About Us

Show All •
Anna Baumgaertel • Merle Berman • Debby Bierschwale • Gillian Blair • Suzanne Daub • Brewster Fay • Sheri Fay • Laurie Friedlander • Elizabeth Frumin • Mary Ellen Goetz • Institute for Relational Psychoanalysis of Philadelphia • Marius Popii • Ruby Salazar • Colleen Schoenhard • Annie Steinberg • Tracey Tumolo •

Anna Baumgaertel, M.D.

Anna Baumgaertel is a Developmental-Behavioral pediatrician and has just joined “The Bridge” after serving in the Division of Child Development and Rehabilitation at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and holding a clinical faculty position in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to that she served as an attending and faculty member in the Child Development Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tn. Dr. Baumgaertel received her medical degree from the Free University in West Berlin and completed her postgraduate training in Pediatrics and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics in Brooklyn NY. She first practiced general pediatrics in Brooklyn, but has been practicing exclusively developmental-behavioral pediatrics for 20 years. Dr. B. is Board Certified in Pediatrics and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics. She sees children from infancy through adolescence for the entire range of developmental problems, with focus on autism spectrum disorders, and ADHD, with special interest in anticipatory guidance, early diagnosis, and integrative approaches to developmental disorders. Her focus is on autism and ADHD, with special interest in anticipatory guidance, early diagnosis, and integrative approaches to developmental disorders.

Merle Berman, L.C.S.W.

Merle Berman, a licensed clinical social worker, provides individual, marital and family therapy. She has experience working with a broad spectrum of issues. Merle began working with adolescents and their families thirty years ago. She helps adults who have experienced traumas due to childhood abuse and domestic violence, utilizing her training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and EMDR. Additionally, Merle has an interest in religious and ethnic identity and provides consultation to interfaith couples and families throughout the lifecycle.

Debby Bierschwale, Psy.D.

Debby Bierschwale is a licensed Clinical Psychologist who joins The Bridge as a private practitioner after 10 years as a faculty member at West Chester University’s Counseling Center. She is experienced at helping people overcome depression, anxiety, self-destructive behaviors, relationship and family concerns, as well as successfully negotiate life transitions, such as graduation from college, entering married life or becoming a parent. She focuses on bringing about recovery and healing from traumatic life events, even if the trauma occurred long ago. Two other areas of specialization are group counseling and imparting awareness of the powerful connection between mind and body. Debby’s experience is far reaching with respect to what leads someone to seek therapy as well as particular concerns regarding diagnosis and critical next steps. Whatever it may be, she is confident that she can bring greater clarity and well being to the person with whom she works.

Gillian Blair, Ph.D.

Gillian Blair is a clinical, developmental and forensic psychologist until recently on the faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She co-directed the Juvenile Justice Program of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia between 1999 and 2006. Previously, she was in private practice in Tennessee and an adjunct clinical faculty member of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She received her training at the University of London and Vanderbilt University, with a doctoral degree in both developmental and clinical psychology, and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. Her clinical practice is primarily involved in working with children, adolescents, adults and families, experiencing change. In addition, she provides psychological testing services, particularly to those involved in the legal and child welfare system.

Suzanne Daub, L.C.S.W.

Suzanne Daub is a licensed clinical social worker who has provided individual, marital and family therapy for over twenty years. A highly interactive therapist, Suzanne helps to strengthen relationship and communication skills, and to bring creativity and flexibility to the process of solving life’s difficulties. She views psychotherapy as an opportunity to work with feelings and problems in a non-judgmental manner, without fear of rejection, and in complete confidentiality. In addition to providing individual, marital and family therapy, Suzanne also specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). She also provides clinical consultation and supervision to other therapists. Suzanne received her clinical training at Smith College School for Social Work and at The Family Institute of Philadelphia.

Laurie Friedlander, Psy.D.

Laurie Friedlander, Psy.D. has practiced as a psychotherapist for over 20 years, specializing in family therapy. She spent several years as the Regional Clinical Director of American Day Treatment Centers, a partial hospitalization program, currently affiliated with the Main Line Health system. Previously, Dr. Friedlander provided family therapy services to at-risk, low SES populations in central Pennsylvania. Dr. Friedlander has lectured extensively on issues related to effective parenting practices, behavioral disorders in adolescents, and school refusal. After completing her doctoral degree in psychology in 2000, Laurie focused her attention on raising her own young family while completing her post-doctoral internship as the staff psychologist for St. Joseph's University. Laurie Friedlander is currently specializing in individual and family therapy, bereavement counseling and cognitive-behavioral therapies for anxiety and depression.

Brewster Fay

Bruce Fay, Ph.D. now works in the field of life/work design. He is the person to talk to before you write your resume. What are the greenhouse conditions in which you thrive? Using an evidence-based process which may include in depth look at life stories, 360 measures, personality and career assessments, Bruce facilitates an uncovering of unique talents, passions, values and preferred working/living conditions and how one can best use these to serve. Bruce has worked at the Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute and Philadelphia Psychiatric Center; he has spent many years in a private clinical practice, and consulted actively with the Salvation Army and The Spirited Workplace. He has also served on the Advisory Council of Booth Maternity Center, was chairman of a local Boy Scout troop, vice president and speaker chair for NAMI PA Main Line and has served on local church councils as well. Bruce has worked at many local institutions as a clinician and consultant, as well as volunteered on numerous local boards.

Sheri Fay

Sheri Fay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been in practice for nearly 15 years. She spent many years in social services before starting her own practice, treating children and their families suffering from abuse, trauma, abandonment, severe stress, and neglect. She received specialized training in Play Therapy and Sand Tray Therapy while in Graduate School in California and was a Behavior Specialist within the Philadelphia School District, providing behavior management assistance to teachers and families. In addition to her work with children, Sheri also works with adults facing depression, anxiety, postpartum issues, relationship issues, and those navigating life's transitions. She specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and is also an AAMFT Approved Supervisor in Training, providing supervision to therapists seeking Pennsylvania State licensure.

Elizabeth Frumin, M.A., M.Ed., M.S.S., D.S.S.

Dr. Rev. Elizabeth Frumin has worked as a therapist in the field of psychotherapy, addictions therapy and therapeutic movement for over 25 years. She teaches in a doctoral program in peace studies. As a minister, mediator and coach she supports people in creating a life of fulfillment and meaning. The services she provides include individual and group counseling, life rituals (weddings, baby blessings, funerals, ceremonies of loss and personal expansion), spiritual support, and dance therapy. Elizabeth brings a kindness, honor and compassion to her clients for the healing of memories and past trauma, and for nurturing peace and fellowship with oneself and others.

Mary Ellen Goetz, Psy.D., ATR-BC

Mary Ellen Goetz is a licensed psychologist and board certified masters level art therapist. Dr. Goetz began as an art therapist in 1982, practicing in varied clinical settings including Head Start Early Intervention Center, Hahnemann Hospital, Belmont Center, Renfrew, and Keystone Addiction Treatment Center. Dr. Goetz became a licensed psychologist in 2000 and began a private practice in which she treats individuals and groups; her growing interest in the treatment of adolescent girls inspired her to begin an adolescent group for girls who come from families with addictions. Dr. Goetz uses the creative arts to help her client’s identify conflicts which otherwise stays beneath the surface; combining traditional psychotherapy and art therapy to help clients identify feelings and thoughts not readily accessible through verbal therapy. Dr. Goetz served on the faculty at Hahnemann University and Marywood College.

Marius Popii, M.D.

Marius Popii is an Adult and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. After completing Adult Psychiatric training at the University of Chicago he trained in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Popii is board certified in Adult Psychiatry as well as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and is also a certified family therapist. Dr. Popii practices in Narberth where he sees adults, children and adolescents for individual therapy and medication management. He is also a staff psychiatrist at Devereux Kanner, a center of treatment for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities, mental retardation and autism and at the Center for Autism in Philadelphia where he evaluates and treats children and adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders. Dr. Popii specializes in evaluating and treating a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders including autistic spectrum disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and ADHD as well as affective disorders, anxiety and trauma.

Ruby Salazar, L.C.S.W, BCD

Ruby Salazar is a child and family psychotherapist who has worked with children and families for over thirty years. She is on the faculty of the Interdisciplinary Council for Developmental and Learning Disorders, Marywood University, Keystone College, Touchpoints Program, Infant Mental Health Programs with the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, Inc., New York and Napa County Health and Human Services. Ms. Salazar is a national and internationally known mentor, trainer, and program developer, offering care based on individual developmental strengths and challenges; she participated in the original taskforce which created DC:0-3 for The National Center for Clinical Infant Programs (now Zero to Three), Touchpoints training for Neonatal Intensive care Unit and Normal Newborn Care, as well as special needs children and the Interdisciplinary Council for Developmental and Learning Disorders workgroup.

Colleen Schoenhard B.of Music, R.Y.T.

Colleen Schoenhard is a Registered Yoga Teacher at the Advanced Level with the Yoga Alliance and has taught yoga,meditation, and related workshops since 1986. She has studied for many years at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and Omega Institute among others. She has been on the staff of The Yoga Garden in Narberth teaching since 1996. Colleen inspires her students to work wherever they are, feel empowered, relaxed, focused, and experience the divine within. Her classes give a complete workout inside and out,leaving students feeling whole and recharged. She has a special interest in empowering girls/ women, artist's , musicians, therapists and cancer survivors. The power of yoga and meditation to bring integration and creativity into lives never ceases to amaze her. Another powerful thing in Colleen's life is music; she is an experienced violinist: teacher and performer nationally and internationally. She offers private and group lessons, which seek to balance excellent technique with the joy of music making. The study and playing of music can be profoundly integrating and joyful, improving one's sense of well-being. She is married with two teenagers.

Annie Steinberg, M.D.

Annie Steinberg is a pediatrician and child and adolescent psychiatrist with clinical faculty appointments in the Department of Psychiatry at The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She worked for 19 years at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), formerly Philadelphia Child Guidance Center, and served in both the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Division of Child Development and Rehabilitation in the Department of Pediatrics. More recently, her practice is located in Narberth, at schools for children with special needs, and at Milestones in Glenside, PA. Dr. Steinberg has completed additional training in adolescent medicine, forensic psychiatry, pediatric forensic psychiatry, and is board certified in four areas: Pediatrics, Adult Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry. Her clinical areas of specialization include trauma, vulnerability, resilience and childhood disabilities. Over the past fifteen years, she has specialized in diagnostically challenging and complex neuropsychiatry.

Dr. Steinberg works in forensic adult, child and adolescent psychiatry, with a special emphasis on post traumatic disorders; abuse, neglect, sexually reactive youth; attachment disorders; and family, education, mental health, and disability law. Since 2002, Dr. Steinberg has conducted sessions and seminar series for Family Court Judges in the City of Philadelphia, focusing on the mental health and developmental issues of childhood and adolescents, and believes that time spent with Family Court Judges is both extremely gratifying and high impact.

Tracey Tumolo, B.F.A.,

After 20 years as an art director in the flag & banner industry, Tracy decided to open Sweet Mabel in her Grandfather's Barber Shop in Narberth, PA. She was driven by her love for folk art and a desire to create a welcoming gallery filled with colorful fun art. Since kids were naturally drawn to the whimsical nature of her store, she decided to add workshops, which quickly grew more popular than the space available. She is excited to expand into the Bridge and will be offering Found Object Art Classes and parties for kids and adults.

Institute for Relational Psychoanalysis of Philadelphia

The Institute for Relational Psychoanalysis of Philadelphia is a four year psychoanalytic training program concentrating on relational approaches to psychoanalysis and intensive psychotherapy. Local faculty, as well as nationally renowned relational analysts, provide supervision and teach their courses. It is the hope and intent of this institute to provide an educational experience of genuine rigor and excitement and, through the analysis and supervision, an emotional experience of great depth and intensity. It is also the Institute’s wish to make training feasible and practical, to prepare therapists to be analysts in the 21st century, responsive to personal and professional contexts of candidates' lives, given that psychoanalytic work now engages different treatment modalities, frequencies of session, and different sets of difficulties in living. If interested in this training program, contact David Mark.