About The Highlands

Our practitioners offer a range of experience, treatment approaches, interests and specialties.

Audra Hixson(814) 238-1880 (819)

Education/Training

M.S. Walden University

Credentialing

Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor

Populations served

Individuals, College students, Adults

Specialties

Anxiety, Life transitions, Grief and loss, Relationship issues, Recovery from trauma, Identity issues, Self esteem, Mindfulness and Well-being, Health Issues, Family of origin issues

Treatment Approach

I approach counseling from a strength based, empowerment model.  I am respectful of the experiences, skills and self knowledge you will bring to our sessions.  Counseling is a unique process that varies based on a variety of factors, such as the counselor and client as individuals, and the particular strengths, challenges and issues you bring forward.  I will take a holistic approach and utilize a variety of counseling methods to assist you with the challenges you hope to address.  I often use mindfulness based approaches along with trauma informed practices in working to assist adult clients with their personal growth

Jill Hranicka(814) 238-1880 (804)

Education/Training

Psy.D., Nova Southeastern University

Credentialing

Licensed Psychologist

Populations served

Individuals, Families, Adolescents, College students, Adults, Athletes

Specialties

Anxiety, Depression, Eating disorders, Life transitions, Grief and loss, Relationship issues, Recovery from trauma, Body image, Self esteem

Treatment Approach

I work from a Relational Cultural theory approach, valuing the therapeutic relationship, and working together with clients to better understand their presenting concerns from the perspective of their relationships with others and cultural context.  I believe that feeling disconnected (interpersonally, intrapersonally, and emotionally) can lead to maladaptive coping/emotional distress, and I work together with clients to create more connection with self, others and emotions.  I am integrative in my approach, drawing from cognitive behavioral, gestalt, experiential techniques to help facilitate desired change.  I am honored to do the work I do, and am collaborative and compassionate in my approach.

Megan Hutchens(814) 238-1880 (818)

Education/Training

M.S. The Pennsylvania State University

Credentialing

Licensed Professional Counselor

Populations served

Individuals, Couples, Adolescents, College students

Specialties

Anxiety, Depression, Life transitions, Relationship issues, Recovery from trauma, Identity issues, Self esteem, Mindfulness and Well-being, Family of origin issues

Treatment Approach

I enjoy empowering girls and women, helping them improve their self-esteem and self-confidence.  I want them to find their own voices, enabling them to be advocates for themselves.  I also enjoy working with couples on strengthening their bond and improving their emotional connection.  I draw from several treatment modalities, including psycodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, mindfuoness, strengths-based approaches, parts work and others.  I utilize a whole-body approach and help clients recognize how all aspects of the person function together and are equally important.  I emphasize the importance of learning to manage stress.  I recognize the most important factor in effecting change is the therapeutic relationship, and I strive to provide a safe, comfortable environment where my clients feel heard and understood.  I believe that anyone who has the desire to change can do so.  I want my clients to lead more meaningful and healthier lives.

Joyce Illfelder-Kaye(814) 238-1880 (Ext. 812)

Education/Training

Ph.D, The Ohio State University

Credentialing

Licensed Psychologist

Populations served

Individuals, College students, Adults

Specialties

Anxiety, Depression, Relationship issues, Women's issues, Identity issues, Mood disorders, Cross-cultural/diversity issues

Treatment Approach

I believe that people come to therapy because there are aspects of their lives that are not working for them, and they are looking to make a change.  Sometimes people are not sure what that change should be.  I believe that therapy can provide a place to explore a person's strengths, what is working and what is not working in one's life, and to contemplate change.  That exploration can best take place in the context of a relationship that provides safety, support and some challenge, as well as an understanding of the contextual factors that are contributing to the current situation.  An exploration of the past and what one has learned from past experiences can often help to inform this process, and I am open to that exploration as well.

Gina LaFrazza(814) 238-1880 (816)

Education/Training

Psy.D, Georgia School of Professional Psychology

Credentialing

Licensed Psychologist, National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology

Populations served

Individuals, Couples, College students, Adults, Athletes

Specialties

Anxiety, Depression, Life transitions, Grief and loss, Relationship issues, LGBT/sexual orientation issues, Gender identity issues, Recovery from trauma, Women's issues, Identity issues, Cross-cultural/diversity issues, Men's Issues, Sexuality, Health Issues, Chronic and Terminal Illness, Family of origin issues

Treatment Approach

Clients describe my therapeutic style as empathic, accepting, and genuine.  I work to stay close to clients' affect and here-and-now experience.  I'm transparent, supportive, and challenging.  I believe firmly in the resilience of people and their ability to make difficult changes through active therapeutic work. I approch most therapy cases with a two-pronged strategy which includes generating and implementing strategies to offer symptom relief, as well as working to identify and modify root causes for a client's presenting concerns. I work within an integrative and eclectic therapy model.  My style is most influenced by psychodynamic, humanistic/existential, and feminist theories. although I use techniques from many different approaches.  I believe no two clients are the same, and therefore therapy works best when I tailor my approach to each individual. I have an enduring respect for my clients and I feel continually honored to share in their stories. I live life with the same passion and intensity I utilize in my work.  I value time, honesty and acceptance.  I've lived in large cities and small towns up and down the east coast.  I love warm weather, exercise, time with family and friends, dark chocolate, travel, and dogs.  

Cynthia L. MacNab(814) 238-1880 (Ext. 807)

Education/Training

Ph.D, The Pennsylvania State University

Credentialing

Licensed Psychologist

Populations served

Individuals, Couples, College students, Adults

Specialties

Anxiety, Depression, Life transitions, Grief and loss, Relationship issues, LGBT/sexual orientation issues, Recovery from trauma, Dissociative disorders, PTSD, Mood disorders, Cross-cultural/diversity issues, EMDR, Chronic and Terminal Illness, Family of origin issues

Treatment Approach

Most people seek psychotherapy because they feel the need to make some changes in their lives. I believe that positive change takes place within the context of a safe, supportive therapeutic relationship. As we explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in therapy, my role is to help you reflect upon your experience, so that you can gain self-understanding and begin to experiment with more adaptive ways of being. My approach to psychotherapy is informed by ideas and techniques from a number of schools of thought including humanistic, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, internal family systems therapy. and I try to tailor my approach to the needs of each person. I will facilitate referrals for medication when appropriate.

Mary K. McClanahan(814) 238-1880 (Ext. 810)

Education/Training

Ph.D, The Pennsylvania State University

Credentialing

Licensed Psychologist

Populations served

Individuals, Couples, College students, Adults

Specialties

Anxiety, Depression, Eating disorders, Grief and loss, Relationship issues, LGBT/sexual orientation issues, Gender identity issues, Recovery from trauma, Women's issues, Cross-cultural/diversity issues

Treatment Approach

I approach therapy from a collaborative, strengths-based perspective. We work together to assess the current struggle: where it comes from; what’s worked in the past that isn’t working now; and what options you have to address it. I provide a warm and supportive environment with the goal of empowering clients to be active in their own therapy. While I’m flexible in my approach depending on the specific concern, my beliefs about human nature and change have been most influenced by existential and feminist theory: The first emphasizes recognizing our choices so as to create the most authentic, meaningful life possible; the second acknowledges that power and privilege play out across a number of societal elements (gender, race, ethnicity, ability status, sexual orientation and gender identity, socio-economic status). I also incorporate cognitive-behavioral strategies when useful.

Janet E. McCracken(814) 238-1880 (Ext. 808)

Education/Training

Ph.D, The Ohio State University

Credentialing

Licensed Psychologist

Populations served

Individuals, Couples, College students, Adults

Specialties

Anxiety, Depression, Eating disorders, Life transitions, Grief and loss, Relationship issues, LGBT/sexual orientation issues, Gender identity issues, Recovery from trauma, PTSD, Caregiver fatigue, Retirement planning, Women's issues, Identity issues, Mood disorders, Supervision and training, Cross-cultural/diversity issues, Work stress, EMDR

Treatment Approach

People often seek therapy because they are looking for support, guidance, and an objective viewpoint. My goal is to help clients see themselves within the context of their environment and find answers to difficult life questions. My sense is that clients thrive in a warm, safe, and vibrant space that allows them to meet challenges, reach personal goals, and expand the way in which they live. As I discover what fit is right for each client, I draw from the theories and philosophies including interpersonal, humanistic, feminist, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.  I offer both individual and couples therapy; couples therapy with a male co-therapist is an option.

Wendy J. Moran(814) 238-1880 (Ext. 806)

Education/Training

Ph.D, The Pennsylvania State University

Credentialing

Licensed Psychologist. National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.

Populations served

Individuals, Couples, College students, Adults

Specialties

Anxiety, Depression, Life transitions, Relationship issues, LGBT/sexual orientation issues, Recovery from trauma, Women's issues, Mood disorders, Cross-cultural/diversity issues, Work stress

Treatment Approach

My approach to psychotherapy relies heavily on building a strong, collaborative relationship between myself and the person I am working with. I work to provide a warm, supportive environment for people to identify and address the challenges before them. I think about problems and patterns from an existential/gestalt perspective and use interpersonal, cognitive, and psychodynamic concepts and strategies to foster understanding and change. I help people become aware of their patterns of thinking, feeling and interacting and help them find alternatives to these patterns. Finally, I strive to approach people from a holistic perspective that embraces their strengths as well as their challenges, that explores the context of their lives, and that encourages people to see themselves with awareness, compassion and acceptance.

Jill Susan Morgan(814) 238-1880 (Ext. 805)

Education/Training

Ph.D, Duke University

Credentialing

Licensed Psychologist

Populations served

Individuals, Couples, Families, College students, Adults

Specialties

Anxiety, Depression, Eating disorders, Grief and loss, Relationship issues, LGBT/sexual orientation issues, Recovery from trauma, Dissociative disorders, PTSD, Caregiver fatigue, Women's issues, Mood disorders, Supervision and training, Cross-cultural/diversity issues

Treatment Approach

I believe that the past influences the present and that many of the issues that people bring to therapy have been informed by painful relationships and experiences that occurred earlier in life. I think that struggling with past and present grief, disappointment and loss in the context of a safe, nurturing and challenging therapeutic relationship is central to the work of therapy

Julie A. States(814) 238-1880 (Ext. 820)

Education/Training

Ph.D, West Virginia University

Credentialing

Licensed Psychologist

Populations served

Individuals, Couples, College students, Adults

Specialties

Anxiety, Depression, Life transitions, Grief and loss, Relationship issues, LGBT/sexual orientation issues, Gender identity issues, Recovery from trauma, PTSD, Women's issues, Identity issues, Mood disorders, Supervision and training, Cross-cultural/diversity issues

Treatment Approach

I view therapy as a collaborative process whereby I will work with you to identify and meet your treatment goals. I work from an eclectic approach, utilizing a variety of techniques best suited to individual needs. I highly value the therapeutic relationship and work to establish an environment of safety and mutual trust. Within this context, you will be asked to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviors in an effort to increase self-awareness and identify avenues for growth.