Our Story

Christian Kohler, MD

Co-Director, HeadsUp

Monica Calkins, PhD

Co-Director, HeadsUp

Daniel Wolf, MD, PhD

Telehealth Director, HeadsUp

Dan Wolf, MD, PhD is the HeadsUp Telehealth Director, as well as a practicing psychiatrist and brain imager specializing in psychosis treatment and research. He completed medical and neuroscience training at Yale University, residency training in psychiatry at Harvard University, postdoctoral training in Neuropsychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, and has been a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania since 2008. He is excited about working to fulfill the potential of telehealth in expanding access to psychosis care across all of Pennsylvania.

Catherine Conroy, MEd

Program Manager, HeadsUp

Catherine (Cat) Conroy is the HeadsUp Program Manager, ensuring the organization meets the needs of the first episode psychosis community. She received her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Temple University and has worked to increase knowledge and end stigma around mental illness in the decades since through research and clinical support programs at the University of Pennsylvania and the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center. Cat hopes that her work at HeadsUp will increase awareness of and reduce stigma around early psychosis, connect individuals to resources for care, and help people feel less alone.

Megan Jumper, MS

Data Analyst, HeadsUp

Megan is the HeadsUp Data Analyst. She evaluates data from the FEP programs across Pennsylvania which, to date, have provided statistical evidence of improved outcomes and participants’ experiences over the course of engagement with FEP care. Megan received her Master’s in Applied Statistics from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and has worked in the medical field for 7 years—including 5 years at the University of Pennsylvania. Megan is passionate about supporting the dedicated efforts of FEP programs through data exploration and analyses.

Emily Becker-Haimes, PhD

Fidelity Advisor, HeadsUp

Emily Becker-Haimes, PhD, is the Fidelity Advisor for the HeadsUp team. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the Center for Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. She is also the clinical director of the Pediatric Anxiety Treatment Center at Hall-Mercer, which is a specialty pediatric anxiety and OCD clinic dedicated to serving youth in the public mental health system. Emily is a clinical psychologist and implementation scientist dedicated to improving the quality of mental health services in community settings. She also holds expertise in the clinical assessment and treatment for youth with anxiety disorders and complex psychiatric comorbidities, as well as in measuring fidelity within the context of evidence-based practice implementation. She is delighted to be a part of the HeadsUp team and work to ensure that those with serious mental illness are able to access effective intervention.

Crystal Vatza, MS

Education and Tele-Health Manager, HeadsUp

Crystal is the HeadsUp Education and Tele-Therapy Manager. She uses a variety of tools and resources to educate clinicians and the community about psychosis assessment and early intervention both in person and via tele-health platforms. After receiving a BA in Psychology from East Stroudsburg University and MS in Counseling from Cairn University, she achieved her status as a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor and Board Certified – Tele Mental Health Professional. She has spent more than a decade specializing in psychosis and severe and persistent mental health conditions across all ages, populations, and levels of care. She has been a national trainer in many certified and evidenced-based curriculums as well as developed and presented individualized trainings ranging from small groups to national conferences. Crystal is driven to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health difficulties and improve access to care for those in need. Her hope is that her service to others will empower those who are struggling to realize their full potential and ability to achieve their dreams and aspirations.

Donna Bencivengo, MS

EPINET Clinical Research Coordinator

Donna graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and from Capella University with a master’s degree in sport psychology.  She has a background in Wellness Coaching, and as a therapist at an inpatient psychiatric hospital. She worked for the University of Pennsylvania in the past as the IRB Coordinator for addiction research studies.  Having seen the effects of psychosis as a therapist, she sees this position as an opportunity to find effective ways of helping people not just cope with mental health challenges but thrive.

Meredith Jacoby, BA

Community Outreach Manager, HeadsUp

Meredith is the HeadsUp Community Outreach Manager and uses a variety of creative tools to help educate and inform people about early intervention resources for psychosis. After receiving a BA in psychology from Temple University she has worked for over two decades in outreach and marketing for many organizations and businesses including two of her own creation. She hopes her work will empower people who are struggling and will continue to shift societal stigma around serious mental illness.

Aimee Kim, MSEd

Outreach & Clinical Support Specialist, HeadsUp

Recognizing that the experience of psychosis early in life brings a profound challenge in one’s development toward an outlook on life in adulthood, Aimee works to address the gap in access to developmentally appropriate specialized treatment and care.  She facilitates connecting affected individuals to support services and resources to improve capacity to cope with the demands of daily life.   She hopes, through her role, to destigmatize the experience of psychosis.

Jessie Riggs, MS

Data Coordinator, HeadsUp

Jessie is the Clinical Research Data Coordinator for HeadsUp. She graduated from the University of Kansas in May of 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Political Science, as well as a minor in Spanish. Jessie is currently working on her master’s degree in forensic science with an emphasis on forensic psychology. She joined the HeadsUp team because she has a passion for mental health and hopes to support the de-stigmatization of mental illness by increasing awareness through research and data!

Steven (Steve) Paredes, BS

HeadsUp Administrative Coordinator

Steven (Steve) Paredes is the HeadsUp Administrative Coordinator and provides organizational support to the organization. He graduated from Penn State University in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He spent his time not only learning about mental health but also understanding the value of being a good listener and communicator. For the last five years, he has worked in a clinical setting at a multispecialty practice, where he saw first-hand the importance of listening, showing compassion, and being empathetic. He joined HeadsUp because of their mission of ending stigmatization through education, advocacy, and support. He has a passion for mental health and knows the importance of empowerment, inspiring hope, and promoting mental health and well-being. He is excited to be a part of the HeadsUp team and hopes his organizational support to the organization allows for the contribution of reducing stigma around early psychosis and connecting those with serious mental illness with services that will help them thrive.