Lauren Bardach, MSW, LCSW

CEO and Clinical Social Worker Supervisor of Impact Health LLC

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Lauren is the founder of Impact Health Counseling, LLC and a licensed clinical social worker who graduated from Drew University and went on to pursue sales and marketing roles to help individuals with diabetes manage their health. After a career move from the medical device world, Lauren re-shifted her focus back to her undergraduate roots of her sociology education and subsequently pursued a masters of social work at Rutgers university. She was trained primarily in inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities assisting clients with a myriad of clinical presentations. This training and experience reinforced her skills of crisis management, practicing empathy, actively listening to her clients and working concurrently to help minimize symptoms through evidence based treatment.

Lauren is very comfortable working with clients who have experienced loss, grief, depression, anxiety, stress, compulsions, body image concerns, relationship issues, and self esteem concerns. She has worked abundantly with women who have experienced life changes, chronic anxiety, difficulties parenting and working, pregnancy loss, motivational concerns, and cultivating self love. She has a significant amount of training in trauma and utilizing meditation, mindfulness and emotional regulation tools to help clients be the best versions of themselves. Ultimately, her goal is to provide active feedback and to help clients reach their goals.

Lastly, Lauren manages and owns the entire Impact Health Counseling, LLC practice. Feel free to reach out to her with any concerns or feedback. She prides herself on all feedback being helpful.

Modalities: CBT, DBT, Rogerian, psychodynamic, Trauma focused

Please call for Lauren’s availability: 973-404-0014

Jill D. Worrall, MSW, LSW

Director of Operations

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Seeking help can often be overwhelming. This journey, however, is one that should be celebrated and one based on a relationship. The person must be someone willing to walk with you in a way that is trusting and respectful. These are attributes I strive to maintain in my day-to- day life.

Over the past 18 years I have worked in the behavioral health sector. As each person is unique, I take a holistic approach in understanding the individual , as well as understanding areas they identify as their focus. My passion is to help a person go from a life of uncertainty to one that is rooted in the strengths of what they can achieve.

I am a licensed social worker and a member of the National Association of Social Workers.  I have experience working with children, youth, adults, and families. Specifically, I have experience with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, stress management, parenting, life transitions, career counseling, and relationships.

Jaclyn Bennett, MA, LPC, NCC, SAC

Licensed Professional Counselor, Senior Staff Therapist

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Jaclyn is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) who earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The College of New Jersey. She also has Master’s degree in Special Education from

The College of New Jersey. She has counseling experience working with adolescents and adults in different settings including outpatient, intensive outpatient, inpatient, co-occurring disorder programs, schools, and correctional facilities. She has experience providing individual counseling, as well as facilitating psychoeducational and therapeutic groups and has worked with clients who struggle with self-esteem, anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, bullying, and eating disorders. Jaclyn’s approach to counseling is person-centered and based on building a collaborative relationship with each client through psychodynamic therapy. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to teach coping skills. Jaclyn is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and holds a Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) certification.

Hannah Ahlers, MA, LPC

Executive Director of Clinical Practice and Operations

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Hannah is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) who earned a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regent University. She has experience working in various settings in which she has provided crisis intervention and individual and group counseling to children, adults and elders. Working in diverse settings has helped shape her skill set to help clients overcome grief, anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship issues and healing from trauma. Hannah’s approach to counseling is person centered, acknowledging that each person can personally growth and change. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to provide healthy coping strategies. Hannah provides a safe environment, so you feel heard, validated and work to achieve your goals, improve your quality of life and build confidence.

Jenn Panetta, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor, Senior Staff Therapist

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Jenn is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) with a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from Centenary University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Montclair State University. She also holds a New Jersey School Counseling certification. She has counseling experience in various settings such as outpatient, schools, and residential facilities. From working as the residential counselor at a boarding school for students with learning differences and social-emotional issues, Jenn has helped individuals facing anxiety, trauma, depression, grief, loss of loved ones, and anger management. She has provided individualized and group counseling, along with crisis management and deescalation to teens and adults. Jenn believes that unconditional positive regard, confidence-building, and providing a safe space for individuals to feel heard without judgement or bias is imperative as a therapist. Her approach to counseling is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person Centered, goal-setting strategies, and active listening.

Tara Reyes, MSW, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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Tara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned her Masters degree in Social Work from Rutgers University. Prior, she received her bachelor of social work from Ramapo College. Tara is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers. She has been providing counseling services for over 10 years Tara has experience working with children, teens, adults and families. Specifically with individuals struggling with grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationships, and other stressors that affect all of us at some time in our lives.

As a counselor Tara is open, encouraging and direct. Combining experience, education, and a sense of humor with a down to earth and realistic approach. She pulls from a variety of methods to create a tailored approach for each individual and situation. Some modalities include mindfulness, client-centered, solutions focused, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. She strives to provide a safe, non-judgmental and calming environment for all clients.

Ciara Bello, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

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Ciara Bello is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of New Jersey. She is an alumni of Montclair State University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Family and Child Studies and a Master’s degree in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health. Ciara has worked with children, adolescents, adults, families, and parents in a variety of settings ranging from partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient, outpatient, and therapeutic supervised visitation. She utilizes a person-centered approach with her clients in which the therapeutic relationship is the driving force in helping to navigate issues involving behavior modification, depression, anxiety, grief, and parenting.

Mary Schreck, MSW, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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Mary is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a passion for supporting individuals as they navigate life’s challenges through empathy and a hint of humor. Mary earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work with a specialization in Clinical Practice with Families and Children from Monmouth University in Long Branch, NJ.

Mary specializes in working with adolescents and young adults but welcomes anyone from age 7 onwards. With a background in crisis management, Mary has also worked in intensive outpatient programs, school-based settings, and outpatient services.

Mary has clinical experience treating a variety of difficulties such as anxiety, ADHD, life transitions, anger management, and relational difficulties. She approaches therapy with a person-centered, strengths-based perspective, highlighting evidence-based interventions like CBT or DBT.
Through the power of connection, Mary strives to provide her clients with a confidential, safe, and nurturing space to support their therapeutic journey. Contact her today for a free consultation to find out if it would be a good fit!

Danielle Castellano Ray, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

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Danielle Castellano Ray is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of New Jersey. Danielle received her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Caldwell University, and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Montclair State University.

She has experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults in a variety of settings including partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient, and outpatient settings. Utilizing her extensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), she has helped countless clients learn life changing skills to master their anxiety, depression, impulse control issues, unhealthy coping skills, interpersonal issues, and emotion dysregulation.

In sessions, Danielle utilizes her empathetic nature and sense of humor to teach DBT skills. She has a natural way of building therapeutic relationships by creating a safe and validating space for her clients to take the next step toward acceptance and change.

Julie Van Ness, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

I have been working in mental health and the medical field for over 21 years. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in psychology, then obtained my bachelor’s degree in nursing, and most recently my master’s degree as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. The first part of my career I worked as a psychiatric screener in the ER and then transitioned to a trauma/ER nurse for over 10 years. I bring together a complete picture of both medical and mental health care as I believe people need to be cared for as a whole being. I have treated the lifespan while specializing in children, adolescents, and young adults. My focus is on substance abuse, eating disorders, trauma, and intimate partner violence.

Julie Van Ness, PMHNP-BC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner of Angels Eleven LLC works collaboratively with Impact Health Counseling’s clients in providing medication and mental health services. Please contact Julie for her availability.
973-453-5681

Ivana Mitic, MA, LAC

Licensed Associate Counselor

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Ivana Mitic is a Licensed Associate Counselor. She earned her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Saint Elizabeth University after having received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Drew University. Ivana’s therapeutic approach is orientated towards facilitating a warm, comforting environment in which one can aim to reflect on changes they would like to see in their lives. Therapy is a place to feel safe, void of any judgments, and to challenge ourselves to reach our best level of wellness.

Ivana’s goal for all of her clients is to build a trusted partnership in which we can find what approach works for you. With a holistic style the goal is built around your needs and finding what tools would be best suited for each individual. Ivana believes therapy is a tool to help facilitate the change in one’s life that leads to finding inner discovery and peace. Ivana’s experience ranges from working with children, adolescents, and adults in individual and family therapy settings. Her background includes assisting her clients in reaching their goals of managing concerns including mood disorders, trauma, depression, anxiety, panic disorders, self-esteem, life transitions, grief, co-occurring disorders, and more.

Pia Licciardi, MA, MSW, LSW

Licensed Social Worker

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Pia is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with a Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University. She studied psychology as an undergraduate and holds a master’s degree in Art History. For over 20 years she has worked with the visually impaired and with families of those suffering from the effects of memory loss at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. She also served on the Board of the Medical Needs Foundation for over fifteen years. As its president and chair of outreach she assessed and addressed the medical, mental health and rehabilitative needs of individuals and families facing an array of crises.

Pia’s areas of interest and specialization include anxiety and depression, birthing trauma, infant loss and perinatal stress, couples/marriage counseling and self-advocacy. She is trained in the Gottman Method of relationship counseling, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and mindfulness.

She is committed to providing a nonjudgmental, safe space for her clients to increase confidence, personal growth, and healing.

Karen Anderson, MSW, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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Karen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University. She studied psychology as an undergraduate. Karen’s experience includes assisting clients of all ages to work on anxiety, depression, divorce/separation, life transitions, death and dying, grief, trauma, and perinatal concerns. Karen has an extensive background in hospice work, crisis management as well as working in a school-based setting working with children, adolescents and teens.

Karen’s goals are to work with clients to help them feel comfortable, respected and heard. In return, Karen will be open, encouraging and direct. Karen believes it is important to give clients the freedom to express their emotions, fears and concerns without judgement.

Some modalities used are: CBT, DBT, Solution Focused, mindfulness and EMDR.

Shelby Somers, MSW, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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Shelby is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University. She received her bachelor’s in psychology from Georgia Southern University. Shelby is a self-described ” geek” who believes therapy shouldn’t be made any harder than it already is. She believes that knowledge and understanding are the first steps to change. Shelby utilizes a biological and neurological approach to understanding the source of behaviors. Shelby believes that we do not exist in a vacuum and that our mental, emotional, and physical selves are intertwined. As a result, her approach to therapy seeks to focus on the individual in their environment and the impact that our environment can have on our mental health.

Shelby has worked in private practice for over four years and has experience working with children, teens, and adults. Shelby is LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse affirming with experience specifically working with ADHD and autism across the lifespan. She will work to find an approach that is realistic, attainable, and that works for you. Shelby’s approach to therapy is informed by Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Strengths Based, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Person-Centered approach. Contact her today to see if she may be a good fit for you on your journey because it’s dangerous to go alone.