Advisory Board

Sheetal Parikh OTD, OTR/L, CAS, is an Occupational Therapist with 19 years of experience working with children and adults in a variety of settings and with a variety of diagnoses. In the last 14 years, Dr. Parikh has primarily worked in the school setting with children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sensory processing disorder (SPD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), genetic disorders, neurological disorders, and developmental delays. Dr. Parikh has also worked in a pediatric medical day care, adult rehabilitation hospital, acute care hospitals, sub- acute rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and home care.

Dr. Parikh is the founder and owner of SPOT Therapy, LLC, a company that specializes in providing Occupational and Physical Therapy services in public and private schools. Dr. Parikh is also an adjunct professor in the Masters and Doctorate Occupational Therapy programs at the University of the Sciences (USciences) in Philadelphia, PA.

Lane Pederson, PsyD, LP, C-DBT, has provided Dialectical Behavior Therapy training and consultation to over 8,000 professionals in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Mexico. A real-world practitioner, Dr. Pederson co-owns Mental Health Systems, PC (MHS), one of the largest DBT-specialized practices in the United States with four clinic locations in Minnesota (www.mhs-dbt.com). At MHS Dr. Pederson has developed Dialectical Behavior Therapy programs for adolescents, adults, people with dual disorders, and people with developmental disabilities. He has served as clinical and training directors, has directed practice-based clinical outcome studies, and has overseen the care of thousands of clients in need of intensive outpatient services.

Dr. Pederson’s Dialectical Behavior Therapy publications include: The Expanded Dialectical Behavior therapy Skills Training Manual, 2nd Edition (PPM, 2017); Dialectical Behavior Therapy: A Contemporary Guide for Practitioners (Wiley, 2015); and Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training in Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment Settings (PPM, 2013).

Notable organizations he has trained for include Walter Reed National Military Hospital, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Ontario Psychological Association, and Psychotherapy Networker. Dr. Pederson currently serves on the advisory board for the doctorial counseling program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and is a peer reviewer for Forensic Scholars Today.

Amy Pershing, LMSW, ACSW, is the Founder of Bodywise, the first binge eating disorder (BED)-specific treatment program in the United States, founded in 1995. She is the Director of Pershing Consulting, which offers training to clinicians treating BED around the world. Amy is also the creator of "Hungerwise™," a 9-week program for ending chronic dieting and weight cycling using the Attuned Eating And Movement approach, offered nationally online. Based on over 30 years of clinical experience, Amy has pioneered a treatment approach for BED that is strengths-based, incorporating Internal Family Systems, somatic trauma techniques, Attuned Eating and Movement, and a Health at Every Size philosophy. Amy lectures internationally and writes extensively on the treatment of BED and her own recovery journey for both professional and lay communities. She has been featured on radio, podcast, and television speaking about BED treatment and recovery, relapse prevention, weight stigma, and attuned eating and movement. She is a founding member and Past Chair of the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA), and is the winner of BEDA's Pioneer in Clinical Advocacy award. She is the author of the book Binge Eating Disorder: The Journey to Recovery and Beyond as well as many articles and chapters about BED treatment and advocacy.

Lisa Weed Phifer, D.Ed., NCSP, CYMHS, is a nationally-certified school psychologist, certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, and author who has a well-established career supporting school-based mental health and social emotional learning for children and adolescents. Phifer's work has focused on integrating cognitive-based therapy (CBT) and core social emotional competencies into practical, child-focused activities. She has presented across the U.S. and internationally to educators, clinicians, and parents, on topics of CBT, trauma-informed practices, and social emotional learning. She is the lead author of the CBT Toolbox for Children & Adolescents (PESI, 2017), Parenting Toolbox (PESI, 2018) and the Trauma-Informed Social Emotional Toolbox for Children & Adolescents (PESI, 2020). Additionally, she is published in the School Mental Health Journal and contributed to both editions of Supporting and Educating Traumatized Children (Rossen, 2020).

Catherine M. Pittman, PhD, HSPP, is a professor of Psychology at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN. Dr. Pittman is the author of the popular book Rewire Your Anxious Brain: How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to End Anxiety, Panic, and Worry. She has a background in cognitive behavioral therapy, neuropsychology, fear-conditioning research, and treated anxiety-based disorders in clinical practice for over 25 years.

Catherine’s experience makes her uniquely qualified to provide a clear understanding of neuroscience and how that informs the selection and application of successful anxiety treatment strategies. She regularly presents workshops at national conferences and national webinars on anxiety treatment, and is an active member of the Public Education Committee of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

David M. Pratt, PhD, MSW, is a New York State Licensed Psychologist with 40+ years’ experience working with children, adolescents and families. Dr. Pratt is in private practice at the Western New York Psychotherapy Services in Amherst, NY and a trainer with PESI, Inc. He is presently on faculty with the University at Buffalo, School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education and a member of New York State, Office of Mental Health Advisory Board on Evidence-Based Treatments for Youth. He was the Principal Psychologist at the Western New York Children’s Psychiatric Center, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University at Buffalo and Adjunct Professor/Lecturer, University at Buffalo Counseling, School and Educational Psychology department.

Dr. Pratt has conducted numerous trainings in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at local, state, national and international forums. He is the author of CBT Toolkit for Depressed, Anxious and Suicidal Children and Adolescents (PESI Publishing, Inc., 2019) and Advanced CBT Toolbox for Children and Adolescents: Promoting Resilience, Positive Emotions and Personal Growth (in press, PESI, Publishing, Inc.).

Karen Pryor, PhD, PT, DPT, ND, CH, CFPS, CPRCS, has practiced for 40 years in the field. Dr. Pryor is an international speaker and owner of Health Sphere Wellness Center, an integrative therapy clinic in Jasper, TN. Involved with orthopedic, chronic pain patients, she developed neuroplasticity techniques that are used in a wide variety of settings including orthopedic hospitals, out-patients clinic, home health, assisted living centers and nursing homes, to advance neurological-orthopedic programs. She is an author of a book teaching Neuroplasticity techniques. Dr. Pryor serves on several boards, including the Tennessee State University Physical Therapy School and Nashville State Community College. In 2010, she received the President's Volunteer Service Award for her contributions to advanced treatment by President Barack Obama. In addition to her pioneering neuroplasticity work, Dr. Pryor has served as an adjunct professor at Tennessee State University Occupational Therapy School, and Volunteer State Community College Physical Therapy Assistant program. She is a clinical instructor for several universities and colleges. With her years of experience and passion for complete wellness, Dr. Pryor advances a more expansive view of how to integrate therapy throughout the lifespan by using neuroplasticity techniques.