Dr. Allison Pisapia

I received a doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from the Institute of Graduate Clinical Psychology at Widener University, with concentrations in Family Therapy and Health Psychology. My undergraduate degree is from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. I have worked in a variety of settings and gained considerable experience in a diverse range of clinical issues. As a former preschool teacher, I have extensive experience in working with children and have conducted a program that taught relaxation and stress management to children at Swarthmore-Rutledge Elementary School. I have also provided therapy to children and families in an out-patient setting at Central Montgomery Mental Health/Mental Retardation Center, the Preschool Intervention Program, Community Treatment Solutions, and Child Guidance Resource Centers, and in an in-patient setting at Crozier-Chester Hospital. In addition, I have treated adults at West Chester University's counseling center, Central Montgomery MH/MR Center, and the Eating Disorders Unit at The Belmont Center. I am licensed as a psychologist by the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology and belong to the American Psychological Association.

• I am a generalist and treat patients of all ages (starting at three years old) with all kinds of problems including depression, stress, and relationship problems.
• I enjoy working with young children, including preschoolers, and have worked in preschools both as a teacher and as an in-house clinician.
• I believe that everyone, including children, has stress and that it is essential that coping skills are taught at a young age so that the detrimental effects of stress are not experienced later in life.
• I understand that getting pregnant is not always easy and that the path to parenthood can be emotionally draining. Supportive therapy can be extremely helpful to people who are dealing with infertility. I first became interested in this topic while in graduate school and researched it intensively while writing my doctoral dissertation on this issue. In addition, I have worked as a volunteer for Resolve, a national infertility support organization.
• I treat individuals and families who are experiencing sadness, anxiety, relationship problems, behavior problems, grief, or who need support following the diagnosis of a psychological or medical problem.