Our Founders

I am the Co-Founder, Co-Owner of Spectra Support Services, LLC and the Moringa Institute: I serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Spectra Support Services, LLC and the CE Program Administrator for the Moringa Institute. My companies provide a variety of specialty care programs, mental health services, and professional training opportunities. To date, I established new creative arts therapy programs and behavioral health supports in settings such as residential homes, ambulatory healthcare settings, pediatric hospitals, pediatric rehabilitation centers, senior homes, homeless shelters, day programs, and schools. 

I began my career as a therapist by earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Therapy from Duquesne University. I completed my clinical training with Deforia Lane, Ph.D. at the University Hospitals of Cleveland. I earned a Master’s in Music Therapy (MMT) from Temple University. Today, I am a board-certified music therapist, licensed professional counselor, a NADD certified clinician, certified MARI® practitioner and teacher, Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) trainer, and an approved trainer by the Family & Play Therapy Center to teach the introductory course to mindfulness-based play therapy. I am an active member of the Government Relations Committee of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association and for the NADD Accreditation and Clinical Certification Committee.

My areas of expertise include some of the following: dual-diagnosis for individuals with mental illness and co-occurring intellectual/developmental disabilities, trauma-informed care, non-violent crisis prevention and behavior management, music therapy, pain management, guided imagery, mindfulness-based play-family therapy, sand play, focusing, mandala assessment research instrument, cognitive behavior therapy, functional behavioral analysis, and eye movement and desensitization and reprocessing. I provide clinical supervision for established mental health professionals and therapists pursuing state licensure.
 

I am an advocate for the advancement of quality programming for people who have behavioral health needs. I find that I can influence this type of support through my leadership roles, government advocacy, clinical work, training programs, clinical supervision opportunities, and development of community programs that increase individuals' access to specialized health services. It brings It brings me great joy to serve my community in this way. 

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 I am the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Spectra Support Services, LLC and the Moringa Institute. Through Spectra, I help provide specialty care programs, behavioral health supports, outpatient clinical services, and waiver-funded services for individuals with disabilities and their families. Through the Moringa Institute, I support professional excellence by helping psychologists, master’s-level clinicians, and students discover and integrate evidence-based practices into their work. 

My professional career as a social worker began over 30 years ago when I earned my Master of Social Work degree from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, with a concentration in Social Policy and Administration. During my graduate training, I interned with the Massachusetts Developmental Disability Council Housing Committee, where I began my lifelong role of advocating for people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. I am a licensed clinical social worker in Pennsylvania, a former licensed social worker in New Jersey, and a former licensed behavior specialist in Pennsylvania. 

I spent some of my early professional years serving as a behavior consultant and behavior specialist, working directly with individuals with intellectual disabilities to understand the function of challenging behaviors and to train staff in positive behavior interventions. Over the course of my career, I have worked with individuals and families across the lifespan, from toddlers through adults. My clinical and consulting work includes functional behavioral assessments, behavior support plans, mindfulness-based play-family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, life coaching, and clinical supervision for professionals pursuing master-level licensure in Pennsylvania. 

My areas of expertise include autism spectrum disorder, intellectual and developmental disabilities, dual diagnosis, family support, positive behavior interventions, child and adolescent psychotherapy, advanced child development, crisis prevention, person-centered planning, and service systems for individuals and families with complex support needs. I am certified through the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed, have completed advanced training in autism spectrum disorders and child/adolescent psychotherapy, and have served as a certified trainer in areas such as medication administration, crisis prevention, CPR/First Aid, and quality management. 

I have presented at local, state, and national conferences on topics including autism and suicide prevention, autism and relationships, legal and ethical issues affecting individuals with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities, dual diagnosis assessment, therapeutic interventions for emerging adults with autism, executive functioning, family caregiving, anxiety and stress management, and transition to adulthood. I have also served as a keynote speaker for the Center for Autism Research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism as they move into adulthood. 

I am a past President of ASCEND: the Asperger and Autism Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, and I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Autism Society of America, the Association for Play Therapy, and the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. 

I am passionate about helping families, especially those who find it difficult to create, access, or sustain the supports they need for individual and family success. I believe that quality services are built through advocacy, clinical expertise, thoughtful program development, and strong community partnerships. It brings me great joy to serve individuals, families, professionals, and communities in this way.

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I am a retired financial administrator and former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who joined Spectra in 2022 after finishing a 36 year career in higher education finance and administration. I received my BS degree from the Smeal College of Business of Penn State University. Prior to Spectra, I was previously employed at Cabrini University and Drexel University. I held various positions including Vice President for Finance, Treasurer, and CFO; Vice President for Finance and Associate Treasurer; Comptroller and Associate Comptroller.  

Outside of my financial career, I enjoy doing various handyman and repair projects at both the home and the office and I hold a Certified Residential Electrician certificate from the Delaware County Community College. I have also been a volunteer in various capacities with our local troop and pack of the Boy Scouts of America since 2006.

My background includes recruitment, management, compliance, and volunteering for organizations that provide services to individuals who have intellectual disabilities. In 2021, I joined the Spectra team as a Human Resource Coordinator. I provide strategic guidance and leadership for all aspects of the human resources department. Spectra Support Services has allowed me the opportunity to work for a company that aligns with my passions and core values.

I joined the Spectra team in 2018 as a direct support professional and was promoted last year to the role of Manger of Day and Community Services. I have been working professionally with individuals who have Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) since 2008. I graduated From Neumann University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and began my post college career as a Juvenile Probation Officer. After 5 years in the field, I recognized that I could make more of a difference to those who need it by changing fields to I/DD services. I began working for an I/DD residential facility as a direct support professional. I was promoted to the Daytime Program Coordinator/Medicine Administration Reviewer and later on to QIDP/ Treatment Manager. Day Program Manager. Within my roles, I enjoy watching and helping individuals grow and become part of the community.