Herbert G. W. Bischoff, Ph.D.

Born in Germany and reared in Canada, Dr. Bischoff first visited Alaska in 1974. He is now a licensed psychologist who has provided behavioral health services from an independent practice setting in Anchorage since 1979. Dr. Bischoff has worked with a wide range of challenging behaviors. As a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) he often works with individuals experiencing learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, and health impairments such as attention deficit disorder, Autism, and prenatal exposure to alcohol.

Dr. Bischoff has participated on a variety of Boards and Commissions. He is past Chairman of the Alaska Community Mental Health Board and has served on the Board of Directors for Charter North Hospital and the Stone Soup Group. Dr. Bischoff is also past president of the Alaska Psychological Association (AK-PA).

Working throughout Alaska and as a past president of the International School Psychology Association (ISPA), Dr. Bischoff has had exposure to diverse cultural settings. He sometimes works as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Alaska (UAA) and at Alaska Pacific University (APU).

Dr. Bischoff's current part-time practice is limited to psychological evaluations, providing consultation services and technical assistance, and conducting training seminars and workshops. He also is employed by Hope Community Resources, a statewide agency supporting individuals who experience developmental disabilities.

Charles F. Lester, Jr., Ph.D.

Dr. Lester was raised in rural Illinois and joined the Marines immediately after high school. After a four year enlistment, he attended Illinois State University, completing his bachelors and masters degree in psychology. Dr. Lester earned his doctorate from a program approved by the American Psychological Association at the University of Northern Colorado.

Dr. Lester moved from Colorado to Alaska in 1986 (and is quick to tell you it was one of the best decisions of his life). He is an avid outdoorsman, who enjoys hunting, fishing, snow machining, etc.

Dr. Lester works extensively with individuals experiencing a wide range of behavioral and emotional challenges. He has served as a clinical and behavioral consultant for many different human service agencies and school districts throughout Alaska.

Dr. Lester is an adjunct faculty member for the psychology department at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and was founder of the masters degree program in counseling psychology at Alaska Pacific University.

Currently, Dr. Lester is clinically active in providing parenting support and individual psychotherapy for people experiencing challenges associated with Autism spectrum disorder, severe challenging behaviors, and developmental disabilities.

As well as providing clinical services at Psychology Resources, Dr. Lester is currently conducting research and program development in the area of occupational behavioral health for those who work within the human services field.

Cathy von Hippel, Ph.D.

Dr. von Hippel is a licensed clinical psychologist. She earned a bachelors in English Literature at Dartmouth College, a masters in Fine Arts at the University of Michigan, and a doctorate in clinical psychology from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association at the California School of Professional Psychology. Dr. von Hippel completed an American Psychological Association internship in child psychology and serious mental illness. She completed post-doctoral training in pediatric mood and anxiety disorders.

Dr. von Hippel specializes in mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and Asperger's Syndrome/High Functioning Autism. She works with children, adolescents, adults, and parents. Dr. von Hippel conducts psychological evaluations, individual psychotherapy, group therapy and community training. She facilitates social skills groups for children with Asperger's Syndrome and High Functioning Autism. Dr. von Hippel incorporates relaxation techniques, art, creative writing, humor, and play into her work with children.

Dr. von Hippel is an exercise enthusiast, an avid traveler, and a proud mother of three.

Dana Hall, M.S., L.P.A.

Dana Hall earned her bachelors in Psychology and her masters in Clinical Psychology at the University of Alaska in Anchorage. She completed an internship at Psychology Resources, where she focused on teaching social skills to children with Asperger's Syndrome, conducting psychological assessments, and providing therapy to children, adolescents, and young adults. Dana is a licensed psychological associate.

Dana has previous experience working with couples, parents, and older adults. Additionally, she has worked with clients suffering from Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder.

Dana has worked part-time at Psychology Resources since September 2006. Dana co-facilitates social skills psychotherapy groups for children with Asperger's or Autism, and provides individual therapy for children, adolescents, young adults and couples. Also, she conducts psychological evaluations.

Dana is an avid horse enthusiast. She and her beloved grey mare, Reisling, compete in Dressage and Hunter/Jumper horse shows during the summers and attend competitions in the Pacific Northwest. Dana enjoys hiking with her two dogs, bicycling, spending time with her family and traveling. Dana and her husband have two children.

Jennifer O. Spencer, M.S.

Jennifer moved to Alaska from Washington D.C. She is a former special education teacher and specialized in a wide range of learning abilities. She is familiar with "executive functions," study skills and preparing for a wide range of exams (bar exam, Praxis, SAT's, GRE's, etc.). She helps students of all ages to build on their strengths and develop strategies for success.

Jennifer moved to Alaska from Washington D.C. In Anchorage, she works at Psychology Resources, volunteers with children on the Providence Hospital pediatric unit, and rides dressage with her shiny stallion, Norbert. Jennifer is an accomplished special education teacher and has worked with students from a wide range of learning abilities. She helps students of all ages to build on their cognitive and emotional strengths. Jennifer co-facilitates social skills groups, bringing an educator's perspective to skill development.

Margaret Klatt, M.S., L.P.C.

Margaret Klatt grew up on a homestead in south Anchorage. Many people are familiar with Klatt Road, which was named after her pioneering family during early road construction.

Margaret's homestead experience nurtured close ties with family, respect for Nature, and an active lifestyle with a strong work ethic-typical characteristics of farming families.

Margaret worked her way through college while studying art, psychology, and biological sciences. She often was involved in outdoor activities. For example she participated in Arctic Winter Games and was member of the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group.

Margaret always has enjoyed working with children and youth. She obtained a masters degree in counseling psychology at Alaska Pacific University, and became a Licensed Professional Counselor. Margaret is a strong advocate for children and families who favor a cognitive-behavioral approach to therapy.

In Margaret's spare time, gardening and music are favorite activities. Occasional home construction projects also enter the picture.=

Marie Priest, M.S., L.P.C.

Marie Priest was born and raised in Soldotna, Alaska. Her family is one of the larger homesteading families on the Peninsula. Marie is the youngest of five children, and has four older brothers.

Marie left Soldotna and worked full-time to pay her way through college at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, where she earned a bachelors in Human Services with an Emphasis in Family and Youth. During her undergraduate years, Marie worked for a Head Start Pre-school Literacy Program. Also she worked with severely emotionally disturbed children and adjudicated sexual offenders at Alaska Children's Services.

Marie attended graduate school at the University of Laverne California College, where she earned a Masters of Science Degree in Counseling. While attending graduate school, Marie worked at Alaska Children Services as a Psychiatric Treatment Counselor.

Following completion of her graduate studies, Marie worked as an advocate for new parents, as a victim advocate, and as a behavior health consultant.

Currently Marie is a Licensed Professional Counselor excited to be working in private practice at Psychology Resources. Marie works with children, adolescents and families in individual and group therapy. In the summer of 2009, Marie opened a satellite clinic for Psychology Resources in her home town of Soldotna.

In her spare time, Marie is a passionate outdoors enthusiast. She enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, skiing and running.

Mary Palko, LPC, CDCII

Mary grew up in a military family traveling around the world and eventually landing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She completed high school and undergraduate studies at the University of New Mexico. These and more recent traveling experiences developed Mary's appreciation for diversity of culture and experience as well as the value of meeting people where they are.

Mary moved to Alaska in 1998, where she earned a masters degree in counseling psychology from Alaska Pacific University. She has worked in Alaska since then, providing mental health and substance abuse treatment to children, adolescents, and adults. Mary has worked in residential, outpatient, and group home settings. She specializes in co-occurring diagnoses, including developmental delays, physical disabilities, and/or deafness. She is currently one of few licensed counselors fluent in American Sign Language in the state of Alaska.

Prior to moving to Alaska, Mary lived in Colorado where she was an outdoor guide and educator. She now incorporates her experiential learning experience into group therapy, creating a fun and innovative environment for learning life skills.

Mary has volunteered as an adaptive ski instructor for many years. She spends as much time as possible in outdoor pursuits including mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, ski mountaineering, and cross country and downhill skiing. She also enjoys the calmer activities of gardening, walking her husky, and learning to play the guitar.

Susan R. Scott, M.S., L.M.F.T.

Sue grew up in Boise, Idaho and moved with her family to Alaska in 1966. Her extended family was already involved in reconstruction of the Seward Alaska airport after the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake.

During high school Sue worked as a volunteer for individuals with developmental disabilities. She also worked part time in medical clinic settings.

After completing high school at West Anchorage High, Sue was selected to join the international singing group with People to People and performed around the west coast. Upon her return to Alaska, she moved to Homer where she co-owned and operated a fishing boat in Kachemak Bay. During the winter months, she was employed in the civil engineering field until 1979 when she returned to school.

Sue attended Boise State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. While completing her undergraduate degree, she completed several internships in marital and sex therapy, as well as vocational testing and counseling at Boise State Counseling Department. In 1981, she returned to Alaska and worked in vocational rehabilitation helping people with various disabilities. She also spent several years working with adolescents and their families facing the challenge of substance abuse.

In 1993 Sue obtained a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Alaska Pacific University. She has worked in residential, outpatient, hospital , and private practice and management settings both with adolescents and adults. She has taught various psychology courses at the graduate level and supervised clinical interns since 1990. Sue has extensive experience in areas associated with adolescent and family problems, marital problems, career change, substance abuse, learning difficulties, and trauma. Her career interests include adolescent and adult group therapy, training, program development, and assessment. She currently holds a license in marriage and family therapy.

When not at work, Sue spends time hanging out with her four dogs and two cats. Her hobbies center on gardening, music, fishing, work with animal rescue organizations, watercolor painting and photography.