OPAL has a singular goal.
Overcoming Pain and Adversity in Life.
About OPAL
After more than 15 years of treating adolescents and their families, Nicole Chaikin, PsyD and Susan Morrison, LCSW observed clients becoming increasingly distressed and less able to fully participate in their lives. Initially, DBT had been demonstrated to be highly effective for adults with similar challenges. DBT has since been adapted to treat adolescents and young adults and in 2015, we founded one of the Main Line’s first adolescent DBT programs.
Our clinicians form a complementary and experientially diverse core team of committed and compassionate therapists. All OPAL clinicians have completed 40+ hours of DBT-specific training, with most trained directly by Behavioral Tech, LLC. Our practice is committed to providing an adherent DBT program and our team engages in weekly consultation meetings to support each other and ensure fidelity to the treatment model.
Nicole D. Chaikin, PsyD
CO-FOUNDER
Dr. Nicole Chaikin has been a practicing clinician for more than twenty years. Her integrative approach to psychotherapy weaves aspects of psychodynamic, dialectical (DBT) and cognitive behavioral strategies to tailor treatment to the individual client. Nicole’s DBT training was completed through Behavioral Tech.
Nicole values opportunities to work collaboratively with preteens, adolescents, and adults around a variety of life’s challenges and personal goals. Nicole’s areas of expertise include anxiety and mood disorders, self-injury/suicidality, personality disorders, dissociative disorders, and trauma-related problems. She also enjoys consulting with parents regarding child development issues and parenting concerns. In addition to her work with OPAL, Nicole is in private practice with Integrative Psychological Associates (IPA). Dr. Chaikin currently holds school psychologist positions at The Episcopal Academy and Montessori Children’s House of Valley Forge.
Nicole graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Clark University, earning the distinctions Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude. She earned a master’s degree in clinical social work (MSW) from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as both master and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology (PsyD) from the Institute of Graduate Clinical Psychology at Widener University. Nicole has held leadership positions in various mental health settings, including community mental health agencies, inpatient units, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, and schools.
phone: (484) 674-6325
email: admin@opaldbt.com
Susan S. Morrison, LCSW
CO-FOUNDER
Susan has been a practicing clinician for more than twenty years after earning her Masters in Social Service at Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including community mental health and private practice. Susan’s clinical approach is integrative, drawing from Object Relations Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and other relational therapies. Susan completed her DBT training through Behavioral Tech.
Susan works with preteens, teens and adults seeking improved self awareness and coping strategies to overcome the obstacles to living the life they desire. Within the context of a supportive and validating therapeutic relationship, clients are empowered to establish authentic goals, often related to identity and sense of self. Susan specializes in the treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, self-defeating behaviors, life transitions, social challenges, addictive behaviors, and ADHD. Consultation with parents regarding parenting issues is also available.
In addition to her work with OPAL, Susan is a member of Integrative Psychological Associates (IPA), a group practice with offices in Berwyn and Narberth.
phone: (484) 674-6325
email: admin@opaldbt.com