VOLITION WELLNESS - Key Persons
Angela Wilson is a licensed psychotherapist psychiatric nurse practitioner with over 25 years of experience working with families, adults, and children in outpatient and inpatient settings. She enjoys working with all age groups and using different modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and collaborative problem solving to address most mental health issues. She believes in developing a partnership with the children, adults, and families she works with to collaboratively develop a plan of care that leads to healing and optimal health. This may include all family members or just those able to participate. Angela has also received training in using CBT for insomnia.
Angela has been trained to work with families to improve communication and resolve conflicts using a Bowen Family Systems model that she was trained in during her time at the University of Pennsylvania. Angela graduated from Boston University with a BSN and went to graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania to study child and family psychiatric nursing. She later pursued a MA in Elementary Education at the University of San Francisco to complement her experiences in mental health. She is also certified as a Child/Adolescent Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist by ANCC.
Bhavna has a BA in Political Science and Business Management from Drew University. Bhavna has 10 years experience working in the Human Resource industry in various capacities for such companies as ADP and Citigroup. Through her various positions, Bhavna has developed a strong background in customer relations. Bhavna has shared her communication skills as a volunteer for her local school.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Debra Ruisard is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor with extensive knowledge and experience working with individuals who have early childhood experiences of complex trauma. She received both her Master and Doctor of Social Work Degrees from Rutgers University. She has over 12 years of experience working in inpatient, outpatient, residential and private practice settings specializing in treating adolescents and adults who have experienced traumatic stress and co-occurring substance use disorders. She is the Clinical Director at The Center for Great Expectations a non-profit agency in Somerset, NJ, that serves homeless pregnant and parenting adults and adolescents with substance use and mental health disorders. She is a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University School of Social Work.
Dr. Mahuya Ghosh, Ph. D. is a licensed clinical child and adolescent psychologist, in both NY and NJ. She received her Ph.D. from the New School for Social Research, in NY. Dr. Ghosh has worked in various settings, including hospitals, foster care, and private practice. In addition, she worked with Dr. Edward Hallowell, a nationally recognized expert in treating individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Personal Statement
"It's that "A-ha" moment, that look of recognition and relief, when I've finally crossed the "psychological" bridge and developed a connection with someone. Over the past 10 years, I have worked with children/adolescents struggling with numerous issues, such as ADHD, depression, and family conflict. I provide a supportive and nurturing environment and, in conjunction with positive reinforcement from parents, a change starts to happen.
I can conduct neuropsychological evaluations, which can be helpful in determining a child's strengths and weaknesses and how they affect cognitive and emotional functioning. Specifically, an evaluation can assess for learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and any social/emotional difficulties. Such assessments can include the following: IQ testing, academic assessment, tests for visual and verbal memory skills, and executive functioning.
In addition, I can conduct psychological evaluations, which can be helpful in understanding a person's emotional well-being and how one perceives his/her social environment. I can also conduct neuropsychological evaluation for adults, which can help to illuminate any cognitive difficulties that may be affecting work, memory and social relationships. "
Erin Webb is a nationally certified, licensed professional counselor. She received her Masters of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The College of New Jersey. Erin's extensive clinical experience is comprised of various therapeutic settings including partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient treatment, crisis response, and private practice. Erin worked as an individual and group clinician for Penn Medicine Princeton House Behavioral Health in the Men's and Women's Trauma Programs prior to joining Ivy Counseling Group. Erin has experience working with clients struggling with mood disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma symptoms, grief/loss, life changes or transitions, relational conflict, suicidal ideation, and self-destructive behaviors. Erin is trained in a number of trauma-informed and evidence based therapeutic techniques, including internal family systems therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, compassion focused therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques. Erin completed Level 2 Training in Internal Family Systems Therapy on IFS, Trauma, and Neuroscience. Erin is a lifelong learner and continues to pursue post-graduate trainings in IFS, trauma, and evidence based treatments.
Job Titles:
- Founder and Executive Director of Volition Wellness Solutions LLC
Jean Robinson, founder and executive director of Volition Wellness Solutions LLC, is a nationally certified, licensed professional counselor. She received her Masters of Arts degree in Community Counseling: Substance Abuse and Addiction from The College of New Jersey. Jean's extensive clinical experience is comprised of various therapeutic settings including hospitals, outpatient treatment, research, schools and private practice.
Prior to returning to school for her master's degree, Jean performed the role of senior vice president of ForMost, Inc. At that time, ForMost, a privately held managed care company, was the country's largest, most comprehensive catastrophic care PPO network. Prior to joining them, she served as senior vice president for The MFC Group, a reinsurance underwriting and consulting firm. In this role Jean was responsible for the financial reporting and administration of premiums and claims in excess of $250 million in a fiduciary capacity for AAA rated reinsurance carriers.
Personal Statement
"I create a supportive, non-judgmental, compassionate environment for client's to feel safe, respected and free to discuss any topic brought to counseling. My approach to counseling is client-centered & integrates various modalities using Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS). I provide counseling that is direct and goal oriented, yet compassionate, focusing on strengths and building on success. I enjoy working with teens/parents & couples to facilitate conscious communication which enhances their intimate relationships. I help connect clients with their own inner wisdom, enhance their clarity & decision making so that they can experience real transformation in their lives.
I love working with clients seeking help with communication, relationships, self esteem, & spirituality. I enjoy facilitating & empowering clients to rediscover their own potential & live happier, healthier & more harmonious lives. My experience in various therapeutic settings including hospitals, outpatient treatment, research & schools brings a depth of perspective & understanding to my counseling."
Job Titles:
- Clinical Supervisor
- Professional Counselor
Lisa Zaneto is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Advanced Clinical Supervisor with extensive experience working with adolescents who have experienced early childhood complex trauma and school related stressors. She began her career as an Elementary School Teacher and quickly realized that her passion was leading her towards a different type of powerful work. Lisa pursued a Masters of Counseling and graduated with distinction from Kean University in 2012, became a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in May 2016, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) in August 2018.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Rebecca LaSala is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with expertise working with adolescents and young adults who have experienced early childhood complex trauma and school-related stressors. Rebecca earned her Bachelor's in Social Work from Stockton University with a concentration in child welfare in 2013, and proceeded to achieve her Master's of Social Work from Rutgers University, in an competitive, accelerated program in 2014.
Her career started by supporting youth in foster care and adoption settings providing attachment based therapies and recruitment services to establish residential permanency across the state of New Jersey. Her experience as a therapist at a residential program gave her the opportunity to provide young and adult mothers experiencing homelessness and addiction with attachment-based, trauma-informed care to help heal personal traumas while nurturing the parent-child relationship. It was in this role that she was trained in the Nurtured Heart framework, an approach which centers on emotional regulation and improving one's "inner wealth" through positive reinforcement and helps establish healthy attachment. As a clinician in a school based therapeutic program, she currently provides trauma-informed treatments to at-risk youth in group, family, and one-on-one settings.
Her personal approach rests on building authentic, genuine relationships with a philosophy that all people deserve a safe, non-judgmental space to be heard. Rebecca is inspired by the inner strength of each one of her clients and looks forward to working alongside them as they use their innate resiliency and courage to work through difficult things to obtain emotional freedom.
Personal Statement
"Building genuine therapeutic relationships is the foundation of my work as a therapist. I believe that when people have a sense of emotional safety there is a natural opening for healing, growth, discovery, and transformation. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive, and non judgemental environment where people will feel safe enough to express their vulnerabilities, allow themselves to connect to their emotions, and tap into their innate inner strengths to be successful and meet their goals.
My approach to therapy is psychodynamic which gives individuals the freedom to self reflect and help them identify patterns that contribute to unique challenges they face. I incorporate the use of unique and creative grounding and emotional regulation techniques to help people navigate complex emotional experiences. Being client-centered is another value I bring to each session as I give the opportunity for clients to incorporate their own regulation tools (art, music, games, etc.) to help them feel more comfortable during sessions. When people feel supported and empowered I believe they build the confidence they need to make healthy choices and recognize the potential for future success."
Susan Niedt is a Certified Aromatherapist, Reiki I and Reiki II, and a Certified Positive EFT Practitioner. She studied Aromatherapy at Aromahead Institute and Aromatic Wisdom Institute. She is an active member of NAHA. Her love of plants and their unique healing properties brought her to the world of Aromatherapy, through which she discovered that combining both the therapeutic and energetic properties of essential oils with EFT and Reiki protocols, deeper levels of healing can be experienced. Read More