Allyson Graves, MA, ATR
PHP Lead Therapist
Allyson Graves holds a Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University in California. She began her studies at Arcadia University in Pennsylvania, where she received a Bachelors in Psychology, with a concentration in Art Therapy. While at Notre Dame de Namur, Allyson engaged in a full year of clinical practicum with the San Francisco Veteran’s Administration’s Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC). During this time Allyson helped Veterans with dual diagnoses both in groups and in community integration.
In conjunction, Allyson completed a thesis with a concentration on community art making and increasing social connection. Allyson has also had experience working with at-risk youth in an art therapy setting, and providing respite care to families with children on the Autism spectrum.
Since completing her master’s degree, Allyson has worked as a therapist with Seeds of Hope Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient programs in Center City, Philadelphia. Allyson prides herself on encouraging a safe space for clients, as well as a sense of community. Allyson believes when you feel like you belong, you feel like you can be your authentic self, and this is where the work begins. Allyson hopes to bring an empathetic heart to her clients, and allow them the space to heal and grow.
Melissa Mitchell, MA
PHP Therapist
Melissa Mitchell holds a Masters of Social Work from University of Pennsylvania. She began her studies at Florida State University, where she received a Bachelors in Social Work. While at University of Pennsylvania, Melissa engaged in a full-year clinical practicum with The Light Program, working with the Intensive Outpatient program for young adults. She also worked as a dissertation research assistant, exploring the attachment relationship between children and therapy dogs in clinical work.
Since completing her master’s degree, Melissa has worked primarily in community mental health with a variety of client populations. Initially working as a therapist in a program for LGBTQIA+ folks, Melissa gained a working knowledge of terminology and awareness of providing informed mental health treatment for clients from this community. Melissa also provided individual counseling in a more general setting, having the opportunity to work with children and adolescents with diverse diagnosis and backgrounds. There, Melissa focused on creating a safe environment to process and heal from their challenging experiences in order to develop a more positive view of themselves and the world.
Melissa is currently a therapist with the Seeds of Hope Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs in Center City, Philadelphia. With her background in trauma-informed mindfulness-based therapy, Melissa strives to provide a safe and accepting environment for clients to engage in the recovery process. Melissa hopes to help her clients foster self-kindness and develop coping skills that build a sense of confidence and strength. In this process, Melissa brings a great deal of empathy to both the clients and their support systems, in an effort to promote healing in all aspects of the client’s life.
Gioia DiMicco, MPS
IOP Therapist
Lauren Walega, RD, LDN
Dietitian/PHP and IOP