Paula is a bilingual licensed mental health practitioner that has been working in this field for over 20 years. She believes that through therapy a person can strengthen and develop new life skills that will help them cope with life problems thereby improve their quality of life.

Paula graduated from Temple University, School of Social Work, with a Master’s degree and a concentration in health and mental health, and a specialization in policy and practice. She is also trained as an MST therapist and has worked in multiple settings that allowed her to work with victims of trauma and domestic violence, people in active addiction and in recovery, families that have children with behavior issues putting them at risk of out of home placement, and minority communities such as the Hispanic, African American, and GLBT.

I have worked in the mental health field for 4 years. I began
working in a Partial Hospitalization Program in a school setting.
My specialization is working directly with children/adolescents
and their families that suffer with mental health illnesses, both
short and long-term.

I completed my Bachelor in Rehabilitation and Human Services
from Pennsylvania State University, with a concentration in
Clinical Mental Health at Scranton University. I went on to
obtain my Masters in Psychology with a focus on Applied
Behavior Analysis. My therapeutic approach is person-centered
and I specialize in Rogerian therapy that allows me to focus on
the individual while gaining their trust and being able to guide
them in working to fulfill their full potential as an individual.

I am passionate about mental health and expanding our
services to areas of Pennsylvania where there is limited help for
individuals in need. Mental health is a growing field and as a
program developer and community liaison I hope to continue
advocating for this field and for the individuals who are unable
to speak about their needs.

 

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I have worked in the mental health field for the last 20+ years. I
started out working with children and families as a TSS
(therapeutic staff support) and then a BSC (behavioral support
consultant) performing in-home services. I went on to work with
inpatients at a local Hospital on the Behavioral Health Unit serving
patients and families, facilitating groups to help patients process
issues and teach coping skills.

I took my training in meditation and mindfulness to help with
group facilitation of those suffering with cancer and their
caregivers. In the interim, I earned a Masters in Clinical &
Counseling Psychology and did an internship using animal assisted
and expressive arts therapies. Earning my Licensed Professional
Counselors standing at Chestnut Hill College, I went on to conduct
assessments and provide individuals and families using a wide
variety of therapy methods, including those for dealing with
depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and trauma.

My specialty is working with Adult Children of Alcoholics, as I see a
great deal of children, adolescents and adults who are dealing with
that particular set of troubles. My goal as a therapist is to develop
a connection with all clients. It is a shared experience where
clients can explore a life that can be more satisfying and fulfilling.
Together, we can develop an environment where everyone can
reach that potential and believe in that power of change.

As the Medical Director for Contemporary Family Services, my responsibilities include the assessment and treatment (medication management, individual and group psychotherapy) of adult patients, and working as part of a team to develop comprehensive, patient-centered treatment and support plans, as well as the supervision and training of our medical staff, including other psychiatrists.

My medical training began at the Medical University of Silesia, Katowice Ul, in Katowice, Poland, graduating as a Doctor of Medicine with Honors. I completed my Internship, and Internal Medicine Residency Training at Public Hospital City of Tychy UI, Tychy, Poland, followed by a Second Degree Specialization in Internal Medicine from the Medical Center of Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland. I completed my both my Psychiatry Residency Training and my Psychiatry Externship at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, DC. I have presented at The American Psychiatric Association’s 157^th Annual Meeting: A Prospective, Longitudinal Study of Seasonality in African Students Lliving in the Greater Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area, later published in Scientific World Journal 2007; 7:577-583. Also published in been published in Molecular Psychiatry 2005;  10(3):225-235.: Tree Pollen Peaks are Associated with Increased Nonviolent Suicide In Women.

Why Mental Health? I used to have the highest level of specialty in Internal Medicine and have been practicing in such for decade. I had epiphany once, that part of mental illness is virtually not different from general medicine, and recent scientific data confirmed my previous reservations to psychiatry, which I thought before was only psychological. It has been a pleasure to be able to serve and help a population, which is at a big disadvantage due to the downdrift in the social ladder and inability to function, when symptomatic. In order to be successful, you must love what are you doing, even devotion is not enough at times. Presentation: “Fight for you patients”

Ivania finished her B.S. in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Argosy University, and a Master Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University in California.

She is currently candidate to Dr. of Psychology (PsyD) at Alliant University in Sacramento. She holds license in Washington D.C as Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Ivania enjoys helping people and has an established counseling service in our local church community. She is dedicated to helping the multicultural and internationals in their many needs. She was involved at the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) in Santa Rosa, CA. In addition, Ivania worked at Aurora Santa Rosa Hospital (acute site hospital) for several years gaining experience in treating people who have a variety of mental health conditions.

Due to her assorted experience with people of all backgrounds, she is more diverse in her approach to treatment as well: Systemic theories, cognitive behavioral models, Bowen Family-Therapy, Solution-Focused, Emotional-Focused Therapy among others. In addition of working with hospitals she has also been working for 30 years with The Christian and Missionary Alliance as spiritual counselor and spiritual leader. One of her deepest passions is to see people from all over the world experiencing a life full of meaning and achievement. Ivania is fully bilingual and conduct therapy in either English or Spanish.

I have always been genuinely interested in the well-being and uniqueness of everybody around me.  I believe that anyone can gain knowledge through their experiences in an optimistic way in a warm, supportive therapeutic environment.  When facing challenges and struggles, you do not need to feel alone.  It can be very advantageous to have somebody by your side who is nonjudgmental, understanding and compassionate.  I can help you to discover the useful tools that lie within you in order to cope with life’s troubles, enabling you to have the life you would like to have.

I specialize in motivational interviewing, a goal technique which allows you to explore and discover the possibility of changes within yourself.  I have helped many achieve constructive changes in their alcohol and substance use, while meeting people exactly where they are at in terms of their readiness to change.

 I have always been active with youth because I believe that family is the root of our society, and if we provide families with the support they need, the children will be more successful to succeed.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and have a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology,   I am also A-CRA certified.  I would be happy to talk to you about how I might help you.

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