Meet Our Clinicians

We look forward to working with you in helping you to achieve your goals and finding the happiness and mental health wellness that you deserve.

Dr. Melissa Gaidis, PsyD, MA, MS

Clinical Psychologist; Proprietor

Dr. Melissa Gaidis completed her undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, NC and Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA earning a B.S. in psychology. She received her first graduate degree from Saint Joseph’s University earning a Master’s Degree in experimental psychology. She later earned another Master’s Degree and her Doctoral Degree from the Florida School of Professional Psychology, a branch of the American Schools of Professional Psychology, in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Gaidis trained in diagnostics, testing and therapy at the University of South Florida School of Medicine, Manatee Glens Hospital, Department of Mental Health of Los Angeles County with Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and UCLA School of Medicine, and at the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.

Dr. Gaidis has been working in the field of psychology since 1995 and has vast experience working with clients of all ages and with challenging issues. She believes that the key to successful therapy begins with an empathetic and sincere relationship between the client and the therapist. Her approach is eclectic and she tailors her approach to meet the needs of her clients. Dr. Gaidis uses evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy, in combination with the biopsychosocial model coupled with psychoeducation, humor, and interpersonal therapy as a foundation. She is also trained in accelerated resolution therapy (ART), trauma therapy, and uses techniques from dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive processing therapy, Gottman couples method, sports psychology, solution-focused brief therapy, and existential therapy. Dr. Gaidis is a generalist, but has completed specialty work in neuropsychology, rehab medicine, forensic psychology and sports psychology. She believes that understanding the neurobiology of mental illness and how it affects the body is an essential part of treatment. As a former Division I athlete, she is also sensitive to the challenges faced by athletes.

Nicole Bixler, MSW, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Nicole Bixler, LCSW, LCADC, has over nine years of experience in the substance use disorder treatment field working with adolescents and adults. Nicole is a graduate of Stockton University’s Masters in Social Work Program and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Nicole has experience working with adolescents who are involved with gang activity as well as adults in a residential and detoxification setting.

Nicole has experience working in a pharmacotherapy setting as a therapist and Clinical Supervisor in a methadone program. Nicole has enhanced programs in a medication assisted recovery program including groups focused on patients who continue to struggle with polysubstance use as well as enhancing an educational program for pregnant patients on methadone maintenance. She has a deep understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination towards people who use drugs, and strives to educate patients on their rights in the community as well as their rights when seeking treatment. Nicole utilizes many approaches to assist clients including basic education and understanding of the brain functions being impacted by drug use, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, psychodynamic approach and assisting clients in understanding adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and grounding techniques.

Nicole’s philosophy revolves around using a client centered approach for everyone seeking services to truly meet the client where they are. Nicole has extensive knowledge of the harm reduction approach as well as overdose prevention and reversal training. Nicole works directly with individuals experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood, providing outreach including overdose prevention education and reversals, distribution of Naloxone and harm reduction supplies and advocating for treatment options through her personal non-profit organization.

Tamame Fonville,

Licensed Social Worker

Everyone is dealing with a great deal of stress today be it from world issues, the pandemic, job or joblessness, financial issues, or family difficulties. We each have a lot to deal with. Sometimes you may feel overwhelmed and hopeless, as if there is no way to regain your balance. If that is how you are feeling, you may need a calm, rational voice to help you find ways to improve your situation and also ways to change things that appear unchangeable.

I am a fully trained License Social Worker and I have been helping patients find a way forward for the past 20 years. I work with families, couples, adults and children of all ages. My style is relaxed, caring and mixed with a sense of humor. I am available to help you deal with those specific issues that you are finding difficult in a secure, private environment or on telehealth.

I completed my B.A. at Temple University in Pennsylvania. An earned a Master's Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University in New Jersey. Through my education, work, and personal experiences I have gain profound insight into the art of healing by using various modalities. You are not alone.

Let me help you get more out of your life than just survival.

Tamame has an eclectic person centered style of therapy, using the best treatment for her clients including CBT, animal-assisted therapy, culturally sensitive therapy, compassion-based therapy, family systems theory, mindfulness, trauma-focused therapy, play therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy inner child therapy and Gottman Method to name a few.

Heather Soellner, MA, LPC

Licensed Psychological Counselor

Heather completed her undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, NC in communication studies. She earned her Master Degree in guidance and counseling at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA.

Heather is a Licensed Associate Counselor, and Behavior Specialist, specializing in children with a behavioral diagnosis (such as ADHD, ODD, DMDD, and RAD), as well as teenage girls and young women with anxiety and depression. When working with children, Heather typically mixed ABA with CBT, which she calls ACBAT. She believes it is imperative to counsel the family and provide parent training because she feels a child’s diagnosis is a family diagnosis, since it affects everyone and is affected by everyone in the child’s environment. Heather believes education and consistency are the keys to behavior change. She enjoys using humor in therapy and feels a strong therapeutic relationship is essential to the therapeutic process.

Dr. Lee Ann Trudel, PhD, MA

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Trudel received her undergraduate degree in psychology from The George Washington University in 1984, where she was a member of Psi Chi, the national psychology honor society. She received her master’s degree in applied experimental psychology from The Catholic University of America in 1986 and her doctoral degree in school psychology from Temple University in 1994. Dr. Trudel also completed a post-graduate certificate in early childhood mental health through the Widener University Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology in 2010.

While working on her doctoral degree, Dr. Trudel worked as a research assistant to Dr. Irwin Hyman at The Center for Corporal Punishment and Alternatives in the Schools at Temple University. Dr. Trudel’s work at the Center led to her dissertation, which explored the relationship between corporal punishment at school and the subsequent development of trauma disorders in children. Dr. Trudel’s predoctoral internship was spent at Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, an internationally recognized children’s hospital, in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Trudel worked in the outpatient psychology department of the hospital performing assessments and therapy, as well as consultation with hospital staff.

Since receiving her doctoral degree in 1994, Dr. Trudel has worked in a variety of child and adolescent focused settings including several school districts, private practices, an inpatient psychiatric hospital, and a child guidance clinic. She has served as a consulting psychologist to numerous charter schools in the city of Philadelphia and has also served as a consulting psychologist for an Early Intervention Center in Delaware. Dr. Trudel is a licensed psychologist, as well as a certified school psychologist, in Pennsylvania and Delaware. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association and The National Register of Health Service Psychologists.

While Dr. Trudel’s areas of expertise include the evaluation of autism, ADHD, learning disabilities and psychological disorders, she also enjoys working with children and adolescents in therapy.

PINNACLE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES