Center for Personal & Professional Development

Maura Koob is a doctoral student at Chestnut Hill College’s Clinical Psychology program. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College in 2021 where she majored in Psychology and minored in Religious studies. She recently attained her master's in Clinical Psychology from Chestnut Hill College (2023). Maura currently teaches Developmental Psychology in the Master’s for Clinical and Counseling Psychology at Chestnut Hill College.

Maura’s previously provided treatment for trauma, anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD, relationship issues, and stress at a community mental health practice. Maura also trained at a private practice for testing and assessment where she primarily tested both children and adults for ADHD, autism, and other mood disorders. Maura has experience working with children, young adults, and older adult populations in various settings. Her clinical interests include relationship issues, self-esteem in relation to ADHD, coping with stress, anxiety, imposter syndrome, and perfectionism. 

Maura works from a relational and supportive therapy psychodynamic lens. Maura is also interested in incorporating various facets of multicultural and diverse identities into treatment. 

Dr. Cristina Laracuente-Trzaska is joining CPPD as a postdoctoral psychology resident. She achieved her bachelor’s degree from Temple University (2004). Later, she attained her Masters in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Chestnut Hill College (2013) followed by her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology also from Chestnut Hill College (2021). Dr. Laracuente completed her pre-doctoral internship at Northeast Treatment Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has also completed practicum experiences at Arcadia University, Westminster Choir College and Beechwood NeuroRehab. Her previous college practicums have provided training in addressing adjustment disorder through a timed therapy approach.

Dr. Laracuente's therapeutic orientation has its foundation on the humanistic approach. Her doctoral academic experience emphasized a holistic approach that drew from psychodynamic psychology, family systems, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Her diverse clinical experience has helped to understand the cross-cultural impact present within the therapeutic alliance. Dr. Laracuente's previous treatment experiences include grief counseling, mindfulness for the treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms, trauma work, and psychotic disorders. Prior to pursuing a career as a psychologist, Dr. Laracuente worked in social work, truancy, family court and foster care systems for 15 years in the Philadelphia county area.

Jana earned her BS in Sociology along with a minor in Women’s Studies at California State University, Hayward (1999.) She then earned her MSW at the University of Pennsylvania (2002), with a concentration in clinical practice. She has served a year in Americorps NCCC in Berkeley, California as a health educator and counselor. In addition, she worked in the non-profit, inpatient medical hospital, and clinical sectors since that time. While having served varied populations throughout her career thus far, Jana is passionate about working with people of color, women in life transitions, and the LGBTQAI+ community.

In addition to traditional academic and career training/experiences, Jana is also a yoga instructor (200 RYT), Reiki Master, and Ayurveda Practitioner. Utilizing a holistic approach to therapy, she integrates traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ( CBT) with meditation, mindfulness practices, yoga, and Reiki when welcomed. She believes, “This life is a journey, and we are all here learning to trust and explore what it means to have our unique human experience. I am here to assist you on your journey.”

Alongside her position at Salus, Jana has a private practice, is an adjunct professor at Temple University, and teaches fitness classes at Life Time Athletic.

Jana is so very excited to be a part of the Salus community!

Read about Jana's new book: 'The Art of Healing'

Dr. Molly Marcus earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from Albright College (2011). She is currently a licensed psychologist who earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Chestnut Hill College in 2017 with a concentration in Couples and Family Therapy. Dr. Marcus completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Chestnut Hill College Psychological Services Clinic and Growth Opportunity Center, and her postdoctoral residency at Growth Opportunity Center where she treated individuals, couples, and families, and conducted psychoeducational testing.

Other clinical work experiences include conducting outpatient therapy with adults experiencing trauma and mood dysregulation, providing individual, group, and family therapy at Devereux Foundation, and conducting ADHD evaluations at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Center for Management of ADHD. Additionally, Dr. Marcus has served as a substitute counselor at Salus University’s Center for Personal and Professional Growth in the past.

Alongside her position at Salus, Dr. Marcus currently provides outpatient therapy for adolescents and adults at Growth Opportunity Center. She also conducts psychoeducational and psychological evaluations to identify learning concerns such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disabilities, and more.

Dr. Marcus utilizes an integrative approach by pulling from the fields of family therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and cognitive-behavior therapy to develop individualized treatment plans for each client based on their needs. Additionally, Dr. Marcus works from a multicultural perspective with understanding of how culture, ethnicity, race, and other diversity characteristics may impact aspects of one’s life. Dr. Marcus believes in a collaborative approach to developing treatment plans.

Dr. Marcus is thrilled to be with the Salus community!

Dr. Tami April-Davis joined CPPD in 2015. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Widener University (2002) and her master's (2010) and doctoral (2014) degrees in Clinical Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. Dr. April-Davis is a licensed clinical psychologist in Pennsylvania. Her interests lie primarily in the areas of psychological assessment, self-care, stress and well-being, mood disorders, and issues related to family systems. Dr. April-Davis's dissertation explored work-life balance for doctoral students in intimate partnerships, which was driven by the desire to understand how graduate students manage relationships during the exceptionally stressful time of graduate school. With regard to theoretical orientation, Dr. April-Davis takes a humanistic and personal approach by first considering DEI factors before conceptualizing through an object-relations/family systems lens.