Our Clinicans
Alison L. Hill, PhD
Dr. Hill was one of the founders of Berks Counseling Associates 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 Advisory 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 trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, grief, anger, self-esteem, relationships, 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.