Our Clinicans
Alison L. Hill, PhD
Dr. Hill is the Director of Berks Counseling Associates, and was one of the founders of the practice in 1992. She has been a Licensed Psychologist since 1994 and a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2003. Dr. Hill provides various types of evaluations and psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Hill specializes in evaluating and treating trauma, anxiety, and depression in children and adolescents, and was one of the original founders of the Children's Alliance Center of Berks County and serves on the Center's Multidisciplinary Investigative Team and the Process Committee. Dr. Hill has testified as an expert witness in Berks County Courts since 1998, offering opinions in custody trials, child abuse hearings, termination of parental rights hearings, and in criminal trials. She has been interviewed multiple times on a variety of topics for articles published in the Reading Eagle, and has also been interviewed on Channel 69 News. Dr. Hill received the Blue Ribbon for Kids Award from Senator Judith Schwank and Berks County Children and Youth Services in 2012, the Distinguished Honors Award from Berks County Children and Youth Services Citizens Advisory Board in 2006, and the PAI Hall of Fame Award from Prospectus Associates Inc. in 1991. Dr. Hill graduated from Hood College with a Bachelor's Degree in psychology, from Lehigh University with a Master's Degree in counseling, and from Lehigh University with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in counseling psychology. She holds a certification in Trauma-Informed Treatment from Drexel University College of Medicine and a certification in Trauma-Informed Assessment and Evidence-Based Treatment for Effective Providers from the American Psychological Association.
Laura M. Fritts, PsyD
Dr. Fritts is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has worked in the mental health field for over 29 years, in various areas of marital and family wellbeing. She began her career in California working for the Air Force as a Program Coordinator and therapist for Family Support Centers on two different bases. She progressed to civilian inpatient and outpatient clinical work, and became the Director of Counseling for Concern Counseling Services in Fleetwood. Dr. Fritts currently specializes in working with military members and their families, addressing marital conflict and family systems issues. She also specializes in parenting and co-parenting education and counseling, co-dependency in relationships, and women's issues related to attachment and self-esteem. Dr. Fritts has been conducting child custody evaluations for Berks County Family Court and psychological and parenting/bonding evaluations for Berks County Children and Youth Services since 2014. She has provided expert testimony in the areas of parental rights, custody, and parent/child attachment. Dr. Fritts graduated from Linfield College with a degree in psychology, from California State University San Bernardino with a Master's Degree in counseling psychology, and from Immaculata University with a Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Fritts has been with Berks Counseling Associates since 2018.
Nikol L. Jackson, MSW
Nikol L. Jackson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who holds a certification in Structural Family Therapy and is a certified Home and School Visitor. Nikol is also a Certified Family Trauma Professional. Nikol provides individual, couples, and family therapy to children, adolescents, and adults using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Informed Therapy, Play Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy. She specializes in a variety of areas including anxiety, depression, grief, anger, self-esteem, relationships, trauma, and sexual victimization. Nikol graduated from Alvernia University with a Bachelor's degree in social work and from Widener University with a Master's degree in social work. Nikol has been with Berks Counseling Associates since 2013.
Albert V. Pohl, M.Div.
Albert V. Pohl has over 30 years of clinical experience in a broad range of human service work including individual, couples, and family therapy, group therapy, clinical supervision, administration, and training of addiction professionals. He specializes in helping people who struggle with addiction and other mental health problems such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, abuse, trauma, and neglect. Al has been a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor since 1994, a Certified Clinical Coordinator since 2001, and a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2002. His education includes a Bachelor's degree from Fordham University and Master's degrees in Divinity and in Sacred Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley in California. Al has been with Berks Counseling Associates since 2014.
Lisa Vespico-Mull, MA, MS
Lisa Vespico-Mull has been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2009, and is a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Substance Abuse Professional. Her areas of specialization include addiction, anxiety, depression, blended families, grief/loss, trauma, parenting, and adult children of alcoholics. Lisa provides individual, couples, and family therapy, and has been working with children, adolescents, and families for over 30 years. She holds a Master of Science degree in Child Development from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology from Immaculata University. Lisa worked at a prominent local drug and alcohol facility for 8 years as well as at various child welfare organizations, providing in-home services. Lisa has been with Berks Counseling Associates since 2019.
Kristin A. Huntzinger, MA
Kristin A. Huntzinger is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She graduated from Albright College with a Bachelor's degree in psychology and from Villanova University with a Master's degree in counseling and human relations. Kristin holds a certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and is a Clinically Certified Forensic Counselor. She provides counseling to adolescents experiencing issues related to trauma. Kristin specializes in conducting sex offender evaluations and counseling for adolescents. She also conducts domestic violence evaluations and counseling. Kristin has been with Berks Counseling Associates since 2016.
Erin Deneke, PhD
Dr. Deneke is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked in the mental health field for over 20 years. She specializes in the treatment of trauma, mood disorders, substance abuse, spirituality, and LGBTQ issues. She has presented at national, state, and local conferences, and conducts LGBTQ cultural diversity training to professionals. Dr. Deneke graduated from West Virginia University in 1991 with a Bachelor's degree, from Loyola College in 1999 with a Master's degree in pastoral counseling, and from Loyola College in 2006 with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in pastoral counseling. She has been with Berks Counseling Associates since 2012.