University of the Sciences in Philadelphia

Dr. Paul Furtaw, Psy.D.
Director of Student Health and Counseling 

Dr. Furtaw has been affiliated with SHAC since January 2004, becoming a full time employee in September 2004, and assuming the Director role in July 2006.  In addition to his administrative and clinical responsibilities, he is coordinator of substance abuse programming.  He is a licensed Psychologist and earned his doctorate from Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, with additional training in Organizational Psychology and Program Evaluation.  Dr. Furtaw has worked in a variety of human service settings over the past 19 years including college counseling (multiple campuses of Rutgers University), developmental disorders (the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Developmental Disorders Program), and psychiatric settings (the State of New Jersey Psychiatric Hospital in Trenton, Tompkins Community Hospital in Ithaca, NY, and Harvard Medical School-Cambridge Hospital Day Treatment Services).  His current professional interests include college counseling and university-based program consultation, with a special emphasis on health psychology and behavioral medicine.

Dr. Karen Levinson, Ph.D. 

Assistant Director, Counseling and Coordinator of Graduate Training

Dr. Levinson has been affiliated with SHAC since January 2004, becoming a full time employee in August 2004.  She works as a staff psychologist and coordinates the graduate student training program which is staffed by practicum students.  Dr. Levinson earned her degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Delaware, and is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania.   She has worked in a variety of settings including college counseling (University of Delaware and Temple University), Friends Hospital, and community mental health centers (Northwestern Human Services and Community Council For Mental Health and Mental Retardation).

Dr. Alissa Brown, Psy.D.

Alissa is a Staff Psychologist at SHAC. She received her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. In addition, she has a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and Human Services from Chestnut Hill College. Alissa completed her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Rochester counseling center, and Postdoctoral Fellowship at USP. In addition to university counseling, she has worked in a variety of settings including outpatient mental health, medical and psychiatric hospitals, public schools, and private practice. Alissa’s areas of interest include anxiety, body image and eating disorders, interpersonal relationships, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as campus outreach and consultation

Melinda Goodman, Ph.D.

Melinda is a Staff Psychologist at SHAC. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from University of Florida and she completed her clinical pre-doctoral internship at Virginia Commonwealth University Counseling Services. She also completed a post doctoral fellowship at SHAC and is now staying on for a second year. Melinda’s interests are in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered issues, interpersonal relationships, trauma, and in using a mindfulness based approach to therapy. In addition to her work at SHAC, Melinda also serves as an Adjunct Professor for the Psychology Department and teaches Psychopathology.

Georgette Shay, Administrative Coordinator of Student Health and Counseling. 

Georgette began working at USP in the Human Resources department and joined SHAC in August 2006. Georgette earned her bachelors degree in administration and has extensive experience in accounting, organization, and office management. She enjoys doing volunteer work in her free time.

Dr. John Applegate , M.D., Consulting Psychiatrist.

Dr. Applegate received his training in Psychiatry at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and before that his medical degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey. While in residency he worked at the University of Pennsylvania’s counseling center. Since graduation he has been working at the Philadelphia Veteran’s Hospital outpatient mental health clinic and maintains a private practice in Center City as well. He serves as a volunteer faculty member of the University of Pennsylvania teaching medical students and residents in Psychiatry. His areas of professional interest include the management of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and understanding the relevance of cultural and spiritual dimensions of mental health concerns.

Nisha Todi, M.S.

Nisha is currently a fourth year student in Chestnut Hill College's Clinical Psychology doctoral program. She received her bachelor's degree in Psychology at Bryn Mawr College and her master's from Chestnut Hill. She has experience working in community behavioral health, family therapy, child and adolescant assessment, and individual therapy. Her interests lie in interpersonal relationships, anxiety, depression, and working with both East and South Asian populations.

Rebecca Schept M.S. Ed.

Rebecca received her master's in Psychological Services and Counseling from The University of Pennsylvania and is currently working towards her second master's degree in Professional Counseling.   She graduated from Vassar college in 2005 with a B.A. in psychology and a correlate sequence in art history.  Rebecca's professional interests are in young adult identity development, residence life education, and LGBT populations. 

Lindsay Teich M.S. Ed.

Lindsay is also a second year master's student at the University of Pennsylvania earning a degree in Professional Counseling. She earned her bachelor's degree from Penn State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education, and her master's degree in Psychological Services and Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania . She has an interest in working with young adults dealing with stress and anxiety, body image, and interpersonal relationships.  In addition, she enjoys creating and implementing educational outreach programs that are beneficial for the student population. Her goal is to obtain her professional licensure in the counseling profession.

Karla Castro

Karla graduated from Villanova University with a degree in Computing Sciences and is currently pursuing her master's degree in Health Psychology at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. She has experience serving as a chaperone and cultural ambassador to groups of students traveling throughout Latin America doing health promotion and illness prevention as well as home-building through Habitat for Humanity. She completed an internship at the Study Abroad Office at Villanova focusing on promoting the cultural sensitivity of students studying oversees. She has a particular interest in Higher Education, especially in leadership development and community outreach programs for college students. Karla will be assessing the health and wellness needs of International Students at USP, in particular with respect to the initial process of adjustment and acclimation to graduate study in the U.S. and the culture shock that can accompany this transition.