“I believe collaboration is the key to helping each patient achieve their highest level of wellbeing.”

Some of my prior roles include Penn Medicine Department of Psychiatry outpatient clinic and Robin Lowey & Assoc., where I served as a psychotherapist treating patients individually. Prior to relocating to Philadelphia, I served as the Director of Behavioral Health with the Cincinnati Health Network implementing trauma-informed, collaborative care to provide evidence-based psychotherapies for patients within a primary care clinic environment.

I also served as director of the Outpatient Clinic at the Trauma Recovery Center at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center. There, I worked with Veterans helping them with the challenges of posttraumatic stress and co-morbid mental health issues.

I have over 18 years’ experience as a psychotherapist treating trauma-related disorders. I specialize in evidenced-based treatment protocols including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Motivational Enhancement Skills (MET), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Training (DBT) skills.

I’m a published authority who has co-authored several research studies related to the effectiveness of treating trauma-related disorders and providing trauma-informed care. I regularly speak on the topics of trauma, trauma-informed care, and PTSD. In 2014 I was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Cincinnati School of Social Work. I have a master’s in social work and B.A. in art history and philosophy from the University of Cincinnati.

Taking the next step

You can make an appointment with me by using our online portal at any time or by emailing info@abetterlifetherapy.com. Our team will be happy to support you in finding an appointment time that works for you! I provide appointments at our Center City offices along with providing therapy via telehealth. I can provide online therapy to people living in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

My rate per 50-minute session is $200

LANGUAGES SPOKEN:

English

I WORK WITH…

Adults

Couples

Adult Families

SPECIALIZATIONS:

Substance Use, Addiction, & Recovery

Attachment

Family Dynamics 

Relationships

Trauma

Family of Origin Insights

Grief & Loss

TRAINING & EDUCATION:

University of Cincinnati

School of Social Work, LISW-S, MSW

B.A. in Art History & Philosophy

Certifications and Training:

Beck Institute of Cognitive Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills (DBT)

Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)

Motivational Interviewing Therapy (MI)

Present Centered Therapy (PCT)

Professional Memberships:

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies – ISTSS

Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapies - ABCT

National Association of Social Workers – NASW

Awards:

University of Cincinnati, School of Social Work Alumni of the Year Award, 2014

Cincinnati VA Medical Center –Star Award – 2011, 2008

Ohio River Valley Clinical Social Work Society– “Rising Star” Award, 2007

Publications:

McIlvain, S. M., Walter, K., Chard, K. (2012) “The effectiveness of CPT-C in a residential treatment setting with an OEF/OIF veteran with PTSD and a history of severe TBI: A case study.” Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 375-382

Robertson, J., McIlvain, S., Karol, D. (2018, December). “Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Improves Viral Suppression for Disparity Populations.” Poster presentation at the National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment, Washington D.C.

Monroe, J.R., Bailey, G., McIlvain, S., Chard, K., & Rowe, C. (2017, November). “Residential treatment of veterans with PTSD and history of traumatic brain injury.” Poster presentation at the 33rd  Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Chicago, IL.

Chard, K. M., Schumm, J. A., McIlvain, S. M., Bailey, G. W., and Parkinson, R. B. (2011) “Exploring the efficacy of a residential treatment program incorporating cognitive processing therapy-cognitive for veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injury.” Journal of Traumatic Stress, Vol. 00, No. 0, 2011, pp. 1–5

For more information e-mail info@abetterlifetherapy.com.