Find a Top Family Doctor Near Me in Lakewood, NJ – Book an Appointment Instantly

I received a Masters in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work with an additional certification in trauma informed practice. I believe that relational trauma can be healed within the context of a therapeutic relationship. I have a background in Client-Centered Therapy which approaches an individual as being unique in their strengths and potential. I also take a psychoanalytic approach to help clients who are suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidality. I am passionate about treating individuals from varying communities and helping clients be the “cycle breakers'' of intergenerational trauma. I understand the long lasting impact of early adverse childhood experiences, and aim to help individuals find their own unique path toward healing.

 

 

 

My name is Natalia and I am a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) trauma therapist in New York. I specialize in working with survivors of domestic or intimate partner violence and individuals navigating recovery from substance use disorder/addiction. My personal connections to the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community have fueled my ability and ambition to create an encouraging and empathetic healing space for my clients. During my course of study, I’ve expanded my clinical skills and completed training programs in multiple modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).

To quote one of my favorite authors:

“If you are uncomfortable—in deep pain, angry, yearning, confused —you don’t have a problem, you have a life. Being human is not hard because you’re doing it wrong, it’s hard because you’re doing it right. You will never change the fact that being human is hard, so you must change your idea that it was ever supposed to be easy.” – Glennon Doyle

I work to create a safe therapeutic environment to support you in honoring your past, living in the present, and imagining a more empowered future. I'm motivated to work with you on any current or long standingchallenge you’re experiencing at a pace you're comfortable with. Life was never supposed to be easy, and I applaud you in taking this next step. I look forward to being on your team and a source of support for you through your journey.

Whether dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, or managing the transition of major life changes, the road toward personal growth looks different for everyone. I aim to create a warm environment that is safe for self-exploration, curiosity, and healing, to help clients gain insight and harness their own strengths to improve the quality of their lives. My style is empathetic, non-judgmental, and interactive, and I am a culturally inclusive, anti-oppressive, sex-positive, and LGBTQ+-affirming therapist. My approach to therapy is customized to the unique needs of each client, based in psychodynamic, relational, trauma-informed training. I received my MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and my BA from New York University.

With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, I bring a wealth of understanding and compassion to my role as a licensed social worker. I've had the privilege of working with clients of all ages and genders. My approach is deeply rooted in person-centered, humanistic, and holistic philosophies, enabling me to meet each individual's unique needs and circumstances. I firmly believe that mental health is integral to everyone's wellbeing, and I'm committed to providing comprehensive support to guide each client on their journey towards improved mental health. It's my honor to walk with you in this transformative process and facilitate your personal growth. 

Aaron Sternlicht is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Family Addiction Specialist, a boutique, private practice in New York City catering to high-net-worth individuals and families. As COO, Aaron oversees a highly dedicated team to ensure discreet, personalized, and exceptional care, managing all aspects of operations from admissions and scheduling to billing and health information management. In his role as CFO, he directs payor relations and financial strategy, ensuring the firm maintains the highest standards of service and patient outcomes.

Aaron’s career uniquely blends clinical expertise with business acumen. He has extensive experience in outpatient and inpatient mental health and addiction treatment, paired with a sophisticated understanding of investments and business management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business and political science from the University of Vermont and a master’s in mental health counseling from Pace University. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor, and with personal recovery experience, Aaron provides a deeply informed, pragmatic, and patient-centered approach to care.

Specializing in mental health, substance use, and digital addiction, Aaron guides clients toward sustainable, transformative recovery with discretion and warmth. He is widely recognized for his insights into digital addiction and has been featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, Fox News, and The New York Post. He contributes regularly to WebMD and serves on the Medical Review Board of Insider, using his expertise to advance awareness and education on addiction.

Dr. Raymond Zakhari is a triple board-certified nurse practitioner, certified in Adult Adolescent Health, Family Health, and Psychiatric Mental Health. He provides comprehensive care of both the mind and body.

He is on staff at New York-Presbyterian Hospital at Weill Cornell Medical Center/ Payne Whitney Clinic appointed to the department of internal medicine. In his private practice, Metro Medical Direct, he provides medical and psychiatric house calls for patients from adolescents to geriatrics with dual diagnosis addiction and mental illness. He provides medical supervision for home detox and provides medication-assisted therapy with Suboxone, naltrexone, and Vivitrol.

His extensive training and experience allow him to manage the medical conditions that may have developed from substance abuse.

Todd Halper, MD, is a board-certified primary care doctor and family medicine physician at Halper Family Medicine in Rockville Centre and Bayport, New York. Dr. Halper grew up watching his father treat patients in his community and form lasting relationships throughout their care. Today, he works hard at his private practice to take care of his patients as if they’re members of his own family and helps them avoid getting ill with preventive care.

Dr. Halper earned his degree in medicine from the University of the West Indies Faculty of Medicine St. Augustine in Trinidad. He then moved back to his home state of New York for a residency in family practice at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. In 2009 during this residency, his outstanding communication skills and knowledge were recognized when he earned the Resident Teacher Award.

Halper Family Medicine is known as the best health care facility in the area. Dr. Halper offers a wide variety of services for patients of all ages, including Botox® injections, IV infusions, regenerative medicine using their own PRP or stem cells, and annual physical exams. He dedicates the necessary time to explain his patients’ conditions and treatments in-depth so that they have a complete understanding of their own care.

When he isn’t at Halper Family Medicine caring for patients, Dr. Halper loves to give back to his community through volunteer work. He teaches future doctors at New York’s Stony Brook University and Hofstra University in Hempstead.

Dr. Myszko is dedicated to the care of NYC teens and young adults. She understands the pressures of growing up in NYC and how they affect school, social circles, families, and overall well-being. Dr. Myszko empowers her patients to be active participants in their health. She believes in a collaborative approach, where good health is achieved through a close partnership between doctor and patient. Dr. Myszko provides her patients with up-to-date, comprehensive medical information and recommendations based on her clinical experience. Her patient-centered, trauma-informed approach ensures a level of comfort for her patients that allows her to get to know them well. Dr. Myszko listens to their concerns and uses a holistic lens to craft individualized care plans, making patients feel comfortable and secure in their healthcare.

Vanvian Hoo, LCSW, PsyD, is a senior clinical and psychotherapist at Hudson River Care and Counseling. Dr. Hoo works virtually. 

Vanvian brings over 20 years of experience to the practice with no signs of stopping. Currently pursuing her doctorate in psychology from Felician University in Rutherford, New Jersey, Vanvian specializes in neuropsychology and multicultural psychology. She is trained in various behavioral models, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). 

After receiving her Bachelor of Science from Wagner College, Vanvian earned a master’s in Social Work from Columbia University in New York City. She works from a Strength-based Based Perspective with her patients and has an integrative approach, utilizing various evidence-based practices depending on the needs of her clients. She includes various modalities in her treatment plans, such as play therapy with children, parenting, trauma work, anxiety, depression, and relational issues with adults and adolescents. 

Vanvian also worked as a school-based mental health social worker at TSMS, a middle school located in the East Village, New York, for 13 years. She also has extensive work experience in nonprofits and hospital settings. Additionally, Vanvian has extensive knowledge working with young children and parents as a mental health consultant for a Head Start program in NYC. 

She has worked in Chinatown to mitigate and decrease the mental health stigma and deliver mental health services to the community. Vanvian is committed to addressing social injustice issues and helping clients break the transmission of intergenerational trauma. Teaching and supervising master’s level social work interns from Columbia University, Hunter College, and NYU is one of her many gratifying accomplishments. In her free time, Vanvian loves to design and create handmade greeting cards.

Dr. Hoo is licensed in both NY and NJ. She is bilingual in Cantonese and in English.

 

Betrice Thompson is a highly experienced LCSW with over 30 years of dedicated service in the field of social work, specializing in geriatric issues, such as adjustment disorder, grief and loss, hospice, depression, anxiety, and caregiver support. She has assisted families and individuals through the difficult process of selecting alternative placement and services.

Betrice passion extends to working with the faith community, particularly clergy (pastors and their families) addressing issues related to mental health challenges often not discussed in the faith community.

Betrice holds several advanced degrees including a master’s in social work from the University of Oklahoma-Norman, a master’s in education with a specialty in gerontology from the University of Central Oklahoma-Edmond. She recently obtained a double master’s in Divinity and Pastoral Care and Counseling from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Brunswick. She holds certificates from the National Association of Social Workers where she has been a member for several years in Clinical Social Worker Supervision and as a Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager (C-ASWM). Betrice is the owner of Beyond Christian Counseling, a faith-based agency providing counseling services to the community.

If interested in scheduling a virtual appointment, contact Hudson River Care and Counseling at 201-541-8600.