Working in a collaborative capacity, we initially establish a treatment plan that encompasses your needs. We then define more clearly what you hope to accomplish, and how I may help you achieve your goals.
The work of therapy follows, during which time we explore your issues, feelings, behaviors, thoughts, relationships – whatever we need to address to help you reach your goals.
Once you achieve your goals and determine that the changes you experience are not transient but truly lasting, together we explore options regarding treatment termination, the process of ending your therapy.
Whether parents initiate therapy for their children or children request therapy on their own, I believe that parents play an essential role in their children’s treatment. From the start, parents provide critical background information and insights in the Intake session. During the introductory session, we will formulate a working treatment plan. The initial phase of treatment may include classroom observation, consultation with teachers or other professionals involved with the child, a few individual sessions with the child, family sessions including the child, completion of psychological surveys by parents and/or teachers, or formal assessment using standardized test materials. Following the initial phase of treatment, I meet with parents to discuss my impressions and recommendations. If I recommend therapy, I will discuss goal(s) of therapy and methods of attaining these goals. If I do not recommend therapy, I may propose alternative modalities of treatment such as a neurological consultation, and I may recommend following up with the me in a prescribed period of time, such as four to eight weeks. I may also recommend strategies to try in lieu of therapy. Ongoing and regular contact with parents remains crucial to successful treatment outcomes, as parents provide critical support for therapeutic endeavors and interventions.
Adolescence is a time of rapid change, growing independence, and self-discovery. Therapy provides a supportive environment where teens and young adults can openly explore their unique identity, thoughts, and emotions, situations, and relationships. Adolescents frequently have difficulty understanding themselves. I often help teens and their parents understand teenagers. Therapy can play a vital role in this crucial time in development by fostering an environment in which a young person can safely explore personal issues without fear of judgment or condemnation by parents or others. Parental involvement in therapy shifts from full involvement for younger children, to minimal involvement with older adolescents. Guided by me, the psychologist, the adolescent in therapy can grow to become more self-aware, mature, confident, insightful, goal-oriented, and communicative with parents, peers, and others.
Group therapy provides a powerful opportunity for individuals facing similar challenges to come together in a safe, supportive, and structured environment. Guided by me, the psychologist, group members benefit from a combination of therapeutic interventions and the shared experiences and encouragement of their peers. Being in a group can be more lively and mutually supportive, allowing group members to connect with one another on a deep personal and therapeutic level. Current groups available in my office include Friendship Group Therapy for teenagers. This group experience helps improve personal and social insight, build self-confidence and pro-social behavior, and lead to enhanced meaningful relationships. Women’s Group Psychotherapy offers participants the opportunity to explore their issues in a safe and nurturing environment with other women. Topics may include relationships, identity, work stress, family issues… and more.
Sometimes a person’s emotional issues interfere with the life of the family, not just the individual. One person may be the “identified patient” within the family, or the whole family system may require therapeutic intervention. Family therapy provides the vehicle for the family to address its issues among family members. Working together as one unit, we can strive to improve mutual respect, harmony, and effective communication that will result in a calmer, more stable family experience.
When the relationship existing for a couple becomes strained, couples’ therapy offers solutions to the individuals who make up that couple. In couples’ therapy, it is not two individuals seeking therapy that defines treatment; rather it is the relationship itself that is the subject of the therapy. Matters such as communication, respect, boundaries, control, and independence are frequent topics in couples’ therapy. Other issues might include effective expression of anger, working through infidelity, co-parenting children, and contemplating separation and divorce.
Friendship Groups
Ages 12-18
Why do we need Friendship Groups?
Today more than ever, young people need critical social skills for effectively navigating through interpersonal exchanges with peers and adult. The goal of my Friendship Therapy Groups is to heighten each child's self-awareness and foster adaptive skill development.
By carefully screening candidates for both strengths and challenges, I form cohesive groups that meet weekly, offering mutual support while exploring social and relationship issues. I directly lead all groups in a safe and confidential environment.
These groups create the opportunity for children and teens to develop social skills and adaptive behaviors that promote harmonious, more satisfying relationships with peers, siblings, and adults.
To explore the social skills group therapy experience further, to discuss your child, or to schedule a consultation, please contact me at 908-222-1099.
Consultation services are available to schools, pre-schools, public and private organizations, and businesses. These services are tailored to suit the needs of the organization. Typical consultations vary, based on the nature and population of the organization. In schools, for example, consultation may take the form of supporting teachers, providing presentations to parents, or assessing students’ behavior. In churches or synagogues, consultation may take the form of presentations to staff or the community. Similarly, in businesses, consultation may provide staff development, team building, and other forms of support.
If you are interested in learning more about my consultation services, please contact me at 908-222-1099.
As an experienced and enthusiastic public speaker, I have spoken on a broad variety of topics including parenting, relationships, current events, and behavior. My audiences have included schools, civic organizations, religious groups, and broadcast media. Whether your group is small, large, or very large, I will tailor my presentations to suit your specific needs. Working together, we can formulate topics that will engage and inform your group.
Together, we can determine which topics will suit your needs.
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Promoting cohesive family relationships
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Understanding teenagers
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Positive, effective discipline
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Raising socially responsible individuals
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Promoting faith in your family
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Creating memories that unite a busy family
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Understanding female aggression in girls and teens
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Dealing with chronic illness in the family
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Building resilience to help manage stress
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Addressing bullying, harassment, and intimidation
If there is a topic that interests you but does not appear in the list provided, please contact me at 908-222-1099 to discuss how I can tailor a talk to meet your needs.
Past Presentations
Selective Mutism and Oppositional Students: Two Mini-Workshops with Insights and Strategies for Teachers Children’s Corner
Hoarding: A Mental Health Diagnosis Learning Session and General Meeting of the New Jersey Association of County and City Health Officials
Teenage Girls’ Growing Pains:
And other sources of stress, confusion, and aggravation in pursuit of understanding the Teenage Girl
Presentation to Teaching Staff and Administration
Let’s Get Real: A Candid Discussion with Teenage Girls
Resilience and trauma
As a special guest psychologist, I have appeared numerous times on both live and pre-recorded cable television broadcasts. I have been interviewed on live radio broadcasts as well. The topics of these programs range from parenting and family issues, managing pitfalls in relationships, dealing with loved ones’ traumatic brain injuries, gun violence, girl to girl aggression, and most recently, pet hoarding and bonding with pets. In addition, I have written or has been quoted in numerous articles of a psychological nature. If you are looking for a psychologist to appear on television or to participate in an interview, I welcome these opportunities to promote professional psychology and provide valuable insights and information to the public. It is my firm belief that psychologists’ presence in the media helps promote psychologists’ visibility and facilitates the public’s access to psychological services. You may contact me at (908) 222-1099 to discuss any new broadcast or interview opportunities. Television Appearances Enjoying the spotlight in front of the camera, I have appeared on two different cable television broadcasts. Most recently, from 2014 to the present, I appeared as a guest psychologist on Fresh Outlook, an Emmy award-wining show featuring discussion of current events and corresponding footage. Topics covered during these segments include the Slenderman Attack of 2014, Teen Stabbings, Ebola Virus, Treatment of Veterans and PTSD, Fear of Vaccinations, Care for Someone who has Parkinson’s or a Traumatic Brain Injury, and Gun Laws. Prior to my appearances on Fresh Outlook, I appeared as a frequent guest on the cable television show “Real Life,” a family-oriented call-in show that aired live to approximately six million viewers in eight states. Topics included Mean Girls: The Social Climate of Today’s Teenage Girls & What You Can Do; Women Trashing Women (Women’s Aggression Toward Other Women); Are you Raising a Brat; War: Anger and Anxiety; Surviving The Affair (Can You Save Your Marriage?); After the Attack: Reactions, Fear, Anger; Terrorist Attack: Live Coverage; Suicide Awareness & Prevention; Bullies; and School Phobia: Getting Children Over Their Fear. The highlight of my television career thus far has been my live broadcast on September 11, 2001, as the events of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon brought the world to a halt. We broadcast live for over two hours, fielding live phone calls from viewers who were outraged, terrified, and dismayed by the devastation and destruction we witnessed together on that day. Dr. Janie on The Pet Stop July 23, 2016: Pet Bonding Dr. Janie on The Pet Stop July 16, 2016: Pet Hoarding
To best accommodate your needs, my office hours occur “by appointment only” on weekdays during the day and some evenings. Saturday hours may be available upon request. I personally schedule all of my appointments. Emergency appointments are usually available. While “walk-ins” are unavailable, most emergency appointments will be scheduled within 48 hours of your first phone call. Many of these appointments occur within 24 hours. The usual wait time for non-emergency first appointments is under one week.