Faculty and Staff

Faculty Biographies

Walter Chung, Ph.D., CRC, BCBA-D, NCP, BCCP, LPC, LBS

wchung@eastern.edu, 610-341-4367

Jessica Dirsmith

jdirsmit@eastern.edu, 610-341-1487

Jessica Dirsmith, a nationally certified school psychologist, completed her undergraduate degree at the Pennsylvania State University and her graduate and doctoral work at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  She has done additional coursework, as well as a specialty doctoral internship, in the area of school neuropsychology. Jessica has served as a K-12 school psychologist prior to coming to Eastern University. Additionally, she has worked at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in the Child and Adolescent Behavioral Disorders Unit conducting clinical trials on ADHD care monitoring, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and integrating mental health supports in the primary pediatric care setting. Her research interests include school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports, the prevention and intervention of child and adolescent emotional and behavioral problems, and school neuropsychology. Jessica teaches graduate courses related to psychological assessment and clinical skills development, child and adolescent counseling, and oversees the internship placement process for the school psychology students.

Susan Edgar-Smith, Ph.D.

sedgarsm@eastern.edu, 610-341-4379

Susan Edgar-Smith, Ph.D. (B.A. Connecticut College, 1984; M.A & Ph.D. Bryn Mawr College, 1998) is an associate professor at Eastern University and co-chair of the Counseling Psychology Department.  Within the department, she serves as the Degree Coordinator for the School Counseling and School Psychology programs. Dr. Edgar-Smith is a licensed and school certified psychologist. She specializes in school consultation for elementary, secondary and post-secondary school students who are coping with learning and social/emotional issues. Her consultations involve short to long term psychotherapeutic interventions and psychoeducational assessments. Her clinical areas of interest include Asperger Disorder, ADHD, anxiety and depressive disorders, eating disorders, childhood abuse and its impact on emotional, social and academic progress. Research areas of interest include childhood abuse, family relational values and their relationship to adolescent family processes, forgiveness, special needs youth in church communities and educational psychology. She teaches graduate courses in child and adolescent counseling, school consultation, special education, assessment and she supervises school counseling and psychology field experiences.

Michael R. McFee, Psy.D.

mmcfee@eastern.edu, 610-225-5693

Michael R. McFee, Psy. D. (B.A. Wheaton College, 1984; M.A. 1991 and Psy.D. Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, 1993) is a Licensed Psychologist in the State of Pennsylvania. He is an Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at Eastern University, and has taught at Reformed Episcopal Seminary and Biblical Theological Seminary as Adjunct Faculty. Dr. McFee has worked in inpatient psychiatry, intensive outpatient settings, as well as, private practice setting.  He maintains his own private practice and stays involved in a local group practice outside of Philadelphia.  

Dr. McFee has extensive experience in the treatment of Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Major Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sex Addiction, and Food Addiction.  He teaches graduate courses in theories of counseling, psychopathology, psychological assessment, personality theory, and psychopharmacology. His current clinical and research interests are in understanding processes of counseling and psychotherapy, exploring experiential process therapies such as emotion focused therapies, and working towards the development of a Christian Psychology. He currently works with late adolescents and adults through individual and marital psychotherapy.

Ruth Baugher Palmer, Ph.D.

rpalmer@eastern.edu, 610-341-5921

Ruth Baugher Palmer, Ph.D. (BA, Messiah College, 1983; M.Ed. & Ph.D., Temple University, 1994) is a professor of Counseling Psychology and serves as Co-chair of the department and Degree Coordinator for the Clinical Counseling program. Dr. Palmer is a licensed psychologist and a certified secondary school guidance counselor. She previously worked on several national urban research projects funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Educational Research and Improvement. Dr. Palmer has worked in two urban psychiatric hospitals, conducting diagnostic testing and psychotherapy for patients with a range of clinical disorders.  She has also worked as a school counselor and assistant clinical director in an alternative school for adjudicated and dependent youth, in private outpatient practice, and recently, in a university counseling center. Her research and clinical interests include: psychotherapy process and outcome research, counselor training, grief counseling, and the prevention and treatment of behavioral problems in adolescence. Dr. Palmer teaches graduate courses related to psychological assessment and clinical skills development, and she oversees the practicum and internship placement process for the clinical counseling students.

Randolph Walters, Psy.D., LPC

rwalters@eastern.edu, 215-769-3117

Dr. Walters is an associate professor in the Counseling Psychology Department and has worked as a family therapist, educator, pastor, administrator, and consultant. He is deeply committed to the integration of faith and the therapy process and is part of Pastoral Counseling Network. His research interests include attachment theory, the father/daughter relationship, trauma, multicultural counseling, men's issues, personality development, and the psychotherapy process.

Affiliate anD

Adjunct Professors

Kathy Van Horn, M.Ed.

kvanhorn@eastern.edu

Kathy Van Horn, (B.A. The King’s College, 1978; M.Ed Temple University, 1983) is a licensed psychologist, certified teacher and certified secondary school guidance counselor. She has been working in the field of education for over 30 years as a teacher, counselor, supervisor and administrator. She currently works full time as Executive Vice President for Lakeside Educational Network, an organization providing counseling and alternative education services to students in Montgomery and Bucks County.  Ms Van Horn is an affiliate faculty member in the Counseling Psychology Department teaching graduate School Counseling courses since 1999.

Dr. Thomas C Barnes, Ph.D.

 B.A. (Psychology) University of Delaware, 1987; M.A. (Applied Behavior Analysis) Northeastern University, 1990; Ph.D. (Psychology) Northeastern University, 1995.  Dr. Barnes is currently working as a psychologist in a public school setting and he is a licensed psychologist, a certified school psychologist, and, a certified K-12 principal in Pennsylvania.  His professional interests/activities are in the areas of assessment, disability law, developmental disabilities, applied behavior analysis, and, research.  Within the department at Eastern, Dr. Barnes teaches courses in Applied Behavior Analysis; additionally, he has taught courses in research, cognitive processes, assessment (cognitive, achievement, social/emotional), and, special education (educating students with severe disabilities).  Dr. Barnes has provided internship experiences for school psychology students and students in APA-approved doctoral programs.  While Dr. Barnes serves a wide variety of students in the K-12 setting, he also provides specialized assessments to students with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and, severe behaviors.  Dr. Barnes has served as an expert witness for districts and parents in educational hearings at the state and federal levels.

Beverly M. Quinn, M.A., LPC

bquinn@eastern.edu

Beverly Quinn is an adjunct instructor in the Counseling Psychology Department.  She has been working in the counseling field for over fifteen years, in both clinical and school settings.  She is a PA Licensed Professional Counselor, as well as a certified Secondary School Counselor.  She is also a certified trainer for Why Try? Motivational Program for at-risk students. Ms Quinn currently works for Lakeside Educational Network, Mainstay School Based Program where she provides individual and group counseling for children and adolescents.

 Field Placement Coordinators

Beth Collins, M.A.

Certified School Counselor, K-12

School Counseling Placement Coordinator

bcollin2@eastern.edu

Beth is a Pennsylvania Dually Certified (elementary and secondary) school counselor. During her time at Eastern University,  Beth worked as a grief faciliator for Peter's Place.  She led  grief groups for children ages 6-10 and adolescents ages 14 - 17. In addition to her work within Peter's Place, she also assisted Peter's Place with their "Outreach Program."  Through this program, volunteers from Peter's Place traveled to schools within the community and assisted the students and staff members in their time of need. Working at Peter's Place was an amazing experience for her and she hopes to someday continue her work in the area of grief counseling.  Since graduating from Eastern University in 2008, Beth has devoted her time to raising her children and being an active volunteer at her children's school.   Her volunteer experiences include everything from head homeroom parent to serving on the Executive Board for the Parent Teacher Organization. Beth resides in West Chester with her husband Steve and their three children.  Beth is excited to be back at Eastern University as the School Counseling Field Placement Coordinator.  She hopes that her past experiences as an Eastern University student will be both beneficial and insightful for the current students.

Frances Ennels, M.A.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Clinical Counseling Placement Coordinator

fennels@eastern.edu

Staff

Victoria Gill, M.A. 

Student Advisor
vgill@eastern.edu
610-341-1467

Wendy Smith

Cristina Hussar