Our Team
Elizabeth Roberts, M.A., LPC
Director, Licensed Professional Counselor
Beth Roberts is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Eastern University, graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis from Capella University, a license as a Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania and is able to diagnose ADHD, anxiety and mood related disorders.
Beth specializes in supporting children, adolescents, and adults as they learn to navigate the world of social related disorders, anxiety, trauma (including ASD specific trauma) and mood disorders to better understand their neurodiversity. Beth’s clientele includes previously diagnosed individuals, as well as, newly diagnosed individuals. Using psychotherapy and CBT to work on flexibility, rigidity, problem solving, coping strategies, and more she helps guide and support her clients through their therapeutic learning. Beth’s primary focus is on teens and adults but has over 20+ years of experience providing comprehensive support to all aged individuals.
Beth’s previous field experience includes co-authoring and co-directing the Wanna Play Program, co-foundering the Exceptional Needs Foundation, and acting as a board member for the Grayson School (a non-profit school designed for gifted students). Additionally, after her daughter was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay and autistic tendencies, she decided to be trained in and administer a home-based program called Son-Rise.
Beth’s approach focuses on the client’s strengths to support and encourage individual growth by learning to create attainable goals. She utilizes research-based interventions to address the skills that are necessary to be successful in all environments, such as at home, school, in the workplace or in the community.
Michelle Martin, B.S.Ed., MSW
Director, Social Worker
Michelle has recently become a co-director of the Social Enrichment Center. Having graduated from Temple University, she is certified in both special education and early childhood education. She earned her Master of Social Work at New England University. Michelle brings a well- rounded and balanced approach to the SEC including her extensive ABA training and skills to support children and adolescents in all environments. Utilizing both behavioral and therapeutic approaches, she supports social, emotional and academic growth. Michelle navigates many aspects of the programming available at SEC with dedication and compassion for all of her clients. She conducts individual and small group social skills sessions, psychotherapy sessions, informative parent and professional consultations, and works directly with school districts for consultations and one on one support. Her interventions meet the unique needs of each client, utilizing evidence-based techniques.
Continuing education and staying up-to-date with the latest research in child and adolescent psychology are essential to enhance her skills and expand her knowledge base. Having worked with children throughout her twenty year career, Michelle brings years of experience to all of her clients. She believes in the power of empathy, active listening, and building a strong therapeutic relationship to facilitate growth and healing. Her ultimate goal is to empower young individuals to overcome challenges, build emotional resilience, and thrive in various aspects of their lives.
Samantha Zajdel, M.S., LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Sam strives to help clients understand and manage dynamic emotions. Sam started her therapeutic journey in 2012, functioning as the head research assistant analyzing the efficacy of CBT treatments for children with ASD and anxiety disorders. Sam graduated in 2013 from Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. Sam has been with SEC since 2013, interning and working with children; she’s received extensive training on neurodiverse individuals during group and individual sessions under Beth’s supervision. During this time, Sam graduated with her Master’s of Science degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and received 3,000 hours of supervised, clinical experience for her license in Professional Counseling in 2022.
Having extensive training in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) from PCOM’s program, Sam works to build clients’ awareness and identification of their thoughts, thinking styles, and internal monologue during sessions. From here, Sam uses her behavioral training to facilitate a client’s development of adaptive responses and behaviors to challenging situations. Simultaneously, Sam facilitates and implements personalized coping strategies, considering the neurodiverse and sensory needs of each client.
Melissa Emmerson, LCSW, HSV
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 5 years of experience. She joined the Social Enrichment Center as a therapist where she is providing individual psychotherapy and facilitating social skills groups. Melissa received her B.A. in Educational Psychology and Linguistics from Swarthmore College in 2011, and went on to earn her Master of Social Service (MSS) from Bryn Mawr College in 2014. After taking time to travel and work on research projects and manuscripts focusing on both social justice and the interconnectedness of micro- and macro- social work practice, Melissa began work in a school as a school social worker. There she provided social and emotional support to K-12 students with diverse needs, including ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, expressive and receptive language disorders, and anxiety disorders. Melissa also gained experience in crisis prevention and intervention, facilitated and engaged in interdisciplinary collaboration to plan and evaluate individual interventions within and outside of the classroom, and partnered closely with parents and students’ outside service providers to support student needs.
In addition to her interest in working with children and adolescents, Melissa completed a certificate program in cognitive behavior therapy and received clinical supervision from social work professionals who have extensive training and experience with play therapy. She is also interested in working with and supporting young adults, as she feels it is integral to gain an understanding of and learn how to support individuals’ needs at different stages of life.
Erica Clark
Office Manager
Erica considers herself a dynamic individual with a diverse range of experiences and a passion for personal growth. With a background in healthcare administration, Erica felt right at home at the Social Enrichment Center as the organization continues to help her hone in on her skills in managing complex systems, coordinating operations, and ensuring the delivery of quality care.
Erica is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in marketing and Human Resources. She is extremely eager to delve into the intricacies of these fields, blending the administrative background with strategic marketing insights and a people-centric approach to HR.
As a mother of two and the oldest sibling of four, Erica embodies responsibility, leadership, and a nurturing spirit. These qualities shine through within her interactions with others, as she strives to create a positive and supportive environment for personal and professional growth. Whether it's streamlining healthcare operations, leveraging insights for self-improvement, or exploring innovative marketing and HR strategies, Erica is always driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact. She embraces continuous learning and growth, seeking to create a brighter future for herself and those around her.
Emily Arleth, B.A.
Individual & Group Therapeutic Facilitator, Undergraduate Internship & Volunteer Coordinator
Emily graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Child Trauma and Play Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University. She is in pursuit of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT). During her time in undergraduate, Emily worked as a Behavioral Health Technician with elementary-aged clients in the home and school settings with a variety of diagnoses including ASD, ADHD, PTSD, ODD, and trauma histories. Simultaneously, Emily worked as a Preschool/Pre-K teacher where she served a classroom of 18 students, many of which had some form of special needs. Emily worked alongside families, community supports, behavioral therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists to ensure her children’s needs were being met with care and compassion.
Emily began interning at SEC in 2022 and was hired as an individual and group therapeutic facilitator in 2023. Emily loves working with children, especially toddler, preschool, and elementary-aged kids. She uses her previous experiences working with special needs populations and current learning in her Master’s program on the intersecting effects of biological, psychological, and contextual factors on developmental outcomes in children. She combines play elements and a strengths-based approach to working with her clients. Outside of her work at SEC, Emily loves animals, plants, food, art, and traveling. Emily also currently serves as the Undergraduate Internship & Volunteer Coordinator.
Wendy Nguyen
, B.A.
Individual & Group Therapeutic Facilitator
Wendy graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and she aspires to get her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy. She started her internship at Social Enrichment Center in 2022 and was hired in 2023 as an individual and group facilitator.
Wendy thoroughly enjoys providing support for people of all ages and backgrounds, but finds a great passion working with kids and adolescents. Her ultimate goal is to help her clients build and strengthen the necessary skills, whether it be social, emotional, or academic, to improve their daily lives as children, young adults, and students.
Currently, as an individual and group facilitator, she leads small group social skills sessions and provides individual academic and social support under professional supervision. She continuously seeks out mentoring and blends a variety of approaches that she has learned in order to best support the clients.
Julianne Brownhill,
OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Juli’s career has spanned a wide variety of adult healthcare settings including Bryn Mawr Rehab and area hospitals, however the past 20 years of her career has been solely focused on providing care to children from birth to age 21. Juli has provided contract Occupational Therapy (OT) services within several area school districts as well as completing independent OT evaluations and consultations for students requiring private school settings. She has been providing OT services throughout Delaware County as a subcontractor to the DCIU for children birth to age 3 to provide coaching support to families in order to educate and empower a family to provide the necessary support their child needs in the home and community settings.
At the SEC, Juli has provided Extended School Year (ESY) support as well as year round OT services within both group and individual sessions. She has completed extensive continuing education and trainings in the areas of sensory processing/modulation and behavior management, visual perceptual and visual motor deficits, self care (ADL’s-activities of daily living) and executive functioning life skills, oral motor/sensory based feeding difficulties, graphomotor (handwriting) and fine motor development, environmental modifications and strategy development, low/impaired vision or hearing, misophonia, and equestrian/hippo therapy. She values being able to collaborate with a child’s family, medical and educational team, in order to ensure carryover and continuity of skills to support a child’s success.
Jaclyn Lisberger, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Jackie, our Speech Language Pathologist, has been working in pediatrics for over 17 years. She attended The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. where she graduated Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and received a B.A. in English as well as a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Science. She continued her post-graduate training at The George Washington University, where she received her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology. She spent her Clinical Fellowship Year in the Rockville, Maryland public school system, and then returned to her roots in Philadelphia. Jackie worked for over 5 years as a Speech Language Pathologist in the Center Based Early Intervention program at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU). It was there that she received her training in Intensive Teaching, utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), with a focus on Verbal Behavior. She utilized this approach in conjunction with other therapeutic techniques to service multiple pre-school and kindergarten classrooms, working primarily with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, speech and language delays, and speech and language disorders.
Jackie has worked at the Social Enrichment Center during summer sessions for the past 10 years and is now working at SEC throughout the year.