THE MASSLER CENTER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Licensed Associate Counselor
Alexandra Vaccaro is a Licensed Associate Counselor in the State of New Jersey. Earning her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Felician College, Alexandra graduated with High Honors and completed her internship in outpatient therapy at Care Plus NJ, working with children, adolescents, and adults. An indispensible provider, Alexandra also worked with the Homeward Bound program where she facilitated psychoeducation for DCP&P (formerly known as DYFS) adolescents in life skills, empowerment, and learning how to integrate the essential tools and resources required to successfully transition out of the children's system of care and into the community as independent, self-sufficient adults. Upon completing her training Alexandra continued with Care Plus NJ providing outpatient therapy to children, adolescents, and adults, facilitating group therapy sessions, and delivering life skills training. Throughout her studies and preparation, Alexandra has had the opportunity to facilitate positive change in individuals of all ages and demographics experiencing various challenges like adjusting to life transitions, depression, anxiety, ADHD, impulse-control deficiencies, and oppositional behaviors. Concurrently, Alexandra obtained her 200 Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) Vinyasa yoga certification. Teaching yoga to adults and children, Alexandra is also responsible for conceptualizing and facilitating a yoga therapy group at Care Plus NJ's Socially Creative Summer Camp, where she incorporated yoga into therapy as an innovative approach at enhancing emotional health and wellness. Alexandra continues to employ a combination of therapeutic and yoga techniques to provide a creative and holistic approach that address the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects when assisting clients in cultivating their own lifestyle change. Through an introduction of the Yoga poses, breathing exercises, and meditation, Alexandra's methods encourage her clients to recognize their sense of being and see themselves as separate from their thoughts and moods, yielding overall improvement in their quality of life and wellbeing.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Professional Counselor
Alyson Rosenberg is a Licensed Professional Counselor, with more than 15 years of experience working with adults, children, families, couples and groups. She is also a licensed NY and NJ school counselor, having worked in the New York City school system upon graduating from her master's program at Hunter College. Alyson facilitated therapy groups through GroupWORKS , for more than 7 years, during which time she trained more than 100 guidance counselors in group counseling, her specialty. Alyson provides a comfortable environment, in which clients can use the therapy experience as a "laboratory" for the outside world. Through a strong client-therapist connection, Alyson helps each of her clients expand their level of self-awareness to make positive changes in their lives.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Psychologist
Dr. Erica Shreck is a clinical psychologist, licensed in New Jersey and New York. She obtained a Bachelor's degree from Cornell University and completed her doctoral degree at Yeshiva University's Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, with a specialization in Health Psychology and a minor in Neuropsychology. Dr. Shreck currently works as a staff psychologist at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, providing individual therapy, group therapy and neuropsychological testing to adult veterans, as well as supervising psychology doctoral students. She has therapy experience working across a broad spectrum of diagnostic presentations, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, adjustment issues, relationship difficulties and co-morbid medical conditions. Additionally, she provides comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations to diagnose and facilitate effective management of ADHD, learning disorders, traumatic brain injury, stroke and neurocognitive disorders. Dr. Shreck practices from a cognitive-behavioral framework and is trained in a range of evidence-based psychotherapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression and anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain, cognitive processing therapy (CPT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and interpersonal therapy for depression (IPT-D). She is committed to practicing collaboratively and from a stance of cultural humility, considering the multifaceted aspects of an individual's identity, to support one's goals and valued living. Dr. Shreck's work at the Massler Center is currently focused on neuropsychological evaluations.
Job Titles:
- Psychiatrist / Psychiatrist Psychologist Psychotherapist
Dr. Jessica Halpern is a board certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who earned her medical degree from American University of the Caribbean and completed her required clinical rotations at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, NY. She completed her general psychiatry residency at the University of Miami where she trained at three hospitals with diverse patient populations: Jackson Memorial Hospital, Bruce W. Carter Veterans Medical Center, and the University of Miami Hospital. From there, she moved back to the NY/NJ area and completed her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY. During her fellowship, she served as Chief Fellow. She is also a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Dr. Halpern takes an empathetic approach which allows her to better connect with her clients and gain a deeper understanding of their current struggles. She believes that the first step in inducing change is in validating her clients' feelings and empowering them to see past their own judgments of themselves.
She enjoys working with children and adolescents who are just starting to form their identities and with young clients who are just beginning to tackle life's journey. She strives to be a helpful resource for parents to help them through the challenges they may face when trying to be a support for their child.
Dr. Halpern is also passionate about women's mental health, whether it is working with soon-to-be first time mothers, women struggling with infertility, or those finding it difficult to balance their work and personal lives.
Dr. Halpern has worked with a variety of diagnoses including but not limited to the following: ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and behavioral problems. She conducts psychiatric evaluations and develops a unique treatment plan which best suits each clients' needs. She can provide medication management services to clients who are already taking or who are started on medication by her. She strives to be accessible and welcoming to all those in need of her psychiatric services.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Joshua M. Massler is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist practicing in the state of New Jersey. He received his doctorate degree from NYU Steinhardt School of Education in Applied Psychology, with a specialization in child and adolescent psychology and graduated with honors. Prior to the completion of his doctorate degree, he completed two master's degrees, one in School Psychology at NYU and another in Education, with a specialization in Counseling Psychology from Seton Hall University, and graduated with High Honors from both programs. Enroute to earning his doctorate degree, Dr. Massler became licensed as a Professional Counselor in 2003 at which time he began his private practice. Dr. Massler's previous employment experience included working as a crisis intervention specialist for over 10 years at Clara Maass Medical Center, St. Barnabas Medical Center, West Hudson Hospital and Union Hospital, where he had the opportunity to intervene in acute psychiatric emergencies and conducted evaluations of children, adolescents and adults. Additionally, Dr. Massler spent several years training as a psychologist at Trinitas Hospital where he facilitated individual, group and family therapy to a diverse population of children, adolescents and adults with a wide spectrum of varying clinical presentations. During that time period, Dr. Massler was able to conduct comprehensive Psychological Evaluations consisting of cognitive and projective assessments including - but not limited to - IQ and achievement testing. Dr. Massler established his own private practice in 2003 and has since become one of the most sought after clinical psychologists in New Jersey and has been featured in numerous media publications. Dr. Massler is wholly committed to every child, adolescent, adult and family he treats and provides unparalleled attention to every patient he works with. Dr. Massler has worked closely with children, adolescents and adults diagnosed with a myriad of disorders including but not limited to the following: Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Self-Esteem Issues, Adjustment related concerns, and relationship issues. Additionally, Dr. Massler is widely sought after in the Livingston and Short Hills area as a preferred provider of couples counseling and divorce mediation. In 2013 Dr. Massler founded The Massler Center for Psychological Wellness, P.C. which consists of a multi-disciplinary team of highly qualified clinicians dedicated to providing a full suite of services including individual therapy, group therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, divorce mediation, comprehensive Psychological Testing and concussion screening.
Job Titles:
- Billing / Insurance Specialist / Administration
Kerrie Johnson, CPC joined the Massler Center in August, 2017 as an insurance reimbursement specialist to assist all clients within the Massler Center to receive the maximum allowable benefit from their insurance company. Kerrie attended HoHoKus/Eastwick School in 2010 graduating with a Certification in Medical Billing and Coding. She then acquired an additional certification through the American Academy of Professional Coders as a Certified Professional Coder. Kerrie has had extensive experience working in multiple medical and psychological practices before joining the team at the Massler Center.
Job Titles:
- Office Manager / Administration
- Team As the Office Manager
Lisa joined The Massler Center Team as the Office Manager in July 2018. She has an extensive background in the medical field dating back to the early 1990's when she started out as a part time file clerk in a small orthopedic practice. She then acquired her experience over the last 30 years in medical billing, administration, and management.
Lisa thoroughly enjoys working at The Massler Center assisting patients with their insurance needs, scheduling, and just making everyone feel at ease when they walk through the door.
Melanie Wexler is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of New Jersey. During her undergraduate experience at Monmouth University, Melanie was a student intern at Long Branch Senior Center, Psychodrama New Jersey in Oakhurst, NJ, and Affordable Housing Alliance in Eatontown, NJ. She later graduated cum laude and earned a bachelor's degree in Social Work. The following year, Melanie earned her master's degree in Social Work from Monmouth University and graduated with high honors. She completed her internship at Immediate Care Psychiatric Center (ICPC) in Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ. At ICPC, she facilitated individual and group therapy sessions for children, teens, young adults, and older adult patients with a range of psychiatric issues in an intensive outpatient and partial hospital program. It was through this experience that Melanie found a passion for creating safe and inclusive spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community in mental health settings. Melanie also has a special interest in working with young people with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Throughout her studies, Melanie has also had the pleasure of working with motivated individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, ADHD, and completing activities of daily life. Melanie hopes to emphasize that mental health is just as important as physical health and seeks to create a prejudice-free and welcoming space for her patients.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Professional Counselor
Sarah West is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of New Jersey and a certified School Counselor in both CT and NJ. Sarah earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from LaSalle University. After graduating from LaSalle, Sarah attended graduate school at New Jersey City University, where she earned a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. During her time at NJCU Sarah completed internships in both fields, and successfully passed the National Counselor's Exam (NCE).
Upon completing her schooling, Sarah has worked both as a School Counselor and in private practice. In 2016, The New Jersey Counseling Association invited Sarah to their conference in Lincroft, NJ where she presented her lecture, "Out of the Closets and Into the Streets: Assisting the Coming Out Process for LGBTQ Youth," which explored different stages of the coming out process and focused on improving reactions and responses for LGBTQ family members.
Sarah's goal is to provide a supportive, comfortable environment with a warm, judgment-free space that allows her clients to truly be and express themselves. Within this atmosphere, her clients are able to explore all the reasons that led them to make the decision to seek help, and then together formulate goals for continued growth and mental health. She believes that working as a team and having a positive counselor-client relationship is the foundation for successful treatment.