About

For family therapy, Tari uses a relational approach that is based on positive communication, mutual respect, and active listening skills.  For individual sessions, her style is person-centered and eclectic, drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and solution-focused interventions.  Tari also enjoys providing group therapy for children, teens, and adults, and she believes that each group is an opportunity for growth, connection, and validation.

Candis Perlman holds a master’s degree in Art Therapy from New York University in New York City.  She is a registered and Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC).  Her areas of training include holistic and behavioral approaches to therapy.  Candis uses both Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Art Therapy in her therapeutic practice.  She has over 5 years of experience working with adults, children and families who have experienced trauma, substance abuse and have medication resistant diagnoses including persistently chronic depression,  personality disorders and severe anxiety.  

When Candis is not working in private practice she is a lead clinician for a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy track in a residential drug and alcohol facility.  She has also previously worked in acute care and crisis stabilization, outpatient wrap around services as well as an outpatient trauma focused program.  Her focus and goal for therapy is to aid in finding creative solutions to making small changes in order to live a healthier and effective life.

Dr. Trudel received her undergraduate degree in psychology from The George Washington University in 1984, where she was a member of Psi Chi, the national psychology honor society. She received her master’s degree in applied experimental psychology from The Catholic University of America in 1986 and her doctoral degree in school psychology from Temple University in 1994. Dr. Trudel also completed a post-graduate certificate in early childhood mental health through the Widener University Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology in 2010.

While working on her doctoral degree, Dr. Trudel worked as a research assistant to Dr. Irwin Hyman at The Center for Corporal Punishment and Alternatives in the Schools at Temple University. Dr. Trudel’s work at the Center led to her dissertation, which explored the relationship between corporal punishment at school and the subsequent development of trauma disorders in children.

Dr. Trudel’s predoctoral internship was spent at Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, an internationally recognized children’s hospital, in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Trudel worked in the outpatient psychology department of the hospital performing assessments and therapy, as well as consultation with hospital staff.

Since receiving her doctoral degree in 1994, Dr. Trudel has worked in a variety of child and adolescent focused settings including several school districts, private practices, an inpatient psychiatric hospital, and a child guidance clinic. She has served as a consulting psychologist to numerous charter schools in the city of Philadelphia and has also served as a consulting psychologist for an Early Intervention Center in Delaware. Dr. Trudel is a licensed psychologist, as well as a certified school psychologist, in Pennsylvania and Delaware. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association and The National Register of Health Service Psychologists.

While Dr. Trudel’s areas of expertise include evaluation of autism, AHDH, learning disabilities and psychological disorders, she also enjoys working with children and adolescents in therapy. She also completed the “Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions” program at the Yale Child Study Center. Dr. Trudel believes strongly in the power of early intervention and takes a developmental approach to working with clients as she believes that we all are constantly growing, shifting, developing and transforming. Her approach to therapy is eclectic and includes interpersonal, relational, solution-focused and strength-based interventions. It is important to Dr. Trudel to work on helping her clients develop resiliency, a sense of self-efficacy, the ability to problem-solve and the ability to make a positive difference in their worlds.

Linda Schiavone is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who has experience as part of both large and small community clinical counseling agencies. With a Master’s degree in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling, she is not only an experienced clinical practitioner, but is uniquely qualified to explore spirituality as a component of mental health and wellbeing in a way that respects all types of faith beliefs, religious group identifications and practices. Linda is also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where she obtained a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) degree. The application of positive psychology to the mental health field has the potential to expand therapeutic goals from not only managing the negative emotions associated with anxiety, stress, depressed mood and other mental health and life transition challenges, but to also focus on nurturing wellbeing in its many forms that goes beyond the most common idea of “happiness.” Linda holds a Master of Science degree in Pharmacology as well, and combined with post-graduate work in pharmaceutical neurochemistry research, provides her with a valuable understanding of the potential role of prescribed medications in improving mental health. This scientific background also helps her to understand how non-medication interventions can be effective and helpful strategies to incorporate into therapy, such as mindfulness practices, journaling and breathing techniques.

Dr. Monica Buklan is a licensed psychologist who works with people across the lifespan, ranging from early childhood to adulthood. Dr. Monica places emphasis on meeting clients where they are and uses a collaborative approach to help clients heal, grow, and develop toward their potential. In her practice, she draws from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) through a systemic lens, acknowledging that individuals influence and are influenced by their environments and society. Dr. Monica finds that humor, authenticity, and compassion are crucial to a strong therapeutic bond.

Dr. Monica has experience helping individuals with a wide-range of presenting concerns, including anxiety, depression, grief, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and behavior problems.

Dr. Cathy Bryan is an experienced therapist in both outpatient and inpatient psychiatry.  She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania where she had a joint appointment as an adjunct faculty member for the School of Nursing.  Cathy also held an appointment as a board-certified Clinical Nurse Specialist in psychiatry at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and received the Nursing Excellence Award while there.  Dr. Bryan trained at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and provided outpatient counseling during her time at Penn.  Cathy co-presented with the Penn medical director at the Cognitive Therapy Conference in Philadelphia.  The presentation focused on CBT modalities and mood disorders.  In 2021, she completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Drexel University.  Her thesis proposed an educational method for the family caregivers of elder patients with dementia.  Cathy was also nominated for the Common Good award by the Dean of Drexel’s School of Nursing.

Tracey Szmajda is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 16 years of school counseling experience at a school for diverse learners on the Main Line. She specializes in working with neuro diverse students such as those with ADHD, executive function challenges, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, and social challenges.

In her practice, Tracey utilizes positive psychology, solution-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help clients find success, and become their best selves. She taught mindfulness classes and Social Emotional Learning classes to middle and high school students. Tracey initiated and spear-headed the therapeutic horseback riding club at the school in partnership with Thorncroft Equestrian Center. In addition, she ran the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) for high school students.

Mollie Cherson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with individuals across the life span including emerging adults, prenatal/postpartum parents, and those experiencing caregiver and parenting related stresses. She utilizes training in mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and strengths based approaches to support clients in discovering and rediscovering tools to help with current needs and areas of growth.

Mollie attended Ursinus College and studied Psychology and Education. During her time at Ursinus, her interest in research and developmental psychology grew which led her to pursue her Masters of Social and Developmental Psychology from the University of Cambridge in England. Shortly after returning back to the United States, she obtained her Masters of Social Work from Temple University where she also worked as a research assistant supporting research in fatherhood, young person suicidality, and job training programs.