Awareness to Change Counseling Services 

Our Story

We’ve loved every minute of our journey...

Christy Yerk-Smith, MA, NCC, LPC

Practice Owner

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Christy received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and her Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. She has over 25 years of professional experience in teaching and counseling children, adolescents, and adults.


Her areas of expertise include the following: adolescent issues, personal growth, infertility issues, addictions issues including gambling, substance use and abuse, as well as codependency issues. Other specialties include child abuse, the effects of substance use and abuse on the family unit, the mind/body/stress connection and sexual abuse and trauma recovery, as well as mood disorders and LGBTQI issues. Additionally, she is skilled at providing supervision for licensure as a professional counselor in Pennsylvania. She is a member of the American Counseling Association, the National Board of Certified Counselors, and the Lehigh Valley Psychological and Counseling Association. She is a former board member of Project Child, VOA Children’s Center, and The PROGRAM for Women and Families, Inc.


Christy began her career as a junior high school English and Theatre teacher and has extensive theatre and dance experience within the Lehigh Valley. She has worked within the criminal justice system, at inpatient, outpatient, residential treatment and partial hospitalization facilities; managed care insurance offices, and Lehigh University’s Counseling Center as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. She has also served as the assistant director of the Counseling Center at DeSales University as well as an adjunct professor at DeSales University and Albright College. She is a part-time consultant for The Center for Humanistic Change and is currently operating a full-time private counseling and consulting practice in Allentown. She lives in Allentown with her husband, and two children (as well as her four-legged children, two dogs!). Her interests include history, reading, psychology topics, and being on the beach.

Jessica Bratt, MA, CTP, LPC (Telehealth Services Only)

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Jessica completed her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, concentrating in Social Work, from East Stroudburg University and earned her Master's Degree in Counseling, concentrating in Couples, Marriage, and Family therapy from Kutztown University. Her experience includes working in a community mental health agency, private practice, and partial hospitalization program. She enjoys working with adults and couples using integrative therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Person Centered Therapy.

Jessica believes in the importance in developing a therapeutic relationship built on trust and openness to ensure a non-judgmental and inviting environment. Just as each person is different, Jessica conducts her therapeutic approach around each individual to find the most productive way to greater emotional health. Through warmth, guidance and hope, she believe it takes a team effort to gain insight into one’s challenges in order to make lasting change. Jessica's areas of expertise include but are not limited to anxiety, depression, mood disorders, relationship issues, and couples/family therapy. It is her ultimate goal to empower clients to become self-motivated and self-aware to make the necessary changes and achieve a better quality of life. 

Jessica grew up in Northern New Jersey and made Pennsylvania her home when she moved for college. She currently lives in her Allentown home with her husband and their dog, Benny! Her hobbies include photography, kayaking, and crafting.

Debra A Vaughn, M.Ed, LPC, CCTP

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Debra attended Kutztown University of Pennsylvania to earn a Bachelor's of Science in Clinical/Counseling Psychology and a Master of Education in Counseling. Debra is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is also credentialed as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional as well a supervisor for therapists seeking licensure in PA.

Though Debra’s preferred treatment modalities are person centered, solution-focused, and cognitive behavioral, she is trained in various evidence-based techniques. She is adaptive to the unique and specific needs of each individual she works with. Debra is strengths-based in practice, using clients’ attributes and skills to elicit positive change during, as well as after, the counseling process. Debra takes pride in striving for a high level of cultural competency and believes great value is found in learning about and celebrating diversity.

Debra enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults. She admires those seeking positive change and personal growth in their lives. Counseling is a collaborative process in which a strong therapeutic relationship is vital to successful client outcomes. Being a therapist and having the opportunity to support and connect with others in such a meaningful way is a privilege to Debra.

Debra lives in the Lehigh Valley with her family. She and her husband have two daughters, a Boston Terrier, and a cat. In her spare time, Debra enjoys baking, reading, exploring new places, and having fun with the people she loves.

Heather Updegraff, B.S.

 Counselor

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Heather has clinical experience working with with issues surrounding low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, stress, bullying, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and eating disorders. She enjoys making the counseling process fun while creating a safe environment for her clients to grow and heal.  Heather enjoys incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques into her sessions as well as humanistic approaches. 


Born and raised in Macungie, Pennsylvania, Heather attended Desales University for her undergraduate degree. Years later, Heather returned to school at Messiah University's Clinical Mental Health graduate program.  


Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her family. She has two children that keep her very busy, but she enjoys the opportunity to spend time with them and watch them grow. 

Christine Fellin Smith, MA, LPC, NCC, CCTP

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

 Christine believes in focusing on the strengths an individual has and using them as a platform to improve and address their struggles. She offers a warm, inviting, and relaxed therapeutic environment and strongly believes that a positive client/counselor relationship is important to successful treatment. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of diagnoses and struggles including depression, anxiety, low self esteem, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, parenting skills, grief, Bipolar Disorder, anger management, PTSD, and more.

Benny

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him/His 

This is Benny, a Maltese-Yorkie! He is our practice "mascot" and loves to visit sometimes! He loves people and getting attention from anyone willing to pet him or rub his belly. Benny is a lover, not a fighter, so only kisses from this pup!


Benny will only be in the office with clients' comfort and approval.

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