Find a Top Psychiatrist Near Me in Elizabeth, NJ – Book an Appointment Instantly

Samirah Bostic is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who graduated from Walden University with a Master of Science in Nursing. Her practicum experience includes the management and treatment of a wide range of mental health and substance abuse disorders, as well as individual and group psychotherapy measures concerning child and adult populations. Samirah began her clinical career eleven years ago as a registered nurse providing care at University Hospital Emergency Department of Newark, NJ often caring for those suffering from psychiatric crises, which ultimately inspired her to progress into her true passion, transitioning into a permanent mental health advocate. One of her major convictions to implementation of care is that she is a firm believer that all patients are entitled to confidentiality which she assures can be consistently maintained at Growth Outpatient Mental Health Services.

Valeska Thompson is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) who provides compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care to adults. She is committed to creating a supportive and collaborative environment where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout their mental health journey.

Valeska earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kean University, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), and her Master of Science in Nursing specializing in Psychiatric Mental Health from Walden University. She brings more than a decade of healthcare experience, with a professional background spanning critical care, emergency services, care management, and healthcare operations.

Her practice focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, mood disorders, stress-related concerns, and life transitions. She utilizes a patient-centered approach that integrates comprehensive psychiatric assessment, medication management, psychoeducation, and supportive therapeutic interventions.

Valeska believes that mental health treatment is most effective when it is collaborative. She works closely with each individual to develop personalized treatment plans that align with their goals, values, and unique life circumstances. Her approach is grounded in empathy, clinical excellence, and respect for the diverse experiences that shape each person's path to wellness.

She is passionate about helping adults build resilience, improve emotional well-being, and achieve meaningful, lasting change in their lives.

Outside of her clinical practice, Valeska enjoys spending time with her family, pursuing personal and professional growth, and exploring holistic approaches that support overall wellness and mental health.

Shanalein Cruz, LMHC, is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Shanalein works virtually. She also has over nine years of experience working with LGBTQ youth, children who are abuse survivors, and associated mental disabilities. Her areas of expertise include sexual abuse and emotional abuse. Other areas of her work experience encompass autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, and ADHD.

Shanalein's work is guided by Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Gestalt, Multicultural, Person-Centered Therapy, Play Therapy, and Talk Therapy. The approach Shanalein uses is informed by the diverse populations she treats, cultural respect, and sensitivity to different languages. 

Shanalein graduated from Capella University with high honors. Her work in the past was with the Latino community in Philadelphia, which led to her focus on children of abuse. Her affiliations are with the American Counseling Association and the CHI Sigma Iota Professional Counseling Honor Society.

Ms. Cruz is bilingual in both English and in Spanish. 

Adam Dubin, MSW, is a social worker intern serving Hudson River Care and Counseling patients. He works virtually and at the office in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Adam holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University Rabbinic Ordination from Yeshiva University, affiliated with Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. After graduating, he completed his Master of Social Work from Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts.

Adam is compassionate, friendly, and enjoys what he does. He has a broad array of interests and experiences with diverse populations, which helps him connect with various patients.

Aaron Savedoff, M.D., is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry in the Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, and has a wide variety of experience practicing in many different areas of psychiatry.  In addition to private practice, he works as a supervising psychiatrist in the Emergency Department at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside hospitals.  

Dr. Savedoff has been a staff psychiatrist at John Jay College and Fordham University.  He has been a teaching attending at the Zirinsky Center at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, a research center for Bipolar Disorder.  He has also been a staff psychiatrist at the Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai.

Dr. Savedoff has ample experience in treating addiction.  He has worked in the detox setting treating various types of acute withdrawal syndromes.  He has also worked in the rehabilitation setting helping patients to heal from their dependencies long term.

He has expertise in treating dependencies on Alcohol, sedatives such as Benzodiazepines and Barbiturates, stimulants such as Adderall and Methamphetamine, Opioids, Cocaine, Crystal meth, Cannabis, and various other prescription and non-prescription drugs.  He is certified to treat opioid addiction with Suboxone and Buprenorphine.

Dr. Savedoff is also experienced in treating non-substance types of addiction such as internet, pornography, gaming and gambling addiction. Dr. Savedoff is knowledgeable about a wide variety of alternative methods of treating addiction including the use of psychedelics.
Dr. Savedoff is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

“You deserve to love yourself, love your life, and reach your full potential each and every day. I am here to help you bring this sentiment to life. My goal as a therapist is to make you feel comfortable, safe, and cared for. I greatly value the relationship I have with each of my clients, as it sets the foundation for the success of the work we will do together. I am here to support you through each journey that life brings you through, and help hold you accountable to the goals you want to achieve. No matter where you want this journey to take you, you'll never be alone. The rest of your life begins today!

I have a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Manhattan College. Prior to this, I received my Honors Bachelor of Arts with a double major in both Sociology and Criminology from the University of Western Ontario. I specialize in working with eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and OCD.

I offer therapy in both English and Romanian (my native language). The struggles you are facing are overwhelming enough – therapy shouldn’t have to be. Let’s work together to improve your quality of life and reach your goals.

Ingrid Suazo, DrHA, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She completed her master’s degree in nursing at West Coast University in California. For her post-graduate studies, Ingrid pursued a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program at Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts. She completed her doctorate in healthcare administration at the Virginia University of Lynchburg. Ingrid has extensive experience working with severe mental health conditions.

Alma Torres, MSN, APN, PMHNP-BC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Welcome! I’m Alma Torres, a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner passionate about helping individuals feel heard, understood, and supported. Caring for people during some of their most vulnerable moments, including psychiatric emergencies, has strengthened my empathy and commitment to compassionate, accessible, and nonjudgmental mental health care. My goal is to provide a safe and welcoming environment where you can openly share your concerns. Together, we will develop an individualized treatment plan that considers your experiences, strengths, needs, and personal goals. I believe in treating the whole person, not simply a diagnosis, while empowering individuals to take an active role in their mental wellness. Outside of work, I enjoy family time, the outdoors, traveling, discovering new foods, and experiencing different cultures. I believe there is always room for healing, growth, and new hope.

Marc H. Epstein, DO, is an adult psychiatrist with specialties in addiction and psychotherapy. At his Greenwich Village, New York City practice, which offers two locations, Dr. Epstein helps patients grappling with mental and addictive disorders take back control, allowing them to live happy, well-adjusted lives for years to come.

Dr. Epstein has extensive training in several different therapies and tailors each of his treatments to best suit the patient. While Dr. Epstein is trained to treat all adult psychiatric disorders, his areas of expertise include mood and anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances, OCD, and addiction disorders, with an emphasis on both psychotherapy and psychopharmacology.
From anxiety and depression to problems with substance use and addiction, Dr. Epstein provides his patients with the right tools to break the vicious cycles that imprison them.

His interest in the human mind was fostered at an early age and shaped his education through college and into medical school. Dr. Epstein obtained his medical degree at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Davie, Florida, and then completed his adult psychiatry training at Columbia University’s teaching hospital, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt, in New York.

After completing his residency, Dr. Epstein completed a fellowship in addiction psychiatry at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.

Dr. Epstein is licensed to prescribe Suboxone, a specialized medication used in the treatment of opioid dependence. In addition to Suboxone, Dr. Epstein uses other medications, including Vivitrol® and naltrexone, to address addiction disorders.

If you are already seeing someone for talk therapy, Dr. Epstein is happy to collaborate with your therapist to ensure that you’re getting the quality comprehensive mental health treatment you need.

Jacob Leivent, MD, is a practice that specializes in adult psychiatric care from a uniquely holistic perspective. Dr. Leivent sees patients from the Park Slope area in Brooklyn, New York, and the Westwood, Brentwood, and Beverly Hills areas in Los Angeles, California, through convenient telehealth visits.

The practice uses an individualized and evidence-based approach to psychiatric care, with every patient getting a customized treatment plan. 

Dr. Leivent performs psychiatric evaluations and offers both psychotherapy and medication management to help his patients manage and triumph over attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and other conditions.

Dr. Leivent believes that easy access to experienced psychiatric care providers is critical for good long-term management of psychiatric conditions. He makes that easy with telehealth. All appointments are conducted through online teleconferences and phone calls. 

Patients appreciate the concierge-type care, which lets them easily connect with Dr. Leivent when they need him. 

Modern life in the busy urban environments of New York City and Los Angeles can be exciting and fun, but the fast pace can also be stressful. This pressure may cause anxiety, emotional distress, and addictive behaviors, which can rapidly spiral out of control if ignored and untreated. 

Dr. Leivent helps his patients navigate challenges while prioritizing their mental health. For the best in telehealth psychiatry in New York or LA, call the office or book an appointment online.