Our Team
Brittany Lyman, PsyD
Dr. Lyman is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides evaluation, therapy, and consultation services to individuals impacted by autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Dr. Lyman conducts comprehensive diagnostic, psychoeducational, and neuropsychological evaluations of children, adolescents, and young adults assessing a variety of learning differences, attention and executive functioning, and/or the impact of psychological, behavioral, and/or emotional conditions on the individual. Dr. Lyman also provides individual and group therapy services to individuals across the life span. In line with the philosophy of the practice, Dr. Lyman takes a strength-based approach to both evaluation and treatment and strives to create a relationship with the individual and family that includes trust, respect, and acceptance.
She has expertise in working with individuals with ASD across the life span and their families. Her philosophy is that ASD is a diagnosis that impacts not only the individual but also the entire family. Dr. Lyman has a specific interest in the parental experience in raising a child with ASD and more specifically the stigma experienced by those impacted by ASD. Dr. Lyman has worked closely with families following a child’s diagnosis by providing specific treatment recommendations and a roadmap as they navigate the journey of raising a child with ASD. She also is interested in providing consultation and education to the broader community about ASD and the great strengths and skills the ASD population can offer a community.
Dr. Lyman received her B.S. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She then received her M.S. from Drexel University before earning her M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from La Salle University with a concentration in Child and Family. She completed her internship at the May Institute and her postdoctoral fellowship at the Lurie Center at Massachusetts General Hospital where her training focused intensely on the evaluation and treatment of individuals with ASD.
Dr. Lyman has extensive training in the implementation and adaptation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for individuals on the autism spectrum. She also received training and collaborated with the founder of Lego®-Based Therapy, Dr. Daniel Legoff, in promoting social competence in individuals with ASD. Dr. Lyman also serves as an Adjunct Professor at La Salle University in the clinical doctoral program. She is licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Bryan Peightal, PsyD
Dr. Peightal is a clinical psychologist who provides therapy and evaluation services to families and individuals on the autism spectrum. He provides individual, family, and group therapy for people across the lifespan. In addition to his strengths-based outlook towards his clients, Bryan operates from a systemic model, believing in the importance of understanding a person within the context of their family dynamics and other integral interpersonal relationships. Bryan integrated his clinical approach with his dissertation research, as he investigated the unique experience of being a single parent of an adult child with ASD. He always works to facilitate a collaborative therapeutic relationship, as he trusts it is the vehicle in which positive change occurs.
Bryan received his B.A. at Temple University, majoring in Psychology. He went on to complete his M.S. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology at Chestnut Hill College before earning his doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Couples and Family Therapy. Bryan completed his internship through the Chestnut Hill College Consortium, completing his work at Growth Opportunity Center. In addition to the individual and family therapy he conducted during his internship year, Bryan completed diagnostic and neuropsychological evaluations for children, adolescents, college students, and older adults. Beyond autism, Bryan’s clinical interests include anxiety, depression, sexuality development, and transitioning into young adulthood.
Reggie Candio, NCSP, PsyD
Reggie Candio is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and educational consultant, who also holds credentialing in the state of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Reggie completed his doctoral degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, with training and expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, social skills instruction as well as psychoeducational, clinical, neuropsychological and vocational assessment. Aside from his work as a clinical and educational practitioner, Reggie has served as a developer and Director of treatment programs geared toward supporting the unique social, adaptive and transition needs of Adolescents and Young Adults on the Autism spectrum. Reggie takes a unique multi systems approach to service delivery and has been involved in key autism initiatives across the region as an advisory board member and key knowledge expert. Reggie has accumulated a wealth of diverse experiences from his involvement with a wide variety of schools and mental health systems throughout his 10 year career, which has undoubtedly helped to inform his work as a practitioner.
Mary Riggs Cohen, PhD
Mary Riggs Cohen, PhD, received her doctoral training in clinical psychology at the Catholic University of America and her postdoctoral family therapy training at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Center. Dr. Cohen is a licensed psychologist in New York and Pennsylvania. She has 36 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families and has specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for 20 years.
As Clinical Director of the Social Learning Disorders Program at the University of Pennsylvania Psychiatry Department, she developed the Social Skills Seminar for young adults on the autism spectrum. The program has been taught at Penn and at various locations in the Philadelphia metropolitan area and in New York City. She is the author of Social Literacy: A Social Skills Seminar for Young Adults with ASDs, NLDs and Social Anxiety. Dr. Cohen was the Director of the Center for Teaching and Research in Autism at Pace University for 3 years and is an Associate Professor of Psychology.
She is a frequent presenter at autism conferences and provides professional continuing education workshops on a variety of topics related to autism diagnosis and treatment. She is currently Director at Autism Spectrum Diagnostics & Consulting in Doylestown, PA. Dr. Cohen consults with attorneys on issues regarding autism spectrum disorders and internet crime and has been doing forensic evaluations of incarcerated ASD individuals and providing expert testimony since 2009.
Dr. Cohen can be reached directly at https://www.asdforensics.com/.
Jessica Lax, PsyD
I am a licensed clinical psychologist and earned my degree from Chestnut Hill College with a specialty in psychological assessment, and I recently went back and earned my Certification in School Psychology. I completed my predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship with a concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorders across the lifespan at an Autism Center for Excellence in Philadelphia. I received extensive training with (ADOS) Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Second Edition and have the knowledge and expertise in gold standard evaluation practices to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder in children as young as 18 months. I also received extensive training in psychoeducational evaluations during my school psychology graduate program and have experience working collaboratively with school district teams. Therapeutically, I have spent my career working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I have speciality training in Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy as well as Psychodynamic Therapy and have experience doing individual, couple and family therapy with children and families on the spectrum. I have both a personal and professional passion for inclusivity and will meet each person with compassion, respect, integrity, and curiosity. I would love to help you determine you, your child, and your family's strength and needs to ensure you or your loved one achieves the goals and quality of life they envision for themselves.