AMANDA REED, PH.D.
Clinical Psychologist, Director
I am a clinical psychologist licensed in the state of Arizona. I received my Bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennesse. I received my Master's (M.A.) and Doctorate (Ph.D.) degrees from Arizona State University and completed a clinical internship at La Rabida Children's Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.
I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of different urban and rural settings. I have conducted psychotherapy within hospitals, community outpatient mental health centers, and private practices. My work in community outpatient mental health centers has been primarily with underserved populations, which has deepened my understanding of mental illness, stress, and resilience. I completed my clinical internship at a children's hospital on the south side of Chicago, where I worked with youth experiencing mental health issues, chronic illness, and severe trauma. Much of my work took place on the inpatient unit of the hospital, where I provided consultation/liaison services to the medical residents and attending physicians. I developed a strong ability to treat multiple complex issues simultaneously, as many of the patients were experiencing major life stressors, in addition to mental and physical health problems. I have worked with a number of individuals who endured physical and/or sexual abuse, neglect, medical trauma, and neighborhood violence, and these experiences have enabled me to understand the impact of trauma on one's mental and physical functioning.
In private practice settings, I have treated a number of different issues, ranging from family conflict to emotional issues to behavior problems. I have also helped families enhance their communication skills and thus improve their relationships. In addition, I have led social skills, self-esteem, and stress management groups for high-functioning children and adolescents. Much of my research and clinical training focused on families experiencing separation and divorce. I have studied the impact of parental divorce on child well-being and have led parenting skills groups for divorcing parents. I also have experience with the unique challenges faced by blended families.
Although I do not currently provide this service, I have completed many psychoeducational evaluations for children and adults seeking accommodations for their learning and mental health issues. I am well-versed at interpreting the results of these evaluations and have helped many of my clients advocate for accommodations within their school and work environments.
CELINE MCNELIS-KLINE, ED.D.
Psychologist
Dr. McNelis-Kline’s specialties include adolescent and developmental studies and sport and performance psychology. While serving as the director of the Boston University Wellness Center, Dr. McNelis-Kline created and developed life skill-based leadership programs for both high school and college age population. Synthesizing experiential learning methods combined with performance enhancement techniques, Dr. McNelis-Kline developed and created the Areté Leadership Institute. The Areté Leadership Institute consults with athletes and coaches from Division 1 athletics to Olympic levels addressing such needs as team dynamics and developing High Performance Teams. Dr. McNelis-Kline is also the founder and former director of the Certificate and Master’s Program in Sport Psychology at the University of Denver, Graduate School of Professional Psychology. Dr. McNelis-Kline also developed an undergraduate and post baccalaureate certificate in Health & Wellness coaching at UWSP in her role as Associate Professor of Health Promotion and Wellness.
Previously, Dr. McNelis-Kline integrated both her love of fitness and wellness with her desire to help people achieve peak performance in their own lives by combing fitness expertise with educational training in sport and performance psychology by opening her own Wellness Studio called Croi Croga. Croi Croga is a place where you can be yourself and connect with a supportive, courageous community while exploring who you want to be. As with Croi Croga, Dr McNelis-Kline also sees the counseling experience as having the same foundational underpinings. As Brene Brown states “It is the most vulnerable moments in our life that lead to the most growth.” Live courageously. Explore outside of your comfort zone, develop a growth mindset, and see challenges as opportunity. Live life fully by taking on challenges and growing because of it. Taking chances and trying new things can be a vulnerable experience and as Brené Brown states, “truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.”
Dr. McNelis-Kline uses a number of psychological perspectives and approaches (Humanistic, CBT, Solution Focused, Existentialism, Systems and Narrative) working with clients. She believes in the strength and courage each client has and is grateful to be privy to see it in action in session. Additionally, mindfulness, mindful self-compassion and meditation are specialty areas incorporated into her work with clients. However, above all, her goal is to create a safe, respectful, and collaborative relationship with clients where curiosity and possibilities become a part of their approach to life. Dr. McNelis-Kline, specializes in adolescents, emerging adults as well as adults. Dr. McNelis-Kline also specializes in clients in professional schools and training such as Law, Medicine, Doctoral programs. Additional clinical interests include career exploration, relationship issues, woman’s issues, sexuality, self-improvement, anxiety, depression, dating violence, sexual assault, and performance enhancement plans and portfolios. Most importantly, as a therapist, Dr. McNelis-Kline is committed to the infusion of diversity, equity and inclusion in counseling and in her life.
Dr. McNelis-Kline earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Adelphi University, a Masters in Clinical Psychology from West Chester University and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Sport Psychology from Boston University. When she is not teaching or on a journey with her clients, Dr. McNelis-Kline can be found spending time with her kids, practicing yoga, enjoying group exercise, meditating, traveling and learning how to cook.
ELISE SCHNACKENBERG
Office Manager
Elise completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Gender and Women’s studies at the University of Arizona. She has over 10 years of experience managing Psychology practices in the Valley. Elise enjoys spending her free time with her husband and their four very active children. In her role as Office Manager she coordinates providers’ schedules, arranges billing and handles most office needs. She is the first person you will speak to when contacting our office and is happy to answer any of your non-emergent questions
CAROLINE SHANHOLTZ, PH.D.
Clinical Psychologist
I received my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona, my Masters of Counseling (M.C.) degree from Arizona State University, and my Doctorate (Ph.D.) from the University of Arizona. I completed a child focused clinical internship at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina.
I have experience providing treatment to children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 3 through 22) in a variety of settings such as pediatric primary care clinics, community mental health outpatient programs, schools, and juvenile detention halls. Throughout these settings, I have gained extensive experience treating a host of mental health problems faced by youth. I have also consulted with preschool programs to provide training to teachers and parents to address problematic preschooler behavior and identify youth who may benefit from neurodevelopmental assessment. While not the focus of my work, I have training through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND). This training prepared me to work collaboratively on interdisciplinary teams to best advocate for youth with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
I use evidence-based practices (i.e. Parent Management Training, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to address diverse issues that youth and families face. I have a specialty helping parents address problematic behaviors in both young children and adolescents, such as temper tantrums or breaking curfew. I also specialize in treating traumatic stress and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in youth who have experienced traumatic events, including physical/sexual abuse, witnessing domestic violence, experiencing medical trauma or traumatic injury, and natural disasters. Further, during my research and clinical training, I have worked with parents and families experiencing separation or divorce. I have conducted extensive research on families experiencing divorce when children are in their adolescence or transitioning to college and have published several articles related to this topic.
My role as a psychologist is to use practices that are supported by science to effectively assess and treat the needs of families while integrating the family’s specific cultural and individual preferences. I aim to create a warm and welcoming environment for all family members and work with your family to help you achieve your desired outcomes.