About Us

North Star

North Star Psychiatry

Our Prescribing Providers

Brian S. Rogers, M.D.

Brian S. Rogers, M.D.

Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist

Dr. Rogers is a Harvard-trained, board-certified, child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. At North Star Psychiatry, he offers a hybrid treatment approach with both virtual and in-person visits for patients in Pennsylvania. Dr. Rogers is an out-of-network provider and does not accept insurance.

Brown, North Star Psychiatry for Childs, Adolescents & Young Adults
Harvard, North Star Psychiatry for Childs, Adolescents & Young Adults
Penn Medicine, North Star Psychiatry for Childs, Adolescents & Young Adults
Josh Behrle, Licensed Social Worker

Anna Reynolds, CRNP

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Anna Reynolds is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who began her training at Immaculata University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson University Graduate School with Summa Cum Laude honors and is board certified through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).

Anna has clinical experience in Newborn Nurseries, Pediatric Orthopedics, Urgent Care, and Developmental Pediatrics. She has experience caring for children diagnosed with mental health diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Anxiety, and Depression, and has previously been trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid. At North Star Psychiatry, she provides outpatient medication management to patients 18 years and younger.

Licensed Therapists

Melanie Fullard, Licensed Professional Counselor

Melanie Fullard

Licensed Professional Counselor

Melanie is a passionate, warm-hearted, and caring mental health therapist. She completed her undergraduate degree in psychobiology from Albright College and earned her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rowan University. She has worked as a mental health clinician in various levels of care, including specialized and general outpatient facilities, residential programs, and inpatient psychiatric hospitals. While she is particularly well-versed in cognitive-behavioral modalities, such as Dialectical Behavioral and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, Melanie uses an integrative, holistic, and trauma-informed approach with clients. During the therapeutic process, she collaborates with clients to discover and understand the root causes of problems and how they present challenges in daily functioning. Over time, she helps clients become aware of their own strengths and resilience.

An avid learner, she continues to grow and refine her knowledge base, often incorporating techniques from various evidence-based practices. The care she provides is culturally sensitive and tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual. And as the client’s needs shift, Melanie adapts her approach to help ensure continued progress and healing. Melanie has a wealth of experience treating clients with complex needs. Many of her clients have co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. She is skilled at maneuvering the intricacies of co-occurring presenting symptoms. She works primarily with adolescents and adults and occasionally provides family therapy services. Melanie is a licensed professional who holds herself to the ethical standards set forth by her licensing body and the expectation of continued learning as a mental health professional. She is a wonderful collaborator and works directly alongside Dr. Rogers to ensure top-tier services are being provided to clientele of North Star Psychiatry.

Josh Behrle, Licensed Social Worker

Josh Behrle

Licensed Social Worker

Josh earned a BS in Social Science at Marist College and a MS in Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania. He has extensive experience working as a therapist for young people and their families in a variety of settings. He previously worked as a family-based therapist, providing therapeutic services in the homes of clients. He also has worked in several residential treatment facilities, where he has provided intensive mental health treatment to high-risk teens with complex needs. Josh draws from a diverse background in therapy, which includes ecosystemic structural family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, and dialectical behavior therapy. He has experience working with clients who suffer from a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, OCD, personality disorders, and substance use disorders. He also has extensive experience in crisis management.

Throughout the therapeutic process, Josh serves as a client advocate, educator, and motivator. He uses a gentle approach, and clients find him to be warm, compassionate, and relatable. He is very good at meeting clients “where they are at” and adjusting his approach accordingly. Josh and Dr. Rogers previously worked together at a different organization, where they developed a strong team approach to treatment. Josh continues to be an outstanding team player and collaborator and is a superb asset to North Star Psychiatry.

Samantha Garrison, Licensed Professional Counselor

Samantha Garrison

Licensed Professional Counselor

Sammi earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Immaculata University. She takes a Person-Centered approach in therapy, working collaboratively with clients to build a strong therapeutic relationship. This foundation creates a safe space that will allow for challenges, support, empathy, and fun.

Sammi works with adolescents, young adults, and their families to identify and prioritize current barriers with the goal of enhancing quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the age range for your patients?

Dr. Rogers is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and is qualified to treat patients of all ages. However, at North Star Psychiatry, his practice is focused on treating children, teenagers, and young adults. The age range for new patients is from approximately age 4 to 25 years. Patients outside of this range can be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Once accepted into the practice, a patient will not “age out” over time. In other words, the 4-to-25-year age bracket only applies to new patients.

Do you offer virtual visits?

Yes. At North Star Psychiatry, we use a hybrid treatment approach, offering in-person visits at our office in Malvern, PA, as well as virtual visits through a HIPAA-compliant video platform. Virtual visits are available to patients anywhere in the state of Pennsylvania. Patients who are prescribed controlled substances (i.e. Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall) will need to be seen in-person at least once initially, and again at appropriate intervals. Also, some patients will need to be seen in-person when there are safety issues or clinical concerns that cannot be appropriately addressed over the computer. Otherwise, patients have the freedom to choose whether they would like to be seen virtually or in-person.

What do your services cost?

Please call for current rates.

Do you accept insurance?
We do not accept insurance at North Star Psychiatry. Dr. Rogers is an out-of-network provider. At the end of each visit, an invoice with diagnostic and billing codes will be provided, and patients may submit this document to their insurance company for reimbursement.
What is your medication approach?

Dr. Rogers believes that every decision about medication ultimately boils down to a careful analysis of pros versus cons. Medication is a powerful tool that can help lots of people, but it must be used judiciously. Side effects are a real concern. In his medication approach, Dr. Rogers strives for the “sweet spot” – the dose at which a patient receives maximal benefit with minimal, if any, side effects.

Do you do genetic testing to select medications?

No. We live in a time when people get very excited about technology. The idea that something is “cutting edge” can be very alluring. Patients and families sometimes ask for genetic testing, but with the misunderstanding that such testing will solve the riddle of which medication will work best. The truth is, the existing research simply does not support the use of these tests for medication selection, especially in young people. In fact, in 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication warning against the use of such tests. The FDA stated that the use of pharmacogenetic testing leads to “inappropriate treatment decisions and potentially serious health consequences for the patient.” In 2020, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) echoed the FDA’s concern when they formally released a policy statement instructing physicians to avoid using pharmacogenetic tests. Please see below for the link:

Clinical Use of Pharmacogenetic Tests in Prescribing Psychotropic Medications for Children and Adolescents (aacap.org)

What is the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, and therapist?

A psychiatrist is a type of medical doctor (physician). To become a psychiatrist, one must attend college, medical school, and then complete at least 4 years of specialized training in psychiatry (5 or 6 years for child psychiatry). Like all other physicians, during medical school, psychiatrists complete rotations in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, family medicine, neurology, and psychiatry. While applying for residency, medical students decide on a specialty during the fourth year of medical school, and psychiatry is one of many options for them. During residency and fellowship training, psychiatrists learn how to diagnose and treat patients with mental illness using both medication and psychotherapy.

A psychologist is someone who has formal education and training in psychology. Many psychologists become licensed clinicians and work directly with clients, doing therapy or administering psychological tests. Some psychologists have academic positions and choose to do research. Most practicing psychologists are either at the masters or doctoral level.

“Therapist” is a rather general term for a person who does psychotherapy. A psychiatrist or psychologist can serve as a therapist when performing psychotherapy. Social workers often work as therapists, usually at the masters level. In this role, they are often referred to as “clinicians.” Some therapists have specialized training and/or certifications in specific types of therapy (i.e. CBT, DBT, trauma therapy, marriage counseling, family therapy, play therapy, sex therapy, etc.)