A place to finally feel seen and start feeling like yourself again.
At Upside Therapy, we help neurodivergent and LGBTQ children, teens, and adults move from confusion and overwhelm to understanding and stability, with therapy that actually fits the way you think, feel, and process the world.
Clinical Director
Dr. Charleen WIlder is a Licensed Psychologist with the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TX License #38640; expires 05/31/2027). For information on how to verify a license, please go to www.tsbep.texas.gov. For information on how to file a complaint, please go to the following page: https://www.tsbep.texas.
Charleen Wilder, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist who enjoys and has experience working with a diverse range of concerns including autism, LGBTQ issues, trauma, depression, OCD, anxiety, and relational challenges in adolescents and adults. Dr. Wilder values a holistic, collaborative approach that takes into consideration every aspect of the client’s life (e.g., medical history, religion/spirituality, psycho-social stressors, family dynamics). Dr. Wilder utilizes evidenced-based treatments that include parent behavioral management (when working with children), family systems, cognitive-behavioral, and interpersonal strategies to help each individual better manage their symptoms and engage more fully in their lives.
Dr. Wilder is also experienced in conducting psychological assessment of autism, personality disorders, bipolar disorder trauma, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention difficulties, learning concerns and more for children and adults. She understands the nuance of evaluating autism in girls and evaluating autism in adults, two populations who often go misdiagnosed due to adept masking behaviors.
Dr. Wilder received her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary following the completion of her pre-doctoral APA-accredited internship at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis, MN. She subsequently completed her post-doctoral training at Great Life Counseling Center in Dallas, TX. During her graduate school career, she completed her therapy training at a community mental health clinic and private practice and her assessment training at the University of California, Los Angeles where she was first trained to perform autism evaluations. In these settings, Dr. Wilder performed individual, couples, group and family therapy, and psychological and neurodevelopmental assessments.
Dr. Wilder also supervises Bryanna Shannon, MA; Brittany Quinn, PsyD; and Maya Burnett, MA in the areas of both therapy and assessment.
Founder
Arlen Padilla, LSSP, PsyD, completed her doctoral training in the Clinical Psychology program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She recently completed her predoctoral internship at Texas Telehealth Internship Consortium, a collaborative training program between Texas A&M Health and Baylor Scott & White Health and is completing her post-doctoral fellowship at Upside Therapy and Evaluation Center.
Dr. Padilla earned her B.S. in Finance from DePaul University and her M.A. in Clinical
Psychology from The Chicago School. Additionally, she holds an Ed.S. in School
Psychology from The Chicago School, Chicago campus and is licensed as a school
psychologist in the state of Texas (TX License #71510).
Dr. Padilla has worked extensively with adolescents in academic settings, providing
therapeutic and assessment services. She has also worked with individuals across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, and adults experiencing trauma, grief and bereavement, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and life transition and relationship concerns in
community mental health and medical settings.
Jessica Dieke is a highly experienced School Psychologist (TX License #34309 ) and Licensed Psychological Associate (TX License #41042), certified by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. With over 17 years of experience working with students from preschool through high school, Jessica is dedicated to supporting the academic, emotional, and developmental success of children and adolescents.
Jessica has extensive expertise in conducting special education and psychological evaluations, with a focus on autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and learning differences. She is passionate about serving diverse populations and is known for her thoughtful, compassionate approach to helping students and families navigate complex challenges.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas Christian University and her Education Specialist (Ed.S) degree in School Psychology from the University of Kansas.
Jessica completed her internship in school psychology with Fort Worth Independent School District, where she provided psychological assessments as well as individual and group counseling services.
Most recently, Jessica served as a School Psychologist, Team Lead, and Intern Supervisor with Plano Independent School District. In these roles, she not only supported students directly but also mentored emerging professionals and helped lead multidisciplinary teams in delivering high-quality psychological services.
Jessica is committed to promoting student well-being and empowering families through expert evaluation, collaboration, and evidence-based practices.
Kassandra Overstreet Silva is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (TX License # 95095; expires 05/20/29). For information on how to verify a license, please visit the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council website at [https://bhec.texas.gov/verify-a-license/]. For information on how to file a complaint, please visit the following page: [https://www.bhec.texas.gov/how-to-file-a-complaint/].
Kassandra earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources with a minor in Psychology from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling at Tarleton State University-Fort Worth.
She has worked with children, adolescents, teens and adults including those with ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. She is Neurodiversity affirming and LGBTQ affirming.
She has a passion for working with teens, college students and high masking or late diagnosed women with ADHD or AUDHD. She has also had experience working with students 5-21 in the school setting as well as supporting them through IEPs and in-school counseling.
Kassandra strives to help clients feel safe to dig deeper on how their neurodiversity impacts their view of themselves and the world around them. As a neurodivergent therapist, she truly understands through lived experiences as well as clinical experience. She believes in supporting clients to embrace their neurodiversity and to allow them to understand themselves better. She utilizes person centered approach, CBT, somatic therapy and expressive arts.
Trinity Oslin is currently a doctoral practicum student in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School in Plano, Texas. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from East Texas A&M University, where she also served as a research assistant.
Trinity is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and collaborative therapeutic environment where individuals feel heard, respected, and understood. She emphasizes building a therapeutic relationship based on empathy, authenticity, and trust, guiding clients to identify their strengths, navigate life’s challenges, and achieve meaningful personal growth. Her clinical interests focus on working with children, adolescents, and young adults, especially neurodivergent individuals such as those with ADHD and autism. Trinity is dedicated to offering affirming, client-centered care that respects each person’s unique experiences and goals. Trinity has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in volunteer and clinical settings and is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care. More specifically, her clinical experience includes psychological assessments across the lifespan for various concerns, as well as therapy for adolescents and teens dealing with identity development, self-esteem, and life transitions. Additionally, she has worked with women affected by domestic violence, providing a supportive, trauma-informed, and client-centered space for healing and growth.
Her research interests focus on neurodiversity, interpersonal relationships, and factors that influence psychological well-being. Trinity’s dissertation explores how specific early life experiences of young adult women with ADHD and Autism shape cognitive schemas related to intimacy, relationships, and emotional development. The goal is to contribute to more individualized and evidence-based approaches to care. Outside of the clinic, Trinity enjoys reading novels, trying new recipes, spending time in nature, listening to music, and connecting with family and friends. She values lifelong learning and believes that maintaining balance outside of her clinical work helps her bring authenticity, curiosity, and compassion into the therapy room.
Jason Swanson is currently a third-year doctoral student pursuing his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School in Dallas, Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree from Strayer University, and a second master’s degree in counseling from The Chicago School.
Prior to his doctoral studies, Jason served in the United States Air Force, completing three overseas tours in the mental health field. During his service, he dedicated himself to supporting service members and their families through pre- and post-deployment reintegration, as well as providing specialized treatment for trauma and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Jason is deeply committed to fostering an authentic, grounded, and collaborative therapeutic space where clients feel empowered to navigate complex challenges. Drawing from his military and clinical background, he emphasizes resilience, trust, and evidence-based care tailored to everyone’s unique lived experience.
Bryanna Shannon, MA, is a doctoral student at The Chicago School who is currently pursuing her PsyD in Clinical Psychology. She earned her B.S. in Counseling from Nelson University and her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School.
Ms. Shannon has worked with adolescents and adults experiencing ADHD, ASD, anxiety, depression, and substance-use concerns in both private practice and community mental health settings. In session, she integrates cognitive‐behavioral techniques with person‐centered strategies, emphasizing warmth, collaboration, and respect. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and supporting their journey toward personal growth and well-being. She believes in creating a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to explore their thoughts and emotions and fostering a collaborative and empathetic therapeutic relationship where clients can feel empowered to make positive changes in their lives.
Michelle McFarlin, MS, CCC-SLP, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Southern Methodist University; and a Masters of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas-Callier Center for Communication Disorders. Mrs. McFarlin is a certified, clinical Speech-Language Pathologist at The Social Communication Connection who specializes in early childhood language, social communication disorders, autism testing, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). From undergraduate studies to present, Mrs. McFarlin has over 20 years experience in research and clinical service to young children with speech-language and social communication challenges and their families.
