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Psychology

MA in philosophy and social policy from American University

Spencer Biel, PsyD, is the director of the 

 for college students and emerging adults in Massachusetts. 

After completing a four-year fellowship at the Austen Riggs Center, Dr. Biel was hired as a full-time staff psychologist and worked for eight years in the residential program, including in roles as assistant team leader, testing and psychotherapy supervisor, and associate director of the Therapeutic Community Program.

As the founding director of the Online IOP, Dr. Biel has shaped the program based on his expertise working with young adults and commitment to increasing access to treatment that promotes deep self-understanding and opportunities for lasting change. For nearly two decades, he has focused clinically on young adults’ efforts to grow from being a child in a family to an adult in the world, directing special attention to the interplay between family and social dynamics and emotion regulation. In the IOP, his staff applies a psychodynamic systems approach, integrating dyadic and social learning so participants can understand developmental influences on their social positioning, translate their symptoms into more straightforward, intelligible communications to others, and deepen authentic interpersonal engagement both inside and beyond the program. This team approach promotes key components of emerging adulthood such as epistemic trust, identity coherence and flexibility, agency, and social belonging.

Dr. Biel is also in private practice in Chicago, where he is a clinical supervisor and treats adolescents, adults, couples, and families. He has published and presented on psychological testing, suicidality, therapeutic communities, and psychodynamic systems approaches to treatment. Currently, he is investigating uses and misuses of hope in psychotherapy.

Clinical Associate Faculty, Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis

Spencer Biel, PsyD

Director of Online IOP 

MSW, Smith College School for Social Work

BSW, Central Connecticut State University

Miriam Desgazon, MSW, LICSW, is a social worker in the 

 for College Students and Emerging Adults in Massachusetts at the Austen Riggs Center.

In addition, she is a dedicated clinical supervisor and family clinician at the Institute for Health and Recovery (IHR) where she passionately serves families grappling with dual diagnoses and Department of Children and Families (DCF) involvement. In addition to her impactful work with IHR, Miriam also runs a thriving small private practice based in Northampton, MA.

A proud alumna of Smith College School for Social Work, Miriam attained her MSW in August 2020 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her practice, drawing from her strong foundation in BSW. Her clinical approach is deeply rooted in psychoanalytic concepts, utilizing a brief psychodynamic approach that encompasses developmental theory, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care. Miriam firmly believes in the power of cultural competence and applies a culturally sensitive lens to her therapeutic interventions. She adopts a relational approach to empower her clients on their healing journey, fostering a safe and supportive environment for growth.

Miriam's dedication to her profession has also afforded her unique opportunities to present her work at esteemed national and international conferences, such as the 2023 Spring Meeting of Division 39 of the American Psychological Association, further solidifying her reputation as a respected clinician in the field.

Miriam Desgazon, LICSW, Online IOP Social Worker

Miriam Desgazon, LICSW

Online IOP Social Worker

BA, Georgetown University College of Arts and Sciences (Catholic Studies major, Biology minor)

MD, Georgetown University School of Medicine

Internship and residency at Brown University (chief resident during 4th year)

Fellowship in psychoanalysis at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute

Fellowship in psychodynamic psychotherapy

Mark Elliot, MD, is a psychiatrist in the 

Dr. Elliot began his career at Rhode Island Hospital’s Adult Partial Hospitalization Program where he served as Clinical Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University. He received extensive training and experience in group psychotherapy during these five years and became certified in group psychotherapy by the American Group Psychotherapy Association. During his fifth year at Rhode Island Hospital, he completed a preliminary year as a candidate at the C.G. Jung Institute of Boston.

Dr. Elliot then worked for two years on an inpatient unit at Butler Hospital. During this time he continued teaching both medical students and residents.

Dr. Elliot then completed a four year fellowship in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the Austen Riggs Center. Throughout his training, he also worked as a doctor-on-call for Providence Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Holyoke, MA.

Dr. Elliot opened a solo private practice in Lenox, MA in July of 2015. In November of 2021, he rejoined the Austen Riggs Center as a member of the Remote Access IOP team where he provides both individual and group treatment.

Certified in group psychotherapy by the American Group Psychotherapy Association

John Carroll scholarship recipient, Georgetown University

National Service Corps Scholar, Georgetown University

Alpert Medical School of Brown University Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award

Brown University Psychiatry General Residency Teaching Award – “PRATTLE”

Brown University Triple Board Residency Teaching Award

Mark Elliot, MD

Online IOP Psychiatrist 

Jacquelyn Harden, PsyD, is the Director of IOP Training and a psychologist in the 

Jacquelyn Harden, PsyD

Director of IOP Training/Online IOP Psychologist 

BA, Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy from the University of Minnesota

Kristin Lyon, CTRS, RYT-200, is a group facilitator in the 

As a recreation therapist, Kristin has spent the last 20 years of her career working with individuals to explore the role creativity and play have in caring for one's mental health. Her education and training also allow her to bring an experiential element into the therapeutic process for enhanced exploration and integration of therapeutic concepts as a complement to more traditional forms of talk therapy. 

Kristin is trained in motivational interviewing, CBT-E and sensorimotor psychotherapy, and continues to specialize in trauma treatment. Prior to Riggs, Kristin spent 15 years specializing in eating disorder treatment.

Kristin is also employed by two other behavioral health treatment centers where she facilitates yoga, mindfulness, and meditation groups as well as leads recreation therapy groups, serving adolescents, young adults, and adults enrolled in intensive outpatient programs.

Behavioral Health Specialty Certification, National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification

Kristin Lyon is the IOP Group Facilitator at the Austen Riggs Center.

Kristin Lyon

IOP Group Facilitator

Jessi Nolet began her career at Riggs as the social work assistant and quickly added the role of the administrative assistant to the Medical Director/CEO to her responsibilities. After being promoted to Eric Plakun’s executive assistant in the fall of 2020, Ms. Nolet served on the IOP Planning Committee and was thrilled to be named the IOP Program Coordinator in the spring of 2021. 

Ms. Nolet has experience in real estate, retail management, and sales. In addition, she has worked as a knitter/dyer and held various positions in costume arts. She lives in Stockbridge, MA with her two children and her miniature schnauzer, Frida.

Jessi Nolet is the IOP program coordinator at the Austen Riggs Center.

Jessi Nolet

Online IOP Program Coordinator

PhD in Clinical Psychology from The Derner School at Adelphi University

Predoctoral Internship at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School

Seth Pitman, PhD, ABPP, is the Associate Director of the 

 for College Students and Emerging Adults in Massachusetts at the Austen Riggs Center. In addition to providing individual therapy and leading groups, Dr. Pitman designed and manages the IOP's measurement-based care initiative, an evidence-based practice of using systematic and routine assessment to inform treatment decisions and engage patients in their care.

Dr. Pitman is passionate about integrating clinical research and practice to improve treatment outcomes and foster communication within the field of mental healthcare. He is committed to translating what we know works best for patients to policymakers and organizations that have a hand in guiding resources and helping improve access to quality care for all, including those from economically, racially, and gender diverse backgrounds.

APA Division 29 – Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training

Society of Personality Assessment (SPA), Martin Mayman Award (2021)

Division 29, Jeffrey E. Barnett Psychotherapy Research Paper Award recipient (2017)

Adelphi University, George Stricker Fellowship Award, 2nd place recipient (2015)

Seth Pitman, PhD, ABPP

Associate Director of Online IOP 

MD from the University of Maryland Medical School

Psychiatric Residency and Geriatric Psychiatry fellowship training at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

Erin Seery, MD, is a psychiatrist in the 

 for College Students and Emerging Adults in Massachusetts at the Austen Riggs Center. Dr. Seery serves as the psychiatry consultant within the IOP, but also intermittently provides psychotherapy and group therapy. She is a board-certified psychiatrist with active medical licenses in Massachusetts, New York, and South Carolina. She is committed to understanding patients across the lifespan and the unique challenges at particular developmental timepoints. She completed general psychiatry residency and a geriatric psychiatry fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina, and then pursued a 4-year advanced psychoanalytic fellowship at the Austen Riggs Center residential program where she worked with emerging adults and those in other life stages in intensive psychodynamic individual psychotherapy, group and family therapy modalities and in concert with psychiatric prescribing.

Following her psychoanalytic fellowship, Dr. Seery joined the faculty at the Medical University of South Carolina. She practices in a variety of settings from the adult and child psychiatric emergency rooms to supervising the outpatient senior resident clinic.She serves as the Associate Program Director and Associate Psychotherapy Director of the general psychiatry residency program. She has received numerous awards for her teaching of psychiatry trainees.

Dr. Seery is also involved in advocacy, recently named a Trustee with the American Academy of Psychodynamic Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis (AAPDPP) (2023-2026) and will be the incoming president of the South Carolina Psychiatric Association (2024-2025). She writes and presents on topics of Personality Based prescribing, psychotherapeutic interventions in acute settings, the use of countertransference in inpatient settings, and psychodynamic considerations of brain stimulation.

American Academy of Psychodynamic Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis (AAPDPP) Trustee (2023-2026)

South Carolina Psychiatric Association President (2024-2025)

American Psychiatric Association (APA), Psychotherapy Caucus

South Carolina Psychiatric Association, Executive Council - Membership Chair

American Academy of Psychodynamic Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis

Erin Seery, MD

Online IOP Psychiatrist

Meet the Austen Riggs staff of therapists, nurses, administrators, and other healthcare professionals who work as a team on behalf of our patients. 

Staff Directory of Therapists and Teams | Austen Riggs

For more information on our residential treatment programs, or answers to any questions, please feel free to contact us. 

Meet Our Team

Online Intensive Outpatient Program

Spencer Biel, PsyD

Miriam Desgazon, MSW, LICSW

Mark Elliot, MD

Jacquelyn Harden , PsyD

Kristin Lyon

Jessi Nolet

Seth Pitman, PhD, ABPP

Erin Seery, MD

Contact Us for More

For more information on our residential treatment programs, or answers to any questions, please feel free to contact us.

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