Meet Our Staff

Dr. Miller is trained in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She is also trained in Anesthesia and Pain Management. Because of her broad experience, Dr. Miller is uniquely qualified to treat psychological trauma, depression and anxiety that can occur as a result of injury or disability. – Read More

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD)
  • Depression
  • Mood and Bipolar Disorders
  • Anxiety
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Substance Abuse

Dr. Waldman’s professional strengths include knowledge of a variety of diagnoses and treatment options, and a unique ability to connect easily and quickly with clients. She strives to help patients to get back to enjoying their lives and relating better to their friends and loved ones. – Read More

  • Couples and Families in Crisis
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD)
  • Depression
  • Parenting Issues
  • Anxiety and Panic Disorder
  • Professional Dilemmas

Dr. Christopher Hannon is a Board Certified Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He obtained his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Louisville. His training covers mental health treatment across the lifespan including psychopharmacological management of psychiatric conditions and a host of therapeutic modalities. Areas of particular interest include trauma/PTSD, depression/anxiety, substance use disorders, as well as stigma around mental illness and in general.

Read More

Rosa is an experienced adult and pediatric nurse practitioner. She is bilingual in Spanish and Portuguese. Her areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, PTSD, and childhood disorders, including ADHD, behavioral dysregulation, and autism. She’s been a school nurse for over a decade, and is she is fully versed in the day-to-day complex issues regarding children and teens. 

Read More

Triesha Gayle-Lawson is a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner.  She received her master’s degree in Advanced Nursing Practice from Adelphi University.  Her training in Adult medicine incorporates Adolescent, Adult and Geriatric Medicine.  With over 13 years of Advanced Practice experience, her expertise ranges from inpatient Primary Care, Community Health and Behavioral Health Medicine.  She is experienced in pharmacologic treatment of Depression, Anxiety, PTSD and other psychiatric illnesses.  In addition, Triesha is also Buprenophine (Subaxone) trained and licensed in Medication Assisted treatment (MAT) of substance abuse. Read More

  • Anxiety
  • Mood Disorders
  • Depression
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Adolescent, Adult and Geriatrics

Wendy utilizes both solution focused and insight-oriented therapy, applying principles largely from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. She believes in treating the whole client. She specializes in treating teens and young adults. Read More

  • Eating Disorders
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD)
  • Self-Harm Behaviors
  • Impulsivities
  • Depression, Anxiety and Panic Disorders
  • Difficult Life Transitions

Benjamin Latner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Drug Counselor who believes that positive connections and interactions are a crucial part of dealing with life’s many stressors, and what better way to enhance that than through a positive therapeutic relationship. He has experience with individuals, couples, and families, who is familiar dealing with a wide variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, difficult life transitions, and substance abuse…. Read More

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Michael is a Trilingual (Portuguese, Spanish, and English) counselor who graduated from Montclair State University with a Masters in Community Mental Health Counseling. He comes to Family Psychiatry and Therapy after years of experience treating adults and children in hospital, home, and community settings. Read More

  • Depression and Anxiety
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD)
  • Trauma
  • Coping Skills

Celina is a Licensed Social Worker with a BSW in Social Work from The Ohio State University and MSW in Social Services from Fordham University. Celina has extensive experience in working with adults, children, and first responders struggling with trauma-related diagnoses, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse issues. She has 7+ years supervising residential settings and crisis management with an extensive background in working with psychotic disorders and behavioral issues. Read More

Dr. Rosita Rodriguez is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She obtained his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the Rutgers School of nursing . Additionally, Dr. Rodriguez has worked in the nursing field for over 20 years and has earned several national certifications in nursing. Dr. Rodriguez incorporates holistic therapeutic modalities into her clinical practice that focus on an individual’s strengths, wellness, and resilience-building strategies. She utilizes the trauma-informed approach while providing mental health care to persons across the lifespan.. Read More

Individuals struggling to get a handle on their emotions and behaviors will commonly deal with shame, guilt, and comparing themselves to friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Having a therapist who can help reduce those feelings makes life a little easier to face, knowing that there is professional support readily available. Noelia “(Noel”) Vicente is a Licensed Social Worker who believes that reintegrating the mind-body connection and empowering oneself are a recipe for success when navigating life’s challenges. She has experience with adolescents, adults, couples, and families, who has worked with those struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, and substance issues…. Read More

Sarah Merza is a Licensed Associate Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor. Sarah received her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and a B.A. in psychology from the Ohio State University. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, unwinding to any number of shows on Netflix, and reading the occassional mystery novel.

Sarah has experience working with older adults, young adults, and teenagers who struggle with mental health diagnoses. Sarah has worked in a variety of settings and gained extensive experience working with individuals with psychotic disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma-related diagnoses, and behavioral issues… Read More

Michelle Cicala PMHNP-BC

Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, with experience treating children, adolescents, families and adults in a variety of settings, including inpatient, intensive outpatient/partial hospitalization and outpatient settings. Michelle comes with years of experience as a nurse, and adopts a humanistic perspective to support patients’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being. In addition, with the appropriate use of medication and therapeutic strategies, she believes in building a therapeutic relationship with my patients in order to enhance their strengths, balance, and coping skills. This can result in greater emotional regulation, overall wellbeing, and success in achieving desired goals.

Michelle biggest accomplishment is raising her daughter. In Michelle’s spare time, she likes to make homemade pasta, bread and pizza!

Taylor Elias, LSW

At the heart of Taylor’s work is the therapeutic relationship—a foundation built on genuine connection, trust, and understanding. Taylor believes that true progress unfolds in a space where clients feel safe and accepted. Using warmth, curiosity, and humor, Taylor cultivates a space where serious moments and lighthearted ones coexist—a balanced blend of reflection, laughter, and support. Taylor’s approach is inherently collaborative and personalized. Each session is carefully tailored to meet individual needs, focusing on building strengths, deepening self-awareness, and developing practical tools for managing life.

Taylor specializes in supporting individuals of all ages through life’s challenges, recognizing the complexities that arise at every stage of life. Whether navigating transitions, exploring identity, or balancing relationships, responsibilities, and personal growth, Taylor understands how overwhelming it can feel. Simply reaching out is a significant step forward; Taylor honors that courage from the start. 
Since earning an MSW from New York University in 2022, Taylor has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including schools and intensive in-community services.   Taylor’s unique ability to understand the effects of family dynamics has helped her clients to improve their moods and relationships.  Taylor’s dedication to her clients equips them with the confidence and tools to navigate life’s challenges and thrive.
Skylar Werner

Skylar Werner, LSW

Skylar Werner, LSW, is a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Social Worker whose clinical skills and reliability make her an invaluable asset to our team. A graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work, Skylar brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the diverse challenges faced by individuals across all stages of life. Her journey began with a transformative internship at Family Psychiatry, where she honed her skills in a dynamic clinical environment, followed by a meaningful stint working with children in an elementary school setting. These experiences have equipped Skylar with a nuanced perspective on the continuum of human development, from childhood trauma to the complexities of aging.
 
Skylar’s empathetic and collaborative approach is at the heart of her practice. She is passionate about helping clients build resilience and achieve meaningful change, creating a safe and compassionate environment where they feel heard and empowered. She tailors her interventions to meet the unique needs of each individual, employing a range of evidence-based techniques, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Narrative Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), among others. Skylar excels in working with clients grappling with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and trauma, guiding them through life transitions and toward healthier coping strategies. Her experience in leading therapy groups for older adults further underscores her versatility and commitment to fostering growth and healing across demographics.
 
Outside of her professional life, Skylar finds joy in spending time with her beloved cat, indulging in books, staying active through exercise, and immersing herself in the world of movies. Her personal passions enrich her empathetic practice, allowing her to connect with clients on a deeper level and inspire them to embrace their own journeys with courage and hope.