Our Team
Training Director and Mentorship in Trauma-Focused and Integrative Psychological Evaluation
Dr. Leona Kashersky, Psy.D.
Dr. Leona Kashersky, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience in the mental health field, specializing in trauma-focused therapies and integrative psychological and neurological evaluation. As the Training Director and founder of Wisdom Institute, Dr. Kashersky is instrumental in the development and implementation of the pre-doctoral internship program, where she brings a wealth of knowledge in both therapeutic and assessment practices.
Dr. Kashersky’s clinical expertise is deeply rooted in evidence-based practices such as Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic experiencing, mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioral techniques. Her approach is tailored to the unique needs of each client, with a focus on trauma-informed care and specialized methods including trauma-focused dance and yoga, Brainspotting, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Her integrative methodology, addressing the interplay between mind and body, provides a holistic approach to healing.
In addition to her therapeutic work, Dr. Kashersky has extensive experience in psychological and neurological evaluations. She completed two post-doctoral associateships, the first at the Sacramento Assessment Center, where she was part of a multidisciplinary team focused on evaluating adjudicated youth to reduce recidivism and enhance their well-being. The second post-doctoral associateship was under the mentorship of Debra Moore, Ph.D., where Dr. Kashersky led autism evaluation and treatment. During this period, she also gained specialized training in pediatric care, incorporating play therapy techniques and integrative family therapy approaches into her practice.
Dr. Kashersky’s expertise in autism assessment is further enhanced by her training with Debra Moore, Ph.D., co-author of "The Loving Push" with Dr. Temple Grandin, and by receiving advanced training in the ADOS standards of autism assessment from Dr. Jennifer Thomas, an in-house autism assessment consultant from the MIND Institute. This background allows her to offer a nuanced and informed perspective on working with individuals on the autism spectrum.
Dr. Kashersky earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Alliant International University and has since expanded her practice to include a holistic perspective informed by her personal experiences with spiritual practices, meditation, dance, and yoga. This integrative approach informs both her clinical work and her role as a mentor, offering interns a unique lens through which to view and practice psychotherapy.
As a supervisor, Dr. Kashersky is deeply committed to the professional growth and development of emerging clinicians. She provides a supportive and nurturing environment, guiding interns through the complexities of trauma therapy and psychological assessment while helping them cultivate the skills necessary for effective and compassionate practice. Her mentorship extends beyond clinical skills, focusing on the holistic development of each intern, preparing them for a successful career in psychology. Interns at Wisdom Institute will benefit from Dr. Kashersky's comprehensive approach, which integrates traditional therapeutic techniques with innovative, body-centered practices and advanced assessment skills. Her dedication to fostering resilience and personal growth in both clients and interns alike makes Dr. Kashersky a valued mentor and leader in the fields of trauma-focused psychotherapy and integrative psychological evaluation.
Assistant Training Director and Mentorship in Evidence-Based Therapies
Dr. Matthew C. Berger, Psy.D.
Dr. Matthew C. Berger, Psy.D., brings a rich and diverse background to the internship program at Wisdom Institute. With a strong foundation in evidence-based therapies, Dr. Berger offers interns the opportunity to learn from his extensive experience in both clinical practice and education.
Dr. Berger is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), two cornerstone approaches in trauma-informed care. His academic journey, which culminated in a doctorate in clinical psychology earned with honors, included a doctoral project and dissertation focused on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Moral Injury in combat veterans. This research, combined with his personal experience serving in the United States Army and being deployed to Iraq, has informed his understanding of trauma and its impact on individuals.
After his military service, Dr. Berger explored various career paths before discovering his passion for education. He has been a dedicated educator, teaching at The Chicago Professional School of Psychology from 2019 to the present and serving as a teacher and curriculum developer at American Intercontinental University since 2016. Additionally, he taught English at the University of the People from 2014 to 2015. While he has since shifted his primary focus to clinical practice, his background in education continues to influence his approach to supervision, offering interns a supportive and informative learning environment.
Dr. Berger’s clinical experience is broad, having worked in community mental health settings where he treated individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan, addressing a range of issues from severe mental illness to everyday adjustment challenges. His work also includes conducting assessments and providing psychotherapy for workers' compensation patients, a practice he continues alongside nurturing his private practice.
Interns working with Dr. Berger will benefit from his expertise in DBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR, and Insight-Oriented therapy, all delivered with a strong person-centered approach. His diverse professional journey and commitment to evidence-based practice provide interns with a well-rounded and practical learning experience.
Dr. Berger is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of clinicians, offering them not only his clinical expertise but also the insights gained from his varied life experiences. His focus on person-centered care and evidence-based approaches ensures that interns are well-prepared to meet the challenges of clinical practice.
Didactic Instructor for EMDR Therapy
Roy Kiessling, LISW
Roy Kiessling, LISW, is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with more than 20 years of clinical practice. He is the founder of EMDR Consulting and creator of our EMDRIA Approved EMDR Training Course: Integrating EMDR into your Clinical Practice.
Roy was initially trained in EMDR in 1995 by The EMDR Institute (Level 1 by Kay Werk in Cincinnati, OH and Level 2 by Francine Shapiro in Chicago, IL). In 1997, he became an EMDR Institute facilitator and started helping conduct EMDR Institute trainings led by Francine Shapiro and her Senior Trainer staff. Since 1998, Roy has been an EMDRIA Approved Credit Provider and Consultant.
He presented at the EMDRIA International Conference from 1999 through 2010 on topics involving basic EMDR procedures and protocols, resourcing interventions, and in 2010, he led a full day, pre-conference workshop on EMDR from a belief-focused perspective.
Roy started working towards becoming an independent trainer with EMDRIA accreditation in 2013. In June of that same year, Roy’s own approach to the EMDR Basic Training was approved, and since then, he has remained an independent EMDRIA Approved Training Provider.
With his focus on his own basic training course, Roy resigned as a senior trainer from both the EMDR Institute and EMDR HAP. Roy’s basic training approach incorporates his many years of experience in teaching EMDR and provides the most effective techniques and additional information to assist clinicians in seamlessly integrating the EMDR approach into their practices.
Assistant Training Director and Mentorship in Evidence-Based Therapies
Dr. LeAnn O’Neal Berger, Psy.D.
Dr. LeAnn O’Neal Berger, LMFT, Psy.D., brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the internship program at Wisdom Institute. As a certified Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist, Dr. LeAnn is dedicated to utilizing evidence-based practices that foster self-understanding and empower clients to navigate life’s challenges with renewed perspectives.
Dr. LeAnn is proficient in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and client-centered therapy. Since 1997, she has provided a wide range of mental health and coaching services, tailored to meet the unique needs of her clients. Her approach is both compassionate and personalized, addressing concerns that range from everyday life adjustments to the processing and healing of deep-seated trauma. Dr. LeAnn’s ability to integrate secure, online therapeutic methods into her practice ensures accessibility and continuity of care, adapting to the evolving needs of her clients.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. LeAnn has an extensive background in academia. She taught undergraduate and graduate psychology courses at Brandman University from 2010 to 2021, after which the institution became the University of Massachusetts Global, where she continues to teach. Her role as an educator reflects her passion for guiding and mentoring the next generation of mental health professionals.
Dr. LeAnn also brings valuable supervisory experience from her time supervising at Sierra Native Alliance from 2021 to 2022, and her supervision at Wisdom Institute’s sister company, Healing Pathways since 2014. Furthermore, she provided oversight and guidance to emerging clinicians as a supervisor for an Indian nonprofit organization in Auburn, California.
Her dissertation focused on EMDR, attachment, and spiritual emergence, highlighting her deep commitment to understanding and advancing these areas in her clinical work. She received her EMDR training in 2017, became certified in 2018, and has been an active member of the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) since 2017.
Interns in didactic sessions with Dr. LeAnn can expect to gain not only clinical expertise in EMDR and other therapeutic modalities but also a deeper understanding of the theoretical foundations that inform effective psychotherapy. Her dual commitment to clinical excellence and educational mentorship makes her an invaluable resource for interns seeking comprehensive training in both the practice and theory of psychology.
Dr. LeAnn’s dedication to fostering professional growth in emerging clinicians ensures that interns are well-equipped to meet the demands of their future careers in mental health.