THERAPISTS
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Because fit is so important, Awaken Wellness will help you find a therapist who is a good match and can fit your needs. This process helps you to get a better sense of our therapists before deciding to work together. Please read the therapist bios below and please feel free to ask to be scheduled with a specific therapist or we are happy to place you with a therapist that we think will be a good match.
Dina Morley, PsyD, LCSW
Doctor of Psychology & Licensed Clinical Social Worker
NJ LCSW License # 44SC05572800
Dina is a solution-focused therapist who uses the strengths perspective, the harm reduction approach, and cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapies to support clients in meeting and maintaining their goals. Dina earned an MSW graduate degree in clinical social work from New York University (NYU), has a doctorate degree in psychology, and has experience in behavioral health settings such as inpatient, outpatient, and private practice settings. In addition to practicing as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Dina is an Internationally Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, a Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager (C-ASWCM), a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS), a Certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (C-DBT) provider, a Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider (CMHIMP) and she is also certified in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBCT).
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Dina is a long-term member and volunteer of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) New Jersey Chapter. Currently, she has the honor of being the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) New Jersey Chair for the Sussex/Warren unit. Dina has also been an active American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health volunteer for the past 12 years.
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Dina works with individuals ages 25 and older. Dina provides an environment that is supportive and non-judgmental. Treatment will assist you in obtaining positive results for issues such as relationship problems, recovery & relapse prevention, improving workplace difficulties, personal growth, emotional development, stress management, and managing disorders such as depression and anxiety. Individuals in the LGBTQ community are welcomed.
In addition, Dina provides health and wellness coaching. The goal is to assist healthy clients in staying well and clients recovering from medical illness improve their health through new positive ways of thinking, diet, exercise and medication management.
Dina offers individual and group supervision to mental professionals working towards becoming fully licensed. She has completed the NASW-NJ Chapter Clinical Social Work Supervision Course. Completion of this certification meets the NJ Board of Social Work Examiners requirement for providing clinical supervision to professionals working towards becoming fully licensed.
Dina provides a safe, open-minded, and compassionate environment for sharing your concerns, fears, feelings, and thoughts. We will work together to find solutions that work for you and bring greater harmony and insight into your life.
Andrea Lawler, LPC, M.S.Ed, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor
NJ LPC License # 37PC00780100
State of NJ Certified School Counselor
NJ License # 974965
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Andrea Lawler, LPC s a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner. Andrea is person-centered in practice as she individualizes treatment with the client to meet their specific needs and goals. Andrea provides a non-judgmental atmosphere in order to foster exploration and growth. Andrea views the client and therapist as equals who partner together to meet goals and overcome barriers. Andrea focuses on the strengths of her clients and draws from positivity to empower her clients to meet their potential and find fulfillment in their lives.
Andrea earned her Master’s degree in School Counseling from Monmouth University and is a New Jersey Certified School Counselor. She works with individual adults, teens, and couples. Andrea utilizes cognitive-behavioral techniques to assist clients to assess their distressing thoughts and provides a safe, supportive, open-minded, and compassionate environment in which to explore and challenge them. Andrea uses a strengths-based and solution-focused approach that encourage her clients to become empowered to make the changes that they desire. Andrea utilizes motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and effective communication techniques to increase client insight and awareness and build the skills necessary to meet their goals.
​Blair DiDio, LPC, MA, SAC
NJ Licensed Professional Counselor #37PC00710800
State of NJ Certified School Counselor #989606
State of NJ Certified Student Assistance Counselor #989605
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Blair DiDio is a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as NJ Certified School Counselor and Student Assistance Counselor. Blair has a Master’s Degree in Counseling from The College of New Jersey and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Communication from Rutgers University.
Blair has worked in many settings including schools, intensive outpatient programs, and private practice. Blair has experience working with children and adolescents on issues such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, relationships, trauma, grief, and loss, as well as supporting family matters. Blair currently works with children and adolescents, as well as adults, families, and couples. Blair believes in a trusting therapeutic relationship and finds meaning in helping clients reach their goals. Blair utilizes a person-centered approach and finds the importance of using other therapeutic processes, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Blair has a passion for helping others and looks forward to facilitating a warm, engaging, and safe approach to therapy.
Caridad “Cary” Segura, LPC, LCADC
Licensed Professional Counselor
NJ LPC Lic # 37PC00368000
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor
NJ LCADC Lic # 37LC00159000
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Caridad Segura, LPC, LCADC, earned her Master’s Degree in counseling from New Jersey City University. After pursuing her Master’s Degree, she furthered her education in the addictions field and obtained her license as a clinical, alcohol, and drug counselor. She is a Nationally Board-Certified Counselor as well as an NJ Division of Mental Health Services Disaster Response Crisis Counselor. Cary has been a leader in the helping profession for twenty-nine years. She has extensive training and experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Psychodynamic therapeutic approaches. Cary believes that implementing a holistic approach in the therapeutic process, helps the individual develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their situations.
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Cary works with individuals, couples, children, adolescents, and families as well as provides mentoring and supervision to master-level clinicians. Her other areas of experience consist of crisis counseling, complex trauma, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, adjustment, pandemic-related stress, recovery, and women's issues.
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One of Caridad’s many strengths as a clinician is to help clients achieve a healthy level of functioning by providing support, encouragement, and positivity. She also believes that compassion and empathy foster a healthy balance in the therapeutic relationship, where the clients can explore, identify and implement the clinical tools to bring harmony, peace, and long-term success to their lives.
Cassandra Incledon, MSW, LSW
Licensed Social Worker
NJ License # 44SL06649300
State of NJ Certified School Social Worker
NJ License # 733060
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​Cassandra Incledon, MSW, LSW is a Licensed Social Worker and Certified School Social Worker, with a Master's degree from Columbia University. She currently works full-time in a local school district, working primarily with middle school and high school-aged students. As a clinician, Cassandra works with individuals ages 12 and older.
Cassandra primarily utilizes a Cognitive Behavioral approach, while incorporating aspects of motivational interviewing and a strengths-based approach to support her clients in achieving their short-term and long-term goals. Cassandra is also trained in Trauma-Focused CBT (TFCBT). She helps clients gain clarity and understanding of how their thoughts and feelings affect their daily lives. Cassandra utilizes her professional background, including experience working in a hospital, drug rehabilitation center, and various school settings, to assist clients with navigating the challenges they are faced with on a daily basis. Cassandra has experience working with individuals and families touched by anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, and more.
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Cassandra values a strong therapeutic relationship, and she works hard to ensure that all of her clients feel heard, understood, and validated throughout the entire treatment process. Together, as a team, we will work to address your concerns, achieve your goals, and improve your quality of life in a comfortable, safe, and relaxed setting.
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Corinne Montelius, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
NJ License # 37PC00856500
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Corinne Montelius, MA, LPC earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Centenary University. Corinne started her career as a psychiatric screener in the emergency room and then took on the leadership role as the Coordinator of Hunterdon County’s Family Crisis Intervention Unit. In addition, Corinne served as the Hunterdon County Traumatic Loss Coordinator where she organized responses to traumatic losses in the community. Corinne has expertise in treating adolescents and adults who have experienced conflicts and traumas. Corinne has over 10 years of experience working with diagnoses of depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant/conduct disorders, ADHD, and PTSD.
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Corinne provides individual, couples, and family therapy. She creates positive change and empowerment for confident, joyful, hopeful, and fulfilling lives. Corinne understands the courage involved in self-exploration and change and feels privileged to be a part of the personal journeys of those with whom she works.
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Corinne is a warm and compassionate individual who utilizes techniques and strategies from Solution Focused, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral therapies, with an overall focus on growth, balance, and insight. Corinne understands that sometimes life can be hard, and we need to be brave and ask for help. She is ready to be a part of your team! It is with this focus that Corinne can assist clients to lead happy and fulfilling lives.
Daysi Orellana, LSW
Licensed Social Worker
NJ License # 44SL06337300
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Daysi Orellana, LSW is a Licensed Social Worker and has earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Ramapo College of New Jersey. Daysi has over 8 years of experience working in the social work field in a variety of different settings such as private practice, outpatient, inpatient, and partial hospitalization.
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Daysi works with adolescents (ages 12 and older), families, adults, and older adults. Daysi has a specialization in aging, health, and wellness. She specializes in working with issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief. Daysi utilizes an eclectic style of therapy which could include techniques such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and an overall strength-based approach.
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Daysi is passionate about helping others in need of positive changes and understands the importance of “meeting someone where they are at.” Daysi believes therapy can be a difficult concept for those who have never tried it and she strives to provide a nonjudgmental and welcoming environment for all of her clients. As a therapist, some of her goals is to ensure her clients feel safe and empowered in this journey of self-exploration, awareness, and treatment success.
Debbie Valatkavage, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
NJ License # 44SC05754400
Debbie Valatkavage, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified School Social Worker. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work and Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at Kean University. Debbie is a long-time member of the National Association of Social Workers.
Debbie believes that in making the decision to find a therapist, you are already taking an important and challenging step toward growth and change. Whether you are hoping to learn healthier ways to cope with challenging feelings and experiences, or you’re ready to explore the parts of your story that seem to be holding you back from living a more fulfilling life, Debbie hopes to see your unique strengths and will honor your story which is crucial in the process. Debbie assists adult clients across the lifespan. To treat her clients, Debbie uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Psychodynamic approaches.
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Debbie has 18+ years of experience working with individuals in many settings such as hospitals, elementary schools, partial hospital and intensive outpatient programs, and private practice. Debbie is focused on helping clients to problem solve many issues by recognizing their strengths and using those strengths to overcome anxiety, depression, difficult life adjustments, bereavement, medical issues, aging, and family challenges. Debbie is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals through the use of mindfulness tools and developing other coping skills to help navigate life’s challenges.
Debbie believes that the relationship you build with your therapist can have a significant impact on the relationships you build with others, as well as how you treat yourself. Debbie is supportive and works with all clients to guide them at their own pace to achieve peace and personal growth.
Erika Pietzsch, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
NJ License # 37PC00550800
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Erika Pietzsch, LPC is a cognitive behavioral therapist who has been trained through the world-famous Beck Institute. Along with training in CBT, Erika is also trained in dialectical behavioral therapy. Erika delivers high-quality effective treatment outcomes through manageable evidence-based care models. Erika works with clients to identify distressing thoughts, evaluate realistic thoughts, solve problems, and learn new positive coping skills while working on goal planning and goal achievement.
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Over the years, Erika has worked in several settings which include, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs. Erika specializes in working with adult clients ages 18 and up. She specializes in depression, anxiety, bipolar, OCD, panic disorder, phobias, sleep disorders, and addiction treatment and relapse prevention. Erika has experience in developing addictions programing, along with linking clients to resources in the community and various steps in the recovery process. Clients LGBTQ+ community welcomed.
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Erika provides a warm, understanding environment open to all individuals. The goal of therapy is to use a team approach to learning skills and achieving treatment goals, with the ultimate goal of the client mastering these skills, feeling positive, and living their best life.
Kathleen Kontely, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
NJ Licensed Clinical Social Work Lic # 44SC04769800
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Kathleen Kontely, LCSW has worked in clinical social work for over 20 years. She has exceptional educational experience as she earned her Bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a Master’s Degree from New York University’s School of Social Work.
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Kathleen’s clinical experience includes working with adults, couples, families, groups, and children in a variety of settings. She has provided therapy for children, individuals, and families in both urban and suburban communities, intensive group therapy for at-risk youth, crisis intervention, and life transition therapy with seniors. Kathleen’s clinical areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, ADHD, parenting & attachment, grief, and employment & relationship issues. Kathleen offers a highly personalized approach tailored to each client.
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Kathleen integrates various methodologies and techniques including Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems Theory, and Narrative Therapy. For couples, Kathleen uses Emotionally Focused Therapy and approaches from the Gottman methods. Kathleen helps her clients to bring out their strengths to work towards their goals and achieve personal growth. Kathleen understands we all have an image of our best selves and likes to think about her work as the process of helping people to become who they already know they are or could be! Your work with Kathleen will help you to understand why you feel the way you do so you can move past challenges, start feeling happier, more productive, and connected with the life you want.
Lisa Butler, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
NJ License # 44SC05180100
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Lisa Butler, LCSW earned her Master’s of Social Work (MSW) graduate degree from Rutgers University and has worked for 18+ years in the mental health field. She is a long-time member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). In addition, through the NASW, Lisa became a Certified Clinical Supervisor in 2004. Lisa’s treatment approaches focus on the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the Strengths-Based Approach along with mindfulness techniques. She is focused on helping individuals find their inner strengths and use these strengths to move towards their identified goals. Lisa assists clients to create a toolbox with which to cope with their struggles and achieve their goals. Lisa specializes in working with adult individuals who are seeking treatment for depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, bipolar disorder, and stress management.
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Lisa fosters a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space in which you can begin to work through what has brought you into therapy. Lisa is here to listen, and assist you in improving your overall well-being while treating clinical symptoms which may cause distress. Through the treatment journey, she will assist you in gaining greater insight into your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so that you have the opportunity to live a more fulfilled, purposeful, and healthy life.
Maria Conti, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
NJ License # 44SC06024400
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Maria Conti, LCSW, has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Additionally, she is a trained responder for the NJ Traumatic Loss Coalition.
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Maria has over 18 years of experience working in a variety of therapeutic and community-based settings with children, adolescents, and adults struggling to cope with grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, aging, and life transitions. She has extensive experience in supporting individuals and families through the grieving process following a loss. Maria believes meaningful change can occur at any age as we are all life-long learners. Maria uses a person-centered, strengths-based approach to help individuals address past experiences that have an impact on current well-being, discover positive coping strategies, and move towards healing and happiness.
Marianne Wishbow, LPC, LCAD
Licensed Professional Counselor
NJ License # 37PC00717900
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor
NJ License # 37LC00240000
Marianne Wishbow, LPC, LCADC earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health and Addictions Counseling from Montclair State University. Marianne is a long-time member of the American Counseling Association. Over the past 8 years, Marianne has helped clients meet and maintain their goals by using a mixture of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psycho-dynamic treatment approaches. She also incorporates Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Motivational Interviewing into her treatment plans. Marianne approaches therapy from a holistic standpoint which treats the client as a whole person while incorporating the individual’s unique mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Marianne’s areas of experience include anxiety & panic, depression, stress management, improving self-esteem, understanding the family of origin, spirituality, women's issues, substance misuse & recovery, trauma, life transitions, and relationship issues. Marianne has extensive expertise and experience working as an outpatient therapist treating individuals, couples, families, and groups.
Melissa Dunlap, MA, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
NJ License # 37PC00608100
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Melissa Dunlap, LPC takes a compassionate and nonjudgemental approach to empower clients to manage life’s difficulties. She has over 15 years of experience in multiple mental health and educational settings. Melissa has worked in high school and middle school settings providing therapeutic services. She has also worked in an inpatient setting as well as partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs.
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Melissa went to Rutgers, The State University for undergraduate studies and earned her Master’s degree from Montclair State University. Melissa utilizes many mindful and present-oriented techniques to address day-to-day challenges while building a life worth living while healing from past scars.
Melissa specializes in providing support for individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, attention deficit difficulties, people who are highly sensitive, gender-nonconforming, and individuals on the LGBTQ spectrum. One of Melissa’s favorite aspects of her career is working with an array of different people who are all unique individuals who come from different cultural backgrounds. She empowers clients to build on their already-existing methods of healing while teaching skills and techniques rooted in DBT, ACT, CBT, and MBSR. Melissa has certifications in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for teens and is a Certified ADHD Professional.
Susan Nestler Wohlgemuth, LPC
NJ Licensed Professional Counselor #37PC00360200
NJ Licensed School Counselor #568572
Susan Nestler Wohlgemuth, LPC completed her graduate degree in Counselor Education in 2001, and her post-graduate degree in Professional Counseling in 2003, both at Kean University. She has experience working as an LPC in a variety of behavioral health outpatient settings, which include: private practice, mental health agencies, hospitals, assisted living, high schools, and colleges. Susan has counseled in partial hospital programs leading group and individual therapy. In addition, she has worked in crisis intervention for many years as a screener and crisis clinician.
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At Awaken Wellness, Susan works with individuals aged 20 and older and has extensive experience working with the geriatric population and LGBTQ clients. She has experience in treating PTSD, postpartum depression and anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, grief, loss and bereavement, medication case management, as well as anxiety and depression. Susan has been extremely helpful to clients coping with and adjusting to life changes from the COVID-19 pandemic. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, crisis intervention, trauma processing, and solution-focused therapy.
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Susan provides a non-judgmental, culturally competent, and safe space in which clients can explore their feelings and comfortably work through the obstacles that are personal and unique to them. She understands how difficult the process of therapy can be and will be there to support you through what can be a complicated, yet fulfilling journey.
