Outpatient Clinical Team
Meet our outpatient clinicians
The talented clinical staff at Dickinson Center provide exceptional, knowledgable, and thoughtful care for our consumers.
Elk County
Craig Richman, MD
Psychiatrist
Medical Director
Education:
Dr. Richman is a graduate of the Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He completed his Adult and Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1992. Dr. Richman is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He maintains licensure in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Experience:
Dr. Richman has practiced in the rural counties of Erie, Centre, Juniata, and Mifflin since 1992. He has served all age groups. Prior to his arrival at Dickinson Center, he was the Medical Director at the Meadows Psychiatric Hospital for the past seven years.
Skills and Services
Dr. Richman is experienced with patients of any age. He is currently providing psychiatric services for the Ridgway and St. Marys Outpatient Clinics, Elk County Intensive Outpatient Program, and Crossroads Partial Hospitalization Program.
John Michalowski
Clinical Director
Limited Hours in Ridgway
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology - Clarion University of PA (1989)
Master of Social Work - Unviersity of Pittsburgh (1993
Experience:
John has been working in the behavioral health field for over twenty five years, providing services in a range of settings including; Adolescent and Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitals, Crisis Departments, Agency Based and Private Outpatient Behavioral Health.
Skills and Services:
John has received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Ego State Therapy. He strives to maintain a generalist, client-centered approach, believing a person’s path into and out of psychological distress is unique and individual.
Justin Bauer, LCSW
Forensic Mental Health Specialist
Outpatient Therapist
Office hours in St. Marys and Ridgway
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies – Pennsylvania State University (2011)
Master of Social Work – Temple University (2014)
Experience:
Justin holds a Social Work license in Pennsylvania. He has been with Dickinson Center, Inc. since 2013 as a Forensic Mental Health Specialist and also provides therapeutic services in the Outpatient setting at the Ridgway office. Prior to bringing his services to Dickinson Center, Justin worked with the juvenile delinquent population for two years as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor.
Skills and Services:
Justin has experience providing services in the juvenile and adult corrections and substance abuse populations. He has completed extensive trainings in the treatment of trauma and is a basic trained Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist. Justin has also been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), as well as traditional psychotherapy approaches. Justin believes in a holistic treatment approach through a systems perspective in assisting individuals and families address areas of need.
At present, Amanda is not taking new referrals for therapy. There is a wait list for psychological evaluations, which at present are limited to autism and intellectual disability evaluations.
Amanda Carpin Straub, PsyD
Licensed Psychologist
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology – University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA (2008)
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology – American School of Professional Psychology, Arlington VA (2010)
Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology – American School of Professional Psychology, Arlington VA (2013)
Experience:
Amanda is a licensed psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania. She holds clinical hours in the autism program at Dickinson Center, Inc. (DCI) where she is responsible for completing diagnostic evaluations related to autism spectrum disorder. Amanda is also a clinical consultant for both DCI and Beacon Light Behavioral Health System’s Community and School Based Behavioral Health (CSBBH) Programs
Amanda completed her post-doctorate at DCI, where she was also responsible for completing diagnostic assessments, running social skills groups as well as individual and family therapy. She has worked in various settings in the Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC area. Her doctoral internship was completed at Interdynamics, Inc., where she worked primarily with low SES children and adolescents completing diagnostic evaluations and outpatient therapy.
Skills and Services:
Amanda’s areas of expertise include working with children, adolescents, adults, and their parents who are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disabilities. Amanda also has skills and experience working with severe behavioral problems, anxiety disorders, impulse control disorders, and mood disorders, amongst others.
Amanda Cattley, LPC
Outpatient Therapist
Ridgway office hours only
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, with minors in Legal Studies and Gender Studies, Eastern University, St. Davids PA (2006)
Master of Studies in Women’s Studies, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (2007)
Master of Arts in Clinical-Counseling Psychology, La Salle University, Philadelphia PA (2011)
Experience:
Amanda is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania, and has been a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) since 2014. She is experienced in working with families, children, and adolescents, especially with emotionally disturbed youth through Pennsylvania’s Family Based Mental Health Services. She currently provides outpatient therapy services at Dickinson’s Ridgway office.
Skills:
Amanda’s specialties include family relational problems, women’s issues, gender and sexual identity issues, as well as management of depression and anxiety. She has received training in Mindfulness-based play therapy techniques for use with young children, and employs a combination of solution-focused counseling and cognitive behavioral techniques as well as psychodynamic approaches in meeting each client’s individual treatment needs. She has also been trained specifically in the trauma-specific interventions of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Carol Bembenic, LCSW, RPT
Outpatient Therapist
Office hours in Ridgway
Education:
University of Pittsburgh- Social Work
Clarion University - Special Education
Temple University - Social Work
Experience:
Carol has experience in working with young children, school age children, children on the autism spectrum, and adolescents. She has worked with individuals in family settings and on an individual basis. As an intensive case manager, Carol gained experience working with the chronically mentally ill. Carol has also built her experience in an inpatient setting, partial hospitalization setting, and while working mobile crisis.
Skills and Services:
Carol is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT). Carol is specifically trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She provides services at Dickinson's Ridgway outpatient office and within the Elk County School districts as part of the HOPE program.
Emma Schatz, LCSW
Outpatient Therapist
Summer Office Hours Only
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Social Work – Edinboro University of PA (2015)
Master of Social Work – California University of PA (2016)
Experience:
Emma holds a Social Work license in Pennsylvania. She has been with Dickinson Center, Inc. since 2017 as a Blended Case Manager and joined the outpatient program in 2018.
Skills and Services:
Emma has experience working with individuals with mental illnesses. Emma works from the perspective of the person in the environment and strengths based. She also trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma Art Narrative Therapy. Emma provides services to individuals of all age groups at the Ridgway outpatient offices and with students as part of the Mental Health Specialist program in the Ridgway School District.
A.J. Meeker
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
No office hours
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Communication, Clarion University
Master of Science in Training and Development, Clarion University
Experience:
A.J. has 13 years of experience in the mental and behavioral health field. Before coming to Dickinson, A.J. served as a therapist in Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) with Beacon Light for 5 years in Elk, Cameron, McKean and Potter Counties. Prior to MST, A.J. was a Mobile Therapist (MT) with Beacon Light, serving both Elk and Cameron Counties.
Skills and Services:
A.J. has experience providing services with the child and adolescent populations, as well as at-risk youth. He is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). A.J. currently serves as the Mental Health Specialist at St. Marys Area High School.
Racquel Brechtel
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
No office hours
Education:
Bachelors of Science in Psychology- University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
Master of Social Work- University of Pittsburgh
Experience:
Racquel has worked in the mental health field for fifteen years, with her primary focus being children and adolescents. She has been with Dickinson since 2017 working as a Mental Health Specialist in the Johnsonburg Schools. Prior to bringing her services to Dickinson she was employed at Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems where she worked as the supervisor of the Wraparound Community Based Program as well as Multi-systemic Therapy (MST) program in Elk and Cameron Counties. She has also served as a member of the CASSP team of Elk/Cameron County.
Skills/ Services:
Racquel has experience providing clinical services to children and adolescents dealing with effects resulting from trauma, mood disorders, behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, and self- injury. She brings a solutions focused, client centered approach to the individuals that she serves. Racquel is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Functional Behavioral Analysis (FBA) as well as traditional psychotherapy approaches.
Alissa Shelander
Forensic Mental Health Specialist
Outpatient Clinician
Limited office hours in Ridgway Office
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology- University of Pittsburgh (2015)
Master of Social Work- Edinboro University (ongoing, 2021)
Experience:
Alissa has been with Dickinson Center, Inc. since 2018. She has experience in case management services, adolescent mental health and behavioral health, and Forensic Mental Health Specialist and also provides therapeutic services in the Outpatient setting at the Ridgway office. Prior to working at Dickinson Center, Alissa worked with the juvenile delinquent population for three years as a Mental Health Worker.
Skills and Services:
Alissa has experience working in juvenile and adult corrections. She has also worked with adolescents in the home, community, and school settings. Alissa is trained in Motivational Interviewing and has training related to trauma treatment. Alissa believes in a client-centered, individualized approach to treatment, while maintaining a strengths-based focus to address areas of need.
Nikol Chew
Outpatient Therapist
Office hours in Ridgway on Mondays and Thursdays, St. Marys on Wednesdays
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS)—Pennsylvania State University (2020)
Master of Social Work- Edinboro University (ongoing, 2022)
Experience:
Nikol has been employed at Dickinson Center, Inc. since 2021. At Dickinson Center, Inc. she currently provides therapeutic services in the clinical outpatient setting at the Ridgway location. Prior to working at Dickinson Center, Inc, Nikol has almost two years of experience with providing therapeutic services to sexual offenders and survivors of sexual assault.
Skills and Services:
Nikol works with children, adolescents, and adults. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and has also received trainings related to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), trauma, and substance use. Nikol utilizes a client-centered approach with techniques from CBT, DBT, and other trainings she has received, and believes that an individual’s therapeutic experience allows for transformative change where personal insight, empowerment, and a better mindset can be achieved.
Leah Donahue, LPN
Outpatient Licensed Practical Nurse
Education:
Practical Nursing - Clearfield County Career and Technology Center (2015)
Experience:
Leah is a Licensed Practical Nurse in Pennsylvania with 6 years of experience in a variety of fields, including family practice, urgent care, and school nursing. She has been employed with Dickinson Center Inc. since August 2020. At Dickinson Center Inc., she currently provides medication management services for our outpatient program along with the forensic program.
Cristen Kilpeck
Physician Assistant
Education:
Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Experience:
Cristen has over 20 years of experience as a Physician Assistant. As DCI Physician Assistant, she’ll be working with individuals with mental illnesses from the perspective of the person in their environment and evidence-based treatment.
Skills:
Accreditation by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
Katie Greenthaner, BA
Outpatient Therapist
Education:
Bachelor of the Arts- University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (2012)
Experience:
Katie has worked at Dickinson Center, Inc. for the past 8 years. She started at Crossroads in 2015 and soon transitioned to working as a clinician at both Crossroads and the Intensive Outpatient Program in Elk County (EIOP), before transitioning to EIOP full time.
Skills:
Katie has been working in the mental health field since 2012 and is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and positive psychotherapy. Katie is a clinician at the Elk County Intensive Outpatient Program, serving individuals in grades 5 through grade 12.
Cameron County
Bobbi Hand, MA
Outpatient Therapist
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice; Forensic Psychology – University of New Haven of CT (2015)
Master of Arts in Forensic Mental Health Counseling – City University of New York: John Jay College (2018)
Experience:
Bobbi has been with Dickinson Center, Inc. since 2018. She has worked in the partial hospitalization program as well as outpatient settings.
Skills:
Bobbi has experience working with children and adolescents with mental illness. She uses a strengths based, client-centric approach with cognitive behavioral and play therapy techniques. She provides services to K-12 grade students in the Cameron County School District through the Mental Health Specialist and H.O.P.E. programs.
Mckean County
Darcy Fisher
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
No office hours
Education:
Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Clarion University
Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Clarion University
Experience:
Darcy has experience working with adults, children, adolescents, and at risk youth. Prior to working at Dickinson, Darcy worked at Abraxas 1 as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor for 3 years, and as a Mental Health Professional in Family Based Services for 5 years in McKean County.
Skills:
Darcy has been working in the mental health field since 2013, working in the community, school, residential facilities, and home settings. Darcy has clinical experience with individuals/ families dealing with trauma, mental health disorders, and behavioral problems. Darcy is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for trauma and Multi- Systemic Family Therapy through Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Center.
Miranda Asel
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
No office hours
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Minor in Psychology from Edinboro University (2012)
Experience:
Miranda started off as a Therapeutic Support Staff (TSS) working with children diagnosed with Autism. In 2016, Miranda joined Beacon Light and began providing family based therapy for at risk children and teens and their families in Warren and McKean County. Miranda then moved to Dickinson Center in 2021 and joined the Outpatient department.
Skills and Services:
Miranda has experience providing services to individuals and families with effects resulting from trauma, different mental illness such as mood disorders, depression and anxiety, behavior struggles and self- injurious behaviors. She also has experience providing crisis services. She often likes to take an eco-systemic approach in therapy and is strength focused. Miranda is certified in Family Therapy and is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Miranda serves as the Mental Health Specialist at Kane Area High School.
Potter County
Colleen M. Cloak, BSN, RN
Outpatient RN
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Neumann University, Pennsylvania.
Experience:
Colleen has been working in the behavioral health field for the past 20 years. Prior to joining Dickinson, she worked on a geriatric behavioral health unit at the local hospital and as a traveling nurse with emphasis on mental health inpatient care. She joined Dickinson Center, Inc. in 2019 as an Outpatient RN in the Coudersport offices.
Ashley Major
Outpatient Clinician
Education:
Bachelors of Science in Psychology-University of Pittsburgh, Bradford
Master of Social Work-University of Pittsburgh, Bradford
Experience:
Ashley has been working in the mental health field for four years, with her primary focus being on children and adolescents. She has been with Dickinson since 2016. She worked as a caseworker II for the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) from August 2016-December 2019. In January 2020 she started as the Mental Health Specialist for the Coudersport School District. In the September 2023, Ashley started as an Outpatient Clinician in the Coudersport office.
Skills/Services:
Ashley has experience providing services to children and adolescents ranging from mood disorders, behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, self-injury, appropriate anger expression, to peer/social issues. She has facilitated group, family, and individual sessions primarily using the client-centered approach. Ashley is also SAP trained, and a member of the SAP team at both the Coudersport Elementary and High School.
Rose Beaver
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
No office hours
Education:
Bachelors of Social Work from Mansfield University (2008)
Masters of Social Work from Temple University (2013)
Experience:
Rose has been working in the mental health field for 10 years, with her primary focus being with children and adolescents. She has been with Dickinson since 2011. Rose worked for the Children and Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Coudersport from August 2011 to August 2020. From September 2019 – May 2020, Rose was the Student Assistance Program (SAP) Liaison for the Northern Potter School District. Prior to working in IOP, Rose worked with Dickinson from July 2008 to October 2009 at Adult Partial Hospitalization Program in Bradford. In August 2020 she began as the Mental Health Specialist for the Northern Potter School District and will continue to work with IOP in Coudersport during the summer.
Skills/Services:
Rose has experience providing services to children and adolescents ranging from mood disorders, behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, self-injury, appropriate anger expression, to peer/social issues. She has facilitated group, family, and individual sessions primarily using the client-centered approach. Rose is also SAP trained, and a member of the SAP team at both the Northern Potter Elementary and High School, as well as being trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
Shelby Dietze
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
No office hours
Education:
Bachelors of Science in Psychology: Lifespan Development & Counseling, a minor in Child Welfare- Mansfield University 2017
Master of Arts in Counseling: School Counseling & Clinical Mental Health Counseling- Edinboro University of Pennsylvania 2020
Experience:
Shelby has been working in the mental health field for three years, with her primary focus being on children and adolescents. She has been with Dickinson since August 2020 as the School Based Mental Health Specialist for the Oswayo Valley School District. Prior to Dickinson, Shelby worked as a TSS for Sagewood while she completed her master’s degree from 2017-2020. Shelby also completed a few internships at various mental health facilities and schools.
Skills/Services:
Shelby has experience working with children and adolescents in the schools and their homes. In her school based position, she typically implements child-centered therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and play therapy components. Shelby is a certified School Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). With her NCC credential, she’s currently working toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Shelby is also SAP trained, and a member of the SAP team at both the Oswayo Valley Middle/High School and Elementary School.