Colleen Schisler Joins Lakeside Girls Academy

Colleen Schisler, of Bucks County, PA, has joined Lakeside Girls Academy, a division of Lakeside Educational Network as a counselor.

“Colleen has been such a gift to our program,” says Patricia Farraday, program director for Lakeside Girls Academy. She has filled our final counseling gap and we are confident in the services that she can provide. In addition to 7 years of field experience, Colleen is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy which will be quite beneficial to a number of our students. She has proven herself to be a vital part of our therapeutic team.”

Lakeside Girls Academy accepts regular and special education girls in grades 8-12 who need a small, structured and nurturing therapeutic environment where academic success is a priority. The Girls Academy also accepts students who may be pregnant or parenting and in need of pregnancy and parenting education, services and support while completing required coursework towards high school graduation.

“I enjoy the fact that Lakeside Girls Academy creates a strong sense of community both with students and staff,” says Schisler. “This sense of community focuses on meeting the needs of the individual instead of the whole, thus making sure no one is lost in the shuffle.”

Schisler earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a business option from Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA and is currently pursuing her Masters of Social Services from Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA.

“After interning here last year I found that I really enjoyed working in the school setting,” continues Schisler. “I truly believe in the program.”

Prior to joining Lakeside Girls Academy, Schisler worked as a family based therapist at NHS Human Services.

Lakeside Educational Network, a long-standing nonprofit serving the needs of over 2000 students annually throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, provides a range of therapeutic educational programs and services. Lakeside’s approach empowers students to realize their life goals and to become positive citizens in their communities. The scope of its programs includes special education and services for behavioral and clinical issues such as truancy, ungovernability, addictions and crisis pregnancy. In addition to its multiple campuses where students in grades 6-12 are enrolled, Lakeside also provides training for professionals including early childhood education, anger/violence prevention and trauma-informed systems. For additional information, please visit Lakeside’s website at www.lakesidelink.com.