KRYSTAL S. NOWAK, PSY.D.

LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST & OWNER

Dr. Krystal Nowak is the owner of Stony Point Evaluation & Learning Center. She is a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized training in school neuropsychology. In addition to her doctorate in psychology, she also has a master’s degree in education and is a former middle school teacher. Her unique background allows her to blend educational approaches with neuropsychological principles. This knowledge helps her to uncover a child’s strengths and vulnerabilities in the context of academics as well as social-emotional functioning. This allows her to provide feasible and effective recommendations to help them reach their true potential.

Dr. Nowak earned her doctorate in clinical & school psychology from James Madison University and her master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and cognitive science from the University of Virginia.

As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Nowak also has specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems and neurodivergence in children, adolescents, and adults (including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ODD, DMDD, OCD, autism, trauma and PTSD, psychosis, etc.). She is skilled in understanding the root cause underlying a child’s emotional and behavioral state, which leads to the interventions that will be most effective.

DONYETTA C. BRYSON, ED.D.

CERTIFIED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST & RESIDENT IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Dr. Bryson is a certified School Psychologist and a Resident in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Bryson received her Doctorate of Education in School Psychology with specialized coursework in Reading and Counseling from the University of Virginia.  She earned her Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology and Master of Education in Human Development from Lehigh University. Dr. Bryson received her undergraduate degree from James Madison University where she majored in Psychology.

Dr. Bryson is dedicated to improving the emotional health and well-being of children by identifying specific educational needs and assisting parents with accessing appropriate resources to support them. Dr. Bryson has had the opportunity to work in a number of settings.  For more than 15 years, she has worked within the public school system as a school psychologist providing psychoeducational evaluations, consultation, and counseling services for children spanning preschool through high school.  In addition to her work within the public-school setting, Dr. Bryson has provided services as an evaluator within a clinical setting over the past 10 years, focusing on psychological and educational assessment for a myriad of presenting problems (e.g., attention, learning, social-emotional issues) and for a variety of age ranges and educational needs (e.g., evaluations for preschoolers to graduate level students).  Additionally, Dr. Bryson works as an adjunct professor with Mary Baldwin University where she assists with training the next generation of psychologists in the areas of child and adolescent psychology, psychological testing, experimental psychology, and educational psychology.

SARAH DOYLE, PH.D.

DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Dr. Sarah Doyle is a Developmental Psychologist, educator, advocate, and ally. She received her Doctorate in Developmental Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University where she eagerly pursued specialized coursework in Autism, social and emotional development, interdisciplinary leadership, and community-based interventions. She earned her Master’s degree at American University and her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky, both in Psychology.

Dr. Doyle considers herself a lifelong learner, a perpetual collaborator, and a passionate advocate. She has over 15 years of experience working with and advocating for Autistic youth, teens, and adults and families in residential, clinical, educational, and nonprofit settings. She is deeply passionate about learning from and empowering Autistic individuals, as well as collaborating with and supporting caregivers in learning more about neurodiversity, their children’s developmental needs, and themselves as parents. Dr. Doyle is immensely grateful for the opportunities she has had to pursue advanced training in Autism, neurodiversity, child and adolescent development, Autism assessment, and program development and evaluation. She utilizes a strengths-based and neurodiversity affirming approach.

Additionally, Dr. Doyle has her own practice where she offers coaching services for caregivers as well as Autistic individuals. In this role, she works with parents and other caregivers to help them better understand and support their child’s developmental needs, which might include, but is not limited to, education about Autism and/or neurodiversity, relationship building, addressing challenging behaviors, or navigating big emotions. Dr. Doyle also supports Autistic kids, teens, and adults with understanding and embracing their neurodivergence, targeted skill development (e.g., communication, self-advocacy, executive functioning, interpersonal skills, etc.), and personal and professional goal setting.

LORING MATTHEWS, PH.D.

LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Dr. Loring Matthews is a licensed clinical psychologist. She received her undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and her masters in psychology from the University of Richmond. She obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Alabama with a specialty in child clinical psychology. She completed her internship year at Arkansas Children’s Hospital where she performed psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluations in outpatient and inpatient settings.

Dr. Matthews’ professional experience includes providing educational and psychological assessments with children and adolescents to evaluate for learning disorders; Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder; and behavioral, developmental, and emotional disorders. She also has experience completing admissions testing at a local private school.

Her goal is to assist parents and children in determining accurate diagnoses and facilitate treatment services to help children succeed in school and in life.

KOURTNEY BAUMFALK, M.A.

CLINICAL CARE COORDINATOR & PSYCHOMETRIST

Ms. Kourtney Baumfalk is our Clinical Care Coordinator and Psychometrist. She is presently training to become a Board-Certified Specialist in Psychometry. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience from Virginia Tech University, and she doubled majored in Psychology. Ms. Baumfalk also earned a Master of Arts in Applied Psychology and Industrial Organizational Psychology from Liberty University and specialized in test construction/validation and social psychology. While enrolled at Virginia Tech, Ms. Baumfalk volunteered in a research lab investigating the role of sex differences in the immune system and coexisting psychiatric disorders. She also volunteered as a peer mentor.

MARY MARGARET RYAN, M.ED., ED.S., ET/P

EDUCATIONAL THERAPIST & LEARNING SPECIALIST

Mrs. Mary Margaret Ryan is an experienced Learning Specialist and is an Educational Therapist/Professional. She holds a B.A. degree in Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education, a Master of Education degree in Special Education (K-12), and an Education Specialist degree in literacy and writing from Converse College. She is a member of the Association of Educational Therapists and holds a certification as a Professional Educational Therapist.

Across both the private and public-school sectors, Mrs. Ryan has a history of working in primary and secondary education settings with students who present with specific learning differences. Skilled in K-12 Education, Special Education K-12, literacy, secondary education, classroom management, and lesson planning, Mrs. Ryan has been teaching for over 20 years.

In addition to her teaching experience, Mrs. Ryan has an extensive background in Mindfulness, Mindful Leadership, Mindfulness Stress Reduction, and is a certified yoga instructor. She is currently a Middle School Learning Specialist and the Mindfulness Coordinator at Collegiate School. She leads mindfulness and stress reduction sessions with all 5th-8th graders and facilitates these sessions through 9th-grade Health and Wellness classes. Mrs. Ryan also provides workshops in a variety of setting within the broader Richmond community.

Mrs. Ryan is married and a proud mother to two boys. She volunteers for several mental health education and childhood health organizations in the Richmond area. She is presently a member of the Learning Disabilities Association of America and the Association of Educational Therapists.

JO GANDOLFI

CLIENT CARE SPECIALIST & SCHEDULER

Jo is your go-to person for scheduling your psychological and educational evaluations at SPELC. She is here to answer all your questions about the process and to explain everything we have to offer at SPELC. She has gone through this journey from a parent’s perspective, so knows the importance of a smooth and supportive experience. She gets it—it is hard to know where to start when you are seeking help for your child (or yourself). That’s why she’s here. Jo’s ready to assist with a friendly chat to jump start the process of getting the answers you are looking for.

LATASHA JEFFERSON

CLIENT CARE SPECIALIST

Tasha is the newest addition to the SPELC team. She’s the warm, welcoming presence greeting you as you step into our practice. With her genuine smile and helpful demeanor, Tasha is dedicated to making your experience with us as smooth and pleasant as possible. Once you have booked with us, Tasha is your point of contact for all your needs and concerns. She is here to ensure that you’re fully informed and comfortable with each step of the process.