Student Symposium

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Join us on Friday, November 7th, 2025 for our second-annual Student Symposium! 

 

The Touchstone Foundation will host our Student Symposium: A Peer-to-Peer opportunity to learn about the professional and personal journey towards a license (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LMFT) in the Mental Health field at IU13 in Lancaster, PA. As we continue our mission in elevating the mental wellbeing of youth and children in Lancaster County, this event will foster a community of support for students exploring careers in the mental health field.  

Our goal is for students at each level of education to connect and learn from each other, building a community of support and practice towards a clinical license in the mental health field. This dynamic Student Symposium is centered on mutual education regarding the journey towards becoming a licensed mental health provider, such as a therapist, counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, and more. High school students, undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates are all welcome to attend.   

Registration includes lunch!

At the event you can expect to… 

  • learn about the career opportunities in the mental health field  
  •  connect with potential mentors   
  • apply for available job opportunities, internships, and placement opportunities 
  • learn about the educational and licensure process 
  • gain valuable insight about local community mental health resources 

 

Table Fair: Internships, Careers, and Resource Sharing! 

Our table fair will serve as a space for community partners to connect with Symposium Attendees to share information related to job opportunities, internship programs, community events, and mental health resources throughout Lancaster County. If you or your organization would like to join us as a table attendee, please click here to learn more and register!  

Registration includes lunch and a gift!

At the event you can expect to…

  • learn about the career opportunities in the mental health field 
  •  connect with potential mentors  
  • apply for available job opportunities, internships, and placement opportunities
  • learn about the educational and licensure process
  • gain valuable insight about local community mental health resources
 
 

             Panel for Student Symposium

          We welcome you to sign up to participate as a panelist for a small
         group breakout session. We encourage you to share your first-hand
       knowledge with students who are interested in learning from you about
       your recent experience. We encourage our current and past scholarship
                        and fellowship participants to serve as panelists.

                               Breakout panelist sessions will focus on:

  • Undergraduate students in mental health career majors (social work, psychology, nursing, pre-med, sociology, education, etc.)
  • Graduate students in mental health fields (social work, psychology, nursing, medical school, education, etc.)
  • Recent Graduates (recent master’s degree, doctoral degree,
    etc.) Licensed Mental Health Providers (LSW, LCSW, LPC, MFT, LMFT,
    Psych-NP, PsyD, DO/MD, etc.)
  • Specific modalities of treatment
  • Serving specific populations

     

Sign up as a panelist !

Our Panelists: 

Sierra McNeill

Accordion Content

Sierra McNeil, MSW, is a dedicated social worker focused on promoting awareness of underrepresented groups and driving system change. As Director of Workforce Development, she addresses the behavioral health workforce crisis in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania. She has contributed to the update of PA Crisis Regulations, the 988 Advocacy Coalition, and crisis system mapping efforts. Sierra currently serves as NASW-PA President and previously sat on the NASW National Board. She led NASW-PA’s Social Justice Committee, founding a peer support group for Black female social workers. Sierra is passionate about improving mental and behavioral health care for all.

Karen Bramley

Accordion Content
Karen, is a behavioral health professional with over 25 years of experience in direct care and leadership, joined Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital as Director of Social Services. Previously with Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, she brings expertise in strategic planning, program development, and clinical outcomes. Committed to providing trauma-informed, evidence-based care, Karen holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Millersville University, a Master’s from Temple University, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and certified trauma-informed professional. She is dedicated to serving the Lancaster community and improving access to quality behavioral health services.

Blessing Lapp

Accordion Content
Blessing Laap is a Licensed Social Worker and a graduate of Lancaster Bible College with a background in outpatient medical case management and community work with adults with autism. She specializes in working with adolescents (15+), young adults, and adults, utilizing therapeutic approaches such as DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, CBT, Systems Approach, and Narrative Therapy. Faith-based therapy is available upon request. Blessing’s areas of focus include anxiety, depression, trauma, adoption, relationships, stress, and life adjustments.

Jackie Palm

Accordion Content

CLINICAL SPECIALIST AND PRIMARY COUNSELOR, BLUEPRINTS FOR ADDICTION RECOVERy

Jacquelyn Palm serves on the Access Committee and supports clients in addiction and mental health recovery at Blueprints for Addiction Recovery. She has worked as a counselor at the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute and held roles in restaurants, mental health insurance, and billing. Jacquelyn has served on ethics and trauma-informed care committees and participated in Touchstone Foundation programs. A Mental Health Careers Scholarship recipient, she earned her Human Services degree from Elizabethtown College in May 2024.

Tamra Miller-Spence

Accordion Content
Tara Miller-Spence has been working in the mental health field since 2014, supporting individuals, adults, and teens with a variety of issues. Her therapeutic approach is eclectic, incorporating EMDR, CBT, Family Systems, Mindfulness-Based, Person-Centered, trauma-focused, and attachment theories. Tara is also a trained Doula from Family Trees Doula School, passionate about guiding parents through the journey of pregnancy and childbirth. She emphasizes communication and values to ensure a strong therapeutic fit. Tara integrates holistic healing into her practice, focusing on the mind, body, and spirit, and works with clients who are motivated for change and value shared human experiences.

Elena Roth

Accordion Content
Elena is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who holds master’s and undergraduate degrees in social work, graduating with High Honors from the Phi Alpha Honor Society. With over 16 years of experience in human services, Elena specializes in working with children and adults through various life transitions. She is certified in Sexual Abuse Trauma by the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and acknowledged by the National Center for Crisis Management. Her specialties include depression, anxiety, trauma, sexual abuse, parent/child conflict, and boundary-setting. Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Elena’s bi-racial, cross-cultural background enhances her ability to serve diverse populations.

Valerie McNicholl

Accordion Content
Valerie McNicholl has nearly 20 years of experience as a therapist, supervisor, and manager in community mental health and substance abuse treatment. She employs a strengths-based approach and uses interventions such as DBT, CBT, ACT, and Motivational Interviewing. Valerie works with diverse clients facing mental health issues, addiction recovery, and life stressors, believing that therapy can guide individuals on their unique paths to healing. Originally from Schenectady, NY, she moved to Pennsylvania in 2013. Valerie holds an undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and a graduate degree from the State University of New York.

Doug Anderson

Accordion Content
Doug Anderson is dedicated to helping individuals with sexual addiction and unwanted sexual behaviors, offering a non-judgmental space for open exploration. He also works with clients dealing with other addictions, couples, and young adults, and provides spiritual Christian-based counseling upon request. Doug uses an integrative, client-centered approach, employing techniques such as emotionally-focused therapy (EFT), psychodynamic methods, and mindfulness practices to address each person’s unique needs and support lasting change.

Dr. Sarah Haas

Accordion Content
Dr. Sarah Haas is deeply passionate about working with children and teens with ADHD and anxiety. She finds fulfillment in helping these kids recognize their potential and achieve success by altering their thinking, feelings, and environments. Dr. Haas observes that many youth with ADHD also experience anxiety, fearing impulsive actions and negative feedback. Her motivation stems from a desire to boost self-esteem and provide the encouragement often missing from their lives. As she notes, “There are not many times we are told ‘YOU are an amazing person’ or that we deserve to be celebrated.” Dr. Haas aims to be a supportive advocate, celebrating and affirming each individual’s strengths and worth.

Emily Tangert

Accordion Content
Emily Tangert supports individuals managing painful emotions, trauma, depression, anxiety, and the complexities of pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood. She utilizes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients understand, accept, and regulate their emotions, offering practical coping skills. Emily employs trauma treatment approaches like EMDR, Attachment-based Therapy, and Trauma-Informed Yoga, tailoring them to each person’s needs. She creates a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment, believing in everyone’s inherent capacity for healing. Emily emphasizes that “the therapy relationship is a partnership where you, as the expert in your life, guide our journey toward your goals” while embracing change and growth.

Anne Beecher

Accordion Content
Anne Beecher, with a strong desire to support adolescents, will be joining the Teen Hope Program as a Screening Team Member. She holds a psychology degree from Indiana University South Bend and a master’s in social work from Temple University, and is pursuing a master’s in clinical psychology at Millersville University. Anne has experience in the child welfare system, including residential treatment, foster care, and adoption. She has also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and contributed to expanding psychosocial programs for pediatric cancer families at Penn State Health, including a parent support group and mentor program.

Erika Snitzer

Accordion Content
Erika, a master’s level counseling student in her final year at Adler University, has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and art therapy from Meredith College, where she graduated summa cum laude. She is interested in working with adolescents and adults, using a holistic, collaborative approach to foster self-awareness, personal growth, and resilience. Erika engages clients with genuine curiosity and a non-judgmental stance, helping them navigate relationships, life transitions, self-esteem, grief, and finding meaning. She values continuous learning and alternative modalities like art therapy and meditation. Erika believes, “Everything I have learned informs the work I do today, and I believe I am a better clinician because of my curiosity and willingness to try new things.”

Sarah Jones

Accordion Content
Sarah Jones has over 20 years of experience in mental health, higher education, and K-12 schools. She holds a Ph.D. in Counseling and Student Personnel Services from the University of Georgia and has clinical experience with various age groups and families. Currently a pre-licensed counselor at Samaritan Center, she is pursuing licensure in Pennsylvania. Sarah approaches counseling from a constructivist perspective, using person-centered techniques to build trust and affirm LGBTQIA+ identities. She is open to working with individuals navigating both expected and unexpected transitions.

Tajah Lewis

Hannah Kisiel

Ryan

Accordion Content

Ryan is a practicing licensed professional counselor (LPC) focusing on clinical mental health and substance use disorders with individuals, couples, families, and groups. He is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) and formerly a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CSTOP). When not teaching in Immaculata University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, you can find Ryan working with and mentoring students to become the best counselors they can be while supporting students who wish to pursue doctoral degrees.

 

“Licensure can be a very overwhelming process for most people.  From the cost of private supervision, to finding a supervisor who is going to push you enough to advance your skills, dealing with imposter syndrome, finding time to meet the licensure requirements, and then you need to complete all of the paperwork for licensure application.  When it was my time to start the licensure process, I was surprised with how little people knew about the licensure procedures and what a license would do for me.  All of these experiences led me to providing supervision for pre-licensed counselors to help them to be the best counselors possible, but also to understand the licensing process so that they can be of service to others who are starting the licensure process.  While it is not difficult to obtain a license, knowing all of the ins and outs of the process can be the part that is overwhelming to most.” 

                    Community Partners

Click here to register today !

Want to join us as a Community Partner?

Send an email to Intern@touchstonefound.org for more information

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