settings. Dr. Grassetti earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Delaware and M.A. from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She completed her pre-doctoral residency in an integrated behavioral health track of a pediatric medical center and her post-doctoral fellowship in a research position that focused on advancing clinical science in community settings.

Susie Metrick, Psy.D
Adjunct Faculty

A Certified School Psychologist and Licensed Psychologist in the state of PA, Dr. Metrick has been working with children, adolescents, and young adults for over 20 years. She earned her M.A. and Psy.D. from Widener University's Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology where she focused on child development and school psychology. She has spent the last 17 years serving as School Psychologist at The School in Rose Valley, a local preschool and elementary school rooted in the principles of progressive education, and is coordinator of the school's Learning Support Team. Dr. Metrick also works in private practice administering psychoeducational evaluations for children and adolescents. Her specialties include school-based and learning challenges, social-emotional development, and pediatric assessment.

Michael Roche

Dr. Roche earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University, and is a licensed psychologist in the state of PA. He completed his pre-doctoral clinical internship at the Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School. He is a member of the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) consortium, which is focused on finding more efficient descriptions of psychopathology (e.g. viewing psychological difficulties on a continuum rather than yes/no categories, grouping disorders based on their co-occurrence to guide more efficient treatments, etc.). Dr. Roche supervises graduate students in research, therapy, and assessment. He has experience treating adult clients on a variety of difficulties (e.g. anxiety, mood, stress, externalizing behaviors, eating disorder, interpersonal conflicts). Dr. Roche has a special focus on the assessment and treatment of personality disorder and can utilize different empirically supported treatments (e.g. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Transference Focused Psychotherapy) to fit the client’s needs.

 

Deanne Zotter

Dr. Zotter is licensed to practice Psychology in Pennsylvania. She earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Kent State University. Dr. Zotter specializes in eating disorders, body image, women’s issues, and ethics in psychotherapy. She utilizes an integrative model in her clinical practice, evaluating each client’s needs and matching the treatment approach accordingly. Dr. Zotter is a member of the American Psychological Association, Division 25 (Society for the Psychology of Women). She is the Founder and Director of the Sister to Sister Program for the Prevention of Eating Disorders on the WCU campus. This program selects and trains sorority women to serve as peer mentors to promote positive body image and healthy lifestyles within their sororities and across campus. In addition to her work at West Chester University, Dr. Zotter serves on the Board of Directors for Central Behavioral Health, Montgomery County’s largest community mental health agency and has over 20 years of clinical experience.