About Us

Susan B. Drelick, MA: Psychologist

Susan obtained her BA in psychology from the University of Notre Dame and her MA in Counseling Psychology from Slippery Rock University. She has worked in community mental health in both Venango and Clarion counties as well as Philadelphia since 1974. She worked six years at what is now UPMC Northwest on the inpatient psychiatric unit, doing psychological evaluations as well as conducting individual, group, and family therapy. Susan joined

 Rural Mental Health Associates, Inc in 1995, where she works with clients of all ages and varying diagnostic categories, including eating disorders and ADHD. She particularly enjoys doing family therapy, having been trained through the Philadelphia Child Guidance Center rural outreach program. She also serves on the Venango County Mental Health Disaster Response Team. Susan is married and has two daughters.

 

Ronald I. Palmer, MA: Psychologist

Ron graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1983 where he obtained his Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. He previously served in the Air Force. He worked for 10 years at the Franklin Regional Medical Center (now UPMC Northwest), Family Practice Center as a faculty member to the Family Practice Program and in the Behavioral Health Department. Ron joined Donald Hazlett, M.D. Psychiatrist in 1993 when

 Rural Mental Health Associates, Inc was originated. He treats adults and older adolescents with a wide variety of psychological issues. Ron has a special interest in marital/relationship therapy, anger management issues, and problems with codependence. Ron is involved with Easter Seals both on a regional and national level. He and his wife are the parents of three children.

John Rila, LCSW: Social Worker

John earned his BS in Psychology at the University of South Dakota in 1977 and his Masters of Social Work from Ohio State University in 1986. John has worked in various mental health facilities over the years. He joined

 Rural Mental Health Associates, Inc in February 2009 and works at both of our locations, Oil City and Shippenville. He sees client of all ages and various presenting problems, including depression, anxiety, and OCD with a special interest in chronic mental illness. John is married and resides in the Franklin area.

Melissa Whitling-Wise, LPC

Melissa obtained her BS in Psychology from Clarion University of PA and her MA in Community Counseling from Slippery Rock University of PA. She has worked in community mental health in both Venango and Clarion Counties over the past twenty years. Melissa treats clients of all ages and various problems including: depression, anxiety, blended family issues, trauma, abuse and problems with co-dependency. She is presently in training through Penn State University to become a registered play therapist. She and her husband reside in Oil City, PA.

Betty J. Smith, LCSW: Social Worker

After serving in the United States Navy, Betty earned her BS in Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude, and a Master's in Social Science Administration from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Betty completed the three-year training program for Family Based Mental Health Therapists and participated an additional eight years of supervision for clinical supervisors provided by Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Center, Inc. She became a Certified Clinical Social Worker in 2002. For over 20 years Betty has provided individual, family and group therapy in outpatient, community, inpatient, and residential setting in Venango, Crawford, Clarion, Warren and Mercer Counties where she treated very diverse clients of all ages with a wide range of presenting problems. Betty enjoys doing couples and family therapy as well as helping individuals overcome many issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and adjusting to changing life circumstances.

Deborah Lucas, LPC

Debbie earned her BS from Penn State and her MA in Community Counseling from Slippery Rock University. Debbie worked nearly 18 years in the field of Hospice accompanying patients and their families on this difficult end of life journey. In addition, she worked several years in community mental health facilities. She has brought this experience to Rural Mental Health Associates, Inc. to work with those individuals struggling with grief, losses, depression, anxiety, and trauma in their lives. Debbie treats clients age 5 to 65 years. She enjoys working with a diverse population of age, race, occupations, and sexual orientation. Debbie sees clients in the Shippenville office.

Brenda K. Daugherty, M.Ed., LPC, NCC

Brenda obtained her BA in Sociology/Psychology from Clarion University and her M.Ed., in Community Counseling from the University of North Florida. She then earned her Counselor Education Dual Certification from Westminster College, and has been providing school (K-12) and adult community-based mental health counseling over the past 22 years, working with all age groups. Her experience includes working with a wide range of presenting issues, including anxiety, stress, depression, conflict, anger, social skills, loss, grief, trauma, relationships and adjustment to life changes.