Dawn H. Haaz, Psy.D.
Founder and CEO of Girls Empowered
Dr. Haaz is a licensed psychologist in PA. She earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Chestnut Hill College with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. She obtained her B.A from Muhlenberg College with a major in Psychology and minor in Women’s Studies. She was honored to have been presented the Sojourner’s Truth upon graduation from Muhlenberg due to her potential in the field of women’s studies.
In addition to her work with Girls Empowered, Dr. Haaz sees clients at the private practice of David A. Nover, M.D., P.C. in Warrington, PA. Her specialties include treating adolescents and adults struggling with issues related to self-esteem, relationship/marital problems, sexual abuse/trauma, life transitions, depression, and anxiety. Dr. Haaz empowers her clients to develop healthy relationships with themselves and others.
Dr. Haaz has worked clinically with children, adolescents, and adults through her Psychology Residency at a private practice in Doylestown. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Rider University’s Counseling Center. During her internship, she also had the opportunity to gain training in eating disorders at the Renfrew Center in Philadelphia. Her other clinical experience includes working as a therapist at Lenape Valley Foundation and Foundations Behavioral Health and completing psychological assessments at Horsham Clinic. Additionally, she worked for over 15 years in various roles at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County, including developing and facilitating an autism mentoring program and as their Psychological Consultant.
Dr. Haaz was honored to have been selected as one of 19 Emerging Leaders in Bucks and Eastern Montgomery Counties by the Bucks County Courier Times, Intelligencer, and Central Bucks Family YMCA for 2017.
Crystal Higgins
Program Facilitator of Girls Empowered
Crystal Higgins is a Girls Empowered facilitator that met founder, Dawn Haaz, while working at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County. There, Crystal helped to collaborate on several career exploration and social/emotional development programs that Big Brothers Big Sisters and Girls Empowered partnered on together. Through her position at Big Brothers Big Sisters, Crystal led school mentoring programs in several school districts in Bucks County. Crystal earned her Masters of Science degree in School Counseling from Gwynedd Mercy University. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Temple University. She has experience working with children that have disabilities, as well as those identified at risk. She has worked with children in pre-K through high school.
Samantha Trachtman, M.Ed., N.C.C.
Program Facilitator of Girls Empowered
Samantha holds a Masters of Education in School Counseling from West Chester University and a B.S. in Psychology from DeSales University. She is also certified in Pennsylvania as a school counselor for grades K-12 and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. Samantha is a School Counselor for Saucon Valley School District at the high school level and therapist at Doylestown Psychological Services where she works with children with Autism, Anxiety and ADHD. Samantha has provided educational programs to adolescents through agencies in the community including the Central Bucks YMCA’s Empower U Program, A Woman’s Place Peace Camp, and the Girl Scout Organization through Girls Empowered.
Allison Whitmore
Program Facilitator of Girls Empowered
Allison is excited to be joining Girls Empowered as a Program Facilitator after volunteering to teach yoga during the organization’s empowerment summer camps the last couple years. Allison is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with trainings in children/teen yoga, meditation, Vinyasa, gentle, and restorative yoga. Allison is also a Level II Reiki practitioner.
As of May 2020, Allison will hold a Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology from Temple University. She received her B.A in Psychology from Bloomsburg University, with two minors in Spanish and Political Science.
Allison has almost five years’ experience working in the mental health field, most recently as a Counseling Intern. Allison has worked with the children, adolescent, and adult population. Specifically, she has worked with those with autism, anxiety, mood disorders, and identity concerns. She plans to continue integrating her experience with yoga and mindfulness training with her work as a counselor. She plans to pursue licensure as a practicing counselor post-graduation.
Enadia Elvidge
Program Facilitator of Girls Empowered
Enadia Elvidge has earned her Masters of Science in School Counseling from Gwynedd Mercy University and is certified through the Pennsylvania Department of Education to serve K-12. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice. She is currently an Elementary School Counselor with Abington school district. Enadia works closely with students, teachers, and families to promote social-emotional learning. She is a strong advocate for mental health, striving for equity and collaboration at all levels. Her passion has always been to help those in need. She has acquired many years of experience working with children and adolescents in a variety of settings ranging from daycare to high school.
Lauren Magee
Lauren Magee is an experienced bilingual (Spanish/English) educator with 15 years of experience working with youth from around the world. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from West Chester University and a Master’s degree from La Universidad de Alcalá de Henares in Bilingual and Multicultural Education. She worked for 10 years as a K-2 elementary teacher before transitioning to high school students. She has presented at the North West Teaching for Social Justice and a variety of schools about feminism and literature. She is excited to continue to work with Girls Empowered.
When not working, Lauren likes to read, walk, garden and play with her children.
