Dr. Long & Associates | Our Team | Forensic Assessment

Dr. Lisa Long

Dr. Lisa Long is the owner and Psychological Director of Dr. Long & Associates. She holds the position of a court-appointed expert evaluator in family law and federal immigration cases and provides forensic consultations to lawyers for various psycho-legal matters. Prior to establishing her private practice, she was the Lead Forensic Psychologist at a maximum-security psychiatric hospital in Georgia. Her international appointments include serving as the Head Psychologist for the Troop Medical Clinic in Camp As-Sayliyah, Doha, Qatar, and as Director of Psychological Services for the 422 Medical Squadron in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Long has contributed to the academic field as an associate editor for the Journal of Psychology & Clinical Psychiatry. She has published research in areas of developmental and social psychology, and cultural and ethnic studies. With fluency in Spanish and proficiency in Arabic and Russian, Dr. Long is well-equipped to conduct psychological evaluations for various immigration cases, catering to a diverse clientele.

David Luddy

David Luddy brings a unique set of skills to Dr. Long & Associates. He is responsible for maximizing the skills of our associates and expanding our reach through technology to improve the efficiency and growth of our practice. Before joining Dr. Long & Associates, David worked as an Acquisition and Entitlement Director in the land development sector. In his previous role, he led teams of engineers, contractors, and land-use attorneys in due diligence, acquisitions, and state and federal permitting of over 5,000 residential lots across multiple resort destination communities. These communities span from Morehead City, NC, to Palm Coast, Florida.

David's career took a transformative path after he attended a mindfulness retreat in Costa Rica. During this retreat, he discovered meditation and surfing for the first time, leading him to spend the next three years researching the neuroscience of mindfulness and addiction while surfing in Costa Rica, Hawaii, and San Diego. During his research period, David earned a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher certification from UC San Diego and a Recovery Coach Professional (RCP) Designation from the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR). His expertise in substance abuse diagnosis, treatment planning, and mindfulness-based interventions for various mental health conditions has been indispensable to the practice.

Marlena M. Ryba, Ph.D

Dr. Marlena M. Ryba, Ph.D., has established an outstanding career over more than ten years. Her deep expertise lies in behavioral interventions, treatment outcome research, and evidence-based practices implementation. Her significant contributions have greatly advanced the understanding of psychosocial aspects of stress and chronic illnesses, especially in fields like oncology, mood disorders, and psychopathology. Dr. Ryba's research has been instrumental in driving policy changes and enhancing treatment effectiveness for diverse populations through her dedicated advocacy and development of innovative programs.

As an Assistant Professor of Psychology, Dr. Ryba has shown exceptional leadership in overseeing research projects, promoting collaboration among multidisciplinary teams and securing substantial funding. Her academic prowess is highlighted by her involvement in five National Institute of Health grant proposals, 18 peer-reviewed publications, and active participation in 33 national conferences.

Dr. Ryba's commitment extends beyond research to include education and mentorship. She has created and led various workshops and courses, demonstrating her dedication as a mentor, supervisor, and educator, with a focus on the latest treatments and assessments. Her extensive experience with forensic populations during her doctoral training has been a valuable asset in her work at Dr. Long and Associates' Court Ordered Evaluation practice.

Originally from Poland, Dr. Ryba brings a unique and valuable perspective to her work, especially in designing effective and culturally sensitive programs for immigrant populations. Her expertise is particularly evident in interpreting cultural differences in Immigration Psychological Evaluations, reflecting her wealth of knowledge and understanding in this area.

Simona Atanasova

Simona Atanasova, MA LPC, is a highly skilled and compassionate licensed professional counselor and Crisis Responder with a strong background in mental health assessments, paralegal and case management, and working with individuals in the Department of Corrections. As a valued team member of Dr. Long & Associates, Simona brings her diverse experience and dedication to providing exceptional psychological support to clients in need.

Simona completed her Master's in Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a Bachelor's in Psychology from DePaul University. Her education and training have provided her with a deep understanding of psychological principles and practical applications in various settings.

In her previous roles, Simona has gained valuable experience as a Paralegal and Case Manager, working with clients in crisis and providing legal assistance.

Fallon Schoeller

Fallon Schoeller, MS, a valued Psychological Associate at Dr. Long and Associates, brings extensive expertise in child psychology and family dynamics, particularly focusing on the unique needs of preschool children. Her academic foundation is solidified by a Master's degree in Psychology, and her career is marked by a deep commitment to understanding and nurturing early childhood development.

At the heart of Fallon's work is her passion for designing and implementing tailored programs for preschoolers, showcasing her innovative and empathetic approach to addressing the critical developmental stages of young children.

In addition to her work with young children, Fallon has developed a specialized understanding of the impact of divorce on families, particularly on children's emotional well-being. Through her involvement in Divorce Care groups, she has honed her skills in navigating and mitigating the complex emotional challenges that arise during these difficult family transitions. Her empathetic and insightful guidance has been a source of strength and understanding for many families, helping them to navigate the often turbulent waters of divorce with greater resilience and clarity. In her role at Dr. Long and Associates, Fallon Schoeller continues to be a beacon of support and expertise, contributing significantly to the practice's parental capacity evaluations.

April Duritza is currently an intern at Dr. Long & Associates Psychological Services Practice. She is an exemplary figure in the fields of education and psychological services. Her academic journey shows her love for learning, as she is pursuing a Master of Social Work at Aurora University while having outstanding academic achievements from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. April graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Culture and Politics and was a member of the esteemed Phi Beta Kappa society.

April's passion for learning extends to teaching and kindling a thirst for knowledge in various professional settings. Her exceptional ability to engage and educate diverse groups stands out through her experience in public service and educational roles. She developed and implemented numerous educational programs while working at the Cabarrus County Public Library, showcasing her skill in igniting a love of learning in community members of all ages.

April has already made significant contributions as an intern at Dr. Long & Associates. Her ability to conduct thorough research and effectively educate others has proven invaluable to the practice. Her comprehensive policy knowledge and deep understanding of cultural contexts will be particularly pertinent to the practice's work in immigration psychological evaluations.

Overall, April Duritza is a dynamic and invaluable Dr. Long & Associates team member. Her dedication to education, both in personal and professional capacities, and her ability to research and apply the knowledge gained through her MSW greatly enhance the practice's ability to provide comprehensive, empathetic, and informed psychological services.