Who We Are
Dr. Jonathan Gransee
Has had a life-long interest in psychology, dating back to his childhood. However, his route to a career in psychology was a bit circuitous. After high school, he went into the United States Air Force, where he quickly moved through the ranks to the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his time in the Air Force, he learned many construction techniques (useful for home remodeling projects), and also had his first experiences as a supervisor. However, after his 6 year enlistment expired, he chose not to re-enlist, and instead decided to obtain an undergraduate degree in psychology at Arizona State University. He worked throughout his schooling, delivering pizzas, and working in tele-sales. After graduating Cum Laude with a B.S. in Psychology, he had a brief, one year sabbatical where he worked as a substance abuse counselor for an adult short-term residential treatment placement. It is here that Dr. Gransee learned, first hand, about the field of substance abuse treatment, though his ideas tended to be a bit non-traditional, and challenged the typical approach utilized to treat substance abuse clients.
During Dr. Gransee’s time as a substance abuse counselor, he applied to, and was accepted to the California School of Professional Psychology – San Diego campus. During his 5 years at this institution, he received advanced training and education in counseling and assessment techniques, and in research evaluation, and also had the opportunity to work hands-on with patients with various issues. As well, during this time he conducted research on his dissertation topic, Heterosocial Paralysis. This topic centered on the dating problems of individuals who had limited social competence, though it was not until much later that he realized that he had essentially analyzed the dating problems of those with Asperger’s or High Functioning Autism. He wrote, and defended his dissertation, and graduated soon thereafter.
Beginning in 2000, Dr. Gransee began his work in the area of evaluations, taking on a psychological assistant position with a practicing psychologist in the Lancaster, PA area. During his 2 1/2 years with this psychologist, he conducted hundreds if not thousands of psychological evaluations on children and adolescents, primarily to determine their need for Wraparound services. During this time, he also studied for and passed the licensing exam, and was licensed in June of 2002. Soon thereafter, Dr. Gransee went on his own, starting an evaluation agency, and continuing to evaluate children and adolescents for Wraparound services, as well as evaluating individuals of all ages for disability evaluations. As his business grew, he took on psychological associates who were trained in the techniques that Dr. Gransee had come to utilize for evaluations. Over the past few years, Dr. Gransee has conducted dozens of seminars, nationwide, on Autism Spectrum Disorders and the trend towards diagnosing Bipolar Disorder in Children, and has continued to grow his practice. At this point, he employs numerous psychological associates and office staff, and conducts and/or supervises evaluations for INS cases, other legal cases, parenting competency cases, and other cases involving children and adolescents, including cases for adoption, wraparound cases, foster care cases, etc.
Jillian Blickley, MA-ATR
Is a Registered Art Therapist with the American Art Therapy Credentials Board and a Professional Member of the American Art Therapy Association. She has worked in the field of mental health services since 1996. She graduated with honors with her BA in Art Therapy from Seton Hill College in 1998. She immediately pursued her Master’s degree in Art Therapy from Marywood University and she again graduated with honors in 2000. She has been a member of Who’s Who for Graduate Students as well as Who’s Who for Professionals.
After completing her Master’s degree, Jillian accepted a position as a Mental Health Professional with Keystone Children & Family Services in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, working to provide therapy services to children and families participating in the Community Residential Rehabilitative Host Home Program. While working for Keystone, Jillian met and worked with Dr. Gransee on several cases before joining Gransee and Associates in May 2010 as an Evaluator. She has over 5 years of total experience in the mental health field, and is very excited to expand her knowledge.
Jillian’s special interests include spending time with her new Husband, reading, and enjoying her family and friends.
Michelle Cummings
Earned her Bachelors degree in Psychology from St. Bonaventure University and her Masters in Counseling and Human Services from Lehigh University. While working toward her Masters degree, she worked in various positions to expand her knowledge as a budding therapist. She worked as a counselor in a group home setting, helping adults adjust to community living after being transitioned out of the Allentown State Hospital; as a counselor in a college counseling center, conducting various psychological tests to complement treatment; and as a Therapeutic Staff Support worker conducting Discrete Trial Instruction with children with Autism Spectrum Diagnoses.
Since completion of her Masters degree, she has worked as a Mental Health Professional , conducting individual and group therapy for children and teenagers in a Day Partial Hospitalization program, and as a Behavior Specialist Consultant working with children with varying developmental, behavioral, and emotional issues. These experiences have provided her with much exposure to various mental health issues and their impact on an individual’s life.
She continues working toward a holistic approach in assessing and providing the correct diagnoses and treatment recommendations to improve the quality of life for children and their families.
Shaun Loftus
Has worked in the mental health system for over fifteen years. He has a number of years conducting psychological evaluations in an emergency room, where he dealt with people who were facing challenges in their lives. After he obtained his Master’s degree from Marywood University in Psychology/Counseling, he spent several years working in the public school system providing educational counseling to children. This position gave him an inside look at the dynamics of the school system and the needs of students as they worked towards obtaining their education. Shaun has also been employed as a private therapist and a Behavior Specialist Consultant. In that position, he was responsible for providing therapy, writing treatment plans, and supervising staff providing direct support.
This experience has provided a perspective from a mental health agency enabling Shaun to provide the best possible service to the individuals he provided support too. In conclusion, Shaun has been conducting psychological evaluations for Dr. Gransee for the past two years. His role with Dr. Gransee includes providing diagnostics and recommendations for families seeking out support services for their children.
Blake DeMatteo
Blake DeMatteo, who originally hails from the greater Atlanta area of Georgia, attended both the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Millersville University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2005 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology. She then spent the next few years working in Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services and gained experience treating children with severe behavioral difficulties and Autism Spectrum Disorders. While completing her practicum in graduate school, she researched and helped develop a play therapy room and learned techniques rooted in Nondirective Play Therapy. She completed a Masters of Science degree in Clinical Psychology in 2010 and remains fascinated by the field of psychology, with particular interests in outpatient psychotherapy and assessment. She is currently in the process of working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. In her free time, she enjoys photography, art, reading, learning guitar, being outdoors, and spending time with her friends, family, husband, and lovely cats.