APOGEE
Integrated Mental Health Services, Inc.
Mark J. Schlickman, M.D. has lived in Central Massachusetts since 1983, when he moved to Worcester to attend the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He received his undergraduate degree cum laude in biochemistry from Brandeis University. His initial interest in pediatrics transformed into psychiatry during medical school.
Dr. Schlickman went on to become chief resident of psychiatry at what is now UMass Memorial Health Care. He co-founded APOGEE Integrated Mental Health Services, Inc. in 1994. One year later, Apogee moved into the gracious surroundings of 23 Fruit Street, one of Worcester’s last stick-style Victorian homes.
His work in TMS is the culmination of over twenty years of psychiatric practice, which has included an eclectic and expert mix of somatic and psychodynamic treatments. Dr. Schlickman is board certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He has extensive training and experience with sophisticated psychopharmacology.
Dr. Schlickman is a diplomate of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, and facilitates three open-ended groups which focus on mood disorders, trauma, and disability. He has held teaching affiliations with UMass Memorial psychiatric residency training program, and with the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology.
Since 2007, he has been certified to deliver Vagus Nerve Stimulation, one of the first non-medication treatments available for treatment resistant depression. Lifestyle medicine is of particular interest to Dr. Schlickman. For many years, he was a certified fitness instructor in Worcester, and now incorporates diet and activity counseling into treatment. Dr. Schlickman has been treating patients with TMS since 2013.
The practice prides itself in coordinating care with referring clinicians, during and after each patient’s course of treatment.
Mary Ludy, L.M.H.C., L.M.F.T. has been a psychotherapist for over twenty years. She received both her B.A. and M.A. in psychology, counseling, and social rehabilitation from Assumption College. Before joining Apogee in 2002, she was a therapist and supervisor at Youth Opportunites Upheld, Inc., and was the clinical director of Valley Psychiatric Sevices, Inc.
She offers individual, couples, and family treatment. She specializes in the treatment of adults, young adults and couples using therapeutic approaches including solution-focused therapy, strength-based therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy. Ms. Ludy has extensive experience with people struggling with personal and relationship issues, depression and anxiety, chronic illness, childhood abuse and sexual trauma issues.
Other specialties include heterosexual and homosexual couples, compulsive behaviors, weight and body image, GLBT issues, infertility and post-partum depression. She also can evaluate patients for the need for referral for medication management.​
Kathleen BurnsPower, M.Ed., L.M.H.C. is a graduate of SUNY- Oswego and Northeastern University. She joined Apogee in 2007, bringing 30 years of counseling expertise and psychotherapy supervision experience to the practice.
She has worked with a wide range of mental health diagnoses, including mood and psychotic disorders. One of her specialty areas is substance abuse and the dual diagnosis of addiction and mental health disorders. She served on the Massachusetts Dual Diagnosis Task Force which established guidelines for treatment of dual diagnosis patients. Kathleen is exceptionally accomplished in incorporating 12-step philosophy into psychotherapy.
Kathleen has been trained in dialectic behavior therapy (DBT) since 2005. She is able to offer treatment with either a psychodynamic or skills-training approach. Kathleen's utilization of DBT is particularly successful in improving the management of negative emotional states and the subsequent transformation to more positive life experiences.
David P. Patterson, R.N,. N.P.
In addition to twenty years of inpatient mental health experience, David is a licensed registered nurse and nurse practitioner with prescriptive authority. His specialty areas include young adults, chronic mental illness, and psychopharmacology. David also understands the complications of mental health and developmental disabilities, and can be helpful to both patients and families.
Robert J. Montano, Psy.D.
All of us at Apogee and the family of Dr. Montano are grateful for the outpouring of caring and support we received during Bob's terminal illness. Sadly, his struggle ended in February 2010.
Clinical Staff