SUSQUEHANNA PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Licensed Professional Counselor
Amanda Ruzansky is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Amanda earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. She completed an internship with Susquehanna Psychological Services prior to obtaining her master's degree in Applied Clinical Psychology at Penn State University. Amanda also received a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies for Counseling from Messiah College.
Amanda has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder as well as individuals experiencing adjustment difficulties. Amanda's Humanistic approach to therapy uses compassion and empathy to encourage increased self-awareness, and mindfulness in order to improve the individual's state of mind and change behavior. Additionally, Amanda uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to restructure thoughts and Dialectical Behavior Informed Individual therapy to increase acceptance and distress tolerance skills.
Amanda's clinical interests include depression, anxiety, personality disorders, trauma, human sexuality, and gender issues.
Amanda works in both the Elizabethville and Elizabethtown offices.
Job Titles:
- Founder of SPS
- Licensed Psychologist / Clinical Director / Therapist
Cindy Stauffer is the founder of SPS. She had previously worked as a regional clinical director with NHS (now Merakey) and during that time had developed protocol for various children's programs and trained numerous clinicians on providing trauma informed care, gender responsive services, and play therapy. Cindy has also developed a play therapy program at an orphanage in Guatemala that cares for boys and girls impacted by trauma.
Cindy and her husband opened SPS as Stauffer Psychological Services in 2009. The desire to open the practice stemmed from the awareness of the lack of available services in Upper Dauphin County. Since then, SPS has consistently grown while providing high quality services.
Cindy obtained her Master's degree from Millersville University. She has worked in the field of mental health for 40 years,including as a regional clinical director and in community mental health. She has had extensive training in trauma informed care and adapting treatment to the unique needs of teenage girls. She uses Cognitive Behavior Therapy, various types of treatment for anxiety, Relationship Enhancement, and Play Therapy in her work with both children and adults. Cindy especially enjoys working with parents to help improve the quality of their relationships with their children. Cindy also provides grief counseling.
Ms. Stauffer is the co-author of Girls & Women, Simply Be Your Magnificent Self, Tips to Empower Females with Courage, Confidence and Authenticity. She formerly served on the board of the Autism Society, Greater Harrisburg Area. She remains active in the community in various volunteer capacities.
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Professor at Widener University
- Licensed Psychologist
- PA Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Mindy Reed is a PA Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Social Worker with extensive experience working with children and families. Mindy has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her doctoral dissertation was related to social competence in children with ADHD, for which she was awarded Meritorious Distinction.
Mindy's 30 year-work experience includes school-based social intervention, child welfare, domestic violence, women's reproductive health, outpatient therapy, psychological evaluations, and family preservation. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, an evidenced-based treatment for a wide range of conditions such as PTSD, ADHD, and many others. She provides therapy services to adults, adolescents and children.
Mindy has been an adjunct professor at Widener University since 2001 and has been working with Susquehanna Psychological Services since February 2016. Her volunteer service includes hospice, Susquehanna Service Dogs and Relay for Life.
Jessica Hill started with SPS in January 2019. She obtained her master's in social work degree from West Chester University. Jess is currently fulfilling the requirements toward becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Jessica works with children, adolescents, and adults. She uses a flexible approach and tailors her clients' treatment to meet their needs. Ms. Hill is especially skilled in applying Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT) strategies to help the people she serves learn to help themselves. She also uses strengths-based approaches such as motivational interviewing. Jess is well trained in Child Centered Play and Filial therapies. Other areas of interest include grief work and women's issues.
Jessica loves her three cats and spending time with her daughter. She also enjoys reading, being outdoors and spending time at the beach.
Jessica works in both the Elizabethville and Elizabethtown offices.
Julie works some full days and late afternoon/evenings answering phones, filing, billing and completing other duties that help keep the office running smoothly. She offers a warm greeting to all who come to SPS. Julie enjoys camping, spending time with family and riding motorcycle. She especially enjoys baking and loving her dogs!
Lilly is a regular visitor to SPS. You can expect an excited greeting from her when you arrive at the office.
She is quite fond of attention and many days has trouble leaving the waiting room to attend a session. While she spends most of her time in Cindy's office, you will find her frequently tapping on another therapist's door to say hello. Her favorite spot is the special playroom where many children have noticed teeth marks in some plastic toys. Yes, Lilly from her younger days, is the culprit.
Lydia has been with SPS for many years. She usually works one or two nights a week at the reception desk, after her full time job. She is the friendly presence for many of our evening visitors and helps with greeting, billing, filing and answering phones. Lydia loves spending time with her niece, family and friends. She also enjoys crafting and tending to her houseplants. In her spare time, Lydia sometimes treats herself to a little shopping.
Shelley Dreibelbis has been the Office Manager for Susquehanna Psychological Services since 2009.
Shelley oversees the operations of the SPS offices including client billing, accounts receivable, and scheduling.
When you arrive for your appointment at SPS, you will be greeted by Shelley who will happily answer any questions you may have about your account or scheduling your next appointment.
Sherwood earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Penn State University and his Master of Science degree from Shippensburg University. He has worked in the mental health field his entire career, with his experience spanning from direct care to administration.
Sherwood has worked in State and community hospitals, as well as being in private practice as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. He has served as Director of an outpatient mental health clinic and as Executive Director for a large community mental health center. For many years, Sherwood worked as a Regional Director for one of the largest human services providers in the country.
Sherwood's interests are in business management and quality improvement. He also has a strong technical background in the implementation of electronic medical records and computer management of information.
Stephanie Hoover obtained her master's degree from Slippery Rock University in school counseling. She has 25 years experience as a middle and elementary school guidance counselor and currently works for Halifax School District. She also works part-time with SPS as a therapist and facilitator of Randi's Kidz Club, a group for children who have been exposed to domestic violence. Stephanie is trained in the JARS (Justice, Autonomy, Restoration and Safety) Curriculum, Domestic Violence Intervention, and Aggression Replacement Training.
Stephanie is quite busy in her spare time as the owner and founder of Appalachian Kayak Rental & Shuttle. She also cares for adopted horses. Stephanie is a firm believer in the benefit of outdoor activity for stress relief and mental health.