Meet Our Center City Team
The child-therapists at the Child and Family Art Therapy Center in Haverford are master’s level art therapists. We have uncommon training in visual and nonverbal communication, play-therapy, supportive structure, and child development, providing deep understanding about the unique ways our young clients think, feel, and behave. We can’t wait to help! Our award-winning child counseling approach consists of art therapy, play therapy, and verbal therapy with parent support for children, teens, and college students. It is our passion to help them overcome challenges and succeed at home, school, and in relationships.
Our Center City office is convenient to all of Philadelphia, including University City, Chestnut Hill, Germantown, and New Jersey towns: Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Haddonfield, Moorestown, and Cinnaminson, and beyond.
You can reach our therapists at our main number, (610) 649-1080, and by dialing the phone extension found by their name.
Michael Fogel, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, PAATA HLM ext. 4
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Board Certified Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor
Founder/Director
Mike Fogel, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, PAATA HLM, is an author, visionary art therapy entrepreneur, and child whisperer. Passionate about childhood, parenting, and playfulness in therapy, he was inspired to found award-winning child therapy programs and businesses: the Art of Friendship Social-Coping Program® (2000), Child and Family Art Therapy Center (2007), Camp Pegasus (2013), and the BetterWorld Affordable Art Therapy Program (2019). Mike’s work is supercharged by heartfelt faith that every person has the innate capacity to heal, grow, and progress towards their vast personal potential. Mike published his first book in 2020, “The Social-Emotional Guidebook: Motivate Your Child to Master Social & Emotional Coping Skills”. The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association twice honored Mike with awards for Innovative Application of Art Therapy in 2006 and Honorary Life Member in 2021.
Mike treats a wide range of childhood emotional-behavioral challenges at his private group practice. Since 1995, Mike cultivated a specialty in social skills group therapy with neuro-diverse children with autism, ADHD, and learning differences. The unique needs of this population stimulated Mike to create a comprehensive social skills training program (The Art of Friendship) and visually communicated S.E.L. curriculum. The program teaches young people social and emotional coping-skills and the Guidebook empowers parents and professionals to support and reinforce skill development. Mike preaches: social skills are for everyone, and social-coping skills hold the key to a kinder, more effective & compassionate society, and nothing short of world peace!
Mike is constantly involved in lay and clinical education. He was an adjunct professor and clinical supervisor at Drexel University’s graduate art therapy program for years. You’ll find Mike presenting at conferences and workshops around the country. His community service included volunteer positions on the board of directors of the Asperger & Autism Alliance of Greater Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association.
Mike lives outside of Philadelphia, PA with his wife, two children, and Penny the Shih-Tsu. He loves comic books, progressive rock music, all things comedic, college basketball, and rooting for his Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles.
Candice L. Lespoir, B.S., MSW x714
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Director of Operations
Candice is a social worker and is passionate about the development of others. She attended Chestnut Hill College and Temple University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Communication and Master’s in Social Work, respectively. Candice worked at the
American Board of Internal Medicine (“ABIM”) where she served as an administrator to the Senior Vice President and was responsible for the development and distribution of all marketing publications for the organization. Candice continued her education and transitioned
to social services. During her time at United Communities of Southeast Philadelphia, she was a Program Coordinator for a girls’ mentoring program, Girls Today, Leaders Tomorrow (“GTLT”). Candice supervised nine case managers in a truancy prevention program that supported over 150 families on a monthly basis to break down barriers preventing their school-aged children from attending school daily by meeting families’ basic needs. A true self-starter, Candice also started two businesses!
Candice is passionate about watching and helping others grow, win, and become the best version of who they are. She is an excellent project manager and possesses skills which allow her to empower others to utilize their gifts and talent through advice and mentoring. One of her goals is to become a certified counselor and Life Coach to continue to empower and impact lives. She considers herself a life-long student and is driven to become who she was created to be- someone who empowers and impacts lives.
Candice enjoys spending time with her close-knit family and circle of friends. She likes to travel, eat, take 5-mile walks, and crash open houses.
Luisa Gray, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, ext. 700
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Board Certified Art Psychotherapist, Licensed Professional Counselor
Luisa Gray is a registered, board certified art therapist and a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania. Luisa earned her Master of Arts in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Art Therapy from Naropa University. Her child-friendly art therapy approach to treatment helps both expressive and non-expressive children resolve a wide variety of emotional, behavioral and social problems. Her work with families employs a child-centered art therapy approach, play therapy, family systems, and a Mindfulness inspired outlook.
Trained in the rigors of outpatient mental health clinics, Luisa worked with both individuals and families on issues like grief and loss, depression, truancy, parenting issues and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders. She also gained valuable experience in facilitating art therapy groups for children with emotional and peer relationship problems.
Promoting social awareness and helping children learn how to connect to others in meaningful and respectful ways are some of Luisa's main therapeutic goals. She is currently taking a post graduate training course in play therapy at the Family Play Therapy Center in Mt. Airy. When Luisa is not working, she is enjoying the whirlwind of raising her two young children with her husband.
Petra Artz, ATR, ext. 715
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Registered Art Therapist
Petra Artz is a registered art therapist with a master’s degree in Art Therapy from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. A child-adolescent specialists, her studies at SVA focused on art therapy treatment with children and adolescents during internships in both a school environment and a pediatric inpatient psychiatric setting. Petra has extensive experience with neuro-diverse populations and enjoys entering into the world of play and creation with all her clients. Additionally, she spent many years in childcare as an au pair and nanny both locally and abroad. Petra's experience in childcare provided her with a deep understanding of family dynamics and the many ways children and their families communicate, and differ, within their unique home environments.
Petra’s most recent clinical experience has been working with adolescents and their families through a municipal intensive diversion program in Philadelphia, aiming to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline. She has treated children who experienced a wide range of challenges or diagnoses, including, ADHD, trauma, anxiety, depression, O.D.D. conduct disorder, D.M.D.D., and many others. Masterful at connecting with adolescents and children of all ages, Petra helps each individual find their voice using art, play, or verbal therapy approaches. For the past two years, Petra's expanded her expertise working with parents and families around trauma, in the context of client-centered treatment. Petra includes parents in all aspects of their child’s care, from in-session training and support with the child to break out caregiver-only progress meetings. Blending warmth, humor, and a reassuring grounded confidence, her gift for connecting with people of all ages shines through. Petra approaches all treatment with compassion and humanity, with a strong emphasis on fun and unlocking one's creative potential. You will feel accepted, cared for, and understood the minute you meet her!
Petra enjoys spending her free time hiking, quilling, and spending time with her two cats, Ace and Mikey.
Marlie Krickus, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, x709
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Board Certified Art Psychoherapist, Licensed Professional Counselor
Marlie Krickus is a board certified art therapist and licensed professional counselor from Philadelphia, with experience practicing in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Marlie received her Masters of Art in Art Therapy and Counseling from Drexel University. Prior to joining CFATC, Marlie enjoyed several fulfilling art therapist positions across inpatient, educational, residential, and outpatient settings, providing her the ability to effectively work with even the most intense and challenging situations. Additionally, Marlie has also held many roles over the years at Camp Pegasus up to and including Clinical Supervisor, a rewarding experience that greatly informed her child centered approach and ability as a social skills therapist.
Marlie treated children and adults experiencing trauma, sexual abuse and sex trafficking, depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, mood and personality disorders, Autism, ADHD, and the psychiatrically incarcerated. Passionate about helping individuals heal after trauma, Marlie helps children and teens overcome their individual challenges to accept and celebrate who they are. Marlie feels most inspired by the resilient, inquisitive, and inherently accepting nature of children and teens. She believes strongly in the healing power of the creative process in art making, as well as in the value of reflecting on art products’ meaning. She encourages clients to engage with treatment at their own pace, always highlighting their strengths. Equally adept at verbal therapy approaches, Marlie welcomes nontraditional approaches to art materials or exploring artistic metaphors as a means of creative problem solving and expression.
While completing her graduate studies and also training at a mixed martial arts gym, Marlie became interested in the similar effects art-making and physical activity have on executive functioning and emotion control. This interest ignited clinical and literary research resulting in her development of a group art therapy method which created opportunities for movement and peer interaction while engaged in the therapeutic art making process. A registered coach with USA Boxing, Marlie does not employ any gym techniques in her current practice, but continues to integrate these ideas into her work at CFATC. Feel free to ask Marlie how this works!
Outside of the office, Marlie enjoys supervising art therapy graduate students, remains active in her community and social justice initiatives, and engages with many hobbies, including bike riding, art making, exploring new cities, and reading.
Dana DiPretoro, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, LCAT, x708
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Board Certified Art Psychotherapist, Licensed Professional Counselor
Dana DiPretoro is a Registered, Board-Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania. She attained her Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling from Drexel University, with a Master’s thesis exploring incorporating art therapy directives into the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy treatment model.
Dana accumulated experience in an outpatient community mental health agency where she has treated children and adults experiencing a wide range of significant challenges: anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, Autism, ADHD, mood disorders, and personality disorders. On one hand, Dana is a generalist who offers powerful therapy for a wide range of childhood challenges. Building on that base, Dana pursued additional extensive training and experience working with children and adults who experienced trauma. She is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), which promotes healing for children and their caregivers who have experienced trauma. Dana is also certified in Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), which aims to reduce PTSD symptoms in adolescents and adults.
Dana approaches therapy using a loving child-centered approach while incorporating evidence-based practices into treatment, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She considers the therapeutic relationship an essential agent for change. Dana is patient! She meets her clients where they are and highlights their unique strengths to become their best selves. Dana believes in a “systems approach” to treatment, which not only aims to improve presenting concerns/symptoms but also focuses on decreasing parental stress and increasing overall family functioning.
Dana has been a part of the Camp Pegasus “Team for Fun” for several years, starting when she was just an undergraduate student and working through the post-master’s level. She held multiple positions at camp throughout the years, up through Clinical Supervisor. Dana attributes her experiences at CP as the place where she fell in love with art therapy and developed her child-centered approach. In her free time, Dana enjoys reading, making art, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her loved ones.
Elizabeth “Eliza” Wyckoff x716
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Art Therapy Intern
Elizabeth “Eliza” Wyckoff is an art therapy intern in the BetterWorld Accessible Therapy program. She is a graduate student in the Drexel University Art Therapy and Clinical Counseling program. Eliza currently possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Whitman College in Washington State.
During the first year of her Master’s program, Eliza gained clinical experience working with adult dually diagnosed clients with mental health and/or drug and alcohol issues at The Wedge Recovery Center and 11th Street Family Health Services. At the Wedge, Eliza assisted in the client directed open art studio, actively participating and engaging with the members, building rapport, and providing positive reinforcement for creating healing art. At 11th Street Family Health Services, Eliza gained experience with a middle school student population. There, she assisted in planning and facilitating psychoeducational art projects and discussions designed to develop character and emotional coping skills for middle school students at the Young Scholars program at St. Malachy’s. Eliza passionately believes in a person-centered and systems approach to therapy, creating a supportive and comfortable space for clients and their families. Her own life experiences ground her belief in the power of art and play in the therapeutic setting. Eliza believes that effective therapy is an individualized process of exploration in the context of a trusting therapeutic relationship that engages various aspects of one’s identity through creative and playful approaches.
Outside of work, Eliza enjoys exploring Philadelphia and finding cute coffee shops. When she’s not out exploring, Eliza likes to read, explore different art mediums, bake, and cuddle with her blind mini dachshund, Buttercup.
Eve Atkins, MA, LSW x712
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Licensed Social Worker
Eve Atkins is a licensed social worker who graduated with a master’s degree summa cum laude from New York University's Silver School of Social Work. Impressively, she simultaneously obtained a master's degree in infant and child development from Sarah Lawrence College.
Eve was an intern and then a staff social worker at The Parent Center at Henry Street Settlement in Manhattan offering parent and child/infant dyadic therapy, individual parenting support and therapy, and psycho-educational groups for parents of children with developmental delays and behavioral challenges. Eve offered intervention to a variety of complex presentations, including multiple traumas such as forced parent/child separations, abuse, substance use, and poverty. Her grounding in trauma-informed attachment-based work shaped her supportive approaches to clients. Eve gained additional clinical experience in an outpatient clinic in the Bronx treating children and adolescents with anxiety and depression, behavioral and attentional challenges, and relationship difficulties. There, Eve collaborated with caregivers, teachers, and other professionals to maximize young clients’ gains in the therapy office.
Throughout her life, Eve has always been passionate about working with young children. She participated in a hospital-based training for child-life specialists and worked at a daycare center. For two summers, she was a counselor for the youngest campers at Camp Pegasus and returned triumphantly in summer of 2022 as a clinical supervisor. Eve employs a flexible and integrated approach to therapy, geared toward fostering self-expression, coping skills, and healthy relationships. She applies a child-focused and attachment-based framework, incorporating play and evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
In her free time, Eve enjoys art using watercolor, clay, and resin, reading, and spending time with friends and family.