Advisory Board

Christina Reese, PhD, LCPC is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Maryland and Pennsylvania as well as a licensed clinical supervisor. She received her Master’s Degree in community counseling from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD and her Ph.D. in counselor education from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Past work experiences include being director of a mental health clinic and the case manager of the Howard County Cold Weather Shelter, working with homeless individuals and families.

Additionally, Dr. Reese is very passionate about her work focusing on attachment and has extensive experience with adoptive families and children in foster care.Dr. Reese, a recognized attachment and trauma professional, has created a comprehensive guide that explains attachment over a lifetime. Her book, Attachment: 60 Trauma-Informed Assessment and Treatment Interventions Across the Lifespan (PESI, 2018), offers trauma-informed strategies to facilitate connection, rebuild trust and restore positive emotions.

Elana Rosenbaum, MS, LICSW, has been integrating mindfulness with psychotherapy for over 30 years. She is a leader in the clinical application of mindfulness meditation to cancer care and is a pioneering teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction at the Center for Mindfulness, the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She has authored, Here for Now: Living Well with Cancer through Mindfulness and Being Well (even when you’re sick): Mindfulness Practices for People Living with Cancer and Other Serious Illness. Elana has a private practice in psychotherapy in Worcester, Massachusetts and is a sought-after mindfulness coach, teacher, speaker, Course leader and research consultant. She has been featured in “Chronicle” on CBS and mentioned in many magazine articles including Yoga Journal, Health, Coping, and the PBS audio series, “Walking through the Storm”. She is currently working on her third book, a workbook of mindfulness exercises for optimal living.

Vanessa Ruiz, ND, RN-BSN, is a Naturopathic physician and registered nurse. She utilizes natural therapies such as biofeedback, nutrition and botanical medicines in an integrative setting for both behavioral health and medical conditions at Integrative Mental Health Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. She earned her doctorate of naturopathic medicine at Southwest College in Tempe, Arizona, and her nursing degree from Stony Brook University, New York.

She has been featured in the "Dig Deep Documentary" and “Voyage Phoenix” for her work with trauma and natural mental health. She has also been a practicing nurse for over 10 years, in the areas of pediatrics, geriatrics and global health. She is the founder of Nurses for Natural Health, an organization dedicated to educating and empowering nurses in natural health. In her spare time, she volunteers for the Medical Reserve Corps of New York, Naturopaths without Borders and Homeopaths without Borders.

Ann Saffi Biasetti, PhD, LCSWR, CEDS, CIAYT, is a practicing clinician for over 30 years specializing in somatic psychotherapy. She is an eating disorder specialist, certified mindfulness teacher, Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) teacher, and Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT). Dr. Biasetti teaches in the Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy (SCIP) program, where she shares her expertise in somatic self-compassionate interventions for eating disorders recovery and serves as a consultation leader. She has led well-received retreats at Kripalu and Shambhala Mountain Center and has led professional training workshops through her Befriending Your Body (BFYB) certification program for eating disorder recovery. She is the author of Befriending Your Body: A Self-Compassionate Approach to Freeing Yourself from Disordered Eating and The Awakening Self-Compassion Card Deck: 52 Practices for Self-Care, Healing and Growth. Dr. Biasetti maintains a private practice in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Joy R. Samuels, D.MIN., LPC-MHSP, NCC, has over 25 years experience as a licensed professional counselor, Fellow in Thanatology, chaplain, and ordained minister. She teaches in the graduate clinical mental health psychology department at Lipscomb University and at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in the United Methodist Church Course of Studies. She maintains a private counseling practice and supervises those seeking licensure as a LPC-MHSP. Dr. Samuels holds D.MIN. and MDIV. degrees from Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC. Additionally, she holds an MS degree in counseling psychology from California State University, Northridge, CA, and a counseling certificate in substance abuse from the Northern Virginia Community College, Annadale, VA. Among her areas of expertise are individual, couples and family counseling, trauma and bereavement, and post-masters supervision.

Stephanie Moulton Sarkis, PhD, NCC, LMHC, DCMHS is a bestselling author and psychotherapist. She has been in practice for 20 years. She is an American Mental Health Counseling Association Diplomate (one of 100 in the U.S.) and an AMHCA Clinical Mental Health Specialist in Child and Adolescent Counseling (one of 20 in the U.S.). Dr. Sarkis received her degrees and training from the University of Florida. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. She also is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator and Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. She maintains a private practice in Tampa, Florida, where she specializes in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anxiety. Dr. Sarkis is a blogger for Psychology Today and The Huffington Post. Her website is www.stephaniesarkis.com.

Arielle Schwartz, PhD, CCTP-II, E-RYT, EMDR-C is a clinical psychologist, internationally sought-out teacher, therapeutic yoga instructor, and leading voice in the healing of PTSD and complex trauma. She is the author of five books based upon her integrative, mind-body approach to trauma recovery: The Complex PTSD Workbook; The Post Traumatic Growth Guidebook; A Practical Guide to Complex PTSD; EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology; and The Complex PTSD Treatment Manual. Her unique blend of spirituality and science can be found in her writings, guided trauma recovery programs, and applied Polyvagal Theory in yoga for trauma recovery. Dr. Schwartz is an accomplished teacher who guides therapist in the application of EMDR, somatic psychology, parts work therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions for the treatment of trauma and complex trauma. She is a longtime meditation and yoga practitioner with a passion, kindness, compassion, joy, and a succinct way of speaking about very complex topics - along with a passion for the outdoors; all of which she incorporates into her work as founder of the Center for Resilience Informed Therapy in Boulder, Colorado where she maintains a private practice providing psychotherapy, supervision, and consultation. Dr. Schwartz believes that the journey of trauma recovery is an awakening of the spiritual heart. Discover more at drarielleschwartz.com.

Betsy Shandalov, OTR/L, C-IAYT, AWC, is a holistic Occupational Therapist and has worked as a clinician, educator and supervisor in rehabilitation, community re-entry and the school setting. Her extensive knowledge of disease and disability with adults and children in a variety of settings combines with her complementary holistic treatments to provide a new level of understanding of how the brain and the immune system work together for natural and therapeutic healing. Betsy teaches clients to empower themselves to prevent injury, heal an existing injury and help with pain management and trauma throughout the lifespan. She works with individuals and families helping to find balance in their minds and bodies by using Ayurveda, Yoga therapy, Meditation and Mindfulness for healing.

Betsy is a certified yoga therapist through the International Association of Yoga Therapists and is certified as a yoga kids' teacher and trainer by Yoga Kids International. She has advanced training in trauma through The Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, D.C. and is a Level I Reiki practitioner. She recently completed her Ayurvedic Medicine Training for wellness coaching and this past year authored a chapter on Meditation in an Integrative Medicine Textbook for Rehab Professionals.

George Simon, PhD, has specialized in disturbances of personality and character for over 30 years. He is widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities on manipulative personalities and other problem characters. Dr. Simon received his PhD in clinical psychology from Texas Tech University, and, until just a few years ago, he maintained an active private practice, during which he served both individuals with serious character disturbances and their relationship partners.

He has also served as the supervising psychologist for the Arkansas Sex Offender Risk Assessment program, as well as in their only inpatient treatment program for offenders. His books, In Sheep’s Clothing, Character Disturbance - The Phenomenon of our Age, and The Judas Syndrome, are all bestsellers. Dr. Simon has appeared on CNN and the Fox News Network, and he has conducted over 200 instructional seminars and workshops nationwide. He is a full clinical member of ATSA and a Diplomate of the American College of Forensic Examiners. 

Erica H. Sirrine, PhD, LCSW, FT, is a licensed clinical social worker, qualified clinical supervisor, and professor of social work at Southeastern University. She has over 18 years of counseling and practice experience in the field of death, dying, and bereavement and has been awarded the distinction of Fellow in Thanatology by the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Dr. Sirrine has conducted and published peer-reviewed research on the continuing bonds maintained by survivors following a death, and she is the author of Sammy’s Story, an anticipatory grief counseling book for young children experiencing the serious illness of a loved one.

Sean G. Smith, MSc, FP-C, CEN, CFRN, CPEN, CCRN-CMC (Adult), CCRN-K (Neonatal), CCRN-K (Pediatric), is a flight nurse-paramedic who has practiced and taught Trauma Care, Tactical Medicine, Emergency/Critical Care and Prehospital Emergency Medical Services, both in the military and the civilian world. He holds degrees in nursing and molecular biology, is a graduate of Duke University’s Legal Nurse Consulting program and is currently pursuing a master’s degree through the University of Florida College of Pharmacy. He holds multiple advanced specialty certifications as well as extensive instructor qualifications in critical care and emergency medicine. Career highlights include numerous author/co-author credits, including: a best-selling Laboratory Medicine textbook, a chapter on Shock in Trauma Nursing Core Curriculum, and a section in the newly released Resuscitation Crisis Manual. Sean consults on clinical, legal and certification prep for numerous high-profile hospital systems (Yale, Mayo…). He routinely lectures at national/international conferences, has completed 50 + medical missions (Dominican Republic, Honduras, Morocco, Liberia, and Haiti), and medical support to the NASA Space Shuttle Program.

Pavel Somov, PhD is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Pittsburgh, PA. He holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology from SUNY Buffalo, with 20+ years of clinical experience and is the author of numerous books on self-help 7 of which are on mindfulness-based applications to a variety of psychological issues.

Dr. Somov is on the Advisory Board for The Mindfulness Project (London, UK). Over the years, Dr. Somov has conducted a variety of continued education workshops domestically and internationally on the topics of shame and guilt and self-criticism, on mindful eating, on perfectionism, on anger management, and on mindfulness applications for worry, dysthymia, insomnia and substance use. His work has been discussed in a variety of radio interviews (Martha Stewart's Radio/Whole Living, Fully Alive!, etc.) and mentioned in a variety of print publications (Martha Stewart'sBody + Soul Magazine, Oprah Winfrey's O Magazine).

Dr. Somov offers an original, mindfulness-based approach to working with perfectionism, self-criticalness, and negative self-view/self-esteem issues. A recent, randomized study—published by Mindfulness Journal—shows that Somov’s approach (described in his 2010 book Present Perfect) is effective as a standalone intervention. The study found that those who had read Present Perfect experienced a statistically significant reduction of self-criticalness, a result that was still maintained at a six weeks follow-up (Wimberley, Mintz, & Suh, Mindfulness, Nov. 2015).

Vicki Steine is a Doctor of Science in Holistic Nutrition and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice working with children and adults. She has worked in the field of mental health for over twenty years. She is currently in private practice and specializes in treating neurological disorders, addiction, and trauma. Knowing that the brain and the body are connected, Dr. Vicki uses a combination of lifestyle education, mind/body therapies and talk therapy in her practice. She is a Board Certified Nutrition Professional, Integrative Nutrition Certified Practitioner, Certified HeartMath Practitioner, and Brainspotting Therapist. She is also trained in Emotional Freedom Technique, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Exposure Therapy. She is a national speaker for PESI teaching an integrative approach to psychotherapy.

Mike Studer, PT, DPT, MHS, NCS, CEEAA, CWT, CSST, FAPTA has been a PT since 1991, a board certified in neurologic PT in 1995, and a private practice owner since 2005. Dr. Studer has been an invited speaker covering 50 states, 10 countries, and 4 continents speaking on topics ranging from cognition and psychology in rehabilitation, aging, stroke, motor learning, motivation in rehabilitation, balance, dizziness, neuropathy and Parkinson Disease. Dr. Studer is a co-founder and co-owner of Spark Rehabilitation and Wellness in Bend, OR. He is an adjunct professor at Oregon State University’s DPT program, where he leads the coursework on motor control. Mike has adjunct duties at several other DPT programs and assists the USC-led national network of neurologic PT residencies (Neuroconsortium) as well. Mike is the co-owner of Spark Rehabilitation and Wellness, a multidisciplinary Healthy Aging and Neurology rehabilitation clinic, also in Bend. In 2011, Mike was recognized as Clinician of the Year in the Neurologic and (in 2014) the Geriatric Academies of the APTA. He received the highest honor available in PT in 2020, being distinguished as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA in 2020, joining a group of under 300 persons at the time for the history of the profession. Mike’s honors additionally reflect his service for Vice Presidency of the Academy of Neurologic PT, the Mercedes Weiss award for service to the Oregon chapter of APTA. He holds a trademark in dual task rehabilitation and has a patent pending on the same. Over his career, Mike has authored over 35 articles, 6 book chapters, and routinely has clinical research projects in affiliation with one of many universities. He is a consultant to Major League Baseball on the motor control of pitching and hitting. As a very fun and lighthearted note, Mike is the four time and current WR holder for the fastest underwater treadmill marathon, a mark that was set most recently in January 2022.

Lores Consulting, LLC has been a leading provider of consulting, training, and mentoring for hospice, assisted living, home care and related health care providers for the past 17 years. "Lores has the heart of a teacher, and her passion is to support others in the hospice, palliative, and the home care industry."

Lores Consulting, LLC provides providers with education training and mentoring as well as mock surveys, agency analysis and audits. Drawing on her 45 years of nursing experience, Lores seeks to empower all her client providers to utilize their skills and expertise to reach their greatest potential. Her extensive nursing background includes clinical practice in cardiac and intensive care, outpatient clinic services, as well as serving as a home care and hospice administrator/director for 19 years in greater Minnesota.

In addition to being a certified hospice and palliative care nurse, Lores is also a trainer for the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) curriculum that encompasses palliative and hospice care. She was named the "2010 Geriatric ELNEC Educator of the Year" by ELNEC.

Speaking topics include end-of-life care, grief and loss, compassion fatigue, professional boundaries, pain and symptom management, and many health and employee related topics. Lores also offers national, international consulting and mentoring services – encompassing education, training and compliance evaluations – to hospice and home care agencies, assisted living providers, and long-term care facilities.

As Principal of Lores Consulting, LLC, Lores sees her company’s mission to coach and encourage care providers to work to the ‘top of their license’ to ensure excellence in their delivery of care.

Currently, Lores serves as a board member of three non-profit health care organizations, and is a national speaker for PESI Healthcare and ELNEC. Lores is a graduate of Bethel University in St Paul, MN and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, as well as a master’s degree in nursing education.

Hilary Waller, MS, LPC, is a psychotherapist who specializes in the treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She is the director of education and programming at The Postpartum Stress Center outside of Philadelphia, which was founded by renowned perinatal expert Karen Kleiman and was listed in Philly Magazine as a "Center of Excellence" for Maternal/Fetal Care in 2008. In addition to providing direct care services to individuals, couples, and groups at the center, Hilary serves as an instructor with Karen Kleiman, providing a quarterly 12 CE hour postgraduate advanced training for clinicians across the US and abroad who want to specialize in treating the perinatal population. She conducts workshops and trainings for maternal mental healthcare providers as well as non-clinical staff working with the perinatal population. Hilary completed her master's degree in counseling psychology from Holy Family University in 2013. She is deeply honored to support new patients. Hilary's forthcoming clinical workbook on the treatment of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD), co-authored by perinatal experts Karen Kleiman and Dr. Tonya Cotler, will be published in the fall of 2022 (PESI Publishing).

Margaret Wehrenberg, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist, is the author of 6 books on the treatment of anxiety and depression, including her most recent book for the general public, The 10 Best Anxiety Busters. An expert on the treatment of anxiety and depression, she also has extensive training and expertise in the neurobiology of psychological disorders. She earned her MA specializing in psychodrama and play therapy with children. Dr. Wehrenberg has years of experience as a drug and alcoholism counselor, working with the U.S. Army in Germany and Lutheran Social Services in Illinois. She also has training in trauma treatment, EMDR and Thought Field Therapy. She has a private psychotherapy practice in Naperville, IL, specializing in treating anxiety.

In addition to clinical work, she coaches business professionals on managing anxiety, she frequently contributes articles for The Psychotherapy Networker magazine, and she has produced Relaxation for Tension and Worry, a CD for breathing, muscle relaxation and imagery to use with anxious clients. Her book The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques, published by W.W. Norton, is a consistent top seller for anxiety management. You can find her on the web at www.margaretwehrenberg.com

Max Wiznitzer is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Medicine. He trained in pediatrics and developmental disorders at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and in pediatric neurology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He then did a National Institutes of Health funded fellowship in disorders of higher cortical functioning in children at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY. Since 1986, he has been a pediatric neurologist at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland, OH. He is an associate professor of pediatrics, neurology and international health at Case Western Reserve University. He has a longstanding interest in neurodevelopmental disabilities, especially attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism, and has been involved in local, state and national committees and initiatives, including autism treatment research, Ohio autism service guidelines, autism screening, and early identification of developmental disabilities. He is on the editorial board of Lancet Neurology and Journal of Child Neurology and lectures nationally and internationally about various neurodevelopmental disabilities.

M. Catherine Wollman, DNP, CRNP, GNP-BC, has been a gerontological nurse practitioner for over 30 years, caring for older adults in acute care, long-term care and home care. Catherine currently provides geriatric consultation services. Her expertise is often sought for the care of particularly challenging dementia cases. She worked as the director of senior health for a large hospital system offering a full spectrum of services, including comprehensive interdisciplinary dementia care. Catherine has traveled the country, offering her clinical expertise through various trainings to experienced healthcare audiences. Additionally, she has published articles and book chapters about relevant issues affecting older adults.