Outreach Staff

Head Clinical Consultant

Cheryl N. Engel, Ph.D. is a NYS licensed psychologist who specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). She has worked as a School Psychologist in public schools in New York and as a clinical psychologist in various clinic setting, and has worked at Center for Spectrum Services since 2007. Dr. Engel is the Clinical/School Psychologist and Head of the Clinical Department at Spectrum Services, where she provides counseling, social skills and behavioral support services to students and transdisciplinary evaluations. In addition, she provides specialized training to staff and serves on the Center for Spectrum Services leadership team. Dr. Engel is approved by the New York State Education Department as a provider of training in the needs of children with autism and is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Hudson Valley Psychological Association (HVPA).

Clinical Consultant

Sharon Koczaja, L.C.S.W., Q.C.S.W., B.C.D. is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified School Social Worker, and Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work.  She holds Qualified Clinical Social Worker and School Social Work Specialist credentials, and is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. Sharon has decades of experience doing psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups in settings, which have included an outpatient mental health clinic, a day treatment program, a residential program, and here at Spectrum Services. She has worked at Spectrum Services for over 30 years. Sharon specializes in providing individual counseling and social skills groups for children on the Autism Spectrum along with family counseling and support services.

School Psychologist

Samantha Perry, M.S., CAS began at Spectrum Services as a Clinical Intern in the fall of 2016. She later joined our staff as a substitute teacher, and then assistant teacher. Sam left Spectrum Services to complete her Masters in Educational Psychology and Methodology, which she earned in 2020. Subsequently, in 2022, Sam received her Certificate of Advanced Study in School Psychology. Sam works with all preschool students, working with individual students, as well as performing preschool evaluations. In other classes throughout the school, she performs counselling, functional behavior assessments, and behavior intervention plans for our students. Sam is a member of National Association of School Psychologists.

Behavioral Specialist

Ryan Stoutenburgh joined Spectrum Service as Lead Behavioral Specialist in 2022. He has worked with children on the autism spectrum for over fifteen years, and brings with him significant experience and knowledge working with students with disabilities. Ryan began his career as a Teaching Assistant at the esteemed Devereux Advanced Behavior Health, where he honed his skills, proficiency, and effectiveness at anticipating student behaviors before they reached disruptive or crisis levels. At Spectrum Services, Ryan collaborates closely with clinicians, administrators, and special educators to develop and implement IEPs and treatment plans. Ryan trains Spectrum Services staff on therapeutic intervention and crisis prevention, and oversees a large corps of substitute classroom aids.