In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating the remarkable women who have helped shape Child Guidance Resource Centers through their leadership, dedication, and compassion. From longtime staff to current Board Members, these women have made a lasting impact on our organization and the communities we serve. Today, we’re sharing a look at the history of three incredible women: Dr. Williametta Simmons, Tiiu Lutter, and Dr. Catherine Gardner. Read below to learn more about their impact on CGRC and the lasting contributions they’ve made to our community.
From Case Manager to the Board, Dr. Williametta Simmons
Dr. Williametta Simmons began her journey with Child Guidance as a Blended Case Manager in IBHS, and later transitioned to the Family First program. Throughout her time at CGRC, Dr. Simmons not only supported countless clients but also pursued her doctorate, showing an inspiring commitment to both her professional growth and the families she served.
After she transitioned to private practice, Dr. Simmons joined the Child Guidance Board and her impact has been immeasurable. Her leadership, insight, and advocacy continue to shape the agency's mission and drive its growth.
Today, Dr. Simmons is a Licensed Psychologist with over a decade of experience in the mental health field. She is the owner of Integrative Psychological & Consulting Services in Bala Cynwyd, PA, specializing in mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, marriage and family therapy, and psychosis. She has taught a variety of international and national workshops including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for schizophrenia, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Mood Disorders, and Evidenced-Informed Trauma Interventions. Beyond her professional roles, Dr. Simmons is passionate about humanitarian work. She serves as the Mental Health Coordinator for the Liberia Medical Mission, which provides healthcare, training, and education in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. She’s also an active advocate for mental health awareness and equitable care, working with various professional organizations to ensure that mental health services are accessible to all.
Dr. Simmons’ journey is a powerful reflection of resilience, leadership, and the drive to make a difference. We are incredibly proud to have her as part of the Child Guidance family, and we’re excited to continue supporting her work both within our community and beyond.
Always Putting CGRC’s Mission First, Meet Tiuu Lutter
Tiiu Lutter's story with CGRC began soon after completing her Master's degree at Immaculata University, when she joined our Family First program as a family-based therapist. Her commitment to her clients and their progress was inspiring. She even won our Employee of the Year award! Over the decade of her time at Child Guidance, Tiiu was known for her ability to take on the most complex cases and her invaluable support on the on-call crisis lines. She showed an unwavering dedication to ensuring families received the help they needed, no matter the challenge.
After years of clinical work, Tiiu took on a new role as the Director of Development in our Marketing and Development Department. During her three years in this position, she built lasting relationships with community organizations and donors, ensuring the continued growth and success of CGRC. Even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tiiu was at the forefront of finding innovative ways to stay connected with our community, including creating a virtual gala and designing and executing a remote 5K event. She worked to build innovative mental health resources, providing free groups for people struggling and building mental health education and awareness initiatives across Southeastern PA. During her tenure, she helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Child Guidance and expand our community reach exponentially.
When Tiiu transitioned to start her private practice, Thriving Families Center, she wasn’t away long from the Child Guidance family! Tiiu returned to serve on our Board of Directors. Today, Tiiu is the proud founder of Thriving Families Center, a private practice that provides therapy for children, families, individuals, and couples using evidence-based models with a focus on the entire system and individual. She also leads the clinical partnership with Hope for Hallie, connecting teens in need with therapists at a discounted rate, furthering her commitment to supporting those in her community. Tiiu remains active in the Delaware County area, where she continues to be an advocate for families and offers resources to help them thrive.
Tiiu’s journey at CGRC is a powerful example of leadership, compassion, and the impact one person can have on an organization and the families it serves. She represents the strength and resilience of women in leadership, and we are incredibly proud to have her as part of the CGRC family.
It’s Her Compassion that Sets Her Apart, Dr. Catherine Gardner
Dr. Catherine Gardner began her journey at CGRC as a dedicated clinician committed to supporting children and families facing emotional, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental challenges. Over the years, her expertise and compassionate leadership helped shape the agency’s clinical practices and expand access to high-quality psychological care.
With over two decades of experience in the field, Dr. Gardner rose to become Vice President of Medical and Psychological Services at CGRC. In this role, she worked alongside multidisciplinary teams to design and enhance comprehensive care programs, always centering the needs of the children and families we serve. Her background is uniquely interdisciplinary—she holds both a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) and a Law Degree (JD) from Widener University, where she completed a rigorous dual-degree program. Her ability to navigate the complexities of both legal and clinical systems has made her an invaluable resource and advocate for integrated, client-centered care.
Dr. Gardner has consistently brought a forward-thinking approach to her work, guiding CGRC in adopting best practices and evidence-based models that improve outcomes and elevate standards across our programs. Her leadership is grounded in deep empathy, clinical expertise, and a fierce commitment to the communities we serve.
Dr. Gardner’s journey is a testament to the power of curiosity, compassion, and a lifelong dedication to growth. We are proud to have her as a key leader at CGRC and grateful for the expertise and heart she brings to everything she does.
Just A Glimpse of the Spectacular Women at CGRC
These three women represent just a glimpse of the strength, compassion, and leadership that power CGRC’s mission every day. Through their dedication to clinical excellence, innovation, advocacy, and community connection, Dr. Williametta Simmons, Tiiu Lutter, and Dr. Catherine Gardner have each left an indelible mark on our organization. We are proud to recognize their journeys—not only for the impact they've made at CGRC, but for the inspiration they continue to offer to all of us striving to make a difference.