Bethlehem Counseling Associates

Emphasizing the Importance of Head & Heart in Making Life Decisions

BCA Professionals

Artis J. Palmo, Ed.D.

Dr. Artis "Pete" Palmo is a Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Professional Counselor. He is the CEO and co-founder of Bethlehem Counseling Associates along with his wife, Dr. Linda A. Palmo. Pete was born and raised in southwestern Pennsylvania and did his undergraduate work in Biology, receiving his BS degree from California University of Pennsylvania. Following the completion of his BS degree, he enrolled in the Master's program in Counseling at West Virginia University, completing his MA in 1968. He was then accepted into the doctoral program in Counseling, completing his Doctorate of Education in 1971. The emphasis of his graduate training was on the methods of Adlerian Counseling, a directive approach for dealing with clients in an effective defined way as presented in the works of Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs. While at WVU, Pete studied under the direction of several well-known faculty members, including Dr. Manford Sonstegard, one of the outstanding Adlerian Psychologists in the country and Dr. Duane Brown, a renowned behaviorist who is known nationally for his research and writing in behavioral methods. In addition, some of the most important training he received was with Dr. Donald Carter, a psychiatrist who directed the Outpatient Clinic at the West Virginia University Hospital. Pete's training and research during the early part of his career centered on children and families as well as group counseling.

After completing his degree program, he moved to the Lehigh Valley to become a Professor in the Counseling Program at Lehigh University. He remained at Lehigh University for 17 years training masters and doctoral level counselors and psychologists. During his time at Lehigh University he was involved in development of specialized programs for the retraining and reeducation of high school dropouts, directed the university's laboratory school, and developed major changes in the curriculum. He taught courses in a variety of subjects including counseling techniques, group counseling, career development, family counseling, and couples counseling. He also served on numerous boards of the local, state, and national counseling organizations.

In 1986, along with his wife, Linda, they co-founded BCA and in 1988 Pete left Lehigh University to be a full-time private practitioner.

In addition to the private practice work, Pete spent 11 years working as a psychologist for the Rehabilitation Unit of Easton hospital providing consultation and testing with patients suffering from major traumas, surgery, and family tragedies. This experience exposed him to the impact of psychological issues on the physical well-being of all of us. At this point in his career, he specializes in individual counseling with adolescents and adults, couples counseling, treating individuals with medically related issues, and men's issues. In addition to providing psychological services, Dr. Palmo continues to do professional writing and presentations. Recently, along with his colleague at BCA, Dr. David Borsos, he completed the 3rd edition of the text, Foundations of Mental Health Counseling.

Linda A. Palmo, Ed.D.

Linda is a licensed psychologist and co-owner of Bethlehem Counseling Associates along with her husband, Artis "Pete" Palmo. Linda began private practice as a Counseling Psychologist in 1980. Prior to this she worked as an elementary school teacher and elementary school counselor and eventually completed her doctorate at Lehigh University in 1984.

Along with her work in private practice, she has served as a college counselor at Lehigh University, a rehabilitation counselor and consulting psychologist at Easton Hospital, and a counselor and supervisor of counseling services at Family Life Services at The Lutheran Home at Topton. Her background in teaching has led her to serve as an adjunct professor at Temple University and Chestnut Hill College and also as an Instructor in the Medical Residents Education Program at Easton Hospital.

Linda also enjoys writing and doing presentations for the general public and mental health professionals. She has published several book chapters regarding family dynamics and at risk youth. Her many presentations have included topics like The Blended Family, Stepfamilies, Children of Divorce, Coping with Chronic Illness, The Superwomen Syndrome, Counseling Older Adults and Their Families and What Ever Happened to the "Leave It to Beaver" Family. Most recently she and her husband were invited to appear as "Distinguished Scholars" discussing family dynamics on Walden University's virtual classrooms on the internet.

As you can see, Linda has had many diverse interests and experiences through the years. Her current interests focus on women's issues, health psychology, family counseling, couple counseling, aging, traumas and helping her clients improve their coping skills. Linda is a hometown girl who grew up in Allentown, PA. She loves to hear the stories her clients have to present and feels privileged to have been a part of so many people's lives through the years.

David P. Borsos, Ph.D.

"Dr. Dave" has been a Licensed Clinical Psychologist since 1982 and has worked as a mental health professional in a variety of settings for over 30 years. He first received a B.A. from Penn State in Journalism in 1975. Yet, after a few years working as a therapy aid for an inpatient, schizophrenic population, he realized his true calling and love — helping people with psychological problems achieve a happier, healthier life.

Dave then went on to Antioch University where he earned a Master's degree in counseling in 1978 and later received his Ph.D. from Temple University in 1989. His training and experiences have always been varied and eclectic. He recognizes that people can be uniquely different in their problems and that a good psychologist should be ready for almost anything. His background includes education and experience in depressions, anxiety disorders, families, adjustment disorders, schizophrenics and a variety of addictive disorders. He received a Certificate of Proficiency in the Treatment of Alcohol and Other Substance Abuse Disorders from the American Psychological Association in 1999. Dave operates from an integrated model of counseling and psychotherapy using the best ideas and techniques from a number of theoretical pathways. Again, recognizing the diversity of clients' backgrounds and problems, he works at using the best techniques for a particular person and his or her specific issues.

After his initial work with schizophrenics, Dr. Dave went on to work in the addictions field in Philadelphia as an individual and family therapist. Besides trying to help individual, teens and their families overcome the problems of substance abuse, he worked in prevention programs throughout many high schools in Philadelphia. Truly, there are times when an "ounce of prevention" is worth years of therapy. Dr. Dave has worked to educate citizens on how to prevent addictions and other mental health problems in the first place.

Effectively and ethically training the next generation of counselors is also important to Dave. Since 1995, he has been a professor in the Master's Clinical and Counseling Psychology Program at Chestnut Hill College where he teaches courses in counseling techniques and theories, psychopathology, assessment, group therapy, child and adolescent treatment and addictions to new students and therapists.

Recently, along with his colleague, Dr. Pete Palmo, Dave published the 3rd edition of the text, Foundations of Mental Health Counseling. He also has three articles coming out in the Encyclopedia of Substance Abuse due to be published in November, 2008.

For the past 10 years, he has been providing counseling, evaluations and other mental health services to the clients of Bethlehem Counseling Associates. Dr. Borsos feels continually rewarded by the level of professional expertise here at BCA and his opportunity to treat those citizens of the Lehigh Valley who need help with the varieties of psychological problems that are part of the human experience and can hit anyone at anytime.

Carolyn E. Momm, M.S.W.

Carolyn is a licensed social worker with a Bachelor of Arts from Farleigh Dickinson University and her Master's of Social Work from Marywood University. Carolyn has diverse experience in the field of mental health / mental welfare. Earlier in her career she worked on a psychiatric floor in a general hospital for eight years. Upon leaving the hospital, she went on to be a counselor in a Methadone Drug Clinic in Morristown, NJ.

In 1980 — 81, Carolyn relocated to PA where she worked with youth (teens) and their families for a local children's organization. From there Carolyn found herself working as a director of the Warren County Youth Shelter. After that facility closed down Carolyn worked with mentally and physically challenged clients. There she spent twelve years developing homes for these individuals as the Director of Residential Service for the area of Warren County.

After receiving her MSW in 1990, Carolyn began working for a foster care / adoption agency in Allentown, PA as well as serving as a Mobile Therapist for a local youth agency. Since 2000, Carolyn has worked as a School Social Worker for the Phillipsburg School District.

She has been a part time therapist with Bethlehem Counseling Associates for eight years specializing in the treatment of young children and their families. Carolyn's talents include the ability to effectively communicate with children, consult with parents, and resolve the presenting problem. Most importantly, Carolyn believes that all children have the right to be heard.

Jan E. Berry, L.C.S.W.

Jan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Bachelor's degree in social work from Cedar Crest College in Allentown in 2000 and her Master's degree from Marywood University in Scranton in 2001. During her schooling she concentrated on direct practice studies with the goal of providing quality grief/bereavement counseling for children and adults. For her master's research requirement, Jan studied the effect of spirituality in psychotherapy as an aid to assisting clients to find meaning in traumatic loss and to learn to cope in order to move forward in life. She collected the life stories of homeless persons in the Lehigh Valley shelters to gather insight into how they cope with traumatic circumstances on a daily basis.

Her counseling experience are quite varied, including working in health care, specifically with a home health care agency providing hospice social work services to the terminally ill and their families. Jan enjoys counseling students at the high school and university level. She has worked at Lehigh University's counseling center with young adults struggling to manage stress, relationships and substance abuse. In addition, she has experience working in a rehabilitation hospital supporting patient and family recovery from traumatic injury. Her specialty areas include: life transitions for women; communication training; consultation regarding aging parents; relationship issues; anxiety; sleep hygiene; self-esteem improvement; stress management; and depression.

Ms. Berry teaches relaxation techniques such as breathing and sitting meditation to reduce stress response. Jan enjoys working to maximize wellness through spirituality and self-transcendence. Commitment to therapy is a first step toward developing more empowered ways of thinking and making more confident decisions to get your life back on track. Her holistic, gentle style gives

particular attention to creating peace and harmony within body, mind, and spirit.

Dennis R. George, M.S., L.P.C

Dennis is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has been with Bethlehem Counseling Associates for over four years. Dennis was born and raised in Slatington and is the father of a six year old daughter and a thirty-four year old son. He lives in Allentown with his daughter.

Dennis received his undergraduate degree from Muhlenberg College with a major in Human Resources Administration. He worked for many years in the corporate world as a Human Resources generalist, with Minerals Technologies Inc., serving industrial plants throughout the Unites States, as well as internationally. This experience has given him a unique perspective on workplace dynamics as well as issues related to career transition.

In 1996, Dennis decided upon a career change and earned a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. His specialization is in Marriage and Family Therapy. Much of his graduate program focused on the Family Systems Model of therapy.

After completing his graduate degree, Dennis first worked with Schuylkill County's community mental health agency, Turning Point. He also worked in Allentown for The Program for Women and Families, gaining valuable experience counseling perpetrators of domestic violence. The majority of his clinical experience, before moving into private practice, came from his work at Crime Victims Council of Lehigh Valley. Here he counseled survivors of rape, sexual assault, and childhood sexual abuse gaining hands-on experience in both Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Rape Trauma Syndrome. At Crime Victims Council he also worked with family members of homicide victims gaining a great deal of experience in traumatic grief counseling. He has also done counseling with female inmates at Lehigh County Prison helping them deal with victimization issues.

His first experience in private practice was with Valliere and Counseling Associates under the supervision of Dr. Veronique Valliere, one of Pennsylvania's leading psychologists in the field of sexual violence. At Bethlehem Counseling he continues to do therapy with couples, families, individual adults, adolescents and children. He uses an eclectic mix of therapy including family systems, cognitive-behavioral, and solution-focused.

In addition to his clinical experience, Dennis has taught psychology classes at both Penn State-Lehigh Valley and Lehigh Valley College. He is a member of the Lehigh Valley Crisis Response Team and has been trained in victim-offender mediation. He has recently been certified by the Gift of Life Donor Program to do grief counseling with the family members of organ donors.

Philip G. Rusche, M.S.W.

Phil is a Licensed Social Worker in PA and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey. He has been with Bethlehem Counseling Associates for over six years. Phil earned his undergraduate degree in Music Performance from the Peabody Institute of Music of the Johns Hopkins University and played professionally for several years. In 1985, a career altering decision was made to allow him to pursue an avid interest in the field of human services.

In 1988, Phil began his career in social work, working as an Adult Protective Services Worker for the Orange County Department of Social Services in Goshen, NY. In 1990, Phil took a position at the Jersey City Medical Center specializing in geriatric social work and spent the next seven years working in Jersey City expanding his career and taking graduate courses. Phil earned a Certificate in Geriatric Studies in Social Work from Hunter College and Mt. Sinai Medical Center in 1991. Phil earned his Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from Columbia University in 1994. Upon graduation, he was accepted into a post-graduate program and earned his Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy at the New Jersey Center for Family Studies, where he also completed his externship.

In 1997, Phil accepted a position as the Director of Social Work at Easton Hospital. In 2002, he accepted a position as Assistant Director of Hope House, a crisis residence in Bethlehem. Later that same year, Phil was offered the position he currently holds as Program Director of School Based Programs for the Family Guidance Center of Warren County in Washington, New Jersey. This program services the Warren Hills Regional School District, as well as the Washington Borough School District both in Washington, New Jersey. The program serves the approximately 2700 students in both districts with therapeutic services, recreation services and after-care services.

Phil has been in private practice settings for the past 15 years. At BCA, his work is primarily in couples therapy, but also sees families, individual adults and adolescents. He enjoys bringing humor to the setting and is active with clients in challenging their thinking and behavior. Phil has had an extensive background of crisis work and performed volunteer telephone crisis support with the American Red Cross during the aftermath of 9/11.

Dianne Marino-Surovcik, Ph.D.

Dr. Marino received her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa in 1999. She completed her one year pre-doctoral internship at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, NJ in a community mental health clinic. Upon graduation from Lehigh, she conducted a two year post-doctoral training in the area of neuropsychological evaluation for assessment of post-concussive syndrome at Neuropsychology and Counseling Associates in Brick, NJ. She also conducted dementia testing in the elderly to assess for the possibility of dementia as well as the type of dementia. Her doctoral dissertation was on the topic of Alzheimer's disease and Depression.

Marriage brought Dr. Marino back to the Lehigh Valley in 2000. At that time she was employed by the Center for Family Guidance, Marlton, NJ working at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for women in Clinton, NJ where she was the Lead Psychologist for the psychiatric unit. When she had her first child Gabriella in 2002, Dr. Marino decided to work part-time and join the group private practice at Bethlehem Counseling Associates. She has since had a second daughter in 2003, Annabella. She and her husband Greg also own a Marketing Research Company in Parsippany NJ. They live happily in the Lehigh valley and Dr. Marino hopes to continue her career as a psychologist at BCA.

As a counseling psychologist Dr. Marino is well prepared to work with any issue related to the developmental lifespan, including career development, mental illness, and retirement. She not only helps people recognize their weaknesses but she also helps them identify and build on their strengths.

Her specialty areas include Psychological and Intellectual assessment, Psychoeducational Evaluations, Dementia screening, Bariatric testing, and Career Counseling. She has a special interest in adult and childhood ADHD, Forensic Psychology, and Bariatric Surgery for weight management. She has been a guest speaker at Sacred Heart Hospital Bariatric Support Group.

Dr. Marino works with individuals and couples starting at the age of 16 to the elderly. Her theoretical orientation to psychotherapy is psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral. She believes that it is important to explore early childhood experiences to understand thinking and behavior in today which may be problematic. Looking at maladaptive thought patterns is instrumental to behavior change. Dr. Marino also believes in the medical model and may suggest a psychiatric evaluation for the possibility of medication management in addition to psychotherapy.

Kathleen S. McLaughlin, L.C.S.W.

Kathleen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been with BCA since 2003. Her education includes a BA in Criminal Justice from Stockton State University, a BA in psychology from Moravian College and MSW from Marywood University. She has provided therapy to "at risk" children, adolescents, and families in a variety of settings including juvenile detention and rehabilitation centers, outpatient therapy settings, acute partial hospitalization programs, school-based partial hospitalization programs and home-based therapy programs.

Her experience includes individual, family, marriage, and group therapy as well as psychoeducational programs for parents. Her interest areas include play therapy, ADHD/ADD, anger management, mood disorders, parent/child conflicts, and couples therapy. She is trained in discrete trial therapy for the Autistic spectrum population and in Life Space Crisis Intervention for children and adolescents experiencing crisis. She is also certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in HIV counseling. She has volunteered at a therapeutic horseback riding program for children and adults with autism and other disabilities. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. She has a warm, empathic manner that augments her cognitive-behavioral approach to counseling and ability to connect with children and families.

Brenda A. Yost, Psy.D.

Dr. Brenda Yost is a licensed psychologist with a specialty in clinical psychology. Since May of 2005, she has been in private practice at Bethlehem Counseling Associates. Her interests include posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and partner violence. Brenda has a concentration in psychological testing with adults and children. She has experience with personality assessments to aid in diagnostic formulations and exploring character styles. Brenda also performs intellectual testing and ability testing to answer such referral questions as ruling out mental retardation, learning disabilities, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Brenda was born and raised in Pennsylvania. She graduated in 1994 Summa cum laude from Moravian College with BA degrees in Psychology and German. In 1996, she graduated from Lehigh University with a M.Ed. in Counseling and Human Services. In 1997, Brenda began a clinical psychology doctoral program. In 2003, she graduated with her Psy.D. with a concentration in psychological assessments. Her dissertation examined factors contributing to women's decisions to seek help for partner violence.

After completing her master's degree, Brenda worked for five years at Kidspeace Hospital. She performed individual and family counseling with children ages 5 — 13. She designed and implemented treatment plans as well as coordinated discharge plans. While studying for her doctorate, Brenda also worked for the hospital's psychology department, which focuses on the use of assessments to answer the psychiatrist's referral questions. She conducted clinical interviews, administered and scored psychological assessments, and wrote reports under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

Brenda completed her predoctoral and postdoctoral internships at Lenape Valley Foundations' outpatient and partial hospitalization programs. She performed individual, family, and group therapy in outpatient. She facilitated therapy groups at adult and geriatric partial hospital programs. Some groups included anxiety management, depression management, cognitive awareness, coping skills, symptom management through art, problem solving, personal strengths, and reminiscent therapy. She administered, scored, and interpreted psychological assessments for children and adults under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

After Brenda earned her doctorate, she continued working at Lenape Valley Foundation. In outpatient, she performed individual therapy and led two outpatient groups: a problem-solving group for individuals with schizoaffective disorder and a transitions group with older adults. She also conducted group and activity therapy in the geriatric partial hospital.

For three years after Brenda was an adjunct professor for Chestnut Hill College's Master in Counseling and Human Services program. She taught courses on eating disorders and psychological assessments.

Brenda's experience includes inpatient, partial hospitalization, and outpatient services with children, families, and adults. Her warm, caring, and scholarly style is an asset to her creating a safe environment for her clients.

Dianne E. Schellenberg, Psy.D.

Dr. Schellenberg is a licensed clinical psychologist and licensed professional counselor. Dianne was born and raised in eastern Pennsylvania. She did her undergraduate work in sociology, earning her BA degree from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Following the birth of her second child, she returned to complete her graduate degree at Lehigh University, earning her M.Ed. in counseling. Dr. Schellenberg later completed a second masters degree in psychology and subsequently a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, PsyD, from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. The doctoral degree emphasis was on cognitive behavioral therapy, a directive and practical approach to deal with cognitions, interpretations, beliefs and responses -- the goal being to influence problematic emotions and behaviors. The process consists of identifying and monitoring thoughts, assumptions, beliefs and behaviors that are related and accompanied to debilitating negative emotions and to identify those which are dysfunctional, inaccurate, or simply unhelpful. This is done in an effort to replace or transcend them with more realistic and useful ones.

Dr. Schellenberg’s initial experience included providing support for women with reproductive issues as a volunteer at Planned Parenthood and later in a women’s gynecological facility. She has many years of experience in higher education settings in all facets of student services – counseling, career development, placement, and admissions providing services to traditional and non-traditional age students. During that period, she developed a support group for students with learning disabilities, working in cooperation with the learning and academic specialist, faculty, and other staff. She continues to provide career assessment support for Moravian College, a 4-year liberal arts institution in Bethlehem, PA.

She spent two years in alcohol and other drug prevention programming, in addition to staff training in residence life support to educate student personnel in alcohol and other drug counseling, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention. She developed groups for single parent college students. In addition, she provided career and employability training to adult women transitioning to the workplace, including several years of Welfare to Work programs, instructing individuals in the necessary skills to navigate the job search and successful job retention processes. Dr. Schellenberg has extensive experience working with older adults, both in clinical and nursing home settings. Her doctoral research, “Coping and psychological hardiness and their relationship to depression in older adults”, allowed her access to numerous nursing home facilities where she interviewed and evaluated the benefits of early detection of depression in newly relocated older adults.

While completing her doctoral work, Dr. Schellenberg was employed as full-time coordinator of career development and academic counselor at Lucent Technologies under the aegis of Penn State Lehigh Valley. In this position, she provided career and academic support -- researching, developing, and monitoring of a 2500 employee center for training and college credit courses. During that period, she supervised and proctored employee/students’ distance education efforts, and developed and coordinated annual College and Career Fair workshops.

During her doctoral internship, Dr. Schellenberg obtained considerable experience in hospital and partial hospital settings, providing assessment and group facilitation. Prior to joining Bethlehem Counseling Associates in March 2006, Dr. Schellenberg provided psychotherapy and group facilitation to sexual offenders (adults and adolescents), victims, and parents of sexual offenders and victims.

At this point in her career, Dr. Schellenberg is providing on-going psychotherapy at BCA to a client caseload that includes adolescents and young and older adults – individuals, couple/marital, and families. She also continues to maintain her association with Diakon Lutheran Ministries out of Topton, PA, providing individual, couple/marital and family counseling services to clients of in her BCA office.

Dave Williams, L.C.S.W.

Dave Williams is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in child, adolescent and family problems. Dave has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Stockton State College in New Jersey and received his Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a certified pre and post test HIV counselor and is also certified in Life Space Crisis Intervention. Prior to coming to BCA full-time, Dave was the Director of The Salvation Army’s Women and Children’s Homeless Shelter in Allentown PA, where his daily work involves bringing stability to the lives of women and children dealing with homelessness.

Dave worked in various capacities for 11 years at KidsPeace, assisting children and families in bringing about the change necessary for growth and healing. At KidsPeace, Dave treated a wide variety mental health issues, including children and adolescents with: family and school problems; hyperactivity; aggression, developmental delays, obesity, OCD, sexual acting out, identity issues, perpetration and victimization issues. In addition, he treated children and adolescents with: difficulties dealing with authority; inadequate social skills and social judgment; and attachment issues.

Dave also worked for two years as a program director for a partial care program, providing services to chronically mentally ill adults, developmentally disabled individuals, the aged, as well as, individuals dealing with addictions. Dave found this work to be highly rewarding as he strived to bring about change in systems that often overlooked the needs of individuals dealing with disabilities coupled with complex social problems.

Dave believes in a client centered, reality based approach, where compassion, dignity and understanding are the hallmarks of his work with others.

Christopher P. Clarke, M.S., L.P.C.

Christopher is a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a certified secondary school counselor. He received his Bachelor’s of Arts from Muhlenberg College in 1998 and a Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Therapy from Chestnut Hill College in 2003. Graduate courses towards his school counseling certification were completed through the University of Scranton in 2004.

Since 2002, Chris has worked intensively in both outpatient MH and school related settings. In addition to his role with BCA, he continues to work in the capacity of a School Based Therapist. Each unique role has provided him with an opportunity to actively join children, adolescents and adults in the process of self-exploration as it relates to their developmental needs and personal goals. Chris has a vast experience working with issues including: mood disorders, abuse, experienced trauma, family conflict, bereavement, self-injury substance abuse, and life transitions.

Chris uses a counseling style that is grounded in a person-centered approach while also drawing on theories and techniques that are consistent with experiential strategies and Rational-Emotive-Behavioral Therapy. A holistic approach is used that is consistent with the overall emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health of the individual.

Kimberly A. Woodling, M.S.W., L.S.W.

Kimberly Woodling is a Licensed Social Worker who specializes in therapeutic and crisis intervention for adults and adolescents experiencing various psychological and social challenges. Kim received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Mansfield University in 1996 and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Widener University in 2003. Over the last 15 years, she has worked in a variety of agency-based settings, served as an Advisory Board member for the Juvenile Fire Setters division, within the Burn Prevention Foundation, and taught clinical helping skills to Master’s level Social Work students.

Kim’s professional skills first developed while providing mental health treatment in a partial-hospitalization program for children and adolescents experiencing mood and behavioral disorders. Later during her graduate studies, Kim worked at Step~by~Step in the clinical out-patient setting. Here, she developed a particular interest in treating adults suffering from severe and persistent mental illness, and those dually diagnosed with substance dependency. Her empathy and appreciation for the challenges her clients faced sparked a passion to reduce associated stigmas, and help them live successfully and independently within their community. Continuing to develop professionally, Kim worked at Community Commitment Inc. where she treated adolescent females who were involved in the Juvenile Justice System. With the common themes amongst these girls being low self-esteem, sexual promiscuity, and unhealthy relationships, Kim developed a psycho-educational program that challenged their thinking errors, encouraged sexual safety, and promoted more positive decision making skills.

Additionally, throughout her twelve-year tenure at Lehigh County Office of Children & Youth Services, Kim specialized in providing therapeutic intervention to at-risk youth and families affected by all forms of abuse, mental illness, substance dependence, and the challenges of daily life. Kim’s passion for family preservation was grounded in her belief that children have the right to be raised by, and connected to their own families whenever possible. With this at the forefront, Kim became successful in helping parents overcome obstacles that inhibited their ability to effectively raise children and live healthier, more productive lives.

Always able to identify inherent strengths, Kim believes in every person’s ability to make changes to live more successful, fulfilling lives. She strives to increase her clients’ self-awareness, challenge fixed beliefs or unproductive patterns of behavior, and empower them to tap into their own attributes and hidden abilities to overcome challenges.

Jennifer L. Bleiler, M.A., L.P.C.

Jen Bleiler is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania who specializes in working with children, young adults, and families. Raised in the Lehigh Valley, Jen graduated from Parkland High School and continued her education at Villanova University, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, minor in Business Administration and concentration in Medicine. The combination of her degree in Psychology and her membership on the Villanova Women’s soccer team ignited an interest in the inter-connectedness of physical health and mental well-being. Jen pursued her Master’s degree in Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and during her time in Boston she provided outpatient therapy to children, adolescents, and families seen in the Outpatient Psychiatric Unit of Boston Medical Center. While in graduate school, Jen also worked on research studies that blended her interests in physical and mental health, specifically exploring the connection between exercise and breast cancer recovery, as well as, the Stop and Step Quit Smoking study researching connections between exercise and smoking cessation.

When Jen returned to the Lehigh Valley, she worked at KidsPeace’s Intensive Residential Treatment Facility providing individual, group, and family therapy to adolescents with high risk mental health needs. Jen implemented a health psychology stress reduction model integrating physical exercise, stress reduction skills, and cognitive coping in adolescent females. She transitioned into her role as primary therapist at NHS Human Services’ Community-based Residential programs, serving a similar population with long-term goals focused on community re-integration, family re-unification, and improving life skills. It was in this setting that Jen utilized gender-responsive and cognitive behavioral approaches in working with female and male adolescents to address post-traumatic stress, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, family conflicts, managing peer bullying, and high risk behaviors including aggression, self-injury, promiscuity, and impulsivity.

Most recently, Jen served as Clinical Supervisor in a residential treatment facility located in Northeastern PA, overseeing trauma-focused treatment offered to children and adolescents. Jen was instrumental in implementing evidence-based treatment approaches in the clinical services delivered to clients, including Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Art Narrative Therapy, and Trauma Focused – CBT for Childhood Traumatic Grief.

Joining BCA in 2010, Jen sees children/adolescents, adults, and families, and continues to draw on her health psychology and behavioral medicine background in treating adults with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma recovery, chronic pain, grief and loss, stress management, and psychological conditions that co-occur with medical issues. Jen utilizes cognitive-behavioral approaches, working with clients to challenge their thoughts, enhance their coping skills, and improve their relationships. She believes in treating the whole person with an emphasis on healthy living, mindfulness, and acceptance.

Julie L. Mackey, M.S., L.P.C.

Julie Mackey, is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Pennsylvania. Julie was born and raised in the Lehigh Valley and after graduating from Freedom High School she then went on to earn a Bachelors degree from Albright College, majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Women’s Studies. She then earned her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Children and Adolescent therapy from Chestnut Hill College.

Julie has had a myriad of professional experiences and has worked in a variety of settings. She began her career working with at-risk parents in a child abuse prevention program. She then went on to work at a residential facility for adolescent boys. She has also worked in a domestic violence shelter as a child advocate. In this role, she was able to hone her skills working with victims of both partner and child abuse. After completing her graduate internship at an outpatient clinic for children and adolescents, she was asked to stay on as their first ever full-time therapist. There she worked with children from ages 3-18 and families. She also ran an intensive outpatient group for adolescents dealing with substance abuse.

For the past several years Julie has worked intensively with families. Learning and implementing two different evidence based modalities of therapy, she has worked with juveniles on probation and their families. She has helped these families improve in areas such as communication skills, conflict resolution, setting fair limits and consequences, and decreasing parent/child conflict.

Julie joined BCA in 2010 bringing with her a warmth and acceptance to all the people she meets. Julie’s strengths are her calm demeanor and easy-going manner that aid her in joining with all types of people, even those who may be initially resistant to therapy. Using person-centered as well as cognitive-behavioral approaches, Julie works with clients in a way that is empowering and accepting.

Kelly A. Sunday, M.S., NCC, L.P.C., BCC

Kelly is a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor with over twenty years of experience. She attended Moravian College for a B.A. in Psychology and Villanova University for an M.S. in Counseling. Kelly is also a Board Certified Coach. This has been a compliment to the services she offers to her clients.

Kelly has an extensive history of working with challenging client populations including children, adolescents and families who are compromised or in crisis. Kelly has provided treatment services in a variety of mental health settings including: acute residential settings, in-home, wrap around and online. She has worked to improve the quality and integrity of the programs in which she has been employed by developing agency-wide procedures and protocols for safety with high risk populations and served as quality assurance liaisons. When living in Philadelphia, Kelly was the Assistant Director of Children’s Outreach Services Program. Kelly’s leadership philosophy was based on the belief that clinical integrity and skill development are ongoing processes enhanced by a strong collaborative network. This environment is exactly what drew her to Bethlehem Counseling Associates.

Kelly’s interests include substance abuse, as well as, relational addictions, self injury, trauma, intimacy and identity issues, and anxiety/compulsions. Her work with the adult population also focuses on relational, developmental and quality of life transitions. Kelly sees her clients as skillful, resourceful and competent. She believes they are accountable and their own greatest agents of change. Often times, how a client learns most effectively is overlooked. One size does not fit all in therapy. Cognitive behavioral approaches are used to meet the client where they are presently. Bibliotherapy, skills coaching and mindfulness can be beneficial across populations and enhance movement towards personal goals.

Kelly has four children and recognizes the everyday challenges that parents face trying to successfully balance a career, marriage, household, and personal life. Everyone’s needs are unique and important. Maintaining a sense of humor can be the family’s greatest skill!

Kelly is a regular contributor to the Lehigh Valley Woman’s Journal. She has used this forum to assist women with defining boundaries, improving assessment skills, finding their voice and developing assertiveness skills in relationship areas. She has been relationship coaching with men and women for three years. She is enjoying her work representing a Philadelphia based company in their fourth season of a VH1 sponsored program.