Meet Our Staff

  • Laura is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. She graduated from Wheaton College with a B.A. in philosophy, and has a Master of Science in Nursing from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She is licensed to practice Nursing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She is Board Certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as an advanced practice nurse specializing in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Laura brings her experience working with clients in inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, day treatment, and community health settings. Laura believes that people’s emotional, physical and spiritual health can be transformed by a group program that offers a sense of community and daily opportunities to relate to and receive caring feedback from others. Only in a safe, supportive setting can one begin to take risks, make mistakes and take on new challenges. Programs For People is here to support our clients in whatever goals they want to achieve.

  • Stephanie received her degree in Business Management from Providence College and is the agency's Financial Data Manager, responsible for the billing, accounts receivable, and coordination of payroll and benefits. She has had over 25 years experience in both private and public sectors. She has been employed by Programs For People since 1983.

  • Ed has a long history of restaurant management, as well as service to the community. He owned and operated a 145 seat Italian Restaurant for 37 years. He has also worked for Burger King Corporation and Panera Bread as a training manager. Ed has a lifelong history of service to community organizations. He has served as a Cub Master and Eagle Scout Advisor for Boy Scouts of America; he has served as past president of Waltham Jaycee's and past Board member for United Cerebral Palsy (Boston Housing Unit). He has been an active participant in the Massachusetts Knights of Columbus for many years, most recently serving as District Deputy. Ed previously worked for Programs For People as Food Service Manager for many years, helping many clients in our Lunch Box program prepare for community employment. After a brief retirement, he rejoined Programs For People and looks forward to helping new clients build their confidence and work readiness skills.

  • Jess received her master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. She has extensive experience working in mental health settings ranging from in-patient units, neurological rehabilitation, and community-based settings.

    Jess has been intensively trained in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and currently runs a DBT skills group to help clients in managing emotion regulation. Jess brings a focus on the use of functional and cognitive-based strategies to assist clients in developing positive coping skills, and improve the quality of day-to-day activities.

  • Christian has a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counselling from Assumption College and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Christian brings previous experience working with both state and nonprofit organizations to his role at PFP. Christian has provided a variety of services to individuals with mental health challenges including assistance with finding and maintaining employment, disability benefits assistance and the promotion of self-advocacy. Christian works under the philosophy that employment gives people a purpose and can be a main component in a person’s path to wellness. He enjoys helping people recognize and use their strengths to reach their fullest potential.

  • Dr. Robert Karr is a Board Certified Psychiatrist and Forensic Psychiatrist. He received his medical degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA and received his psychiatric training through Harvard University’s Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA.He has been practicing medicine and psychiatry in the Boston area for 30 years and has had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings including private hospitals, state facilities, The Department of Mental Health, clinics, correctional settings, and as a consultant to mental health and medical care organizations throughout the state. Dr. Karr currently serves as Associate Medical Director and Director of Forensic Psychiatry at Advocates.Dr. Karr describes his approach to mental health care as reflected in the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model. Mental Health is best promoted by considering all aspects of clients’ experiences over their lifetimes. He also notes, “Though I always want to recognize the often enormous challenges our clients face, I also feel that treatment should be a joyous experience for providers and clients together.” Dr. Karr provides consultation, training and supervision at Programs For People, Inc.

  • Mary Jane graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, and earned a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Southern Illinois University's Rehabilitation Institute. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She has worked as a Rehabilitation Counselor in many capacities with persons with a variety of disabilities, from clinical settings such as the New England Rehabilitation Hospital to corporations including Paul Revere Insurance Company, Raytheon, and the John Hancock Insurance Company where she coordinated vocational rehabilitation for employees. Prior to coming to Programs For People she worked with the Boston Veterans' Administration, providing vocational assessments and recommendations for disabled veterans. Mary Jane serves on the Board of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Association.