
Center for Personal and Professional Development
Salus University is committed to the personal, as well as the professional growth of students. With this goal in mind, Salus University has established the Center for Personal and Professional Development, (CPPD).
CPPD offers culturally informed mental health services to Salus University students, in order to promote their personal and professional growth allowing them to positively impact the future of healthcare, education, research and interprofessional practice.
The following confidential services are offered:
- Academic Counseling
- Individual Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Crisis Intervention Services (PDF)
- Referrals (PDF)
- Study Skills
- MySalus
- Strategies for Managing Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Psychoeducational/ADHD Evaluation Information
- Local referrals and resources
- Mindfulness Meditation
- Much more!
988 is the New Suicide and Crisis Hotline
Psychoeducational/ADHD Evaluation Information and Referrals
How to connect with CPPD
If you are interested in meeting with a counselor, please email cppd@salus.edu. Please note that our counseling center is open Monday through Friday only. Emails will only be answered during business hours (see schedule below). If you email outside of office hours, please expect a response within 24 business hours.
Please do not email CPPD outside of office hours if you have an emergency. Students in crisis should call 911/988 immediately or go to a local crisis center/emergency room (PDF).
You are also more than welcome to request a counselor here or continue using our individual emails to get in touch with us directly:
Effective 9/5/23 | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
Cristina Laracuente, PsyD claracuente@salus.edu |
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. in person |
1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. *virtual |
|||
Jana Walker, MSW jwalker@salus.edu |
2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. *virtual |
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in person |
|||
Molly Marcus, PsyD mmarcus@salus.edu |
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. *virtual |
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in person |
|||
Tami April-Davis, PsyD tdavis@salus.edu |
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in person |
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in person 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. *virtual |
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in person 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. *virtual |
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. in person |
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. *virtual |
Madeline Harenza, MS mharenza@salus.edu |
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in person |
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. in person |
*given the bounds of our licenses, we can only conduct telehealth appointments with students who are physically located in Pennsylvania during the time of their appointments.

Dr. Laracuente's therapeutic orientation has its foundation on the humanistic approach. Her doctoral academic experience emphasized a holistic approach that drew from psychodynamic psychology, family systems, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Her diverse clinical experience has helped to understand the cross-cultural impact present within the therapeutic alliance. Dr. Laracuente's previous treatment experiences include grief counseling, mindfulness for the treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms, trauma work, and psychotic disorders. Prior to pursuing a career as a psychologist, Dr. Laracuente worked in social work, truancy, family court and foster care systems for 15 years in the Philadelphia county area.
Jana earned her BS in Sociology along with a minor in Women’s Studies at California State University, Hayward (1999.) She then earned her MSW at the University of Pennsylvania (2002), with a concentration in clinical practice. She has served a year in Americorps NCCC in Berkeley, California as a health educator and counselor. In addition, she worked in the non-profit, inpatient medical hospital, and clinical sectors since that time. While having served varied populations throughout her career thus far, Jana is passionate about working with people of color, women in life transitions, and the LGBTQAI+ community.
In addition to traditional academic and career training/experiences, Jana is also a yoga instructor (200 RYT), Reiki Master, and Ayurveda Practitioner. Utilizing a holistic approach to therapy, she integrates traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ( CBT) with meditation, mindfulness practices, yoga, and Reiki when welcomed. She believes, “This life is a journey, and we are all here learning to trust and explore what it means to have our unique human experience. I am here to assist you on your journey.”
Alongside her position at Salus, Jana has a private practice, is an adjunct professor at Temple University, and teaches fitness classes at Life Time Athletic.
Jana is so very excited to be a part of the Salus community!
Dr. Molly Marcus earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from Albright College (2011). She is currently a licensed psychologist who earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Chestnut Hill College in 2017 with a concentration in Couples and Family Therapy. Dr. Marcus completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Chestnut Hill College Psychological Services Clinic and Growth Opportunity Center, and her postdoctoral residency at Growth Opportunity Center where she treated individuals, couples, and families, and conducted psychoeducational testing.
Other clinical work experiences include conducting outpatient therapy with adults experiencing trauma and mood dysregulation, providing individual, group, and family therapy at Devereux Foundation, and conducting ADHD evaluations at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Center for Management of ADHD. Additionally, Dr. Marcus has served as a substitute counselor at Salus University’s Center for Personal and Professional Growth in the past.
Alongside her position at Salus, Dr. Marcus currently provides outpatient therapy for adolescents and adults at Growth Opportunity Center. She also conducts psychoeducational and psychological evaluations to identify learning concerns such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning disabilities, and more.
Dr. Marcus utilizes an integrative approach by pulling from the fields of family therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and cognitive-behavior therapy to develop individualized treatment plans for each client based on their needs. Additionally, Dr. Marcus works from a multicultural perspective with understanding of how culture, ethnicity, race, and other diversity characteristics may impact aspects of one’s life. Dr. Marcus believes in a collaborative approach to developing treatment plans.
Dr. Marcus is thrilled to be with the Salus community!

