TRAIN
Individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism are at an increased risk of experiencing trauma, however, few therapists are skilled in both trauma and ID/A support. To bridge this gap, psychologists with the ASERT team created the TRAIN program – 12 weeks of self-guided learnings and live webinars to equip therapists across Pennsylvania currently working with the ID/A populations, with the skills to support clients through trauma experiences.
Participants have direct supervision from psychologists with backgrounds in both trauma and ID/A and interactive discussions with fellow participants, as well as receive Continuing Education (CE) credits provided through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) upon completion of the program.
Therapists interested in participating in TRAIN should complete the survey for information about availability in upcoming cohorts.
The TRAIN program covers:
- Trauma-focused mental healthcare
- Types and prevalence of trauma
- Disclosures of abuse
- Ethical principles of reporting abuse
- Expressions of trauma
- Assessing trauma and trauma-focused interviews
- Psychoeducation
- Trauma response management strategies
- Trauma processing
- Resiliency and self-care
TRAIN is a 12 week program that concludes with case consultations with course instructors. The therapists selected to participate in TRAIN will participate in an introductory kickoff event which will introduce participants and instructors, provide an overview of the program and introduce the learning platform that will be used. Participants will then complete three weeks of self-paced learning followed by an interactive discussion session with the group. There will be three sets of the self-paced learning and discussion sessions.
Throughout the self-paced learning weeks, participants will complete readings, work through engaging learning experiences and complete routine assessments. The interactive discussion sessions will be opportunities for deep-dives into the material and conversations around applications of the learning.
After the first 12 weeks are complete, cases consultations will begin with each therapist expected to present twice.
Jessica (Jes) Bonatakis, PsyD (she/her)
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Dr. Jessica Bonatakis is a licensed psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, having joined clinical faculty at Penn State College of Medicine in 2019. She completed her doctoral studies at Adler University, where she received specialized training in Socially Responsible Practice, an approach that builds practitioners for the life pursuit of becoming effective personal and social change agents in the name of social justice. With over a decade of experience prior to joining Penn State in various community settings, Dr. Bonatakis treats trauma responses in youth, families, and young adults as well as severe externalizing behaviors in early childhood. Dr. Bonatakis is an internationally recognized therapist and within-program trainer in the evidence-based practice of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), having received the PCIT International Advocacy and Community Service Award in 2015. Her current interests lie in the service of grassroots movement to build visibility around the importance of trauma-informed, antiracist, affirming approaches to patient care, interactions with colleagues, and community engagement in the spirit of cultivating a community of inclusion, individual and community resiliency, and collective healing.
Keely Hirsch, PsyD (she/her)
Dr. Keely Hirsch is a licensed psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, having joined clinical faculty at Penn State College of Medicine in 2022. She completed her doctoral program at Chatham University, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she focused her training on Autism Spectrum Disorder, including diagnosing individuals of all ages, providing evidence-based psychotherapy to individuals on the spectrum, and working with families and supports. Prior to joining Penn State, Dr. Hirsch worked as a generalist psychologist in California providing individual and group psychotherapy to a range of presenting mental health disorders and concerns for adults, as well as working as an Autism Specialist providing diagnostic evaluation for adults. Presently at Penn State, Dr. Hirsch provides outpatient services including Autism diagnostic evaluations and psychotherapy for individuals with Autism and their families. She also serves as an educator/supervisor for the psychiatry residency and psychology training programs. Her current interests include gender expansive identities with autistic individuals, identifying and increasing evidence based treatment for the Autism population, and clarifying/differentiating the female phenotype of Autism.
Our TRAIN team is proud of the program’s success and the impact the program has had on participants and those they support. See below for testimonials for previous TRAIN participants.
“The information I received I could immediately implement with my client.”
– Fall 2021 Participant
“Great information about trauma and recognizing trauma!”
– Fall 2021 Participant
“I was overall very happy with this program.”
– Fall 2021 Participant
Our next cohort is beginning in April of 2024. Therapists interested in being considered, should complete the survey link below:
TRAIN Directory
Below is a map showing where past participants of the TRAIN program currently work and practice. Contact information is provided for those who choose to share that information, along with any details related to their practice.
Please note that while participants are listed by county, many currently provide telehealth services which can be accessed from across the state. This will be updated regularly as more participants complete the TRAIN program.
Click a county to find more info
Data by County
Allegheny County
Nicole Gannon, LPC
nicolegannonlpc@gmail.com
Psychology Today Profile
*Telehealth available in all counties
Jon Bender Andrews
Hanlon Therapy Associates
JBenderAndrews@hanlontherapy.com
*Virtual/remote only at this time, only available for people in Adult Autism Waiver
Jennifer Macioce LCSW, ICGC
3825 Northern Pike Suite 203
Monroeville PA 15146
724-708-9150
VP 412-516-9394
Jenn.macioce@gmail.com
*Telehealth only
Ashley Brown, LCSW
The Stern Center
724-626-9941
abrown@thesterncenter.org
Gale Foster, LCSW
Wesley Family Services
1045 4th Ave
New Kensington, PA 15068
724-895-8218
*Telehealth and in-person available
Accepted Insurance: All commercial, Medicare, Medicaid
Armstrong County
Gale Foster, LCSW
Wesley Family Services
1045 4th Ave
New Kensington, PA 15068
724-895-8218
*Telehealth and in-person available
Accepted Insurance: All commercial, Medicare, Medicaid
Beaver County
Jon Bender Andrews
Hanlon Therapy Associates
JBenderAndrews@hanlontherapy.com
*Virtual/remote only at this time, only available for people in Adult Autism Waiver
Bucks County
Butler County
Jon Bender Andrews
Hanlon Therapy Associates
JBenderAndrews@hanlontherapy.com
*Virtual/remote only at this time, only available for people in Adult Autism Waiver
Gale Foster, LCSW
Wesley Family Services
1045 4th Ave
New Kensington, PA 15068
724-895-8218
*Telehealth and in-person available
Accepted Insurance: All commercial, Medicare, Medicaid
Cumberland County
Kate Hall, LSW
The Cornerstone Agency of PA
khall@thecornerstoneagency.com
*Only provides behavior consultations
Sasha Winters MS, CCTP, NCC, LPC
Dauphin County
Kate Hall, LSW
The Cornerstone Agency of PA
khall@thecornerstoneagency.com
*Only provides behavior consultations
Sasha Winters MS, CCTP, NCC, LPC
* Accepted Insurance: Medicaid, Highmark, Capital Blue, Cross, Cigna, Optum, UPMC, M&S EAP
Erie County
Janet Pawlowski, RN, MA, LMFT
KaleidAScope, Inc
4934 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
(814) 824-4515
jpawlowski@kas-erie.org
www.kas-erie.org
*Telehealth in other counties, in-person for Erie County only
Fayette County
Ashley Brown, LCSW
The Stern Center
724-626-9941
abrown@thesterncenter.org
Amanda Collins, NCC LPC
Penn State Fayette
*Only available to Penn State Fayette students
Greene County
Ashley Brown, LCSW
The Stern Center
724-626-9941
abrown@thesterncenter.org
Lancaster County
Sasha Winters MS, CCTP, NCC, LPC
* Accepted Insurance: Medicaid, Highmark, Capital Blue, Cross, Cigna, Optum, UPMC, M&S EAP
Lebanon County
Sasha Winters MS, CCTP, NCC, LPC
* Accepted Insurance: Medicaid, Highmark, Capital Blue, Cross, Cigna, Optum, UPMC, M&S EAP
Mercer County
Monroe County
Marcey B. Wilder, MS, Clinician
Kidspeace Outpatient – Green St
801 E. Green St.,
Allentown, PA 18103
(610) 799-8910 (Main office number)
Northampton County
Marcey B. Wilder, MS, Clinician
Kidspeace Outpatient – Green St
801 E. Green St.,
Allentown, PA 18103
(610) 799-8910 (Main office number)
Perry County
Sasha Winters MS, CCTP, NCC, LPC
* Accepted Insurance: Medicaid, Highmark, Capital Blue, Cross, Cigna, Optum, UPMC, M&S EAP
Philadelphia County
Snyder County
Jennifer Straub, MS
Psychological Services Specialist
Trauma Recovery Team
Selinsgrove State Center
Email: jestraub@pa.gov Office Phone: 570-372-5809 Cell Phone: 570-205-1590
*Available to individuals living at Selinsgrove State Center, as well as across the state as part of the Trauma Recovery Team
Somerset County
Jon Bender Andrews
Hanlon Therapy Associates
JBenderAndrews@hanlontherapy.com
*Virtual/remote only at this time, only available for people in Adult Autism Waiver
Washington County
Jon Bender Andrews
Hanlon Therapy Associates
JBenderAndrews@hanlontherapy.com
*Virtual/remote only at this time, only available for people in Adult Autism Waiver
Ashley Brown, LCSW
The Stern Center
724-626-9941
abrown@thesterncenter.org
Westmoreland County
Jennifer Macioce LCSW, ICGC
3825 Northern Pike Suite 203
Monroeville PA 15146
724-708-9150
VP 412-516-9394
Jenn.macioce@gmail.com
*Telehealth only
Ashley Brown, LCSW
The Stern Center
724-626-9941
abrown@thesterncenter.org
Gale Foster, LCSW
Wesley Family Services
1045 4th Ave
New Kensington, PA 15068
724-895-8218
*Telehealth and in-person available
Accepted Insurance: All commercial, Medicare, Medicaid
York County
Kate Hall, LSW
The Cornerstone Agency of PA
khall@thecornerstoneagency.com
*Only provides behavior consultations