Aviva Gaskill, PhD, PLLC
Therapy Group
in Bala Cynwyd
Dr. Aviva Gaskill, Dr. Ashley Borders,
 Marita Pyankov LSW & Ruthi Lynn MFT

Dr. Borders received her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Southern California in 2007. She is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of PA. Dr. Borders has worked with adults and older adults in various setting including outpatient and inpatient programs, partial day units, university counseling centers, and Veterans Affairs hospitals.  She has experience working with individuals and couples, as well as leading mindfulness-based therapy groups.

In addition to being a therapist, Dr. Borders is a professor of psychology at The College of New Jersey, where she has worked for 10 years.  She teaches undergraduate courses in abnormal psychology, statistics, research methodology, maladaptive cognition, mindfulness, and sexual/gender minority mental health.  She also conducts research on the causes and consequences of rumination, or repetitive thinking about negative experiences, particularly as it relates to members of minority groups coping with minority-related stressors. She has published over 20 articles in peer-reviewed journals and given approximately 50 presentations at psychology conferences.

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Marita received her M.S.S from Bryn Mawr College and is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Pennsylvania.  She has extensive experience working with children and families in schools and has also supported diverse adolescent and adult populations in community mental health and private practice.  

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Marita believes that life can be difficult to navigate alone and that everyone can benefit from having a safe space to talk things through. She works with adolescents and adults experiencing difficulties related to anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, and chronic medical conditions.  She welcomes clients from all cultural backgrounds and is a trans-affirming therapist.

Marita has advanced training in Gestalt Therapy and an interest in deepening her understanding of Somatic Therapy.  Before beginning work as a therapist, she worked as a K-12 Spanish teacher and a Pilates instructor.  She enjoys spending time at home with her cats and outside in nature.