Past Leadership

Email: bobschwarz@energypsych.org

Bob was appointed to the position of executive director in September of 2008. Prior to this he was on ACEP's Board of Directors for three years. During that time he served as the conference director, while also helping steward many of ACEP's key initiatives focused on improving operational and financial aspects of ACEP. He designed ACEP's Science of Energy Healing Online Program as well as spearheaded ACEP's revamped EFT Training program. 
 
He is a licensed psychologist and coach in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and is author of Tools for Transforming Trauma (2002), Posttramatic Stress Disorder: A Clinicians Guide (1991), and We're No Fun Anymore: Helping Couples Cultivate Joyful Marriages Through The Power of Play (2011). 

From 1989-1996 he was president of the Institute for Advanced Clinical Training, where he organized 11 conferences on trauma, Ericksonian Hypnosis and Brief Therapy, training over 10,000 therapists. He is a clinical member of AAMFT, an approved consultant for the ASCH and is diagnostically trained in TFT and is a diplomate in comprehensive energy psychology. 

Bob has presented numerous workshops internationally on energy psychology, Ericksonian therapy and treating trauma. He has numerous videos including: The neuroscience of the effectiveness of EP and Energy Psychology as a brief approach for Treating Trauma. He balances work with writing songs and playing guitar in a rock-and-roll band and he is 1/2 of the acoustic duo, the Keynoters, who performed at ACEP conferences in 2014-2019 and the 2015 IONS conference.

Email: Pamelaaltaffer@gmail.com

With a steadfast commitment to ACEP, Pam Altaffer has played pivotal roles, serving as the Chair of the ACEP Membership Committee and simultaneously serving on the Board of Directors from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2018. Subsequently she assumed the position of President Elect on January 1, 2022, and became the President on January 1, 2023. Pam's journey in the field began with a Master's in Social Work from Arizona State University in 1985, followed by licensure in both New Jersey (1987) and California (1990). Boasting 38 years of experience in Clinical Social Work, she specializes in aiding individuals, couples, families, and groups dealing with PTSD, anxiety, grief, life transitions, manifesting one’s desires, and relationship issues.

Pam's commitment to effective techniques led her to certifications in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Thought Field Therapy (TFT). She further expanded her expertise by exploring various energy psychology modalities such as EFT, Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT), Be Set Free Fast (BSFF). As a co-creator of the Ask and Receive technique, Pam shares her knowledge internationally through teaching and online courses. Residing in both New Jersey and Arizona, Pam, along with her husband, developed an EP-based system to address relationship issues for couples. Besides her professional pursuits, she brings joy and creativity to groups as a Certified InterPlay leader, expressing her love for improvisational  dance and storytelling. She also enjoys biking, hiking, traveling and lots of laughter!

Email:  drlorihops@gmail.com

Dr. Lori Chortkoff Hops, PhD, DCEP is a licensed Psychologist, (University of Houston, Texas), Diplomate in Comprehensive Energy Psychology (DCEP), Certified Logosynthesis Practitioner and Instructor, and is a Reiki Master in a private practice in Westlake Village, California, USA. Lori has served on ACEP's Executive Board of Directors since 2016 as Secretary, President-elect (2020) and President (Jan 2021-Dec 2022). Lori founded the ACEP Ventura County Local Group (2015 - 2019), and was Chair of the Communications Committee (2019-2020). 

Lori combines practices from western empirical science, wisdom traditions from around the world, and her personal heart based intuitive guidance when working with others. She teaches online courses on Embodied Intuition. She has taught internationally and in the US to professionals, students, and the general public on energy practices, spirituality, ritual, coping with illness, self-care, laughter yoga, intuition, and movement.

Email:  kar-and@ix.netcom.com 

Lynn is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Roswell, Georgia. In addition to her general practice, she specializes in the treatment of severe trauma, including Dissociative Identity Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. She has extensive experience in the training of other clinicians in both conventional and alternative approaches to treatment and has given numerous presentations in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada. Her favorite topics include ways to combine energy psychology with the best of traditional therapy, especially in the treatment of trauma. 
 
Lynn is well traveled in pursuit of her studies. She received her A.B. from Radcliffe College in Cambridge, MA, and her master’s from the University of Hawaii/Manoa. She completed her Ph.D. in developmental psychology at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst and later re specialized in clinical psychology at Georgia State University in Atlanta. 
 
Lynn is an Approved Consultant for the CEP Certification process and former chair of the CEP Certification Committee. She is trained in AIT, EFT, TAT, BSFF, Allergy Antidotes, and clinical hypnosis. Before going into clinical practice, she was a tenured faculty member at Southeast Missouri State University, where she taught graduate and undergraduate courses on child, adolescent, and life-span development and the psychology of death and dying. Her most recent book is Healing Everyday Traumas: Free Yourself from the Scars of Bullying, Criticism and Rejection. She is also the author of Understanding Trauma and Dissociation: A Guide for Therapists, Patients, and Loved Ones and co-author of Taming Trauma Beasties: Helping Children Confront Trauma and Heal.

Email: phil.mollon@hpft.nhs.uk 

Phil Mollon qualified in clinical psychology at Leeds University in the UK in 1976. He subsequently trained in psychotherapy at Tavistock Clinic, qualifying in 1985. Later, he trained as a psychoanalyst with the Institute of Psychoanalysis in London. He is the author of ten professional books, on a range of psychoanalytically oriented topics, including shame, trauma, dissociation, and self-psychology. 

Over the last ten years he has been immersed in the study and development of energy psychology approaches. His most recent book is Psychoanalytic Energy Psychotherapy, exploring the interface between energy psychology and psychoanalytic perspectives. He is a Diplomate and Certification Consultant for ACEP. Through his background in clinical psychology and psychoanalysis, he's been able to introduce many of those in more traditional fields to the possibilities of EP. He works in psychiatric settings within the British National Health Service, as well as privately.  

Email: president@energypsych.org 

Fred P. Gallo, Ph.D., clinical psychologist, has published numerous journal articles, book chapters, and manuals. He has also authored and co-authored eight books, including Energy Psychology; Energy Diagnostic and Treatment Methods; Energy Tapping (with H. Vincenzi); and Energy Tapping for Trauma. He coined the term energy psychology and published the first professional book in the field. Since 1980, he has been training professionals in various therapeutic approaches. Since 1993, he has been offering training internationally in Advanced Energy Psychology: energy diagnostic and treatment methods (EDxTM™), energy consciousness therapy (ECT™), and the identity method (IM™). He has presented on EP throughout the US, Canada, and Europe, in addition to parts of the Pacific Rim, China, and Africa. 
 
Dr. Gallo studied with Dr. Roger J. Callahan, founder of thought field therapy (TFT), and Dr. John Diamond, founder of behavioral kinesiology (BK). He also studied and practiced cognitive behavioral therapy, Gestalt Therapy, neurolinguistic programming (NLP), and Ericksonian hypnotherapy.

 
He began his professional career as a teacher and counselor after undergraduate and graduate study in philosophy at Duquesne University. He later attended training in clinical psychology and child development, receiving an MA from the University of Dayton and a Ph.D from the University of Pittsburgh. He has been on the faculty of Penn State University and has also worked in the fields of corrections, mental retardation, child welfare, chemical dependency, and hospital psychology. In addition to private practice, he is associated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Meadville Medical Center, Mind-Body Wellness Center, North Star Behavioral Health, and Children’s Aid Society of Mercer County. 
 
Dr. Gallo is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, and the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology. He and his wife, Carolyn, live in New Wilmington, PA. To learn more, visit his energy psychology website: www.energypsych.com.

Email:  debby20878@yahoo.com

Debby Vajda is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice in Corvallis, Oregon. She has been practicing energy psychology for over twenty years and is trained in TFT, EFT, TAT, BSFF, and Allergy Antidotes, among others.  

 
As of 2022, Debby is chair of ACEP's Nominating Committee and a member of the Development, Education and Executive Search Committees. She served on the Board in various capacities from 2008-2020. Debby is also the developer and past-coordinator of the Energy Therapy Network of the Mid-Atlantic States. 

Carole is a Pennsylvania Licensed Psychologist, Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse, and Certified Trauma Specialist. In addition to maintaining a private practice, she is founder and executive director of The Stern Center for Developmental Health, which serves six counties in western Pennsylvania providing in-home services for children and adolescents at risk for out-of-home placement. She specializes in trauma-related and Reactive Attachment Disorders. 

Carole also previously served as ACEP’s Education Director for six years.

Dr. Nicosia is the originator of Thought Energy Synchronization Therapy, EP applications to physical and emotional trauma, and pain cognitive dysfunction in adults and children. With extensive research background and interest in EMDR and energy psychology, he is a substance abuse professional, certified neurofeedback provider, certified forensic examiner, and EMDR consultant.

Dr. Stoler is a leader in the integration of Eastern and Western healing practices. A clinical psychologist by training, Dr. Stoler is a life-long student of healers and healing. He is a pioneer the energy psychology movement and a past president of the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology, an international non-profit organization dedicated to the practice, research and education about energy psychology. In that role, he led efforts that led to the American Psychological Association granting continuing education credits for energy psychology. Dr. Stoler is a co-developer of ACEP’s certification programs

Mary T. Sise, LCSW, DCEP is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Diplomate in Comprehensive Energy Psychology with a private practice in the Albany NY area. In addition to being traditionally trained she integrates energy therapies into her work and has trained hundreds of therapists in these methods. Past President of ACEP she presents at conferences and has produced numerous training videos. Mary is co-author of the book: The Energy of Belief:Psychology’s Power Tools to Focus Intention & Release Blocking Beliefs. She is the program director for Sai Maa's Transformational Healers Program and teaches on the spiritual dimension of health and healing.

Gloria Arenson, MFT, DCEP, past president of ACEP, is author of the award winning How to Stop Playing the Weighting Game, Born to Spend, Five Simple Steps to Emotional Healing, Desserts Is Stressed Spelled Backwards, Freedom At Your Fingertips, and EFT For Procrastination.

Dorothea was an active practitioner of energy-oriented therapies for more than thirty years. Her background, both in nursing and as a psychotherapist, made her a pioneer in developing creative approaches for healing mind, body, and spirit. 

She was a founding elder in Healing Touch, an instructor for over a decade, and a conference presenter. In 1999, she cofounded the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology, served as its president, continued on its certification committee, and presented regularly at conferences. 

Dorothea authored eight additional books about energy therapies, including Second Chance at Your Dream and Healing Touch Guidebook. She was also a performing pianist and visual artist. She lived with her husband on the north Olympic Peninsula in Washington state and, as much as possible, kept up with the families of her three grown children and seven grandchildren.

Dr. David Gruder, PhD, DCEP, is a clinical and organizational development psychologist who was one of ACEP’s three co-founders and served as ACEP’s first president from 1998 to 2002. Today he is a Board Chair-level Advisor & Chief Integrity Officer to leaders, executives, innovators, & helping professionals who are called to help repair & elevate the world in their own unique ways. A bestselling Business Lifecycle Psychologist, Human Potential Strategist, and Societal Wellbeing Catalyst, Dr. Gruder was named America's Integrity Expert by Radio-TV Interview Report in 2008. 

With what has been hailed as "a field of wisdom that few can match," he catalyzes psychospiritual literacy in the areas of executive success, leader development, culture architecture, M&A, governance, and societal wellbeing. His unusually broad range of expertise is reflected in the personal and book awards he has received, which span the areas of politics & society, social change, conscious business, visionary leadership, culture creation, health & wellness, mental health, transformational psychology, and self-help. Since the 1970s, he has provided keynotes, training programs, and consulting worldwide, and has appeared multiple hundreds of times in TV, radio, print, and internet interviews.