2019 Interns

Jeff Flinchem is a rising sophomore at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in music. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school and earn a degree in clinical psychology. Jeff first realized his passion for working with children early in high school, while volunteering at game nights for children with disabilities. Helping these children routinely have fun nights to look forward to and feel included in was an incredibly rewarding experience. Having also volunteered at Delnor Hospital in a fitness program for children with disabilities, he has developed both an understanding and a passion for working with these children. Outside of his studies in psychology, Jeff works as the recruitment chair for Greek life at Augustana College, which requires extensive care in creating an environment where people from different backgrounds feel secure, welcome, and included. Ultimately, Jeff is most passionate about reducing the stigmatization of seeking mental health treatment, and helping people who struggle with mental health overcome these challenges to gain a higher quality of life. Jeff is honored to be an intern at Advanced Therapeutic Solutions this summer. He looks forward to the opportunity to help children with Selective Mutism, as well as the knowledge and personal growth that this experience will provide.

Grace Kuna is a rising sophomore at Miami University, where she is studying to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology and premedical studies. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school to become an adolescent and child psychiatrist. She has always been passionate about working with children and solidified this passion while leading a mentorship program for junior high students. Her time spent serving as a peer tutor and hospital volunteer has given her the opportunity to assist diverse groups of people. Additionally, several summers spent as a TA for an elementary summer school program and working as a high school orientation leader have given her skills and experience working with students reluctant to attend school. She is currently a mentor at a local elementary school, where she loves to teach and guide children to help them realize their potential. She firmly believes in the power of early intervention and its ability to create positive developmental outcomes. Grace is thrilled to be given the opportunity to work at Advanced Therapeutic Solutions this summer and learn more about ATS’s innovative approaches to selective mutism treatment. She is excited to assist the Adventure Camp team and support the children and families who attend.

Sydney Matteson is a rising senior at Kenyon College where she will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in philosophy. Sydney has always loved working with children and has strived to do so throughout her high school and college years. She has volunteered as an assistant teacher at the low-staff schools near her college. As a member of the varsity swim team, she enjoys helping children overcome their fear of the water and improve their skills. She works as a private swim technique coach for children of all ages. Sydney is also a member of Psi Chi, the international honors society for psychology, and is conducting research on advertisements and their effects on women. She worked as an arts and crafts counselor for a YMCA sports day camp, organizing activities to encourage creativity in athletic children. However, it was during her time at Camp Ramapo, a camp for children with special needs, where she discovered her drive to help children struggling with intense emotions and anxiety. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school in clinical psychology to further pursue her interest and passion for children and mental health. Sydney is excited to be a member of the Advanced Therapeutic Solutions team so she can explore her interest in anxiety disorders while learning more about therapy in a hands-on setting. She is grateful for this opportunity and the chance to empower and connect with children and their families.

Chase O’Neal is a rising senior at the University of Missouri, where he will be graduating in May of 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in human development and family science. After graduation, Chase plans to attend graduate school to obtain a degree in clinical psychology, furthering his interest in working with children and families. Through his many experiences Chase discovered an enjoyment in working with children and mental health. Some of these experiences include teaching swim lessons to children, being a camp counselor at a YWCA Peace Camp and Camp Kesem, and working at the Family and Child Development Lab at the University of Missouri. Caring for the well-being of others has become a passion for Chase as well. As a sophomore he was selected to be a Counseling Center Student Advisory Board Member, where he helped bridge the gap between student life and the counseling center in order to increase mental health awareness on campus. Currently, he volunteers weekly at the Missouri Crisis Line, where he de-escalates suicidal callers and provides mental health resources. Additionally, Chase works at the Family Relationships and Adolescent Development Lab, where he helps collect data on family discussions. Chase is eager to work with Advanced Therapeutic Solutions to positively influence the lives of children with selective mutism and their families.

Kaela Harber is a rising junior at Loyola University Chicago, where she is studying to earn a bachelor’s degree in both psychology and neuroscience with a minor in bioethics. She is passionate about working with children, a passion she developed as a volunteer with Ronald McDonald House Charities and in her role as the lead research assistant in a psychology lab studying obesogenic behaviors in children. Kaela is also a member of Psi Chi, the international psychology honors society, at Loyola. In addition to working with children, Kaela is passionate about mental health advocacy and destigmatization. After graduation, she hopes to pursue either child life specialty or psychiatry. She is very excited about the opportunity to work at Advanced Therapeutic Solutions and hopes to make a difference in the lives of children with selective mutism.

Audrey Mason is a rising senior at the University of Chicago where she will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in English and creative writing. On campus, she is a member of the varsity swim team and works with Jumpstart for Young Children, where she joins a team to visit a nearby preschool twice a week and teach basic skills and vocabulary. She has always had a passion for working with children, and has been teaching swim lessons and working at various summer camps for the past five years. Combining her passion for children and her interest in English and language, she is particularly intrigued by language acquisition and its effect on psychological development. In this way, she is especially interested in the work of ATS, and is thrilled to learn as much as she can from its amazing team. After graduating from the University of Chicago, she plans to attend graduate school to pursue a degree in counseling or clinical psychology. She is incredibly excited to spend the summer with ATS and is grateful for the opportunity to work with children and make an impact on their families’ lives.

Sam Neri is a rising junior at Loyola University Chicago where she is studying to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology, as well as a minor in neuroscience. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to earn a degree in clinical psychology and has the long-term dream of becoming a mental health therapist for young adolescents and teens. Sam’s passion for working with kids began her junior year of high school when she worked as an inclusion companion for children with mental and behavioral disabilities. Here, she was able to work with several special needs children on an individual basis and was inspired by the opportunity to be a part of their personal growth and recovery. At school, Sam is the Vice President of Loyola’s mental health awareness club called Active Minds where they focus on reducing the stigma around mental health. She is also a student leader for Loyola’s Body Project workshop which strives to improve body satisfaction for women. Within her free time, Sam also volunteers at a local elementary school where she is the head coach for a sixth-grade girls volleyball team. Sam has always loved spending time with kids and is thrilled by the opportunity to continue her passion at ATS. She is extremely excited to work with children with selective mutism and is eager to learn from the incredible staff at ATS.