The Silvermist Recovery Center Team

Katharina was raised in the Northeastern region of Pennsylvania and subsequently in New England. She later relocated to South Florida, where she commenced her career in behavioral health, specializing in substance use and mental health disorders.

Afterwards, Katharina earned her Master of Business Administration in Health Care Administration from KEU. She possesses over a decade of experience in the field, having held various executive operational roles throughout her career.

Katharina has successfully led numerous talented teams within the behavioral health sector, drawing on her extensive experience in executive leadership for substance use disorder and mental health facilities. Her areas of specialization include facility startups and turnaround strategies, as well as compliance with CARF, Joint Commission and state standards.

Prior to joining the Silvermist and Pyramid Healthcare team, Cydney spent 10 years in a variety of behavioral health roles, including therapeutic staff support, milieu therapist, patient safety representative and supervisor of patient relations and experience. Cydney grew up in the Pittsburgh area where she completed her undergraduate degree from Clarion University and received a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and Management from Point Park University.

In her free time, she enjoys shopping and spending time with family.

Ryan Fullerton is an accomplished behavioral health professional with over 8 years of experience in key leadership roles, including Director of Operations, Program Manager, and Operations Manager. Throughout his career, Ryan has demonstrated a commitment to improving treatment outcomes and operational excellence, developing and overseeing comprehensive programs in behavioral health that prioritize client care and organizational effectiveness. His extensive background in behavioral health management has equipped him with the skills to lead Silvermist Recovery Center with strategic vision and compassion.
Ryan graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelors degree in communications and sociology, and his education, combined with his diverse experience, has fueled his passion for delivering high-quality, client-centered care. As Executive Director of Silvermist Recovery Center, he is dedicated to fostering an environment of growth and support for both staff and clients, ensuring that Silvermist remains a leader in recovery and wellness.

Kristianne became a Physician Assistant after graduating from Lock Haven University’s Physician Assistant Program with her master’s degree in health sciences in 2018. She completed her undergraduate studies in biology and psychology at Lycoming College. Following graduation, Kristianne practiced medicine in an outpatient psychiatry clinic in the State College area for three years where she gained experience working in the mental health field. In 2022, Kristianne and her husband relocated to the Pittsburgh area and she joined the Silvermist Recovery Center team.
In her free time, Kristianne enjoys exercising, spending time with her daughter (Ronnie) & cat (Ginny), and exploring Pittsburgh with her husband, friends and family.

Heather has been working in the behavioral & mental health field for the last ten years. Heather earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Slippery Rock University in 2010. After completing her undergrad she began working with adolescents in the mental health field. She went on to continue her education earning her Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from South University in 2013. Since obtaining her master’s degree, Heather has been counseling in both inpatient and outpatient settings assisting individuals experiencing various struggles in their lives. Heather brings her passion for helping others to work daily, providing individual, group and family therapies. She incorporates acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) into her daily work while assisting her clients as they begin their healing and recovery at Silvermist. While not at work, Heather enjoys spending time with her family and her friends, exercising and watching sports.

Garret has strong roots in the blue-collar work that Western Pennsylvania is known for. Garret has worked in the Pennsylvania natural gas industry, as an ironworker, and with the stage hand union (in Pittsburgh, PA) prior to finding his true calling as a counselor. Garret strives to bring this blue-collar work ethic to the professional world of counseling. He completed his Bachelor of Science in 2020 with a dual major in both psychology and philosophy. Garret is currently attending The University of Alabama as a graduate student focusing on rehabilitation counseling.

Garret’s counseling approach involves taking the wisdom from complex philosophical ideals and making them more tangible and practical for working folks. Garret specializes in experiential type therapies and enjoys helping others learn with a more hands-on approach. He holds the firm belief that everyone deserves to recover from their afflictions and live a meaningful life.

When he’s not working, he enjoys reading, throwing Frisbee with his dog Dude, working on personal fitness and playing bass guitar.

Billy was born and raised in western Pennsylvania, is a U.S. Army combat veteran, having served nearly seven years active duty as an Abrams tank systems maintainer. Billy has been working in the recovery services field for eight years. Billy is licensed with the state of Pennsylvania as a professional social worker. He enjoys traveling, nature and music festivals, and strives to navigate daily life by implementing spiritual principles and virtues and maintaining an awakened spirit.

Billy received his master’s degree in social work from Edinboro University and an undergraduate degree in social sciences with a minor in cognitive science from Slippery Rock University. His passion lies in assisting others in alleviating suffering regardless of the disorder, diagnosis or cause.

Billy enjoys trudging alongside clients as they embark on their personalized holistic journey to healing and recovery. It is imperative to incorporate mind, body and spirit wellness into one’s lifestyle in order to cultivate resilience and effective coping skills needed for positive daily functioning. Utilization of acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT), S.M.A.R.T. goals and evidence-based interventions will assist in aligning values with behavior – all the while learning to love oneself and others and becoming empowered through the process of self-actualization and self-discovery.

Bernice, affectionately known as “Bern Bern” was born and raised in western Pennsylvania, is a nurturer by heart and passionate about life. Bernice has been working in the recovery service field for 14 years. She completed her undergrad at University of Phoenix with a BS in Human Services.  She received her master’s degree from Grand Canyon University with a MS in Addiction Counseling and Post Master Certifications in Trauma and in Life Coaching.  She incorporates ACT into her daily work while assisting her clients as they begin their recovery journey at Silvermist.  When not at work, Bernice enjoys traveling, shopping, live music and singing karaoke. 

Tammy Elder is originally from Butler, PA. She is a proud mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother to five beautiful grandchildren. Tammy has been working in the field of psychology since 2006 while pursuing her education, ultimately earning a Master of Science in Psychology with a Specialization in Addictive Behaviors from Capella University.

Among her proudest accomplishments is authoring and publishing the book Together We Can Make A Difference. She is also an active member of Riding For A Cure, an organization dedicated to raising funds in support of cancer patients within the local community. Tammy considers her greatest achievement to be the work she does today—helping individuals who are struggling find their way back to a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Natalie Miller began working for Pyramid Healthcare, Inc. in August 2006 as a Behavioral Technician, then Supervisor, Case Coordinator, Case Manager, and now a Counselor Assistant. She enjoys her role with clients and values working as a team, seeking consensus to reach the best aftercare plan for each client. Using acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) principles as the anchoring lesson in all of her groups, she challenges the willing to match one’s action to one’s values to resolve the inner conflict. Natalie emphasizes how the use of maladaptive tendencies is an attempt to cope wherein the actions do not match one’s values or character.

She has been married to her husband Jason for nineteen years. They live in Saxonburg, PA with their many children and dog, Flash.

Amanda was born in Portsmouth, VA as the oldest child in a military family, and moved to western Pennsylvania as a teenager. She previously served in the United States Army and remains committed to serving others. She is a Certified Recovery Specialist and has been working in the recovery services field since 2021. She is currently pursuing her BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling and Therapy through Capella University. She is a fierce advocate for individuals with substance use disorder and mental health issues and works diligently to provide clients with sustainable aftercare services. As a wife and mother of 4, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and singing along while her husband plays guitar. She also enjoys tapping into her creativity with various art projects.

The services of Hillside Yoga are brought to Silvermist by Yoga Sam. Yoga Sam brings years of experience teaching in a variety of capacities. She trained at the Temple of Kriya Yoga based in Chicago. Since 2006, Yoga Sam has taught at studios, gyms and colleges, as well as privately at her own studio. Through her years of experience she has the ability to instruct students of various abilities and previous yoga exposure. Bringing pose work and practical yoga philosophy, Yoga Sam is thrilled to share her knowledge with new people.

“The best part of teaching at Silvermist is sharing yoga with people who would otherwise never have walked into a yoga class.”