Practice

Safdar I. Chaudhary, MD
Medical Director

Dr. Chaudhary has served as chairman of the Psychiatry Medical Staff and faculty member of the psychiatry-training program at St. Francis Medical Center. He is Psychiatric preceptor for family Practice Residency Program at UPMC St. Margaret. Other interest includes writing, teaching and organizing newer models of health care delivery. He has recently initiated the delivery of healthcare in a wellness setting at “s'eclairer” located in Westmoreland County. He has organized several CME conferences and has been a guest speaker for Grand Rounds and Faculty Presentations. He is currently Medical Editor for this monthly periodical for Allegheny County Medical Society serving 3,000 Physician members. He enjoys music, art, culture, biking, traveling, reading, swimming, nature and listening. Dr. Chaudhary can be reached at safdar@seclairer.com



Herbert G. Chissell, M.D.

Herbert G. Chissell, M.D. is a consultant for S'eclairer. He received his Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1974.He received his certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in General Adult Psychiatry in 1984. He is a Forensics Psychiatrist and a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties. He is presently serving as Chief of Medical Services at Torrance State Hospital. His clinical experiences include treating addictions, trauma, grief, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He has a wide range of experience treating serious mental illness. He enjoys listening, teaching and community work. He is highly respected by his peers and the patients he treats.


Haranath Parepally, MD
Video Profile

Haranath Parepally, MD is a psychiatrist serving as a consultant at S'eclairer. He is Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. After completing his medical school at Kakatiya University Medical School in India, he joined Middleton Psychiatric Center, an affiliate of Columbia University College of New York. He served there as chief resident in psychiatry and later became a Diplomat in Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and American Society of Psychopharmacological, Inc. He has an extensive experience as researcher as well as teaching and has had many publications. He brings in more than 20 years of clinical expertise in General Adult Psychiatry. His clinical experiences include treating individuals with personality disorders, addictions, trauma, grief, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. While he is very well versed in the medical treatments, he also enjoys meditation, yoga and mindfulness, in observing nature and nurturing those in need of recovery. He has benefited many from his extensive knowledge of psychiatric research, thus being unique in the field of behavioral health sciences in this region.

Jeffrey K. Turgeon, MPAS, PA-C

Jeff is a graduate of Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. He obtained his masters degree in Physician Assistant Sciences in 2001. Following graduation, he practiced in internalmedicine for three years. He became fascinated by the field of psychiatry and since 2004 has dedicated himself to this arena of healthcare. He presently serves as physician assistant at S'eclairer. He performs individual confidential assessments, treatments and facilitates effective coordination of care. He also enjoys sharing his knowledge and love of psychiatry with students from surrounding universities.

Jeff has experience in both acute inpatient psychiatric care and outpatient management of those with behavioral health care needs. Having grown up in rural Pennsylvania, he believes that the simplest pleasures in life provide themost long lasting benefits.


Kimberly S. Ruth MS, CAC, LPC
Video Profile

Kim is a licensed professional counselor and a certified addictions counselor. She has worked in various outpatient mental health and substance abuse settings for the past 10 years. Kim is presently working at S'eclairer on a part-time basis where she does individual, couples, and family therapy. Kim has also been trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and currently co-facilitates a weekly DBT group. Her previous professional experience has been with both adults and adolescents. Kim completed her education at California University of Pennsylvania in California, PA where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Master of Science in Community Agency Counseling. Aside from her professional life, she spends the remainder of her time as a full-time mom to her two young daughters. She also enjoys dance, walking, home decorating, traveling, and collecting hand made baskets. Kim can be reached at kim@seclairer.com

Dorothy (Dody) A. Wellock RN, MA, LPC, NCC, CARN

Dody is a Registered Nurse, a Board Eligible National Certified Counselor, and is certified through the Addictions Nursing Certification Board, and the Consortium of Behavioral Health Nurses. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Duquesne University, and her Masters of Arts in Community Counseling at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Having worked in behavioral health for 25 years, she utilizes both her nursing and counseling skills at S'eclairer. She has received specialized training in, and is able to provide Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Couple Communication®, EMDR for post traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, and anxiety disorders, Christian Counseling, 12 Step Facilitated Treatment, and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy.

She and her husband of 35 years live in Ligonier as semi-empty nesters with a herd of cats and a dog. They enjoy community volunteering and co-facilitation of couples and groups around communication issues. Dody loves to spend time with family and friends, gardening, home canning and freezing, singing in her church choir, and being a part of any effort that meets other's needs. Dody can be reached at dody@seclairer.com


Christina L. Weimer BS, Psychology

Chrissy is a professional drug & alcohol and mental health counselor. She completed her education at Slippery Rock University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Social work. She has worked in various Intensive Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Programs over the past ten years. She also has extensive experience in Methadone Maintenance Treatment and Suboxone Maintenance Treatment. Chrissy is presently consulting at S'eclairer where she specializes in Individual, family and Group therapy. She has been trained and practices Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Reality Therapy. She enjoys exploring new ideas and challenges ineffective patterns of behaviors. Her interests include spending quality time with her husband and two small daughters, socializing with friends, and camping. Chrissy can be reached at chrissy@seclairer.com


Zahida Chaudhary, M.D.
Founder and President of Z'harmony

Dr. Chaudhary has been a resident of Western PA for the past 20 years. Following completion ofMedical School, she practiced in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology and received training in psychiatry from AlleghenyGeneralHospital, Pittsburgh PA, thus furthering her knowledge in behavioral health. She has been trained in mindful based stress reduction, a training lead by a world renowned expert of mindfulness, Dr. Jon Kabat Zin, PhD. She has received intensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, which she applies in her clinical teaching, educational initiatives, retreats and seminars. Given her extensive experience in the health care and love for mindfulness living, she has embarked upon the journey of emerging fields ofmind-bodymedicinewith focus onmindfulnesspractices. These tools are helpful in the treatment of chronic pain, stress related disorders, and a wide range of chronic diseases. Z'harmony is a place for everyone,with amission to heal heart,mind, body and the beautiful earthwe all enjoy.Her interests includewriting, traveling, teaching, and organizing creative models of healthy living.



Crystal Longanecker MFT

Crystal is a Marriage and Family Therapist. She graduated from Penn State in December of 2006 with a Bachelors degree in Applied Psychology, and just received her Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seton Hill University in May of 2011. Crystal has previously worked as a Therapeutic Staff Support for Family Behavioral Resources with children who have autism as well as children with behavioral issues. She works with individuals, couples, and families, and co-facilitates the Adolescent DBT group on Tuesday evenings. She enjoys spending time with her husband and young daughter, and is excited to join S'eclairer as a therapist.


Kathie J. Kirkland, RN

Kathie is a Registered Nurse who has worked in various health care settings for 15 years. She has had extensive experience with drug and alcohol nursing for the past 10 years. She provides consultation and treatment for various psychiatric and addictive disorders. Kathie attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Westmoreland County Community College receiving her degree in Nursing. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, outdoor activities, continued learning and volunteering. Kathie can be reached at kathie@seclairer.com


Ricardo Stephen Marsili, M Div
Video Profile

Rick has developed numerous creative treatments and support services for children, teenagers and their families in rural, urban and inner city communities throughout the United States. He holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois. He has been in the addictions field for over 25 years and specializes in treating adolescents with co-occurring disorders, family centered models of treatment, assisting children and families. Rick provides training and supervising on effective models of treatment for adolescents with co-occurring disorders. Rick loves life! Aside from the passion that flows in his professional life, he spends time with his family and friends boating in the mountains of Western Pennsylvania and enjoying a good meal together!

Theresa (Tirzah) C. Mason, LCSW, BCD 

Theresa (Tirzah) C. Mason, LCSW, BCD holds an MSW from the University of Pittsburgh (1976). She has 34 years of experience with a variety of client populations, and has worked for the past 17 years in Private practice, 13 of those with PERSOMA,PC in Monroeville, PA. Tirzah works with adults and couples using a variety of approaches, including CBT. She also provides EAP Services including Critical Incident Stress Management, and Training. She recently completed DBT Training. Tirzah and her husband, Bob are the parents of two grown children, and the grandparents of a baby boy. Tirzah and Bob are founding members of Dream of the Earth, a non-profit organization dedicated to Reinventing the Human through Science, Story , Spirit and Celebration (see dreamoftheearth.org). Tirzah enjoys gardening, reading, poetry, walking and bicycling. She and her husband are serious movie buffs.