Our Team
Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you doesn't mean you can, should, or need to do it alone. We are here.
Jennifer Crytser
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LeeAnn Holt
Licensed Social Worker
Julie Smith
Owner
Kayla Depto
Master's Level Therapist
Paul Connors
Licensed Professional Counselor
Alyssa Pendolino
Licensed Social Worker
Julie Wojtaszek-Smith is the owner and operator of Anchored in Hope Counseling Services. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been providing quality mental health services for over thirteen years. She has experience working in a variety of settings including inpatient hospitalization and outpatient community agency. In 2018, she entered private practice to fulfill a vision of clinical work that focused on clients first. Julie received her Master’s Degree in Community Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is a certified clinical trauma professional and is trained in various acceptance-based behavior therapy approaches and other evidence-based treatments. She tends toward an eclectic approach of techniques to offer each client a tailored therapeutic experience focused on developing the skills they need to be happy and successful. In her spare time, Julie enjoys spending time with her family including her husband and two young sons, volunteering at her church, singing and playing the piano, reading, and shopping.
Jennifer Crytser joined the Anchored in Hope family on a part-time basis to offer her love and expertise of helping others in the clinical realm. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been providing mental health treatment and social work services in various settings for over twenty years. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Elmira College and her Master of Social Work degree from Temple University. Jen is a certified clinical trauma professional and has been trained in various evidence-based treatments including mindfulness, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and sand tray therapy. In her free time, Jen enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and pets, traveling, kayaking, shopping, and crafts.
LeeAnn Holt initially joined the practice as a master's level intern and is now a Licensed Social Worker providing clinical services to clients ages 14 and above. She graduated from Edinboro University with a Master's in Social Work. LeeAnn has much experience working in the mental health field, particularly in the crisis intervention area. She has been trained in various types of treatments including mindfulness, cognitive behavior therapy, and trauma informed care. LeeAnn enjoys spending time with family and friends when she is not working. She also enjoys exercising, reading, and traveling.
Kayla Depto is a Master’s Level therapist who became a part of the practice to share her eagerness to help others reach their full potential and find joy in daily life. She graduated from Clarion University with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has much experience working in the mental health field and applies her training and knowledge in various types of counseling to her work with children, teenagers, and adults. She is person-centered in her therapeutic approach and utilizes cognitive, behavior modification, mindfulness-based, and solution focused techniques to assist her clients in creating change. In her free time, Kayla enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters, shopping, golfing, and attending and volunteering at her church.
Paul Connors is a Master’s Level therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who joined Anchored in Hope to share his desire to help others take control of their thoughts and feelings in order to create healthier ways of living. He received his Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Messiah College. He has many years of experience with adolescents and adults in residential and correctional facilities as well as in general outpatient practice. Paul utilizes a combination of cognitive therapy, solution focused treatment, behavior modification, trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention to tailor his approach to each client’s needs. Paul enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters as well as exercising during his free time.
Alyssa Pendolino is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) who initially joined the practice as a master's level intern and is now providing clinical services to clients ages 14 and above. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Clarion University and her Master of Social Work degree from Edinboro University. Alyssa is person-centered in her therapeutic approach and has been trained in various types of treatments including anxiety interventions, cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and trauma-informed care. She has worked in various therapeutic settings but has found a niche in working with young adults who experience the stressors of this life stage. Alyssa enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family in her free time.
