Meet the Team

We really like each other and think you will like us too. Want to join our team? Apply now.

Licensed in DE/PA

Matthew Ditty, DSW, LCSW

DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™

Co-founder and Clinical Director

Matt has been a social worker and mental health clinician since 2003. He began his career in the Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and continued it as a psychotherapist in private practice. He has held part-time and consulting positions with the United States Navy, the Positive Psychology Center, Recovery at Penn, and others, performing tasks such as counseling 911 survivors, providing clinical supervision, and enacting psychotherapy treatment protocol for several research studies.

Within Matt's range of clinical social work experience, his primary expertise and passion is for the treatment of post-traumatic stress, suicide, and non-suicidal self-injury, employing primarily Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE). He is DBT-Linehan Board Certified, provides DBT training and consultation through the Treatment implementation Collaborative, has attended Dr. Marsha Linehan's annual DBT Strategic Planning Meeting, and is a published researcher on DBT implementation. In addition to DBT-related activities, he teaches Master's level social workers at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy and Practice and studies Aikido in Wilmington, DE.

Licensed in DE/PA

John Bickel III, MSW, LCSW

DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™

Co-founder and Administrative Director

John (he/him) received his Masters in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy and Psychology from Rutgers University. John was on the Ebright Collaborative's original implementation team that began in April 2013, and received Core Clinical Training in DBT by Dr. Shari Manning through the Treatment Implementation Collaborative. In April 2018, John was named a Certified DBT Clinician through the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification.

In the past, John was the Senior Therapist at Penn Medicine in their Men's Program which provides an evidenced based treatment for trauma and substance use issues to both civilian and military personnel; the first of it's kind in a hospital based setting. John also has experience working with young adult and university students, developmental disabilities, those with sensory impairments, and in the juvenile justice system. John was drawn to DBT from his own personal practice of mindfulness and preference for evidence based treatment.

Licensed in DE/PA/NJ

Karen Kelley, MA, LCSW, CPEC

DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™

Karen Kelley (she/her)has been participating in all modes of DBT since her training with Dr. Shari Manning through the Treatment Implementation Collaborative in 2017. She is a licensed clinical social worker with master’s degrees from Temple University in Philadelphia and Missio Seminary in Hatfield, PA. She was an outpatient therapist at Merakey Behavioral Health, Knights Road, Philadelphia, for eight years. Prior to Merakey, she worked for six years with adult survivors of brain injuries in the vocational program at Beechwood NeuroRehab in Langhorne, PA. While at Beechwood she earned her Certification as a Brain Injury Specialist. She is a certified consultant in Prolonged Exposure therapy and trained in EMDR, both evidence-base treatments for PTSD. Her counseling interests include grief, survivors of suicide, trauma, anxiety, depression, brain injuries, spiritual guidance, parenting, and working with women. Karen is married with three adult children and one grand-cat.

Alyssa Rae Cardi, BA

Jump Start in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy© through TIC

Billing & Payroll Specialist

Alyssa (she/her) received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Rhode Island College. She has 25 years of office administrative experience in a wide variety of settings, including several mental health and substance use treatment facilities. This experience gives her a unique understanding of clinical processes as well as human resources, billing and insurance, and confidentiality. Alyssa is thrilled to be part of the incredibly passionate team at Ebright and excited to continue on the journey of learning DBT skills.

Licensed in DE/PA

Jack Wolcott, MSW, LSW

Jump Start Training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy© through TIC

Jack Wolcott (they/them) received their Masters of Social Work from West Chester University and a dual Bachelor's Degree of Arts in Psychology and Art from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Their DBT experience includes receiving Jump Start into DBT Clinical training with Dr. Sheri Manning through the Treatment Implementation Collaborative, as well as completing two DBT field placements where they provided DBT to adolescents and adults.

Before joining Ebright, Jack worked in various social work settings, such as providing mental health and case management services for those with a history of homelessness, leading an art therapy group for incarcerated women, and implementing empirically based group therapy for LGBTQ youth. Jack is drawn to DBT for its emphasis on balancing acceptance and change and supporting clients on their journey toward a life worth living.

Licensed in DE/PA

Dana Morelli, MSW, LCSW

Core Clinical Training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy© (CCT) through TIC

Dana (she/her) received her Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University and Bachelors degree in Psychology from St. Joseph’s University. In addition to working on the Ebright team, Dana has worked for the Joseph J. Peter’s Institute Survivor Services program, specializing in trauma informed psychotherapy, since 2015 and was part of their original DBT implementation team that began in June of 2017. Dana received Core Clinical Training in DBT by Dr. Shari Manning through the Treatment Implementation Collaborative. Her additional evidence-based training includes Prolonged Exposure therapy (PE), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and Cognitive Processing therapy (CPT). Dana serves on the board of the Nava Center, a non-profit organization providing therapy for trauma survivors and programs that promote antiracism and equitable safe spaces for all. Dana’s favorite form of self-care is being at the beach and mindfully noticing the consistency of the waves rolling into the shore. Dana’s favorite DBT skill is radical acceptance. She encourages you to learn more about it!

Licensed in DE/PA

Dora Eaton, MBA, MS, LPC

Core and Advanced Clinical Training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy© (CCT)through TIC

Dora (she/her) received her Masters in Community and Trauma Counseling from Thomas Jefferson University and her Masters of Business Administration and BS in Business from Philadelphia University. Dora completed Core and Advanced Clinical Training in DBT by Dr. Shari Manning through the Treatment Implementation Collaborative. Dora attended additional trainings in DBT STEPS-A Curriculum: Skills Training and Emotional Problem Solving for Adolescents by James J. Mazza, Ph.D. & Elizabeth Dexter-Mazza, Psy.D., as well as DBT Prolonged Exposure Protocol and DBT Adherence and Fidelity with Melanie Harned, PhD, APBB

Dora's past experience includes the role of Clinical Director of a children's mobile crisis and intervention services team at a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia. Dora provided evidenced based treatment for children and their families experiencing a behavioral crisis event and was recognized by the Evidence-Based Practice and Innovation Center (EPIC). Dora was drawn to DBT evidence-based practice for its comprehensive structure, practice of radical genuineness, use of validation, and the collaborative generation of solutions to achieve client goals. Dora helps clients connect with their motivation to find glimmers of joy in their lives.

Amber Larson, BA

Billing Specialist

Amber (she/her) received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Theology at Summit University. She has ten years experience in a variety of social service roles and she most valued her time working as a Psychiatric Rehabilitation practitioner. She firmly believes that individuals have the capacity to learn and grow and that healing is possible. She is overjoyed to join the Ebright billing team to support work that offers both hope and the practical skills to build a life worth living.

Licensed in DE/PA

Lauren Levy, MS, LPC

Lauren (she/they) holds a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University. With extensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) under Dr. Shari Manning at the Treatment Implementation Collaborative (TIC), Lauren is also skilled in Ecosystemic Structural Family Therapy, helping teens and families rebuild relationships and heal. She provides trauma-informed care and is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy for trauma. Lauren specializes in working with teens, young adults, and families, guiding them through emotional challenges, improving family dynamics, and supporting healing from trauma. She is especially passionate about supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals, adolescents struggling with self-harm, school avoidance, and suicidal ideation, as well as parents seeking to rebuild their relationships with their teens. Lauren offers virtual therapy and is dedicated to helping clients create lasting, meaningful change aligned with their values.

Licensed in DE/PA

Samantha Davis, MSW, LCSW

DBT Clinical Training through Jefferson Health Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior

Samantha (she/her) received her Master of Social Work from Temple University, where she completed her first training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) during a field placement at Jefferson Health in the Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior. Before joining Ebright, she practiced for four years as the primary therapist in Belmont Behavioral Health System’s DBT Partial Hospitalization Program, specializing in DBT and supporting individuals experiencing emotional dysregulation, suicidal ideation, and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors, with a focus on teaching and encouraging DBT skills for effective crisis management.

She is deeply passionate about supporting individuals and finds great meaning in witnessing their growth, exploring new perspectives, and applying DBT skills to take meaningful steps toward building a life worth living. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her chocolate lab, Tootsie.

Under Supervision by John Bickel, LCSW

Sara Nastasi, MA (expected)

Counseling Intern

Sara (she/her) is a graduate-level intern currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Walden University. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Delaware in 2023. Before beginning her clinical internship, Sara worked as a Rehabilitation Specialist at Sheppard Pratt, where she supported adults living with schizophrenia and other mental health conditions in developing life skills, increasing independence, and managing medications. She also interned with the Mental Health Association of Delaware, contributing to mental health advocacy initiatives.

Guided by the DBT principle that everyone deserves a life worth living, Sara brings a compassionate and solution-focused approach to therapy. Her goal is to help individuals navigate life’s challenges, build healthy habits, and implement practical skills that lead to lasting change.

Under Supervision by Matthew Ditty, LCSW

Carly Hill, MSW (expected)

Social Work Intern

Carly Hill is a Research Associate II in the School of Education at both the Center for Research in Education and Social Policy (CRESP) and the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Carly earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Medical Social Services at the University of Delaware. Her research focuses on understanding and addressing associations between stigma and health inequities, specifically with people living with HIV or substance use disorders. Most recently, Carly co-authored a paper on her research addressing barriers to and facilitators of care for people living with HIV in the state of Delaware. She is currently a student in the University of Delaware's Master's of Social Work program. Carly is drawn to studying DBT because of its evidence-based, skills-focused approach to helping individuals build a life worth living which aligns with her commitment to bridging research and practice in addressing stigma and health inequities.