Turn to us. We Can Help.
Our Therapists
Patricia Gonzalez, LPC, MT-BC, NADD-CC
Patricia is the Co-Founder, Co-Owner of two businesses: She is the Executive Director of Spectra Support Services, LLC and the CE Program Administrator for the Moringa Institute. Her companies provide a variety of specialty care programs, mental health services, and professional training opportunities. To date, Patricia 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.
Patricia began her career as a therapist by earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Therapy from Duquesne University. She completed her clinical training with Deforia Lane, Ph.D. at the University Hospitals of Cleveland. She earned a Master’s in Music Therapy (MMT) from Temple University. Today, Patricia is 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. Patricia is an active member of the Government Relations Committee of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association and for the NADD Accreditation and Clinical Certification Committee.
Patricia's areas of expertise include some of the following: dual-diagnosis for 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. Patricia provides clinical supervision for established mental health professionals and therapists pursuing state licensure.
Patricia is an advocate for the advancement of quality programming for people who have behavioral health needs. Patricia finds that she can influence this type of support through her leadership roles, clinical work, training programs, clinical supervision opportunities, and development of community programs that increase individuals' access to specialized health services. It brings Patricia great joy to serve her community in this way.
Maleita Olson, LCSW, NADD-CC
Maleita provides therapy and clinical supervision. She is a senior director, and a co-owner of the agency. Maleita is both a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a NADD certified clinician and committee member. She has a Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston College. She currently holds certificates in Advance Child Development, and Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents.
Christine Nelson, LCSW , NADD-CC
"The soul always knows what to do to heal itself.
The challenge is to silence the mind." ~Caroline Myss
Christine Nelson, LCSW has focused her career toward providing individuals opportunities to discover the ways their minds, bodies, and spirits hold an enormous capacity to heal itself. Her training began when she earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Psychology from Bloomsburg University in 2013. She completed her master’s degree in social services (equivalent to Social Work) from Bryn Mawr's Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research in 2018.
Currently, Christine is the Director of Behavioral Health Services at Spectra. She provides a variety of supports such as psychotherapy, cognitive rehabilitation services, behavior supports, clinical supervision for behavioral health clinicians, as well as designs and implements specialized training programs for healthcare professionals serving individuals who are dually diagnosed with behavioral health conditions and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Christine’s experience includes serving individuals in a variety of settings such as outpatient ambulatory centers, day program, community program, schools, adult training facilities, residential programs, addiction treatment centers, and children and adult intensive outpatient treatment programs.
Christine’s abilities to serve specialized populations through a person-centered manner stems from her advanced clinical training in the following approaches: trauma-informed care, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, mandala assessment research instrument, crisis prevention intervention and functional behavior assessment, mindfulness-based play family therapy, sand play, and play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, expressive arts, and parts work ideology in treatment for children and adults.
Christine is honored to be with her clients as they grow empowered on their journey towards health and happiness.
Karen Weiss, LCSW, NADD-CC
“One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you’re going through now and it will become part of someone else’s survival guide.”
~Brene Brown
Karen Weiss, LCSW embraces the philosophy that everyone has a unique story of the ups, the downs, the challenges of life, and that they have great potential for growth and fulfillment. Holding a bachelor’s in social work from Eastern College, Karen focused her career early on to work with ‘differently abled’ adults (developmental differences). Her experience includes helping adults with chronic mental illness in the public mental health system in Delaware County, PA. In 2015, Karen joined the Spectra team as an intern and later completed her master’s in social work from West Chester University. Her work experiences include practicing as a direct support professional, clinical intake coordinator, behavior support specialist, Licensed Clinical Therapist, and a clinical supervisor for emerging behavioral health professionals.
Today, Karen serves as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor. She utilizes a psychodynamic approach that is strengths-based and integrates a variety of models and approaches including mindfulness-based family play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, and Mandala Assessment Research Instrument (MARI), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Karen enjoys working in a clinical outpatient setting and serving individuals, both ‘neurotypical’ and ‘differently abled’ across the lifespan, including teens, children, parents, and adults in various stages of life.
Ashley Begley, LCSW, NADD-CC
"Do not go where the path may lead,
go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ashley Begley, LCSW aims to provide individuals support as they navigate challenges and seek to create their own paths toward wellness. Ashley received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Gwynedd Mercy University and a Master of Social Services degree (an equivalent to a MSW) from Bryn Mawr College. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Pennsylvania, Ashley serves people across the lifespan and specializes in working with adults with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral challenges. She provides individual psychotherapy at the main office and behavior support across a variety of settings such as agencies, homes, residential centers, and day programs. In recognition that what works for one person may not work for another, Ashley utilizes a person-centered approach that blends interventions such as psychoeducation and skills training, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Mandala Assessment Research Instrument (MARI) interventions, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and more. Ashley strives to help clients develop their ability to advocate for themselves and live up to their full potential.
Rebecca Zimmerman, LAPC, MT-BC , NADD-DDS
"Music can be a profound step in the exploration of self, in the conscious act of honest reflection that goes by many names - mindfulness, meditation, self-discovery, self-empowerment, and enlightenment."
~Amy Camie
Rebecca Zimmerman, MT-BC recognizes the therapeutic ways music offers individuals an environment that nurtures healing, growth, and development. To date, Rebecca earned a degree in psychology and music from Arcadia University, has a master’s degree in music therapy and counseling (MMTC) from Immaculata University, and is a board-certified music therapist. Rebecca’s work focuses on promoting individuals’ abilities to reach their therapeutic goals by offering them space to creatively express such as through instrumental improvisation, vocal exploration, songwriting, bilateral stimulation, guided imagery, and lyric analysis. Additionally, Rebecca specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy, functional behavioral analysis, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. These evidenced-based approaches often help individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves and supports their abilities to further enhance their coping strategies. Furthermore, Rebecca’s clinical experience includes working as a behavior specialist. Through the utilization of a blended approach, Rebecca offers individuals supports both in-home and in the out-patient clinical setting. Currently, she serves the lifespan and specializes in supporting individuals who have autism spectrum disorder, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral challenges.
Schuyler Chartier, MT-BC, NADD-DDS
“Music expresses that which cannot be said,
and on which it is impossible to be silent.” ~Victor Hugo.
Driven by the healing power of music, Schuyler Chartier, MT-BC utilizes this therapeutic medium as a tool to help individuals reach their wellness goals. To date, Schuyler completed a bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Temple University and has advanced clinical training as a behavior specialist. Schuyler serves people across the lifespan and specializes in working with children who have autism spectrum disorder, intellectual and developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, and behavioral challenges. Schuyler provides individual and group therapy across a variety of settings such as agencies, homes, residential centers, schools, and day programs to name a few. She utilizes a blend of approaches in her work such as zones of regulation, growth mindset, functional behavioral analysis, bilateral stimulation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and creative music therapy. Using evidenced-based strategies, Schuyler aims to promote individuals’ abilities to work through their challenges, deepen their sense of connection with others, and flourish in their self-identities.