Who We Are


 

Kimberly Bruns, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C

  • Kimberly Bruns has been practicing as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 25 years. She began her career providing mental health services and counseling to children and adolescents and then transitioned into the field of Medical Social Work. Here, she gained expertise in the areas of complex and chronic illness, organ transplantation, burn recovery, hospice, issues related to end of life, and bereavement. She has also spent the past 10 years working with oncology patients and holds a specialized certification in Oncology Social Work. In addition, she was pivotal in the development of tele-psychiatry services for the Lehigh Valley homeless populations through Lehigh Valley Partners/Street Medicine. Kimberly also provides student counseling services at Cedar Crest College.

    Kimberly understands that trauma and life stressors can be experienced throughout an individual’s lifetime and intense emotional reactions and responses to these experiences are common yet extremely difficult to navigate. She strongly believes that working together to change the perceptions of oneself can result in strengthening relationships with others. She believes that facilitating healing and finding meaning can create the change one may be seeking. 

    Kimberly believes in effective communication and is an active and trustworthy listener. She believes in asking her clients what is important to them and values their feedback and ideas. She takes a compassionate, non-judgmental approach in her interactions with clients. She very much values the therapeutic relationship and believes in this relationship as the basic means of working together towards a goal. It empowers people in reaching their individual quality of life goals. Kimberly utilizes an eclectic approach in therapy focusing on CBT, Meaning Centered therapy, Family Systems and Strength-Based client centered therapy.

    Kimberly has twin daughters who are Freshmen at Penn State and Boston College and has a good understanding of adjustment issues related to college life. She enjoys traveling, exploring new places, crafting and creating, and the tranquility of any ocean.

    Master of Social Work, Marywood University | Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Pennsylvania State University | Member of the National Association of Social Workers | Member of the Association of Oncology Social Work 

  • ADD/ADHD

    Mood Disorders

    Oncology/Cancer Support

    Chronic Medical Illness

    Poor Self-esteem

    Challenges with Life Changes & Transitions

    Geriatric Issues including Dementia/Cognitive Impairment

    Alcohol & Substance Use Disorder

    Grief/Bereavement

    Anger/Stress Management

    HIV/AIDs Related Issues

    Anxiety & Panic Disorders

    Infertility & Fertility Counseling

    LGBTQIA Issues

    Bariatric/Weight Loss Issues

    Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

    Chronic Illness/Chronic Pain

    Phobias

    Cultural/Ethnic Issues

    Pregnancy & Menopause

    Depression

    Relationship/Separation/Divorce Issues

    Sexual Disorders, Dysfunctions, and Compulsions

    Domestic Violence & Abuse

    Sleep Disorders

    End of Life Issues

    Survivor Counseling, including Rape and Violent Crime

    Trauma & Post Traumatic Stress

  • Please call (484) 416-4336 or email kimberlybruns@libertylanecounseling.com to introduce yourself and set up an appointment.

 

Melissa Schaffer, MSW, LCSW, CTMH, CFRC 

  • Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been providing mental health treatment services in the Lehigh Valley for 30 years. She has a strong clinical background, having worked in criminal justice and acute care inpatient mental health settings for the first 16 years of her career. These early opportunities included experiences working within a supervised independent living program, residential treatment settings, and an inpatient psychiatric hospital setting. Melissa made the transition to private practice in 2008, and has been providing outpatient mental health services ever since.

    Melissa enjoys working with adolescents, young adults, adults, and seniors. She is skilled in family therapy interventions. She bridges her criminal justice and mental health backgrounds in providing care for first responders, holding a specialized certification in this area.

    Melissa is proud to be a social work professional. She is deeply committed to the core values and ethical principles of the profession, and is a passionate advocate for her clients. She uses cognitive behavioral therapy approaches and relies heavily on strengths based interventions. Melissa works quickly to build therapeutic relationships with her clients, creating a safe and comfortable environment, putting her clients at ease beginning at the initial intake. She believes in using humor whenever and wherever possible in the therapeutic process, and will engage with clients in a very relaxed, authentic manner. Melissa works to meet clients where they are, looking to create self-awareness, confidence, and coping skills while developing and strengthening support systems to assist them in reaching their goals. She encourages clients to follow their dreams, to believe in themselves, and most importantly, to never give up.

    “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” Theodore Roosevelt

    Master of Social Work, Marywood University | Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice, Pennsylvania State University | Certified Telemental Health Provider | Certified First Responder Counselor | Member of the National Association of Social Workers

  • Depression & Mood Disorders 

    Anxiety 

    Family Issues 

    School/College Issues 

    Relationship Issues 

    ADHD 

    LGBTQIA Issues 

    Work Issues 

    Stress Management 

    Life Transitions 

    Boundaries

  • Please call (610) 393-9741 or email melissaschaffer@libertylanecounseling.com to introduce yourself and set up an appointment.

 

Susan Lovegrove Geise, MSW, LCSW

  • Susan Lovegrove Geise is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 35 years of experience in a variety of settings. She has post graduate training in family systems therapy and mediation. Susan works with clients ages 16 and older, couples, and families. In addition to her experience in private practice, Susan was affiliated with Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital for over 25 years serving patients with a multitude of complex adult and pediatric diagnoses and supporting their families. She provided employee assistance counseling and work-related conflict resolution with AT&T Bell Labs for over 10 years. 

    Susan and her spouse have raised three adult children. She was involved intimately with her parents through the end of their journeys. Susan believes that most of us are doing the best we can and, at the same time, that everyone can develop greater awareness and personal skills in nurturing a more satisfying and peaceful life. She believes that clients have made a very important decision when they walk in the door, and she is ready to work as hard as they are to make a change. She regards clients as experts in their journey, respecting their perceptions, preferences, and vision. 

    As difficult as the hard times in life are, Susan believes they are most often what create the catalyst for growth, if we allow our hearts to open. 

    "Happiness is a byproduct—the result of loving, caring and helping.” Conrad Raker

    Master of Social Work, West Virginia University
 | Bachelor of Science in Social Work, West Virginia University | Member of the National Association of Social Workers

  • Anxiety/Depression Management


    Family Counseling


    Couples Counseling


    Parenting Concerns


    LGBTQIA Issues


    Elder Care Management


    Grief Counseling


    Work/School related Conflict/Career Direction


    Post-partum Navigation


    Coping with Stress/Change

  • Please call (484) 515-4799 or email susangeise@libertylanecounseling.com to introduce yourself and set up an appointment. 

 

Krista L. Welter, MA, MS, LPC

  • Krista Welter is a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 20 years of experience working in the mental health field in a variety of diverse settings including residential treatment facilities, foster care, probation, outpatient mental health settings, and private practice.

    Krista believes that the best way to choose a counselor is by getting to know them first. In that spirit, she is a working mom and a former collegiate scholar athlete who is very familiar with the challenges, demands, and pressures that individuals place on themselves and that society can place on them. Through both personal and professional experiences, she has been humbled by the strength, connections, and beauty that can come out of grief, loss, and pain. These experiences have helped mold her into the person and clinician she is today.

    From Krista’s years working with children, adolescents, and adults, she knows that individuals have the ability to make powerful changes in their lives. Sometimes, people just need someone to help guide, challenge, and empower them to see their full potential and worth. While difficult at times, the process of therapy can allow more growth than ever before. She believes there is nothing more rewarding than watching someone believe in their own worth and value. 

    Krista’s work focuses on targeting ineffective behaviors, habits, and beliefs about one’s self and one’s relationships. The process is focused on understanding and altering these patterns in order to be the best version of one’s self. Her approach is based in person centered and cognitive behavioral therapy and is designed to provide emotional support, improve personal insight and growth, and develop tools for daily living. She believes that one of the most important components in therapy is building a strong therapeutic relationship by fostering an environment of trust, support, boundaries, and care.

    "I see you. I believe in you."

    Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice | Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, Walden University | Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Widener University | Member of American Professional Society on the Abuse on Children (APSAC)

  • Anger/Stress Management

    Anxiety & Depression Management

    Domestic Violence & Abuse

    Grief/Bereavement

    Relationship Issues

    Survivor Counseling

    Sexual Disorders & Dysfunctions

    Trauma & Post Traumatic Stress

  • Please call (610) 268-7054 or email kristawelter@libertylanecounseling.com to introduce yourself and set up an appointment.