Clinical Team
Meet our clinicians
The talented clinical staff at Dickinson Center provide exceptional, knowledgable, and thoughtful care for our consumers.
Mary Anne Albaugh, MD
Medical Director
Education and Certification:
Gannon University, Erie, Pa
Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA
Board Certified: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Board Certification Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Not accepting new patients
Vikram Panwar, MD, MPH
Education and Certification:
Bachelor of Medicine, University of Delhi, India
Master of Public Health Degree, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
Medical Degree, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Experience:
Dr. Panwar has over 25 years of experience as a neuropsychiatrist. He co-founded the Synapses Neuropsychiatry Clinic in New Delhi, India and provided outpatient psychiatry services, as well as hospital care as a senior consultant.
Skills and Services:
Dr. Panwar believes in an evidence-based practice; eliciting the consumer’s personalized case history, correct diagnosis, and optimal treatment approaches.
ELK COUNTY
John Michalowski
Clinical Director
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
Outpatient Therapist
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, up until 2025, and now provides therapeutic services for DCI in an Outpatient setting. 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.
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
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
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.
Emma Schatz, LCSW
School-Based Supervisor
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 supervises Mental Health Specialist and Intensive Outpatient Programs.
A.J. Meeker
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
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 Middle/High School.
Racquel Brechtel
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
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. Racquel is currently a Mental Health Specialist for Johnsonburg School District.
Alissa Shelander
Outpatient Clinician
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.
Angela Chew, LCSW
Outpatient Clinician
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology- Valparaiso University, Indiana (1992)
Master of Social Work- University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia (1995)
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (ongoing) - California Southern University, Costa Mesa, CA (2015-present)
Experience:
Angela has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. She holds a Clinical Social Worker license in Pennsylvania. She has worked with Dickinson Center since 2010 as a therapist, then Clinical Services Director, then mostly recently the director of the LTSR.
Skills and Services:
Angela has skills and experience with children, adolescents, and adults with negative effects resulting from trauma (especially abuse and disaster-related trauma), severe behavioral problems, issues with self-injury, anxiety and depression, personality disorders, marital/relationship matters and family concerns. Angela is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Behavior Modification and Analysis, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Ukeru Systems.
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 over 10 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.
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
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
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 St. Marys Area Elementary and Middle Schools.
Hannah Eckert
Elk County Intensive Outpatient Clinician
Education:
Master of Science - Capella University
Skills:
Hannah is a clinician at the Elk County Intensive Outpatient Program in St. Marys, as well as the Mental Health Specialist for Elk County Catholic Schools.
Stephanie Hetrick, CRNP
Outpatient Nurse Supervisor
Education and Certification:
Associate of Science in Nursing from University of Pittsburgh University (1999)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Penn West University (2021)
Master of Science Nursing from Penn West University (2024)
Skills/Service:
As a board certified CRNP, Stephanie provides psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, and follow-up. She gained excellent experience with clients in the outpatient setting, providing medication education, and collaborating with DCI providers as the recent nursing supervisor for all of DCI’s outpatient facilities and the LTSR in Brookville.
Now accepting new patients.
Insurance carriers currently accepted: UPMC, CCBH/Medicaid, Highmark BC/BS, Cigna, Allwell Medicare, Medicare (no advantage plans), WPS/TriCare, Highmark, CHIP, and Geisinger
Bobbi Hand, MA
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
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 Ridgway School District through the Mental Health Specialist program.
Jordan Lefler
Master of Social Work (MSW),
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Master of Social Work, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Skills and Experience:
Jordan has experience treating individuals from children to geriatrics and practices a client-centered approach to therapy as everyone is unique. Jordan is trained within cognitive behavioral therapy as well as motivational interviewing, the good lives model, and trauma informed care. Jordan believes in taking a collaborative approach to helping clients reach their goals.
McKean County
Brianna Wolff
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
Education:
Bachelor of Art - University of Pittsburgh
Skills:
Brianna provides school-based services as a Mental Health Specialist for the Kane Area Middle and High School.
Kathleen Weber, LPC
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
Education:
Master of Art - Eastern University
Skills:
Kathleen provides school-based services as a Mental Health Specialist for the Kane Area Elementary 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.
Shelby Dietze, LPC
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
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.
Erin Andrews
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
Education:
Bachelor of Science - Mansfield University
Skills:
Erin provides services as a school-based Mental Health Specialist for the Coudersport Area School District.
Jessica Lawrence
Intensive Outpatient Clinician
Education:
Bachelor of Science - Mansfield University
Skills:
Jessica is an Intensive Outpatient Clinician in Port Allegany.
Bree Garzel
School-Based Mental Health Specialist
Skills:
Bree provides school-based services as a Mental Health Specialist for the Galeton and Austin School Districts.
Nicole Wilson
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University
Master of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh
Skills and Experience:
Nicole has over 20 years of experience working with children and families. Prior to Dickinson Center, Nicole worked as an inpatient therapist for individuals with substance use disorders. Nicole has experience providing services to adolescents and families as well as couples. She has completed training and education in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing, as well as traditional psychotherapy approaches. Nicole will be furthering her training and education to include trauma as well as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Nicole believes in a strengths-based, client-centered approach to working with individuals.
Brandi Norris
MS Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Human Development, SUNY Binghamton
Master of Science in Marriage/Couples and Family Therapy, Capella University
Skills and Experience:
Brandi has experience providing services with couples, families, and individuals focusing on attachment, trauma, and developing healthy parent/child, intrapersonal, and couple relationships. She has completed training for various therapeutic models including as an Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist, basic trained Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Bowen Family Therapy, Object-Relations Theory, Structural Family Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and other traditional psychotherapy approaches. Brandi takes a “with you,” not “at you” approach to provide an overall treatment in order to provide a holistic, supportively challenging perspective in assisting individual, couples, and families address areas of need.