Our Team

At Pathways For Change, Children's Counseling Center, we have the resources you need, when you need them. This includes all of our in-office services and, when indicated, reaching out to our vast network of referral sources for services such as, psychological testing, tutoring, psychiatric consultations, and more!

We have what you need, and all with the individualized, caring, personal attention you and/or your child deserve. You will get a personal approach to your treatment program, have a connection with your therapist, and feel right at home being a part of our practice. This is our promise to you!

Jodi Merril, MA, LMFT

Jodi Merrill is a licensed marriage and family therapist in both Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and has been in private practice for over 17 years. Jodi focuses her practice in two areas, marriage counseling and one on one counseling with adolescents, teens and young adults.

Marriage Counseling

Jodi can help you improve your marriage, your communication skills, improve intimacy In your relationship, and stop your thoughts of ending your marriage. An investment in marriage counseling is a personal commitment and can change your life, and give you the life-long relationship you desire. Jodi believes that her true expertise in helping couples achieve satisfying relationships comes from first-hand experience. She and her husband have been married for more than 25 years.

Individual counseling for Adolescents, Teens and Young Adults

In addition to marriage counseling, Jodi specializes in working one on one with adolescents, teens and young adults.

In 2019, one in five children ages 3-17 had a reported mental , emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The recent pandemic sees these numbers rapidly increasing.

Jodi has an ability to make trusting connections with adolescents and young adults, which provides great outcomes and goal achievement. Jodi enjoys supporting this population, both in office, and via teletherapy when the student is away at school, or unable to make it into the office. Many issues are addressed including, but not limited to, the following:

• Relationships with parents

• School problems

• Peer & relationship difficulties

• Self Esteem

• Life goals/direction

• Transitions from high school to college or career

• Increasing organizational skills, prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines

• Stress

• Anxiety

• Depression

• ADHD

• And many others

Working with Jodi will increase your child’s positive behaviors including curiosity, affection, positivity, resilience, persistence, emotional regulation and self control.

Lana Darlington, LCSW

Lana is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Lana began her counseling career while living in Ukraine. She was graduated in 1996 from South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University with a master's degree in School Psychology. She worked as a psychologist at Odessa's Maritime Academy in Ukraine providing individual and group cognitive behavioral therapy to maritime cadets. Lana emigrated to the United States in 2002 and in 2008 completed her master's degree in Social Work from Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania.

In the United States, Lana has been working with teens and adults in both outpatient and inpatient settings treating trauma and severe mental illness. She also volunteered as a Disaster Mental Health professional for the Red Cross for two years providing support to families who experienced tragic events such as home fire or flood.

Lana is a seasoned professional with an integrative approach derived from years of training and experience. She assists people in straightening personal coping skills for management of anxiety, depression, bipolar and psychotic disorders. Implementing new elements of brain-wise approach, she helps her clients to explore distortions of their personal narratives, ineffective patterns of decision making and cycles of emotional collisions. Integrating a combination of Positive Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Emotional Freedom Techniques and Cognitive Processing Therapy, Lana helps clients restore a healthy mind-body connection.

Lana also believes strongly that guiding clients in the practice of the three Cs of assertive communication skills: confidence, clear, and calm, significantly enriches their lives and steers them to enhance positive interactions in their families. In session, Lana implements role play techniques while coaching adolescents, young adults and single parents in the use of powerful assertive communication skills.

Lana offers online telehealth appointments. If you would like to schedule an online appointment with Lana, just call our office and we will get that scheduled at your convenience. Lana provides services in English as well as in Russian.

Lana is accepting new clients in our 401 Chestnut Street Emmaus office. Please call 610-928-1097 ext. 1 to schedule.

Stacy Gilligan, LPC

Stacy Gilligan, MS, is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania, earning her Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Kutztown University.  Prior to her work in the counseling field, Stacy received a Master’s Degree in Sociology from Lehigh University and spent many years doing research at Lehigh on families, abuse, and resiliency. 

Stacy has worked with all age groups and especially loves working with children and adolescents. Her experience with children and adolescents includes treating anxiety, depression, anger, gender dysphoria, attachment disorders, trauma, family issues, suicidal ideation, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and behavior issues at school. When working with children Stacy uses play therapy and has a goal for the near future to become a certified play therapist.  Working with teens is very rewarding, and the main reason Stacy chose to become a therapist, wanting to help teens navigate this stage of life. 

Other experience of all age groups includes marriage counseling, anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, abuse, bereavement, childhood trauma, anger management, self-esteem, ADHD, and adults on the spectrum.

Stacy is a non-judgmental therapist, practicing client-centered therapy, putting the client first. Like Carl Rogers, Stacy believes people are essentially good and healthy, and always in the process of changing and growing, and with encouragement the client should become self-aware and interested in fulfilling their potential.  She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, play therapy, and Family Systems as her main treatment modalities.

When Stacy is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, 6 kids, and 2 dogs. Stacy is accepting new patients in our 403 Chestnut Street office. To schedule an appointment please call, 610-928-1097 ext. 1

Courtney Calderon, LPC

Courtney Calderon is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her Master of Education from Lehigh University. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology from DeSales University. During her time at Lehigh, Courtney presented at two national conferences and spent time researching gender-based violence and child development.

Courtney thrives in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and women in the perinatal and postpartum phase. Courtney is experienced with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief/loss, divorce-related difficulties, blended families, and emotion regulation. Courtney has worked as a school-based therapist, outpatient therapist, and clinical supervisor of a community mental health clinic. Courtney has facilitated anger management groups for children, adolescents, and court-ordered adults as well as an anti-bullying group for young girls. Courtney has also partnered with the Allentown Police Department for Crisis Intervention Team Training.

Courtney uses a variety of modalities in her work, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy and Child-Centered Play Therapy. Courtney values building a strong rapport with her clients and creating a safe holding space for clients to express their most difficult emotions without judgement.

When Courtney is not working, she loves spending family time with her husband, two daughters, and bonus son. Courtney incorporates the Montessori-method in raising her own children and believes in the importance of fostering independence in children from infancy. Courtney loves spending time exploring nature and relaxing at the beach.

Courtney is now accepting new clients and offers both telehealth and in-person appointments in our 14 N. 4th Street Emmaus office. Call 610-421-6873 to schedule.

Shelly Steiner, LPC

Shelly Steiner is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Pennsylvania.  She also holds certifications in Trauma, Anxiety and Addictions counseling.  Shelly received her masters degree in Clinical Psychology and Counseling from Chestnut Hill College with her undergraduate degree in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice from Moravian University.

Shelly’s approach is Person Centered as she blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness, Strength and Solution Based therapy.  She has over 20 years of experience working with adolescents and adults in both the mental health and substance use disorder areas.

Shelly’s experience working with individuals that society has forgotten, giving them the respect and dignity they deserve while guiding their journey has given her a better perspective into human behavior. She enjoys working with people and cheering them on as they become empowered to succeed in their lives. Working together to develop goals leading to improved health and lifestyle manageability is key to recovery. She uses a relaxed calming approach, while listening intently, asking questions and developing communication skills to help guide the patient on their path to wellness.  

Shelly is accepting new patients in the 403 Chestnut Street Emmaus office.  She offers in person appointments and online telehealth appointments as needed.. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Shelly,  please call 610-928-1097 ext 1

Francesca Picca, LPC

Francesca Picca is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania. She completed her undergraduate in Psychology at Susquehanna University, and her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Kutztown University. She has been working in the field for four years. 

Francesca, or Fran, has experience working with individuals of all ages, with a large amount of her experience centered on work with children and adolescents. She has experience helping clients address mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma and grief. 

Fran often utilizes an eclectic approach, as she believes that all clients have different needs and respond best to different approaches, but draws primarily from her experience utilizing an eco-systemic family based model. This incorporates trauma-informed care with an attachment based family therapy. She also draws upon experience utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Fran believes in a strength based mode of therapy, and that it is her job to ally herself with the client and their family to help create a safe space where they can grow and develop as human beings. 

When she is not working, Fran enjoys spending time with her husband and her cat, Riku. 

Fran is currently accepting new clients at the 14 N. 4th Street, Emmaus location. She is accepting both in-person and tele-health visits. To schedule an appointment call 610-421-6873

Shannon Colgan, LPC

Shannon Colgan is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania. Shannon completed her Master's degree in School Counseling and her Undergraduate degree in Clinical Psychology with minors in both Professional Writing and Women and Gender Studies. During her time at Kutztown University, she worked closely with the LGBTQ Resource Center and Women's Center focusing on social justice, inclusivity, and body positivity. 

Shannon has extensive experience with individuals and families from all walks of life, but specializes working with children, adolescents, and young adults. Shannon has experience working with clients with a wide range of mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, ADHD, self esteem, trauma, and life transitioning. 

She believes meeting people where they are at by utilizing person-centered and collaborative style of therapy to create an empathetic, warm, and nonjudgmental safe space. Shannon uses play therapy techniques to help kiddos with expectations, communication skills, and finding tools that can help set themselves up to be successful. She focuses on approachable and useable solutions to promote advocacy and self autonomy for ones own mental health. 

Shannon is currently accepting new clients in our 14 N. 4th Street office. Call to schedule 610-421-6873

Brendan Barca, LPC

Brendan Barca is a license-eligible counselor in Pennsylvania, and a Nationally-Certified Counselor. He received his Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Delaware Valley University in 2021 with a focus in Social Justice and Advocacy. Brendan has experience working with both adults and adolescents in a variety of settings including schools, outpatient counseling, and counseling in residential and community milieus alike. Brendan's experience includes working with clients suffering from anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, family dynamics, and more. He is a client-centered counselor utilizing a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focused on mindfulness, being aware of thoughts, feelings, and emotions and learning from them; untangling anything unhelpful and building up the healthy cognitions. Brendan incorporates mindfulness-based interventions to encourage clients to come into their body and be present with themselves. Clients should expect a warm, understanding, and passionate counselor who is ready to build a partnership with clients to cultivate strategies in navigating whatever they may be experiencing.

Brendan is currently accepting new clients at  our 14 N. 4th Street Emmaus office. He also offers telehealth appointments when clinically appropriate. To schedule an appointment with Brendan call 610-421-6873

Courtney Santos, LPC

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania. I completed my master’s degree in Professional Counseling at Grand Canyon University, and completed my undergraduate degree in Clinical Psychology at East Stroudsburg University. I also completed the Family Based training program and received a certificate in Eco-Systemic Family Therapy. I work with children starting at age three on up through adult.

I have experience working with all age groups, but specialize in working with children, adolescents and young adults.  I have experience treating anxiety, depression, anger, grief/loss, trauma, family functioning, suicidal ideations ADHD, social skills and behavioral issues occurring at school. I have worked as a school-based therapist, outpatient therapist and family-based therapist.

I utilize an eclectic, but primarily person-centered approach as I believe each client has different needs and responds best to various approaches. I use different modalities including, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Child-Centered play therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, Trauma-Focused therapy, and Eco-Systemic Family Based Model.

I believe meeting people where they are at, building strong rapport, creating a trusting, non-judgmental environment for clients and working collaboratively is important in the therapy process.

Courtney is accepting new clients in our 403 Chestnut Street office. To schedule with Courtney please call, 610-928-1097, ext 1.

Erin Sullivan, MA, LPC, NCC

Erin Sullivan, MA, LPC, NCC is a licensed professional counselor and nationally certified counselor who earned her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University. She has an undergraduate degree in Human Services with a minor in Psychology from Pennsylvania College of Technology.

During her last 4 years in the counseling field Erin has been a mental health therapist as well as a Partial Hospitalization Program Director where she excelled in working with individuals with more severe mental health concerns.

Erin has experience working with many age groups but excels in working with children, adolescents and young adults who present with anxiety, depression, suicidality, trauma, self-harm, panic attacks, eating disorders, hyperactivity, impulsivity, anger, aggression, and behavioral concerns.

In her therapy sessions, Erin utilizes a diverse mixture of modalities and believes that collaboration is vital in the process of change. She values the importance of building rapport with others and making them feel safe and secure during their most vulnerable moments. More specifically, Erin utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy which she feels is the perfect blend of modalities to help clients reach their full potential and successfully achieve their goals.

Erin is accepting new clients in our 403 Chestnut Street office. To schedule with Erin, please call 610-928-1097 ext. 1.

Kayleigh Kromka, LPC

Kayleigh Kromka is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and an Art Therapist. Kayleigh is one of our in-school therapists, providing individual counseling to students who request these services in the schools we work with.