Meet Our Team

Annalisa Smithson, LPC, NCC

Annalisa is the founder and director of Unleashed Counseling. She is a board-certified counselor licensed in the state of Pennsylvania, specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy and animal-assisted therapy. She has presented research at mental health conferences around the country, including the American Psychological Association, the Association for Women in Psychology, and the Pennsylvania Counseling Association.

Annalisa is the author of two books, Emotional Support Animals (2021) and the Unconditional: Learning to Love Your Authentic Self (2022), and has published research in several peer-reviewed journals including Psychology in the Schools and the Journal of the PCA. Prior to becoming a counselor she worked as a fundraising professional for Lehigh University. She holds a Master of Education in Counseling & Human Services and a Master of Arts in the Anthropology of Development and Social Transformation.

Nicole Fine, MA, NCC

Nicole is a board-certified counselor who offers DBT, art-based, and person-centered therapy. She received her Master’s Degree from Immaculata University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Before joining our team, Nicole worked at Monte Nido Eating Disorder Center of Philadelphia, where she served individuals with a variety of co-occurring disorders. She has experience working in special education and direct care, supporting students with developmental and behavioral disorders, and adults suffering from traumatic brain injuries.

Cleopatre Paulvin, LPC

Cleo is a licensed professional counselor and a a social justice-oriented therapist at Unleashed Counseling. She is currently trained in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on children and adolescents who have experienced trauma and works toward helping them process their traumatic experiences by telling their stories. Additionally, she is trained in Prolonged Exposure for PTSD.

Cleo focuses on ensuring that she uses an approach that will be the most helpful to you. She has worked with pre-teens, teenagers, and adults going through anxiety and depression, as well as individuals who have experienced traumatic events. She received her Masters of Education in Counseling and Human Services from Lehigh University in May of 2018.

Heather Engle, MA

Heather started at Unleashed Counseling as a clinical intern until she received her Masters Degree in Clinical Counseling from Alvernia University and began seeing clients in May of 2022. She received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from La Salle University in 2016 and has been a program leader at the Spring Valley YMCA since 2015 She is hoping to obtain her Doctorate in Child Psychology.

El Hyder Kim, LSW

El is a licensed social worker and animal-assisted therapist at Unleashed Counseling. They received their Masters in Social Services from Bryn Mawr College in May of 2021. With the support of their rabbit, Titan, and dog, Lilith, El works with children, adolescents, and young adults who have experienced trauma, difficulty with emotion regulation, identity concerns, and interpersonal difficulties.

 Jennifer Jubilee, LPC

Jennifer Jubilee is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Pennsylvania. She received her Masters in Clinical-Counseling from La Salle University in May 2008. Jennifer has worked with various populations including people suffering from severe mental illness and depression. She has also worked with children in school settings as a counselor, working collaboratively with teachers and families to develop therapeutic interventions for children with behavioral and emotional illnesses. She has a strong passion for helping those in need and individualizes all therapy modalities and techniques to each specific client.

Shannon Colgan, LPC

Shannon is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and young adults with a wide range of concerns like anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and life transitions. She uses a client-centered and collaborative style of therapy to create an empathetic, warm, and nonjudgmental safe space. She graduated from Kutztown University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in School Counseling.

The Elegant Therapy Bunny, Hops

Hops provides support and comfort for clients by being a quiet companion during sessions. Here is her own introduction: “Hello, Lady Hoppington here! Feel free to call me Hops. I’m a Lionhead Rabbit who was rescued from a park in Philadelphia. As a therapy animal-in-training, I’m best known for nosing around for treats and the soothing sounds of me eating lettuce. In the therapy room, I’m known to lend a floppy ear to listen and a fluffy head to scratch. I also enjoy playing games that involve treats and getting to know people by nudging them with my nose.”

Benji, Therapy Doggo Extraordinaire

Benji provides a monthly self-care tip to the community (with our help). Here is his playful introduction, “Well hello there! My name is Benjamin Sisko Franklin, therapy doggo extraordinaire! But I’m better known around the office as Benji. I’m an AKC-trained therapy animal, head of Barketing at Unleashed Counseling and renowned author of The Benji Files. I am a black & tan Beagle/Coonhound Mix (I think) all the way from West Virginia. I’m best known for my unconditional love, calm demeanor, and occasional bursts of puppy energy. I love to play, snuggle, and go on walks with clients. I bring joy and lightness to the therapy room, and my mom says I do a heckin’ good job.”