Our Staff

Cara Tripodi MSS LCSW CSAT
Is the owner of STAR and graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1991 where she received her Masters in Social Science Degree. She has been treating sex addicts and their partners in both individual and group settings since 1991. Cara is a member of the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health and is a certified sex addiction therapist. She is also a Level II trained EMDR therapist. Her previous experiences include service as a medical social worker where she developed an expertise in the area of traumatic and chronic illness and loss. Today, Cara maintains a private practice as well as educating the behavioral healthcare community through workshops and lectures.
Email: info@starhealing.org

Marie Wilson, Ph.D., LPC, CSAT-S, ATR-BC
is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist & Supervisor and Board Certified Art Therapist with over 30 years in the behavioral health field. Marie began to specialize in sex addiction in 1997 at the Meadows where she received training and supervision from Dr. Patrick Carnes, the pioneer of the sexual addiction field. She later worked as a family therapist at Keystone ECU and at the STAR program where she has since 2000. Marie maintains a private practice in Allentown and is a Professor in the Department of Psychology & Counseling and Coordinator of Art Therapy Programs at Caldwell College in New Jersey. She has published numerous articles on the use of the creative process with sex addicts and co-authored a chapter on assessment with Dr. Carnes in the Clinical Management Of Sexual Addiction (2002). She is a foundational member of the Advisory Board for the certification of sex addiction therapists and received her doctorate in Addiction Psychology at Capella University.

Jordan Lief, Psy. D.,
is a licensed psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Widener University in 2006. He has over 7 years experience in the fields of sexual addiction, love addiction, and compulsive sexual behavior. He spent four years working at the Keystone Extended Care Unit, an inpatient facility that treats these issues primarlily. Jordan has lectured on the graduate level on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of sexual addiction. At S.T.A.R., he is currently providing individual therapy, group therapy, and couples therapy.
Email: jordan@starhealing.org

Lucien Thomsen, MSW, LCSW,
joined STAR in 2008. He is a graduate of New York University and has experience treating adolescents, young adults, and families impacted by trauma and abuse. Prior to joining STAR, Lucien completed advanced clinical training in family therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in order to effectively treat anxiety, mood, impulse, and personality issues. Lucien has experience in community mental practice and has served as a clinician, clinical supervisor, and program director. At STAR, Lucien integrates family systems and cognitive behavioral therapy interventions with Dr. Patrick Carnes' "TASK Based" approach to treat sex addiction.
Email: lucien@starhealing.org

Mary Ellen Goetz, Psy.D., ATR-BC
is a licensed psychologist and board certified masters level art therapist. Dr. Goetz specializes in the treatment of love and sex addiction. Her treatment of addictions includes drug, alcohol, and sex and love addiction. Dr. Goetz has experience in inpatient and outpatient treatment and practiced in varied clinical settings including Drexel University Hospital, Belmont Center, Renfrew, Keystone and S.T.A.R.  Dr. Goetz treats adults with sex addiction and adolescents who come from families with addictions. Dr. Goetz uses art therapy to identify complex current and past family dynamics that often contribute to the addiction process and that otherwise remain repressed.  Dr. Goetz supports children and adolescents from families with sex and love addiction in individual and group therapy. Dr. Goetz served on the faculty at Hahnemann University and Marywood College.
Email: maryellen@starhealing.org

Amy Kempe, MS, NCC
received her Masters in Counseling from Villanova University in 2007. She is a member of the National Board of Certified Counselors and has completed advanced clinical training in addictions and forensic populations. Amy has experience providing treatment of mental health, addiction, and trauma disorders. Amy currently works with individuals, groups, and couples at  STAR and presents educational lectures to behavioral health communities.
Email: amy@starhealing.org

Administration:

David H. Lewis M.A. Business Manager
David joined S.T.A.R. in January of 2003 after championing the development of a state of the art treatment center in Seattle Washington. He holds two degrees from the University of Wisconsin and is trained in addiction treatment through the Hazelden Foundation in Minnesota. Today his expertise lies in healthcare administration serving S.T.A.R. by overseeing, staffing, human resources, policy and procedure, quality assurance, financials, and overall day to day operation. David’s role gives S.T.A.R. the business presence in the treatment community it has enjoyed since he came on board.
Email: david@starhealing.org

Saren Yoeum
Saren Yoeum joined S.TA.R. in 2008 as office manager.  She holds an associates degree in Medical Assisting from Lehigh Valley.  She is currently overseeing all administrative work including insurance submittals, billing, information management, client scheduling and bookkeeping.
Email: saren@starhealing.org

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Articles and information on sexual addiction

Articles

Frequently Asked Questions about Sexual Addiction

How Does a Sexual Addict Define Sobriety?

Long Term Treatment of Partners of Sex Addicts: A Multi-Phase Approach

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