Therapists – Pennington, NJ

Justin Kahn, Owner, LPC, NCC, SAC, ACS

We can all benefit from talking to a therapist! Someone who can listen objectively without judgment and help us work through life’s difficult issues. My name is Justin Kahn, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I have many years of experience and success helping adolescents and families cope with stress as well as learn new ways to communicate and manage their emotions. I also provide services for adults who are looking for a non-judgmental, objective ear to listen and help create positive changes in their lives.

I provide a genuine and safe place for my clients and utilize an integrative therapeutic approach that is client-centered. It may be difficult to get a good idea of what a therapist has to offer simply by browsing through profiles so please don’t hesitate to give us a call to learn more.

Stacilynn Waldman, administrative assistant

Stacilynn has a strong background in the mental health field, having worked as an Early Intervention therapist since 2004. She loves working with children, focusing on those with special needs. Stacilynn is a mom of boy/girl twins. She loves snuggling with her dogs, going to the beach and traveling with her fiancé.

Christine Papaleo, Administrative Assistant

Christine comes to us with experience in human resources, payroll and as an Administrative Assistant.  Christine, most recently, took time off to devote to raising her two daughters, ages 12 and 10.  Christine enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters, reading, cooking, going to the beach and is an avid fan of soccer.

Lauren Ravitz, Administrative Assistant

Lauren comes to us with experience in billing, payroll and as an administrative assistant.  Lauren and her husband have two daughters, ages 15 and 13, as well as an energetic mini goldendoodle.  Lauren e

Christine D’Avirro, LPC, ACS, NCC/NCSC

Clinical director

Christine earned her Specialist’s Degree in Counseling from the University of West Georgia.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and an Approved Clinical Supervisor with over 20 years of experience working with school-age children, adolescents, and their families. She is also recognized as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a National Certified School Counselor (NCSC). Additionally, Christine earned her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Rutgers University, and she brings this dual background to her work with clients experiencing school-related issues. Christine offers counseling services to young children, adolescents, their parents and families, helping them with the following: ● Adoption ● Anxiety ● Depression ● Grief and Loss ● Conflict ● Stress ● Times of transition ● School issues She uses a multi-modal approach to counseling to identify goals and to engage with the client in facilitating meaningful change.

Patricia Lieberman, LPC

Through a forward moving solution-oriented approach, you can access and activate resources for living the fulfilling life you define from right where you are in this moment.  Patti has refined this philosophy in her multi-faceted career as a private, school, and college counselor, and broad-spectrum educator.  For over 25 years, she has facilitate phenomenal transformations in adolescents and adults with disabling anxiety and stalled inspiration. Patti is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master’s Degree in Counseling from The College of New Jersey. She is passionate about helping people with life transitions, relationship management, responsible anger expression, affirming self-worth, and finding inspiration and direction.

Carol Evangelisto, LPC

People say, “Life is good,” but they forgot to mention there are rough patches that nearly everyone encounters along the way. Times when usual ways of coping such as talking to friends or family, or just trying to “forget about it” don’t seem to work.  It can feel pretty scary when you just can’t seem to bounce back or redirect; when you feel stuck and not like yourself.  Sometimes depression and anxiety begin to creep in.  Sometimes you begin to have relationship troubles. Sometimes you turn to unhealthy habits to try to cope. Carol is a compassionate and skilled psychotherapist with 27 years of experience helping people get back to feeling like themselves.  She is a welcoming, warm and caring person who will listen to you with her heart and without judgment.  Carol will help you to identify the changes you wish to make, and you will create a plan that will include sound and creative ways to achieve those changes and to get you back to feeling like yourself again. Carol is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and has a Master’s degree in counseling from The College of New Jersey.  For the past 27 years, she has been a full-time therapist on the staff of the Counseling and Psychological Services at The College of New Jersey where she also provided clinical supervision and training for graduate student interns.  She has extensive experience providing individual and group psychotherapy for college students and young adults.  She has successfully treated clients with a wide variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, substance abuse, family concerns, issues related to sexual orientation, low self-esteem, lack of confidence and/or assertiveness, communication difficulties, and performance concerns (academic/sports/artistic).  She has particular interest and years of training and experience working with issues related to grief: parent loss, friend loss, sibling loss, loss of other family members, pet loss, losses by suicide, accident, illness and homicide.  Carol also has experience working with non-death losses such as home loss, job loss, health/ability loss, and relationship losses due to break ups or divorce.  Carol has extensive training and experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of anxiety.

Patricia Heenan, LPC, SAC, ACS, DRCC

Patti is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and has over 25 years’ experience in counseling individuals, including, but not limited to, Deaf/Hard of Hearing youth and adults. Her additional qualifications and certifications include: Substance Awareness Coordinator, School Counselor, Teacher of the Deaf, Teacher of the Handicapped, a post-master’s certificate in Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency Counseling, Disaster Response Crisis Counselor and is an Approved Clinical Supervisor. Patti obtained her Master of Counseling degree at Gallaudet University, a post-master’s certificate and undergraduate degree at The College of New Jersey.  At Gallaudet, she taught a course from 2007 to 2014 on Substance Abuse Counseling for the School Counselor. For 31 years Patti has practiced yoga and meditation. She became a certified instructor in 2009 and received additional training and certification in Healing Addictive Behavior through yoga and meditation techniques in 2014. Patti believes being healthy, vital and well are every individual’s birth rite. Specialties include: Ability to work with all age groups  Adjustment therapy for life’s transitions  Anxiety reduction/management tools  Addictive behavior and substance abuse  Integrating counseling with meditative techniques  ADHD life strategies  Food allergy and chemical sensitivity challenges  Emotional support for classified students Patti looks forward to facilitating your “self-healing” journey.

Miriam egan, LPC

Miriam is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentrating in Substance Use from the College of New Jersey and Masters of Education degree in Counseling Psychology from Rutgers University. Miriam has experience working at the community level of care with children, adolescents, couples and families, and groups. Miriam utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing interventions to assist clients in developing coping skills by raising their consciousness of self.

kelly schoenberger, Lac

Kelly Schoenberger is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and is currently working under the supervision of Clinical Director, Christine Davirro, LPC, ACS.  Kelly works with clients from diverse backgrounds to address a variety of challenges, including anxiety, depression, grief, anger management, communication issues, and difficult relationships.  It’s been her experience that change often begins with understanding yourself – how you think and act, how you relate to others, your strengths and vulnerabilities, what motivates you and what holds you back.  Her goal is to help each client develop the insight and self-awareness that leads to the change they seek. To do this, Kelly focuses on helping clients recognize and use their strengths and develop new ways of thinking about themselves and the challenges they face. Kelly has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the College of New Jersey.  She has worked as an equine-assisted therapist.  Kelly and her therapy dog, Belle, have visited assisted living facilities, college classrooms, and participated in middle school, adolescent, and adult therapy groups.

Amanda Ferrogine, LPC

Amanda is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She earned her Master of Arts in Counselor Education from The College of New Jersey and holds School Counselor and Student Assistance Counselor certificates. She has experience working in a school setting with teenagers and their families who struggle with issues such as anxiety, depression, family issues, stress management, grief, and adjustment issues. Amanda utilizes a multi-modal approach to assist clients with achieving their therapy goals.

Dina Kormondy, LPC

Dina is a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey with over 10 years experience in counseling children, teens and adults. She has worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, ADHD & executive functioning as well as parenting and relationship issues. Dina’s counseling style is warm and interactive. She enjoys helping her clients set realistic and achievable goals while treating them with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Dina’s approach includes a combination of cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic and solution focused therapy. She will tailor her dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I also have 25 years experience working with children and adults with Autism and their families. This is my area of expertise and I am passionate about helping parents of children with autism by utilizing Parent Management Training and coaching them in the different facets of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). My many years of experience with ASD has given me a great understanding of the unique challenges faced by families with children on the autism spectrum. I know the courage that it takes to seek outside help for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you to help you meet your goals!

Susan Ploski, LPC

Susan A. Ploski, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor who received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Addictions focus from The College of New Jersey.  Sue has experience working with individuals, couples, and families treating clients in partial hospital, intensive outpatient, and traditional outpatient settings. Sue has treated clients with a variety of issues including substance abuse, anxiety, mood disorders, dual diagnosis, personality disorders, trauma and PTSD symptoms, codependency,relationship issues, chronic pain, grief and loss, and everyday life stressors. Sue utilizes a person-centered approach to accompany clients on their journeys to wellness. She believes in treating the whole person and treats clients from a holistic perspective. Sue believes that an essential part of treatment is the therapeutic alliance developed between a client and a therapist. She provides an open, positive, and safe space for her clients to work through anything preventing them from being healthy and happy. Her goal is to empower her clients to achieve recovery and wellness using a variety of therapeutic techniques. Sue uses techniques that include mindfulness relaxation, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and cognitive/behavioral therapy.

Katherine Dorfman, LAC

Katherine is a Licensed Associate Counselor operating under the supervision of Barbara Paquette, LPC, LCADC. Katherine received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Columbia University. She went on to receive her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The College of New Jersey. During her graduate studies she co-authored award winning research that measured the effectiveness of EMDR on survivors of domestic and sexual violence who struggled with PTSD and dissociative disorders.

Katherine has spent the majority of her career working with teens and adults in the partial hospitalization and outpatient settings. Katherine is skilled at helping folks who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.

While working with Katherine you can expect to operate in a warm space where you feel respected, seen, heard, valued, and celebrated. In Katherine’s free time she enjoys walking her dog, tending to her indoor plants, and ballroom dancing with her husband.