Therapists

Donna Whipple

Psy.D.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist, a licensed mental health counselor and a health service provider with almost 30 years of treatment and management experience. I have served as a clinical director and director of psychological testing for 3 large agencies, as well as having served as the director of several other clinical programs. Currently, I am the Co-Director of Psychotherapy Associates of North Reading and Amesbury. This is a practice that I started with Rick Kaufman, LICSW in 1990. Most of what I do now is oversee programs, program development and consult with the 19 therapists we have on staff. I maintain a small to medium caseload of clients.

I have a great deal of experience in the field of psychological testing, teaching, supervision, medical psychology, PTSD treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. Two groups of clients that I currently work with the most are adolescents and adults with traumatic experiences. I also work a lot with couples. I have interned in 3 VA hospitals and understand the dynamics of veterans and their families. I have an extensive background in testing and working with children but largely consult to child therapists at this time. Currently, I am working on developing expertise in the treatment of sleep disorders.

I am an instructor and the coordinator for our parent education program. This is a court ordered educational program for divorcing parents. It is psychoeducational in nature and designed to help families cope better with divorce.

Richard Kaufman

LICSW

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, and I received my MSW from Simmons School for Social Work in 1980.  Prior to that, I received my BA in Psychology from Hampshire College in 1978.

As Co-Director of Psychotherapy Associates, I oversee all aspects of the practice, along with Donna Whipple.  Prior to this I was the Clinical Director and Associate Executive Director of Associates for Human Services, a large clinic in Taunton Mass.

Earlier in my career, I worked in adoption, and then went on to work with adults and adolescents with more serious mental health issues in a therapeutic school, psychiatric day treatment, and outpatient mental health settings.

Donna and I founded Psychotherapy Associates in 1990, and this soon became my full time job.    I work with adolescents, adults and couples, addressing issues such as anxiety, depression and relationship issues.

My original training was psychodynamic, and since then I have trained extensively in the Cognitive Behavioral Treatment model.  I also bring aspects of DBT and ACT into my work.  The approach I take in any particular case is tailored to your needs.  I usually take an eclectic approach, drawing on several schools of thought, but I’m primarily a Cognitive Behavioral therapist.

I enjoy working with people on exploring destructive patterns in their lives and relationships, working with them to determine where in their past these issues come from, and sorting out how they can make changes in these patterns.

Vanessa David

Referral Coordinator

I am one of two intake coordinators at PANR. I may be your initial point of contact when you call for an initial appointment. I enjoy helping you find the best match for you in our practice after hearing a brief description of the issues you are seeking help for. I sit at the front desk and enjoy greeting our clients.

I have been at PANR for 10 years. In addition to being the referral coordinator I manage the front desk workers as well as assist the therapists in a range of administrative functions.

I coordinate the schedule and registration for the parent education program. I am bilingual English/Spanish and assist a number of our Spanish speaking clients with registration for our program.

Robert Johnston

LICSW

I am deeply curious about human relationships and the conditions necessary for repair.  For many years, I worked with seriously disturbed teens and their families in inpatient, group care and alternative school settings.  I appreciate what emotional distress looks like in relationships as well as the various interpersonal, experiential and treatment interventions that effectively promote healing.  My wife and I have raised two children who are now self-actualized adults with successful careers.  I know first hand what relationship closeness, conflict and repair feel and look like as a man, father and husband.  Making no claim to be perfect, I have endeavored to learn from my relationship mistakes as well of those I have observed practiced by others.

Throughout my career, I have been a student of psychodynamic and systems treatment models.  I am currently attending The Relational Life Institute working with Terry Real and specializing in couples treatment issues.  I think of my clinical style as a combination of coach, mentor and fellow life traveler committed to advancing individual and relationship change for people seeking to improve their quality of life.  My current caseload includes adolescents, adults, families and couples.

Educational Experience

My first graduate training in psychology and social work was at Glasgow University in Scotland where I met my wife. We lived and worked in Scotland for several years.  Returning to the USA, I attended Smith College where I earned an MSW.  Relevant post-graduate experiences include intensive training at The Family Institute of Cambridge treating family systems, several Solution Focused therapy workshops with Insu Kim Berg, Brief Systemic Family Therapy from faculty at the University of Miami and several months of consultation and supervision with Sal Minuchin (Structural Family Therapy).  I also value my experiential education training at Project Adventure in group and family activity-based therapeutic interventions.  I have trained extensively in The Sanctuary Model  (therapeutic milieu) and SITCAP (a sensory-based trauma treatment therapy).

Sarah Bush

LICSW

My name is Sarah Bush and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. I completed my Bachelors degree in Psychology at Clark University in 2006. At Clark, I participated in a parent-child attachment theory research study. I helped start a domestic violence program at Clark that focused on education, prevention, outreach, counseling, and support. In my free time I volunteered with the Special Olympics and a half way house. After receiving my bachelor’s degree, I attended Boston College for my Masters in Social Work. While attending graduate school, I was able to intern at a residential program for adolescent boys and girls that struggled emotionally and behaviorally. My second internship was at Andover Middle School; where I provided individual counseling, mediation between student peer relationships, and lunch bunch groups. After graduating with my Masters in Social Work in 2008, I stayed in the Boston area and worked for Somerville Mental Health Community Treatment Team. There I worked with adults who had severe and persistent mental illnesses, some dealing with substance abuse and homelessness issues as well. Before coming to Psychotherapy Associates of North Reading, I had the opportunity to work at Wayside Youth and Family Support Network. At this job, I was a therapist conducting intensive in home family therapy through the Children Behavioral Health Initiative program, as well as being a therapist for the Continuum program run by the Department of Mental Health.

During my social work career, I have had experience working with individuals as young as 1.5 years old through adulthood. I have worked with a wide range of mental health issues that include Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, ADHD, Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Substance Abuse, Oppositional Defiant D/O, learning disabilities, and self harm with high risk suicidal behaviors. I have experience with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), play therapy, art therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing and have been trained in Trauma Focused CBT. In addition, I’ve had experience collaborating with school systems and working with parents and their children to help strengthen their communication and parenting skills. I have a flexible personality, starting where the client is at and I try my best to see things from my clients perspective.

Cheryl Kronhaus

LICSW

Jennifer Brown

LICSW

I am a Licensed Independent Clincial Social Worker. I received my Masters Degree from Columbia University in New York, NY. I worked in psychiatric Emergency Rooms and on inpatient psychiatric units. Shortly after graduating from graduate school, I found myself drawn to the adolescent population. I worked intensively with them at an RTF (Residential Treatment Facility) in Manhattan. While in this position, I worked with teenagers, their families, the court system, schools and agencies designated to help and advocate for their well-being. For the past three years, I have been working with adolescents on an outpatient basis.

I also have found myself working with children as well by engaging in play therapy. Children are often the most difficult to work with as sometimes, they do not possess the communication skills to communicate what is exactly going on with them. As a result, the play therapy component comes into play.
In addition, I also work with adults and work with an array of disorders, from anxiety, PTSD, depression and relationship issues. I tend to use an eclectic approach to therapy, as it is in my belief that no two clients should be looked at the same. I integrate CBT, DBT and the psychodynamic approach.
And lastly, over the past three years, I have been working with couples and families. I find it fascinating that individuals can have gone through the same event and will interpret the event differently. It has been in my experience that when an outside, unbiased sounding board is introduced, real change can happen.

Amy Burkland

LMHC

It is hard for many to take the step to begin therapy, but it can be so helpful for those who give it a chance. If you have gotten far enough to be reading this – I’m glad! I am not here to judge you or your situation; I am only here to lend an unbiased ear and perspective to help you discover how to empower yourself and/or your loved one on the road to healing. My philosophy of care is humanistic in nature, meaning I want to meet you where you are at and help you decide what the right choices and changes are for you based on your belief system and values, and not anyone else’s. I also believe firmly in the power of relationships, for better or for worse. The relationships we invest in (including the relationship we have with ourselves) have significant power to help us heal, or to tear us down, which is something I can help you assess, reflect on, and repair if desired. I work with all ages and genders, and with individuals, couples, and families. My specialties include women/women’s issues, trauma and its impact on development and the brain, issues related to young adults (13-30), and diagnoses of depression, anxiety, Borderline Personality Disorder, and PTSD.

Suzanne Zanoni

LMHC

I am so excited to be part of the PANR team! For the past four years, I have worked for the Department of Mental Health as a Human Service Coordinator for children and families. In 2018, I became a Supervisor for children and families for the Department of Mental Health. I work with children and adolescents who suffer with mental health challenges and help assist them with services, placements, family dynamics, relationship building, social skills, trauma, substance use, interpersonal relationships, stress management, self-esteem building, neglect, exposure to domestic violence, behavioral issues, and various other challenges. Prior to this position, I worked at the Department of Children and Families as an Ongoing/Assessment Social worker and Investigator for nine years. I was also previously employed as a service coordinator through Family Networks for two years and worked as a service provider to children and families at the Key Program as an adolescent outreach worker. I had the opportunity to further my education at Cambridge College and completed my Masters of Education. I am currently a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Licensed Social Worker Associate (LSWA).

Over the years, I have worked with clients of various backgrounds and circumstances that have led to their involvement with state agencies and the need for intervention. During this time, I have developed strong interpersonal skills and professional relationships with clients and colleagues, including individuals, families, and community groups. I have conducted adolescent groups for young adult girls as well as healthy growing groups for young adult males and females.

I am very passionate about the families and children/young adults that I work with and have a strong desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives. I have been working with children and adolescents for fifteen years, and I believe moving from childhood to adolescents is a very difficult transition in a young person’s life. To be able to support them and help them grow to be successful young adults is a rewarding and remarkable experience. Each person is different and needs to find a treatment modality that works for them to reach their identified goals and help assist them with utilizing their coping skills. Cognitive Behavioral therapy help assist clients with improving emotional regulation and development of personal coping strategies that target solving current problems. I also believe in a flexible person-centered approach to meeting with clients is extremely helpful and lets the client establish their own goals and work towards them at their own pace.

Hilary Clausius

LMHC

I am excited to begin your counseling journey with you! Seeking therapy can be a difficult step, and my goal is to make that step as easily and healthily as possible.

My love for the Boston area never stopped after I graduated from Lesley University in 2016 with my masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. After Lesley, I worked for three years with Advocates Community Counseling in the outpatient division of services. There I gained incredible experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with a wide variety of concerns and needs. After my journey with Advocates concluded, I spent a year in New Orleans, Louisiana providing counseling services to individuals in the Big Easy. Now that I have returned to Boston, I am thrilled to be a part of the PANR team!

I am especially passionate about working with individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, self-esteem, relationship troubles, body image, LGBTQ+, and difficulties related to life transitions. My approach to counseling is primarily a humanistic focus, meaning that my goal is to build a trusting relationship with you as my client without judgment. From there, I will assist you in identifying goals you have for change and utilize multiple modalities to help you achieve these goals. I will be happy to listen and offer perspective that will encourage you to learn so much more about yourself.

Jennifer Huber

LMHC

My name is Jen Huber and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I hold a strong belief in the positive utility of therapy because it has been my experience that no one lives their best life alone. I work to emphasize to my clients that connection has the capacity to engender strength. Life is difficult but it is also beautiful and astonishing. Entrance into therapy consists of multiple transitions, and I will strive to assist you in transitioning from a place of helplessness to hopefulness, and in moving toward experiencing your inner self as a trustworthy source of guidance.

I received my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University in 2018. Since graduating, I have worked as an outpatient substance use counselor, an individual and group based therapist at an adult psychiatric day program, and as an outpatient therapist at a community health organization partnering with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. This variety of positions has exposed me to a range of clinical issues, including but not limited to depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, substance use, OCD, negative body image, relational challenges, grief work, and PTSD/trauma work.

I use a trauma-informed approach to treat individuals and ensure their safety throughout the therapeutic process. I have experience in utilizing Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Substance Use Prevention and Treatment. Additionally, I have become increasingly interested in using storytelling in therapy to assist in reframing the constrained stories that we hold about ourselves that tend to perpetuate a stagnant life experience. I believe in the healing power of the storyline that humans are flawed. The concept of being perfectly imperfect can breathe room for acceptance and allow for the washing away of negative self perception. Humans are flawed and are loved through their mistakes, their failures, and weaknesses.

I am excited to join the PANR team, and I am here to help on issues big or small, new or less so, involving your relationship to yourself, to others, to the ebbs and flows of life.

Brennan Lerner

MA

I am a Master’s level clinician with a degree in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University and an anticipation of independent licensure in 2025. As a trauma-informed psychotherapist, I appreciate how core wounds, and the emotional distress surrounding them, can show up in adulthood and prevent us from living our happiest lives. My focus is on helping individuals to realize their power to feel safe in regulating emotions. In my work, I utilize approaches such as CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), IFS (Internal Family Systems), and SE (Somatic Experiencing), and enjoy the practice of destigmatizing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, thereby assisting my clients in developing self-compassion, a key ingredient for growth and change.

My therapeutic approach is also client-centered and collaborative, meaning we go at your pace which may help you to feel safe in exploring your curiosity into challenging interpersonal patterns or sources of conflict, as well as sharing your most difficult stories. Together, we will find functional regulating resources and coping strategies to manage anxiety, panic attacks, depression, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, as well as PTSD and Complex-PTSD responses. I look forward to getting to know you and helping you on your journey.

Sophia Brown

My name is Sophia and am Master’s level mental health clinician. I graduated from Cambridge College with a Master’s degree in mental health counseling with a focus on trauma. At a community mental health center, I have worked with people ages 14- 75 from a wide variety of ethnic and financial backgrounds. I have experience utilizing Rogerian (person centered/talk) therapy, solution-based therapy, trauma focused CBT, CBT, and DBT.

Nobody is the same, and what works for some may not work for others. My general approach is to work with people to decipher an approach and/or approaches that are most comfortable and beneficial to them. My goal is always to create a safe space where people feel comfortable expressing themselves freely without fear of judgement and the ability to disclose subjects in their own time, without feeling rushed or forced. In doing so, cultivate a trusting therapeutic relationship where life’s many difficulties can be discussed, problem-solved, as well as introducing self-soothing exercises, de-escalation techniques, and other tools to assist in helping navigate life’s struggles and many complexities.