LSCI Leadership
LSCI Institute Founders
Dr. Nicholas J. Long, LSCI Institute Founder, (1929-2022)
For over 50 years, Dr. Nicholas J. Long dedicated his career to improving the lives of children and youth with emotional and behavioral challenges. A respected leader in psychiatric research hospitals, schools, mental health centers, and universities, he combined exceptional scholarship with an unwavering commitment to working directly with children and mentoring generations of educators and mental health professionals.
While at American University, Dr. Long founded and directed the Rose School, the first interagency treatment program for students with serious emotional and behavioral needs who had been excluded from the District of Columbia Public Schools. The Rose School was recognized nationally by the Children’s Defense Fund and honored in the Congressional Record for its innovative work.
In 1997, Dr. Long co-founded the Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) Institute to equip professionals with practical, strength-based approaches to helping children and youth in crisis. Today, LSCI training sites span North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
We are profoundly grateful for Dr. Long’s visionary leadership, compassionate wisdom, and enduring contributions to understanding and supporting children and youth with complex emotional and behavioral needs. His legacy continues to inspire our work and the lives of those we serve.
Dr. Frank A. Fecser, LSCI Institute Founder, (1951-2026)
With Nicholas Long, Frank Fecser co-founded the LSCI Institute. Dr. Fecser also served for 20 years as Chief Executive Officer of the Positive Education Program (PEP), a multi-service special education and mental health organization serving more than 3,000 children, youth, and families throughout greater Cleveland, Ohio. Over the course of his career, he held a variety of educational and leadership roles—including classroom teacher, case manager, building administrator, and quality assurance director—and provided training and consultation to schools and organizations across the United States. Dr. Fecser authored numerous books, articles, and publications on positive approaches to supporting children and youth. Dr. Fecser served on the board of the European Federation of Conflict Management in Education and Care (EFeCT).
Dr. Fecser’s distinguished career was recognized with the Kent State University College of Education, Health and Human Services Hall of Fame Alumni Leadership Award (2012) and Cleveland State University’s College of Education and Human Services Distinguished Alumnus Award (2018). We are eternally grateful for Dr. Fecser’s invaluable insights into the hearts, minds, and lived experiences of children and youth facing significant challenges.
LSCI Institute Leadership Team
Mary Ellen Fecser, M.Ed., President of the LSCI Institute
Mary Ellen Fecser has been a trainer for and served on the board of the Life Space Crisis Intervention Institute since its inception.
She is a behavior consultant serving schools throughout the greater Cleveland area, where she provides functional behavior assessments, consultation, support, and training for professionals working with students with challenging behaviors.
She spent most of her career with the Positive Education Program (PEP) in Cleveland, holding
several roles, including over 20 years as a consultant and trainer. Additionally, she has served on the board of the European Federation of Conflict Management in Education and Care (EFeCT) and is a trainer in the Neurosequential Model of Education through the Child Trauma Academy.
Mary Ellen has presented at national and international conferences, with a special focus on students who have experienced developmental trauma, students on the autism spectrum, and the influence of the neurological system on behavior.
Signe Whitson, LCSW, Chief Executive Officer
As Chief Executive Officer of the LSCI Institute, Signe Whitson oversees the organization’s daily operations, training curriculum, and continuing education programs, and serves as the primary point of contact for LSCI Trainers and training participants around the world.
Signe has been an LSCI Trainer since 2000 and continues to actively use Life Space Crisis Intervention in her work with students while training educators, counselors, and mental health professionals in the brain-based, trauma-informed, relationship-centered skills of LSCI. In addition to her work with the Institute, she serves as the Head of School at a K–8 Montessori charter school in Massachusetts.
Signe is co-author of the LSCI certification text, Talking with Students in Conflict, and author of Parenting the Challenging Child: The 4-Step Way to Turn Problem Situations Into Learning Opportunities and The Angry Smile: The New Psychology of Passive Aggressive Behavior at Home, at School, in Marriage & Close Relationships, in the Workplace and Online. Through her leadership, writing, and training, Signe is committed to helping professionals build stronger relationships with children and youth through compassionate, practical, and evidence-informed approaches to crisis intervention.
For training inquiries or information, please contact Signe at [email protected]
Wendy Beukelman, Chief Financial Officer
Wendy Beukelman is the Director of Finance for the LSCI Institute. Wendy develops and implements the finance, accounting, billing, and auditing procedures for the Institute. She also manages, supervises, and coordinates the order processing activities for all LSCI materials, ensuring that orders are shipped according to order specifications.
Wendy is available to assist LSCI trainers and customers with ordering and invoicing of materials and courses. She also manages the graduate credit option offered through Augustana University for LSCI course participants. She has served in a similar role for the past 15 years with Reclaiming Youth at Risk and Growing Edge Training. For questions about materials, invoices, or billing, please contact Wendy at [email protected]
Mark Freado, M. Ed., Director of Organizational Development & Training
Over a distinguished 40-year career, Mark has served in leadership roles across the fields of mental health, education, and human services, including Founder and Director of Growing Edge Training Associates, Director of the International Training Network for CF Learning, President of Reclaiming Youth International, Executive Director of the American Re-Education Association, and State Director for Pressley Ridge in Ohio and West Virginia.
Mark has trained more professionals in LSCI than anyone else in the world. As the Director of Organizational Development and Training, Mark ensures the quality, consistency, and growth of the LSCI Institute’s training network. He leads the recruitment, development, certification, and ongoing evaluation of LSCI trainers, with a particular focus on cultivating high-quality Senior Trainers.
Mark is also the co-creator of The Art of Kid Whispering: Reaching the Inside Kid and has provided training and consultation to schools and organizations throughout the United States and around the globe. He is widely respected for his expertise in trauma-informed care, leadership development, and strengths-based approaches to supporting children, youth, and families.