Meet Our Staff

Sabra Abboud, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist
Specialist in Neuropsychology

Dr. Abboud is a licensed psychologist trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a genuine, supportive and goal directed approach.  She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) in 2010 and is the owner of  Yorlan Psychological Associates, which has been in business since 2012.  She also completed a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Millersville University in 2002, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology/biology from York College of Pennsylvania in 1994.  Dr. Abboud has over twenty years of professional experience working in the mental health field and specializes in general clinical psychology, neuropsychology, concussion management, PTSD, addictions and postpartum depression.

Additional training includes a one year doctoral residency at Lancaster General Hospital (LGH) department of Behavioral Medicine and Neuropsychology in 2007.  Postdoctoral training was completed at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Department of Sports Medicine, where she worked directly under the developers of ImPACT, a nationally recognized screening for concussion in athletes.  Dr. Abboud is a certified ImPACT consultant, and is trained at a postdoctoral level by UPMC in interpreting ImPACT results and providing concussion management.  Additional postdoctoral training was completed at Behavioral Healthcare Consultants, where she conducted neuropsychological evaluations for four years before pursuing private practice.

Professional affiliations include the American Psychological Association (APA), Pennsyvania Psychological Association (PPA), and the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN).

Margaret Swartz, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Swartz has been a therapist for over twenty years. She has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).  She has been intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) techniques, and earned her certificate in DBT from the National Certification and Accreditation Association (DBTNCAA). She began her education at Alfred University’s New York State College of Ceramics where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in Ceramic Art. As an undergraduate an interest in therapy was sparked. While maintaining an interest in both art and therapy, Dr. Swartz earned a Masters in Creative Arts in Therapy from Hahnemann Hospital Creative Arts program (now Drexel University). She completed her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2008.

Dr. Swartz provides therapy to patients with depression and anxiety disorders and her experience of practice also includes work with patients who have experienced trauma in their lives. She has been engaged in preventative wellness approaches that complement weight loss and the development of healthy habits of living. She has co-lead groups in an educational CBT focused weight loss program titled LEARN and she is a facilitator for the “I Can Challenge” of Aligning Forces for Health program. In more recent years Dr. Swartz has incorporated mindfulness practices into her work to assist people to develop more effective skills to cope with the stresses of life. She works with primarily with adults.

Sherry Richards, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Sherry Richards is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in the York community as a psychotherapist for seventeen years.  She completed her undergraduate studies at Towson State University and her Master’s degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work.  Sherry spent her early career working at Sheppard Pratt Hospital, in both inpatient and outpatient settings, serving adults with schizophrenia.  In addition, she has worked with individuals suffering with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, trauma, women’s issues, divorce & separation, and step-family struggles.  She is also GLBT friendly.  Sherry works mainly with adults (18 and over), and utilizes a cognitive behavioral approach (CBT), along with dialectical behavioral techniques and acceptance and commitment therapy strategies.

Sherry’s primary specialty is working with overeating, emotional eating, and binge eating.  She has led very successful support and educational groups, which are frequently utilized by local bariatric and medical weight management specialists.  Group members learn how to manage emotional and binge eating, increase use of appetite and fullness signals, explore mindful eating skills, and develop new healthy eating habits.

Marlene Spark, M.S.

Certified School Psychologist

Marlene Spark has over thirty years of experience as a school psychologist in the public school setting at Southern York County School District and Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12.  Her experience includes completing psychoeducational evaluations and supporting students in grades K-12 who manifest a wide variety of cognitive, neurological, learning, and emotional needs.  She has significant experience in the field of special education and disabilities, including serving as Acting Director of Special Education Services for the district, supervising 7 internships and 4 practicum experiences of currently active School Psychologists, and acting as a district member/liaison to the Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12 Special Education Advisory Council.

Mrs. Spark has been a certified as a School Psychologist by the Pennsylvania Department of Education since 1977.  She also holds the Professional Development Certificate in Autism/ Advanced Training in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Penn State University and the Pennsylvania Department of Education Bureau of Special Education (2003).  Mrs. Spark began her education at Lebanon Valley College where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in Psychology with an area of interest in Education.  She received her Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Psychology from Millersville State University.

Phyllis Holliman, M.S.

Certified School Psychologist

Phyllis Holliman joins Yorlan Psychological Associates after working for 37 years in public education. She began her career as a School Psychologist in the Prince William County School District in Manassas Virginia where she worked for 18 years. Mrs. Holliman then moved to York Pennsylvania and began working as a psychologist for the LIU #12 preschool program. She moved to the Southern York County School District in 2000 where she resumed her school psychologist role and practiced for 15 years. Her experience includes completing psychoeducational evaluations and supporting students in preschool through grade 12 who manifest a wide variety of cognitive, neurological, learning, and emotional needs. She has also supported families by providing parent education. She is a certified “Trainer of Trainers” in the parenting program “Living with Ten to Fifteen Year Olds” developed by the University of North Carolina.  She has extensive experience in the field of special education and disabilities. She has provided many district wide trainings in the area of disabilities with specialties in Autism and ADHD. She has also supervised the training of many intern psychologists and practicum students both in PA and VA. In addition to her role as a school psychologist Mrs. Holliman has been an adjunct professor at Wilkes University for the past 10 years teaching and developing curriculum for their Pennsylvania Department of Education Autism endorsement graduate study program. She has also been an adjunct professor at York College of Pennsylvania where she has taught Cognitive Psychology and Introduction to Psychology for the past two years.

Mrs. Holliman has been a Nationally Certified School Psychologist by the National Association of School Psychologists since 1979. She has also held certification as a School Psychologist by the states of Virginia (1979-1997) and Pennsylvania (1997-present).  She also holds the Professional Development Certificate in Autism/ Advanced Training in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Penn State University and the Pennsylvania Department of Education Bureau of Special Education (2003).  Mrs. Holliman has also completed the course endorsement curriculum for Board Certification in Behavior Analysis from Penn State University (2010). Mrs. Holliman began her education at West Virginia University where she graduated Cum Laude in Psychology with an area of interest in Autism.  She graduated Cum Laude with her Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology from George Mason University.

Marsha Charles, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Marsha is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over eighteen years of experience in biofeedback, psychological testing and relaxation therapy.  She also holds a certification as a psychometrician and is comfortable working with a variety of conditions within behavioral health.  She specializes in the evaluation of anxiety, headaches, chronic pain, sleep issues, stress management and anger management.

Amanda Wentland, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Amanda Wentland is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She began her education at The Pennsylvania State University earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, later earning a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology from Millersville University. Amanda is a certified Clinical Trauma Professional who works with a variety of ages providing individual, group, family, and couples counseling. She has experience delivering services in home, school, community, and private practice settings. Areas of clinical expertise include depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, relational conflicts, and mood disorders. Amanda utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Based techniques, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution Focused Therapy.

Jay Essif, M.S.

Licensed Psychologist

Jay Essif, M.S., is a licensed psychologist with over 45 years of experience working in private practice, crisis intervention, public mental health and social service, and youth development centers. In addition to earning a Master’s Degree in Psychology and a PA License in Psychology, he trained at the Family Therapy Institute of Washington DC and spent an additional year on their staff as a therapist. He was born and raised in Carbondale, a small coal-mining town in northeastern PA, and for two years lived in Queens NY where he attended 3rd and 4th grades, before returning to Carbondale. Family, friends, neighbors and companion animals play a significant part in his life.

Mr. Essif engages clients in active collaboration. He makes use of clients’ personal strengths and resources of family (including companion animals), friends, and community in order to interrupt patterns of anxiety and depression. He offers strategies to help people better their relationships even in couples where only one member of the couple is willing to participate.

Dave Kunkel, M.S.

Licensed Psychologist

Dave is a licensed psychologist with over thirty years of experience providing psychotherapy to individuals age sixteen and older. He completed his undergraduate degree in psychology at York College of Pennsylvania and his Master’s degree in clinical psychology at Millersville University in 1987. He has been a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania since 1991, working with individuals experiencing a variety of issues including anger problems, depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD, substance abuse and couples issues. He utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches to most benefit the needs of the individual.

Dave is a Certified Anger Management Specialist II and a Fellow in the National Anger Management Association. Since 2004, he has led one of the first anger management groups in the county. This ten week program is for both men and women age 18 and older who want to reduce the impact of problem anger in their lives. Self-referred and court-referred individuals are welcome to contact Dave directly at [email protected] for more information.

Karen Weitzner, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Weitzner is a licensed psychologist. She graduated from the University of Maine in 1989 with her Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She has been practicing for 30 years within a variety of clinical settings. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. Dr. Weitzner works with adults both individually and as couples. She works with people who experience various struggles such as anxiety and depression. She has a special interest in LGBT concerns. Her approach as a therapist is integrative and holistic. Clients may address thinking, emotions, behaviors, occupational, physical, spiritual and/or existential functioning. Clients may decide to work with Dr. Weitzner on unresolved emotional struggles that go back to experiences earlier in life. Dr. Weitzner’s work with clients may be short term or long term depending on the nature and severity of presented issues and what the decided goals are. Work is completed in the service of increasing a sense of inner peace and the possibility of having healthy, loving and more satisfying relationships with others.

Katherine Weber, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Katherine Weber is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked in Central Pennsylvania for 20 years. She began her career as part of a team that was instrumental in developing the first organization in Texas dedicated to providing medical, legal and mental health services in one location to victims of violent crime including child sexual assault. She has experience providing outpatient services in both community mental health services and private practice.

She works now with adults over the age of 18 using a combination of therapies and lifestyle changes that make a positive impact on client success in personal growth. She works in the areas of trauma with law enforcement, veterans and victims of crime, grief, depression, anxiety, also issues specific to couples, women and LGBTQ.

She completed her undergraduate studies at Stephen F. Austin State University and her Master’s degree from the Texas A & M University system.

Licenses/Certifications: National Board Certified Counselor, Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor, Texas Licensed Professional Counselor, TEAM-CBT Level 1 Certification, EMDR Level 1 Certification