Psy.D. Core Faculty
Cheryll Rothery, PsyD, ABPP
Associate Professor of Psychology and Chair, Department of Professional Psychology
PsyD, Rutgers University; B.A., Mount Holyoke College
Dr. Rothery is the Director of Clinical Training. A licensed psychologist, she has experience as a consultant psychologist, a clinical supervisor, a psychologist in private practice, and director of a college counseling center. She has served on the Executive Boards of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology (NCSPP), the Delaware Valley Association of Black Psychologists (DVABPsi) and the Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists (PSCP). She currently serves on the Executive Board of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA). Dr. Rothery is a member of APA, PPA, PSCP, and DVABPsi. Her clinical and research interests include culturally-informed treatment of diverse populations, the Relational Cultural Model of Therapy, racial and ethnic identity formation, and the training and supervision of clinicians. Dr. Rothery is a frequent workshop presenter on these and related topics.
Scott Browning, PhD
Professor of Psychology
PhD, California School of Professional Psychology, Berkeley; M.Ed., Boston University; B.A., Washington College
Dr. Browning's scholarly interests include: the diverse and changing family, increasing and measuring empathy, children with developmental disorders, therapy outcomes, and the dynamics and treatment of stepfamilies. Dr. Browning is the author of articles and chapters on empathy, marriage and family therapy, and step-parenting. He is a regular presenter at national conferences on these topics. Dr. Browning is a board member of the Stepfamily Association of America, and is considered a national expert on stepfamily therapy. He is a licensed psychologist and a member of several professional organizations. He co-authored a book titled Stepfamily Therapy: A 10 Step Clinical Approach (APA Books, 2011).
Jeanne DiVincenzo, PsyD
Assistant Professor of Psychology, Coordinator of Pre-doctoral Internship Consortium
PsyD,Chestnut Hill College, M.S., Chestnut Hill College, B.A., University of Rochester
Dr. DiVincenzo has clinical experience working with individuals, families and couples in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Her scholarly and professional interests include: treatment of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and severe mental illness; psychological assessment; working with women; trauma focused care in institutional settings; process group therapy in inpatient and outpatient settings; and working with families with medical illness. She completed an APA internship at Friends Hospital, and was subsequently Program Director of the Women’s Unit at the hospital. Dr. DiVincenzo also maintains a clinical practice at Growth Opportunity Center in Huntingdon Valley, PA. Dr. DiVincenzo has provided clinical workshops and staff training on a variety of topics to mental health practitioners, clinics, educators, community groups, and psychiatric hospitals. She is a member of several professional organizations and has been an active committee member in the Pennsylvania Psychological Association.
William J. Ernst, PsyD
Assistant Professor of Psychology
PsyD, James Madison University; M.A., The College of New Jersey; B.A., The College of New Jersey
Dr. Ernst is a clinical neuropsychologist whose research interests include miconceptions of traumatic brain injury, interprofessional collaboration, and neuropsychological assessment. Clinical interests include neuropsychological assessment, traumatic brain injury, learning disabilities, rehabilitation of neurological disorders, and medical decision making capacity evaluations. Dr. Ernst has published in peer reviewed journals and presented at state and national conferences. He is licensed as a psychologist in PA, NJ, and VA and maintains a private practice in clinical neuropsychology focusing on neuropsychological assessment of learning disorders and mild traumatic brain injury. He is also a consultant to the College Board. Dr Ernst completed a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Cooper Hospital.
Kevin McCarthy, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology
PhD, University of Pennsylvania; A.M., University of Pennsylvania; A.B., Boston College
Dr. McCarthy’s professional interests include depression and adjustment problems in adulthood and couples therapy. He also has interest and experience in working with gay and lesbian individuals. He specializes in both short-term and open-ended psychodynamic and supportive psychotherapies. His scholarly interests include perceptions of intervention use in psychotherapy; processes of change in therapy and naturalistic settings; relationship patterns and correlates to personality and interpersonal attraction; adjustment and achievement inhibitions in young adults; and gay and lesbian mental health issues. Dr. McCarthy is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Society for Psychotherapy Research, and the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia.
Susan C. McGroarty, PhD, ABPP
Assistant Professor of Psychology
PhD, University of Pennsylvania; B.A., University of Pennsylvania
Dr. McGroarty's primary professional interest is in the arena of psychological trauma. She has considerable clinical expertise working with individuals and has also conferred with community groups and organizations on issues related to post-traumatic stress. She is a member of APA and the International Society for the Study of Traumatic Stress. Her interests also include Behavioral Medicine and Health Psychology and she has presented at local and national conferences on topics related to educating physicians on psychological disorders.
Bindu Methikalam, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology
PhD, The Pennsylvania State University; M.A./M.Ed., Columbia University; B.A., Pace University.
Dr. Methikalam is a licensed psychologist who has worked with undergraduate and graduate students for over 5 years doing individual, couples, and group therapy. Her clinical interests include working with trauma victims, adjustment, anxiety, depression, family and relationship concerns as well as diversity related issues. Her research interests are in perfectionism, family expectations, multicultural issues, particularly, immigrant experiences, acculturation, and cultural identities. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and Asian American Psychological Association (Division of South Asian Americans; Division of Women).
Joseph A. Micucci, PhD, ABPP
Professor of Psychology
PhD, University of Minnesota; A.B., Cornell University
Dr. Micucci is the author of a book titled The Adolescent in Family Therapy: Harnessing the Power of Relationships (2nd ed., Guilford Press, 2009). He is a licensed psychologist, an approved AAMFT Supervisor, a member of the American Family Therapy Academy, a fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Psychology, and holds specialty certification in Clinical Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Dr. Micucci’s scholarly interests include psychological testing; adolescent development; family therapy with adolescents; and gay/lesbian/bisexual psychology.
Affiliated Faculty
Andrew Behrendt, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology
PhD, University of Pennsylvania; M.S., University of Pennsylvania; B.A. University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Behrendt has been a leader in the field of relationships and sexuality where he has helped create graduate programs and has served on the board of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, promoting research and education. He has written on sexual function and dysfunction, health issues and sexuality, social factors, and suicidal ideation. Currently he is focusing on the human-canine relationship, examining how dogs contribute to psychology and spirituality.
Lynn Brandsma, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology
PhD, University of Arkansas; M.S., Illinois State University; B.M.E., Wartburg College
Dr. Brandsma's scholarly interests include creative arts in counseling, eating disorders, behavior analytic interventions for autism, mindfulness-based cognitive behavior therapy, and the dissemination of empirically supported treatments in counseling. She was the founder and clinical director of the Lutheran Hospital Eating Disorder Treatment Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She is a board certified music therapist, a K-12 certified school counselor, and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania. She is the past president of the Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association. She has co-authored articles and chapters on creative arts in counseling, eating disorders, autism, and anxiety disorders.
Ana M. Caro, PsyD
Assistant Professor of Psychology
PsyD, Chestnut Hill College; M.S., Chestnut Hill College; B.A., Gwynedd-Mercy College
Dr. Caro is a Licensed Psychologist and Registered Play Therapist. Her scholarly interests include: trauma, play therapy, child abuse and neglect, cultural competency, program development, and international psychology. She has experience as a bilingual-bicultural clinician and supervisor working with children and families of diverse cultural backgrounds in their own homes as well as in outpatient and residential settings. In addition, Dr. Caro has worked as an administrator and trainer in non-profit agencies where she was involved in quality assurance activities, the implementation of HIPPA regulations, and training in cultural diversity and ethics. She is a member of the Association for Play Therapy, APA, PPA and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.
Joseph A. Diorio, Jr., PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology
PhD, Case Western Reserve University; M.A., Case Western Reserve University; B.A., LaSalle College
Dr. Diorio’s professional career includes over 30 years’ experience as a consultant and corporate manager, during which time he worked in industries including manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and entertainment. His focus in consulting and corporate management includes extensive work in the field of employee motivation as well as employee selection and employee development. Dr. Diorio is a diplomate of the American College of Forensic Examiners and the American Board of Psychological Specialties. He has authored numerous chapters in management and industrial-organizational psychology textbooks. His research interests include performance management and reward systems, employee testing and selection, and the effects of stress on organizational performance.
Claudia García-Leeds, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology
PhD, Graduate School of the City University of New York; M.Phil., Graduate School of the City University of New York; M.A., New School for Social Research; B.A., New School for Social Research.
Dr. García-Leeds’ scholarly interests include: domestic violence, family dynamics, and post-traumatic stress disorder in impoverished communities. She has extensive experience as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor, and has worked in a variety of community-based non-profit social service agencies in New York City and North Philadelphia. Her research experience includes suicidal behavior in adolescents, HIV prevention, acute stress disorder, and cultural identity. She is a member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.
Mark E. Kenney, M.Ed., NCC, LPC
Program Coordinator, DeSales Campus
M.Ed., Kutztown University; B.S. Temple University.
Mr. Kenney is a licensed counselor. He is the co-author of Counseling Multiracial Families(Sage Publications) as well as several book chapters and other publications addressing the multiracial population. He is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences and also teaches graduate courses at Johns Hopkins University and Antioch University-Seattle. He is a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and currently serves as co-chair of the ACA's Multiracial/Multiethnic Counseling Concerns Interest Network. He also serves on the executive boards of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association and the Pennsylvania Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Counseling.
Meredith Kneavel, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology
PhD, Graduate School of the City University of New York; M.A., Graduate School of the City University of New York; B.A., Loyola College
Dr. Kneavel is the Coordinator of the Undergraduate Program in Psychology. Her scholarly interests include physiological effects of stress on the structure and function of the brain, including neurotransmitter release, dendritic changes, and alterations in hormone release. Many of these have been investigated through transgenic and knockout gene technology with an emphasis on sex differences. Dr. Kneavel has also worked at Columbia University on determining the genetic causes of neurological disorders and the behavioral effects of known genetic alterations related to neurological disorders, including ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Currently, her research focuses on the long-term effects of stress on behavior and health. Her work has frequently been presented at national meetings of the Society for Neuroscience and published in articles and book chapters. In addition, Dr. Kneavel is the faculty advisor for Psi Chi, the national honor society in Psychology, and Delta Epsilon Sigma, the national honor society for Catholic colleges and universities.
Kelly M. Landman, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology
PhD (2010) and M.A. (2007), Bowling Green State University; B.S. (2004), The University of Scranton
Dr. Landman (nee Lister) is a clinical psychologist who has assessed, diagnosed, and treated children with a variety of presenting concerns, including trauma, anxiety, depression, disruptive behavior disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and pervasive developmental disorders. She also has experience treating college students and adults. Dr. Landman completed her post-doctoral training at the Child Abuse Research Education & Service (CARES) Institute at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – School of Medicine in 2011, where she treated children who experienced physical and sexual abuse and their families using Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Dr. Landman’s research interests include children’s and teens’ electronically-mediated communication and psychological/behavioral adjustment, school-based intervention and prevention programs, and trauma. She has published articles in peer-reviewed journals and has presented at numerous conferences and professional meetings.
Rosemarie Manfredi, PsyD
Dr. Manfredi received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Health Studies from Montclair State University. She received her M.A. and PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Widener University. She is a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist. Her clinical and scholarly interests are in area of neurodevelopmental disorders, especially autism spectrum disorders, intellectual and learning disabilities, genetic and neurological disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. With a background in school psychology and neuropsychology, Dr. Manfredi is particularly interested in conducting diagnostic and neuropsychological evaluations, as well as designing and implementing behavioral and social skills interventions. Dr. Manfredi is also interested in brain-behavior relationships, biofeedback, early intervention, and evidence-based practices. Dr. Manfredi has presented at a number of conferences, both locally and internationally. She is a member of the American Psychological Association (Divisions 33 and 40), the Philadelphia Society for Clinical Psychologists, the Philadelphia Neuropsychology Society, and the International Society for Autism Research.
Nancy Porter, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychology
PhD, University of Pennsylvania; M.A., Villanova University; B.S., Ursinus College
Dr. Porter earned her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in Interdisciplinary Studies of Human Behavior and she teaches courses in the areas of Social Psychology and Developmental Psychology. Her most recent publication is "The Return of the Goddess,” a chapter from Balancing the Scales, An Examination of the Manipulation and Transformation of Symbolic Concepts of Women, edited by Marie Conn and Therese McGuire and published by University Press of America. Other research and writing interests in progress relate to the nature of group behavior and war and constraint and privilege among elite women in America. Additional areas of interest include gender issues, class, and race.
Leslie Parkes Shralow, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology
PhD, Temple University; M.A., Temple University; B.A, The Pennsylvania State University.
Dr. Shralow is Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Masters Practicum/Internship. Before joining Chestnut Hill College, she was on staff at Villanova Counseling Center from 1994-2010 and Assistant Director for five years. She had a key role there in developing an integrated college campus eating disorders prevention and treatment program. Experienced in crisis intervention and major mental illness, Dr. Shralow completed her doctoral internship at Napa State Hospital, CA, and has served as Mental Health Delegate for Montgomery County, PA. Her current clinical and scholarly interests include relational psychodynamic therapy and supervision, eating disorders, adolescent and young adult development, and professional ethics. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and of several professional organizations including APA, the Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists, and the Philadelphia Society of Psychoanalytic Psychology.