Board of Directors

The CPA Board of Directors serve on a volunteer basis at the service of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association, its mission, and its members. Board member terms are 3 years (January-December), with nominations and elections occurring each Fall.

If you are interested in serving on our board, or would like to nominate a member, please complete the form linked below. 

Questions? Contact our President-Elect, Shannon Mullen at smullen@catholicpsychotherapy.org

 

CPA BOARD 2024

PRESIDENT & CHAIR

Sr. Mary Patrice Ahearn, RSM, PsyD

(Term ends 2024)

PAST-PRESIDENT

Mandy Mullen, LCSW, CPTT

(Term ends 2024)

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Shannon Mullen, PhD, CSAT-S

(Term ends 2024)

TREASURER

Open

(Term ends 2024)

SECRETARY

John Vizza, MDiv, MCL, JCL, MS

(Interim)

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

Ian Masson, MS, LPC

Webinar Chair

(Term ends 2026)

Terry  Braciszewski, PhD, MSCP

Region Rep. Chair

(Term ends 2025)

Sr. Elena Marie Piteo, O.P, PhD

Education Chair

(Term ends 2025)

Terry  Braciszewski, PhD, MSCP

Membership Chair

(Interim)

David Valpuesta, LMFT

Conference Chair

(Term ends 2024)

Anthony Isaaco, PhD

Journal Chair

(Term ends 2024)

Shane Gomes, PhD

Ethics Chair

(Term ends 2026)

CHAPLAIN

Fr. Walter Schu, LC

Executive Director

Nick Murray

2024 Board of Directors

Sr. Mary Patrice Ahearn, RSM, PsyD

Sr. Mary Patrice Ahearn, RSM, PsyD

President & Chair

Sister Mary Patrice Ahearn is a Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan and a licensed clinical psychologist. She has experience working with priests, religious and seminarians in both assessments and psychotherapy.  She has worked in her community’s Sacred Heart Mercy Health Care Center in Alma, Michigan and taught Applied Psychology and Counseling at the University of Notre Dame in Sydney Australia. After her assignment in Australia, Sister became the Director of Counseling Services at the Pontifical North American College in Rome for 3 years. Since 2021, she has worked at Divine Mercy University/Institute for the Psychological Sciences as the Training Director of the IPS Center and is an Assistant professor. She also continues a clinical practice providing psychotherapy and assessments. 

Mandy Mullen, LCSW, CPTT

Mandy Mullen, LCSW, CPTT

Past President

Mandy B. Mullen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both Georgia and Florida. Ms. Mullen received a B.S. in Human Services and has a Masters of Social Work from Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida. Her current professional specialities are play therapy, trauma counseling, child and adolescent behavioral problems as well as marital therapy and relationship counseling. She is certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and E.M.D.R. Ms. Mullen is also the System of Care Director and is responsible for ensuring the best patient experience for receiving services at Mosaic Psychological Services LLC. Georgia License CSW004523 & Florida License SW10187

Shannon Mullen, PhD, CSAT-S

Shannon Mullen, PhD, CSAT-S

President Elect

Shannon D. Mullen completed her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 2008. She is a licensed psychologist in Georgia and Florida and a PSYPACT clinician. Before her doctoral studies, Dr. Mullen completed a Master of Arts in Counseling at the University of New Orleans. Dr. Mullen established Mosaic Psychological Services in 2010, where she provides clinical and forensic services. Clinical specialty areas include trauma, attachment, sexual health/addictions, and psychological evaluation. Additionally, as a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist, Supervisor, she provides targeted interventions for individuals struggling with sexual infidelity and addiction to sexual material and behaviors. Dr. Mullen has nearly 20 years of treatment and assessment experience in sexual disorders and addiction. Treating the whole person is a hallmark of her work, and she approaches each person with attention to the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of their personhood. Dr. Mullen is trained in psychodynamic theory and currently practices through a trauma model utilizing Internal Family Systems. She is also EMDR trained. Finally, as a Catholic Christian, theology is a welcomed addition to this clinical work and forms the psychodynamic lens through which the whole person is restored to dignity and health. Dr. Mullen is also a regular speaker and consultant for religious organizations. She designs and hosts training seminars for clinicians in psychosexual assessment and treatment of clergy and clergy applicants. When not engaged in direct patient care and training, Dr. Mullen enjoys supervising emerging new mental health professionals.

John Vizza, MDiv, MCL, JCL, MS

John Vizza, MDiv, MCL, JCL, MS

Secretary

John Vizza is a husband of one and father of five. He is completing studies for the Priesthood for the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton. He was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, but currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. John started his psychological studies at La Salle University in Philadelphia, before moving to Canada in 2011 to complete his studies at the University of Lethbridge (BA, ‘13). He went on to Divine Mercy University where he completed his Master of Science in Psychology (‘19). Prior to completing his master in psychology degree, John received his Master in Divinity degree from Newman Theological College (MDIV, ‘17), a Master of Canon Law degree from the University of Ottawa (MCL, ‘19) and a Licentiate in Canon Law degree from Saint Paul University (JCL, ‘19). His current work is multifaceted. John is a canon lawyer working as a Judge on marriage nullity cases at the Interdiocesan Tribunal of Edmonton (Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton), and he is also Coordinator for the Office of Safe Environments and Child Protection and Canonical Advisor to Bishop David Motiuk at the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton. John also does private consulting work in the area of canon law throughout Canada, the USA and beyond. John is a Sessional Instructor at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College in Barry’s Bay, Ontario, Canada, where he teaches courses on canon law and psychology. John has been involved with numerous formation programs focusing on educating future deacons and priests for ministry and also giving them courses on pastoral counselling and best practices for success in their ministry. John is a member of various canon law societies in the US, Canada, Great Britain and Ireland and Australia and New Zealand.

Open Position

Open Position

Treasurer

David Valpuesta, LMFT

David Valpuesta, LMFT

Conference Chair

David Valpuesta works as licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Thomasville, GA, with experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. He has been working at Mosaic Psychological Services for almost ten years. During that time, he has become a Certified Anger Management Specialist-II (CAMS II), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and has completed TEAM-CBT Level I training. He is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Georgia, with a license number of MFT001440.

His professional affiliations include being a member of both the Association for Play Therapy (A4PT) and the Catholic Psychotherapy Association. He was also a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) for several years.

He obtained his Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Valdosta State University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University.

Ian Masson, MS, LPC

Ian Masson, MS, LPC

Webinar Chair

Ian Masson is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Virginia. He graduated with his masters in clinical psychology from the Institute of Psychological Sciences, now Divine Mercy University, in 2013. For the past 8 years Ian has worked in a mental health agency providing services to children, adolescents, and adults, and directed a program that taught parenting skills to parents whose children were at risk of removal from the home. During that time, Ian received certifications in Child Centered Play Therapy and Relationship Enhancement® therapy for couples and families. He returned to Divine Mercy University as director of the IPS Center in 2021.  Ian’s clinical interests include working with children and their families to address emotional regulation and behavioral concerns, addressing relationship concerns between couples, and working with individuals to better understand and respond to their internal emotional world. Ian utilizes modalities that are largely based on relationship as the healing factor, including Child Centered Play Therapy, Relationship Enhancement Therapy, and interventions from Internal Family Systems. Ian views the relationships clients have in therapy, with others in their lives, and within themselves as key to achieving healing and freedom. 

Sr. Elena Marie Piteo, O.P, Ph.D.

Sr. Elena Marie Piteo, O.P, Ph.D.

Education Chair

Sister Elena Marie is a Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia, Nashville Tennessee and holds a Ph.D in Psychology from the University of Adelaide, Australia. Prior to entering the Dominican Sisters in 2011, she worked on research projects specifically examining the effects of diet and sleep on cognitive, language, social, and emotional development in children and adolescents as well as the impacts on mental health. Since entering the religious community, Sister has continued her studies in Education by earning an MAT at Aquinas College in Nashville Tennessee and taught in high schools in the United States. In the years following, she taught Applied Psychology and Research Methods courses at the University of Notre Dame in Sydney Australia and has continued research in the area of child and adolescent mental health, social and emotional development. Sister currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Aquinas College, Nashville Tennessee and is the Director of the Quality Enhancement Plan, which focuses on preparing educators to foster social emotional learning using a Catholic Christian model.

Anthony Isaaco, PhD

Anthony Isaaco, PhD

Journal Chair

Anthony Isacco, PhD is a professor of Graduate Psychology at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA and Director of Training for the PsyD in Counseling Psychology program. He is a licensed psychologist in PA and authorized to provide telepsychology services in PSYPACT states.  He maintains a small private practice with a focus on the psychological assessment of clergy candidates to the Catholic Church.  Dr. Isacco has published widely through his books, popular press articles, and academic journals and regularly presents on the psychological health of seminarians, fatherhood, and the psychology of men and masculinity. He sits on the Advisory Board of Saint Paul Seminary, Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Formation Team of Saint Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Pittsburgh Byzantine Eparchy. He is a proud graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville (BA, ’02), Boston College (MA, ’04), and Loyola University Chicago (PhD, ’09).  He is married to Celeste and has four daughters, Sophia, Claire, Gianna, and Monica. 

Terry Braciszewski, PhD, MSCP

Terry Braciszewski, PhD, MSCP

Region Rep Chair

Terry L. Braciszewski began his academic training at Michigan State University achieving degrees in Music Therapy and Music Education. He went on to receive graduate degrees from Eastern Michigan University, The University of Michigan and Farleigh Dickinson University. Dr. Braciszewski completed the Masters of Science degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology at Fairleigh Dickinson University. In 2008 he successfully passed the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP) as approved by the American Psychology Association’s College of Professional Psychology. He completed his supervised clinical experience in psychopharmacology under a board certified, medical physician trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Dr. Braciszewski has clinical training and experience in rehabilitation psychology and neuropsychology. He has close to 40 years’ experience working with neurologically challenged people and coordinating interdisciplinary teams. He is active in Michigan in the Diocese of Lansing and Gaylord, evaluating candidates for the diaconate and seminary, as well as in evaluating those involved in pursuing deliverance.

Dr. Terry was the Director of Clinical Services at Ann Arbor Rehabilitation Centers for over 20 years, providing direct patient care, clinical assessments, training staff and coordinating interdisciplinary rehabilitation teams. Currently, he serves people through his practice, Momentum Rehab LLC. And since 2018, he has been involved in treating people at the Beaver Island Rural Health Clinic. He is a member of several professional organizations, most noteworthy is the Catholic Psychotherapy Association and related Special Interest Groups. He is a member of APA’s divisions of Rehabilitation Psychology (22), Society for Clinical Neuropsychology (40), the Society for Prescribing Psychology (55) and the National Academy of Neuropsychology.

He is principal trumpet of Four Old Men and a Babe and the Livingston Symphony Orchestra. He serves on several boards, including Inspirational Aviation Ministries (IAM) and Workskills Corporation. In addition to professional licenses and certifications, Dr. Terry is licensed as a Multi Engine Instrument Pilot with the United States Federal Aviation Administration. He enjoys many of life’s experiences, especially his relationship with The Lord, Kate–his wife and their six adult children and three dogs.

 

Shane Gomes, PhD

Shane Gomes, PhD

Ethics Chair

Shane Gomes earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, CA.  He is a North Carolina licensed clinical psychologist in private practice, and he is the chair and associate professor of psychology at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC.  Dr. Gomes has worked for over 20 years in private practice both in CA and NC conducting individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy with various populations, especially individuals who struggle with pornography addiction, other sexual addictions, alcohol and drug addictions and gambling addictions.  Dr. Gomes has taught both undergraduate and graduate psychology courses, including courses in human sexuality, psychology of gender, addictions, child sexual abuse and violence in relation to pornography and other addictions.  Dr. Gomes had spent several years treating children and adolescents diagnosed with bipolar disorder and other mental disorders in an outpatient mental health clinic.  He has given several trainings and workshops to mental health professionals on assessing and treating children and adolescents with bipolar disorder, attachment disorders with foster/adoptive children, and on law and ethics.  In addition to professional experience,  Dr. Gomes has taught religious education, confirmation classes, adult faith formation classes, and served as lector, sacristan, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and choir member at his parish in CA and currently in NC.  He has a small private practice in Gastonia, NC, and he has an extensive work history in inpatient psychiatric care, outpatient psychotherapy and day treatment with adults, children, adolescents, couples, families and groups.  Dr. Gomes, his wife and two sons live in North Carolina.

Fr. Walter Schu, LC

Fr. Walter Schu, LC

Chaplain

Fr. Schu grew up on a small farm in southwestern Minnesota, the second of seven children. He entered the congregation of the Legionaries of Christ in 1982 and was ordained a priest in 1994. From 1997 to 2017, he was a teacher at the Novitiate and College of Humanities of the Legionaries of Christ in Cheshire, CT. From 1993 to 1996, he taught in Rome at the International Center for Higher Studies, giving courses in logic, epistemology, metaphysics, and fundamental moral theology. From 1986 to 1989, he served as director of studies at the Immaculate Conception Apostolic School in Center Harbor, New Hampshire (a junior and senior high school for young men who desire to become priests).His research interests include philosophical and theological anthropology and their relationship with the psychological sciences, moral theology, and sexual morality, especially as seen through the lens of St. John Paul II’s theology of the body and marriage, and family. Fr. Schu is the author of “The Splendor of Love,” on Saint John Paul II’s theology of the body. This work has been translated into two volumes in Spanish: “Matrimonio y familia: un nuevo horizonte,” and “La sexualidad en el amor.” Fr. Schu has given a number of conferences in the United States, Canada, Rome, Mexico, and Fiji on the theology of the body and has written numerous articles on this topic. He speaks both Spanish and Italian. 

Nick Murray

Nick Murray

Executive Director

After majoring in Risk Management and Insurance at Georgia State University, Nick had a 22-year career in insurance regulation and insurance company management.  At Senior Life Insurance Company, he grew the company’s infrastructure from six to 40 states of operation.  He left after 16 years there as Senior Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer and also held two related designations and served on two association Boards.  Nick answered the call to be closer to his family when they started Grateful Hill Farm, a family-run goat dairy and creamery, in 2017.  Soon after, he converted to Catholicism and was confirmed in 2021.  He currently manages the farm, consults in all aspects of business finances and administration, and serves on the Board of Directors of Senior Life Insurance Company and the finance council of his parish.

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