Meet the Team

Background:

I have been in practice for 27 years. As a mother of a daughter with autism, I want to provide the type of care for families I wish I had for mine. This desire led to me founding Children’s Integrated Center for Success in 2014.

Specialty:

• Children and adolescents
• Adult primary care
• Mental health

Style and Approach

I have a collaborative, authentic, and transparent style that seeks to inspire trust and respect in every patient/family interaction.

Works Best With:

• All ages and genders.

Education:

• BSN from DeSales University
• MSN from University of Pennsylvania in Child and Family Mental Health

Certifications:

• Board Certified in Family Practice
• Post Masters Certificate from DeSales University in Family Practice

Why I Love CICS:

I love that Children’s Integrated Center for Success is leading the way in innovation and bringing the best science and tech to care for families.

Fun Facts About Me:

My favorite foods are pizza and strawberry ice cream, and my favorite colors are green and orange. In my free time I love to listen to rap music and spend time with my family, which includes three dogs, two guinea pigs, and an alpaca!

Find me online:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Specialty:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Works Best With:

• I enjoy working with all young people and do best with teens or transitional aged young people.
• My research training specialized in neuro-imaging of mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder or Major Depressive Disorder.

Education:

• Temple University BS in Biolog
• Salzburg College for Fine Art
• University of Pittsburgh for Medicine

Why I Love CICS:

My favorite part of working at CICS is the collaborative approach used within the clinic.

Fun Facts About Me:

I’m 5’17”

Find me online:

• LinkedIn

Specialty:

• Children and Adolescents

Style and Approach:

I work with a warm, empathetic, and responsive style and a client centered approach that tries to get the whole family on board with the best plan.

Works Best With:

• All ages and genders.

Education:

• University of Pennsylvania

Certifications:

• Board Certified
• Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner.

Why I Love CICS:

I love the company’s focus on having a personal touch with all clients and families while still being cutting edge and tech driven.

Fun Facts About Me:

I love to play guitar in my free time!

Specialty:

• Pre-schoolers
• School age children
• Young adults

Style and Approach:

I work in a collaborative way that gives parents and patients the chance to give input and feedback so we can create the best plan of care possible.

Works Best With:

• All genders
• Early childhood to 21 years old
• Those who struggle with mental health concerns.

Education:

• Wilkes University School Of Nursing
• University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
• Thomas Jefferson University College of Allied Health
• Northeastern Hospital School of Nursing

Special Certifications:

• Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Certified Breast Feeding Consultant
• BCLS certification
• PALS Certification

Why I Love CICS:

I love how everyone is so passionate about serving individuals and their families with mental and behavioral health struggles.

What CICS Value Resonates With Me:

The values I like to implement that are aligned with CICS is their
non-quitting spirit and desire to do what it takes to help our clients
& their families in their journey.

How I Get To Know People:

To get to know other people, I find a common interest. I usually
seek interest in dogs!  I love talking about and hearing about people
and their dogs/pets. If a person does not have pets, I will listen
for topics during conversation that we may have in common or enjoy.

How I Avoid Burnout:

To avoid burnout, I will use simple Mindfulness Based Intervention
(MBI) activities to relax and relieve stress. I will also take my dogs
for a walk, relax with my husband, or call a friend or family member.

Fun Facts About Me:

I ran track in elementary and high school, and won a gold medal at the Penn Relays  held in Philadelphia in 1977. I have been married for 31 years and am a mother of a special needs child with mental and intellectual differences. My family also includes five shepherds and a husky!

Find Me Online:

• LinkedIn

Specialty:

• Psychiatry

Style and Approach:

I approach each client as their own individual case, no person is the same, so I start open minded. I also try to make decisions a team approach, providing options with education about them, then allowing the client/family to make the decision that works the best for them.

Works Best With:

I am pretty open, and feel as though I work well with everyone!

Education:

• Cedar Crest College for my undergrad BSN degree
• DeSales University to complete my MSN in PMHNP (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) to become a CRNP.

Why I Love CICS:

I love the team here & Integrated approach, looking at people as a whole vs just parts here & there.

Fun Facts About Me:

I still play field hockey as a goalie in an adult field hockey league.

Specialty:

• Children and Adolescents

Style and Approach:

I approach every client as unique, using a collaborative, transparent and openness style with every client under my care.

Works Best With:

• Children and Adolescents

Education:

•  BSN with a Minor in Criminal Justice from Alvernia University
• BSN to DNP at Robert Morris University

Certifications:

• Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Why I Love CICS:

I love the flexible, collaborative & integrated team approach offered at CICS.

Fun Facts About Me:

My favorite color is green. I’m a huge fan of the Disney Character, Goofy! I love hiking and being outdoors. I am also the mother of an autistic child.

Specialty:

• Adult psychiatry

Style and Approach:

I value the patient as a member of their own care team. I love learning about my clients as individuals, and I love to educate them on their conditions and treatment options.

Works Best With:

• I love working with adults of all ages and conditions! I can’t pick a favorite!

Education:

• University of Nebraska Medical Center for psychiatric nurse practitioner master’s of science in nursing.
• Kent state university BS in nursing
• Thiel college BA psychology and sociology

Certifications:

• Psychiatric mental health nursing across the lifespan

Why I Love CICS:

Collaborating with a team of people who genuinely care about the patients.

Fun Facts About Me:

I love true crime stories, and spooky stuff.

Specialty:

• Drug addiction

Style and Approach:

I take a person centered approach to my work that also focuses on cognitive behavioral therapy.

Works Best With:

• Teens
• LGBTQ+ community

Education:

• Robert Morris University for NP and DNP degrees

Why I Love CICS:

I love how CICS operates so much like a family.

Fun Facts About Me:

I am a huge fan of Batman and the Harry Potter series!

Specialty:

• Nurse

Education:

• BA in MHPNP

Certifications:

• ACLS

Why I Love CICS:

I love how wonderful our team is and how caring, and compassionate the staff are.

Fun Facts About Me:

I love the outdoors, animals, music, and art!

Specialty:

• Executive function
• ADHD
• School issues

Style and Approach:

I take an active and mindful approach to my work that also incorporates direct cognitive behavioral therapy.

Works Best With:

• All ages and genders
• People with ADHD
• Adoptees and their families.

Education:

•  MEd from Mansfield University
• MS from Walden University

Certifications:

• CBIT Certification
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• National Certified Counselor (NCC)

Why I Love CICS:

I love knowing that my work at CICS and the work of the whole organization helps improve the lives of children.

Fun Facts About Me:

In my free time I enjoy working on textile crafts such as crocheting, knitting, and felting!

Find Me Online:

• Twitter

Specialty:

• Family
• ODD
• Attachment
• Couples
• Family structure
• Parenting

Style and Approach:

• Direct
• Family systems

Works Best With:

• Whole family
• Couples
• All ages and genders

Education:

• MA from LaSalle University in Marriage and Family Therapy

Why I Love CICS:

I enjoy the support systems from co-workers and the diverse range of specialties they each possess.

Fun Facts About Me:

I love traveling abroad and riding motorcycles in addition to spending time with my husband and baby!

Specialty:

• Special Education & IEP Development
• Parenting & Resource Supports
• Executive Function Coaching
• Mindfulness-Based Social-Emotional Learning

Style and Approach:

• Motivational Interviewing style
• Strengths-Based Focus
• Positive Parenting Approach
• Adlerian-inspired Therapeutic Approach

Works Best With:

• Children birth-10 years and their caregivers
• Spanish-speaking families
• Coaching ages 10-21 years

Education:

• Kutztown University of Pennsylvania for BS in Elementary and Special Education
• Lehigh University for M.Ed. in Counseling and Human Services
• SUNY New Paltz for Certificate of Advanced Studies in Humanistic and Multicultural Education

Certifications:

• Pennsylvania Certified Elementary Teacher Grade K-6
• Pennsylvania Certified Special Education Teacher Birth-12
• New York State Certified Teacher Childhood Grades 1-6
• Certified Parent Educator in Positive Discipline

Why I Love CICS:

I love the opportunity to grow with the company and expand projects or ideas within a team-focused environment.

Fun Facts About Me:

I sing worship songs and like to learn the signs to songs, love dancing & playing with my toddler, I have a side hustle in children and family recreation: yoga, mindfulness, movement and play!

Specialty:

• Diagnostic psychological evaluations
• Anxiety
• Depression
• School psychology
• Family and couples therapy

Style and Approach:

• Psychotherapy
• Cognitive assessments

Works Best With:

• All ages and genders

Education:

• Bucknell University BA Psychology
• Widener University Psy. D. in Clinical Psychology with concentrations in family and couples counseling and School Psychology
• Masters degree from Widener University in clinical psychology

Why I Love CICS:

I really enjoy the variety of work I am able to do here, ranging from therapy to evaluations to testing.

Fun Facts About Me:

Many of my patients know me as “Dr. Deb”!

Specialty:

• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Behavioral Issues
• Couples
• Family
• ODD

Style and Approach:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Family Systems
• Insight-Oriented
• Strengths-based
• Collaborative

Works Best With:

• All ages and genders
• Challenging adolescents and their family systems

Education:

• Master of Social Work from University of Pennsylvania 

Why I Love CICS:

I love working with dedicated individuals who desire to make a positive impact on families.

How I avoid burnout:

I tend to focus on what I need to do to get through the day.

Fun Facts About Me:

I keep a collection of knock-knock jokes and brain teasers in my office desk at work!

Specialty:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• OCD

Style and Approach:

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT)</span
• Eco-Systemic Structural Family Therapy (ESFT)
• Collaborative Strength-Based

Works Best With:

• Adolescents

Education:

• Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Kutztown University

Why I Love CICS:

I feel that CICS fosters relationships amongst coworkers which positively impacts morale, ultimately allowing staff to provide best efforts in building rapport with clients and working to support them in achieving targeted clinical objectives.

Fun Facts About Me:

I can play a keyboard and I enjoy singing and writing songs.

Find Me Online:

• LinkedIn

Specialty:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• OCD

Style and Approach:

• Client-centered cognitive behavioral therapy
• Mindfulness
• TF-CBT

Works Best With:

• All ages and genders

Education:

• Undergraduate at Cedar Crest College
• Graduate at Rosemont College

Certifications:

• Training and consultation in ERP for OCD

Why I Love CICS:

I really enjoy the range of colleagues knowledge and experience, and my ability to work with diverse population of clients and families.

Fun Facts About Me:

I have two elementary school kids and a few pets. I also have my motorcycle license, enjoy sports cars, and love playing board games, card games, and some video games.

Specialty:

• Parent-Child Relationship Building
• Children and Adolescents

Style and Approach:

• Play Therapy
• Sandplay
• Art Therapy
• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Strength-Based

Works Best With:

• Infants through age 18

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Social Work at Kutztown University
• Master of Social Work – Family in Environment Perspective at Kutzown University

Certifications:

• Advanced Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents: A Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional Training Course
• Play-Family Therapy, A Mindful Approach: Attachment and Trauma-Informed Theory
• Mindfulness Certificate for Treating Kids and Teens

Why I Love CICS:

Prior to working for CICS I had always been a fan of the services they provided to the community. I admire the intention behind CICS’s treatment center, each program has been designed to be a genuine resource to families and children with mental/developmental health needs. I am honored to be a part of this practice.

Fun Facts About Me:

I can’t say no to a donut (…or anything sweet). I love being a mother. I have discovered a side of myself that I would have never known if it weren’t for the birth of my daughter. Her crazy, silly, and affectionate spirit gives me life. I have also been blessed with two bonus children who have truly taught me that love is unconditional.

Specialty:

• Video Addiction, particularly for video games

Style and Approach:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 
• Family Systems

Works Best With:

• Young men aged 6-25

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Pace University
• Master of Arts in Counseling from Arcadia University 

Why I Love CICS:

It’s great being able to work with such supportive and helpful colleagues and admins everyday.

Fun Facts About Me:

I once got into a dance battle in the middle of Webster Hall in New York City!

Find Me Online:

• LinkedIn

Specialty:

• ADHD
• Trauma
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Family Structure

Style and Approach:

• Play Therapy
• CBT

Works Best With:

• Infants through age 18

Education:

• Kutztown University
• West Chester University
• Capella University
• Arcadia University

Certifications:

• Infant-Toddler Mental Health Specialist performing Bayley Scales and developmental delay screenings and assessments

Why I Love CICS:

I enjoy the collaboration and team approach when treating each individual person. I enjoy the role of working collaboratively with True North Pediatrics as an on-site provider.

What CICS Value Resonates With Me:

The ability to work collaboratively to fully treat an individual while providing the best standard level of care.

How I Get To Know People:

Communication and finding common interests to strengthen the relationships.

How I Avoid Burnout:

I enjoy spending time with my family, running, and swimming.

Fun Facts About Me:

I was the first female swimmer to be inducted into the Student-Athlete Hall of Fame at Kutztown University!

Specialty:

• Executive Function
• Eating Disorders

Style and Approach:

• DBT
• CBT
• Art Therapy
• ACT

Works Best With:

• Children and adolescents (5-17) who are struggling with eating concerns including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge eating disorder
• Children suffering with ADHD and executive function concerns

Education:

• University of North Florida M.S Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Why I Love CICS:

I enjoy the community at CICS. Our entire staff is passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated. It is inspiring and enjoyable to work with such committed people.

Fun Facts About Me:

I love salsa dancing. I picked it up in college and haven’t stopped.

Education:

• Muhlenberg College BA in Psychology

Why I Love CICS:

I love getting to interact with awesome individuals and being a part of their journey to reach their full potential!

Works Best With:

I enjoy working with young children (pre-k through elementary) the most as they bring so much energy to lessons and have a growing love of learning!

Education:

• Muhlenberg College – Major in Psychology and Minor in French

Why I Love CICS:

I love being able to work with children outside of a traditional classroom setting.

Fun Facts About Me:

I was camping in Wilkes-Barre, PA in 2018 and a tornado struck! Luckily, I was able to get to shelter and remain unharmed.

Find Me Online:

• LinkedIn

Administrative Tasks:

Assist Amy Edgar and Caronne Taylor Bloom with their administrative needs and scheduling.

Education:

• Bachelor of Business Administration

Certifications:

I have an unofficial certification in Calendar Tetris 🙂

Why I Love CICS:

I love that at the end of the day, no matter what we did, we helped create a positive ripple in a community. Effecting change for children, their families, their teachers, and peers. Good days and bad, when it all goes right or all goes wrong- someone at CICS made a difference in the life of a child going through something difficult. What could be more rewarding than that?

What CICS Value Resonates With Me:

Every child every time (even the kids at heart.) This is the place for people that care, it is a joy to be surrounded by people that are passionate about what they do and are always happy to pitch in and lend a helping hand. It’s what we do.

How I Get To Know People:

We’re all emerging from the pandemic together, it’s fun to connect over the things we’re doing to move forward and return to normalcy or completely change it.

How I Avoid Burnout:

I’m a full time traveler, part time assistant and part time blogger. Things are busy, but beautiful and rewarding. 20 years in the entertainment industry is how you get burnout. This is much better 🙂

Fun Facts About Me:

I missed being on Teen Jeopardy by one question!

Why I Love CICS:

I love being a part of a team that is dedicated to helping children and families succeed.

Fun Facts About Me:

When I am not working I spend a lot of time working with my dog to become a therapy dog to take into children’s hospitals.

Why I Love CICS:

I love being a part of a team that gets to help families & children succeed!

Fun Facts About Me:

I love spending time with my family down at my family’s beach house.

Education:

• The George Washington University BA in International Affairs and Political Science
• The University of Pennsylvania College of Professional Studies certifications in Machine learning and Computer Science

Why I Love CICS:

CICS is the epitome of a family business for families. I’ve worked here in some capacity since I was 14, and watching CICS become a haven for people not just in our local community but across the country has made me incredibly proud.

Fun Facts About Me:

I love running, taking my dog Lucy for walks around Philadelphia, and exploring the city.