Our Team

We are growing and are always looking for passionate therapists about trauma-informed treatment and a heart for service to our community. Supervision provided for LSW and LAC. Please send your resumes to office@safe-therapy.org for consideration.

Mary earned her Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University and an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from Rutgers University. Mary utilizes an evidence-based approach combining elements from CBT, DBT, complex trauma treatment, mindfulness-based healing, internal family systems, and person-centered psychotherapy.

Nina Kaufmans is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor in the state of New Jersey, specializing in the treatment of adults struggling with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and trauma. Additionally, Nina is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in counseling education and supervision. Nina’s approach to treatment focuses on evidence-based methods with an emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) blended with psychodynamic, mindfulness, and somatic processing-oriented approaches.

Patrick Foran is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of New Jersey. His time at these programs involved working with adults 18+ through the utilization of evidence-based treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, self-compassion, dialectical behavioral therapy skills, mindfulness, relaxation skills, and interpersonal therapy. Patrick’s approach to clinical treatment involves collaboration and empowerment with a focus on individualizing treatment, i.e.the way time is used in sessions and which skills are focused on based on client interest and clinical relevance.

Tina’s formal yoga training is in the popular Hatha, Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga styles and she is a certified yoga teacher trainer of the International Yoga Alliance. Tina holds advanced degrees in Business Administration (MBA), Teaching and Curriculum Development (MA), and Marriage, Family and Systems Therapy (MFT). She has ongoing clinical research employing the benefits of yoga and meditation to mitigate the clinical characteristics of Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder, Addictions, Autism, Pain Management, Behavioral Issues, Suicidal Ideation, and severe Mental and Physical Trauma.

Melissa is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of New Jersey with clinical experience working in community non-profit, private practice, in-home, and helpline settings. Melissa utilizes a strengths-based, person-centered, and trauma-informed approach in order to offer clients an accepting and nonjudgmental environment to facilitate their healing journey. Melissa practices with an eclectic orientation, drawing from psychodynamic and attachment theories to help clients change patterns of behaviors and relationships that may no longer be serving them, while striving to empower clients in building their coping repertoire and resilience in order to best navigate life’s challenges.

Seema is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and National Certified Counselor (NCC), and has experience working with clients dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, loss, aging, cultural issues, work/occupational issues, and marital/relationship issues. She understands the impact that identity, diversity, religion, and culture can have on a person, their worldview, and their relationships. Having trained in biomedical sciences, Seema appreciates the role that heredity, upbringing, and home environments play in our lives but firmly believes that people can and do change. Her therapeutic approach focuses on relational psychodynamics, attachment theory, CBT, and mindfulness. She encourages clients to be curious about their emotions so they can better understand and empower themselves to improve their lives.

Cathy is a Licensed Associate Counselor in the state of New Jersey, with a Masters’s degree in Psychology and an Educational Specialist degree in Counseling Services. Cathy’s experience includes working with teens, college students, and adults, believing that in every stage of life there is hope and help for those who are hurting. Using an eclectic approach that includes tools from Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cathy works with clients to identify their core values and the therapy goals that will help them resolve their challenges and move toward a life of fulfillment and meaning.

Elena is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), School Counselor, and Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC) in the state of New Jersey. She earned her Master’s in Counselor Education from The College of New Jersey. Elena’s person-centered treatment approach emphasizes meeting clients where they are at in their life journey and utilizing evidence-based therapeutic modalities based on their needs and strengths. These include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, Reality Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Allyson is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) in the state of New Jersey. Allyson earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rider University’s accredited program. Allyson helps clients of all ages struggling with issues such as emotional regulation, trauma, anxiety, self-esteem, and body image concerns make sustainable change in their lives. Allyson practices from a strengths-based, client-centered perspective, meeting each individual where they are on their unique journey. Allyson’s approach to counseling includes evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness skills. She is dedicated to providing the best possible quality of care by leading with passion, empathy, and kindness.

Anthony Martino is a Licensed Associate Counselor in the state of New Jersey with advanced training in trauma-informed care. He has previous experience treating children, adolescents and adults with a variety of individual, comorbid and co-occurring psychiatric conditions. This includes experience working with individuals in psychiatric crises, when their symptoms are at their most severe. From a foundation in rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), Anthony’s approach to treatment emphasizes unconditional self-acceptance and acknowledges the multifaceted factors that influence our lives, particularly family systems. Anthony places a strong emphasis on collaboration and client empowerment, as well as the importance of mindfulness in reducing stress and coping with difficult situations.

Melissa Amico is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of New Jersey. Melissa earned her Master’s of Social Work from Rutgers University in NJ and completed her undergraduate education at Muhlenberg College in PA. Melissa has clinical experience working with adults and adolescents with a variety of mental health issues, with a focus in PTSD treatment. Melissa’s goal in therapy is to help clients achieve their individual goals in a safe and supportive environment. Melissa prioritizes taking a non-judgmental stance in therapy and believes we are all doing the best we can at any given moment; balancing acceptance of self and making changes. Melissa utilizes evidence-based modalities; utilizing elements of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as well as mindfulness practice, self compassion skill building, psychoeducation, and psychodynamic interventions.

Amber Scalera is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the State of New Jersey. Her clinical interests and areas of expertise include working with individuals with complex trauma and a wide range of mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders struggling with emotion dysregulation, interpersonal difficulties, self-injurious behaviors, and low self-esteem. Amber uses a client-centered, trauma-informed approach with a broad range of evidenced-based interventions to meet the individual needs of each client and incorporates evidence-based techniques from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI),
Mindfulness, Solution-focused Therapy, and Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) to help clients explore, recognize, and foster change.

Interns

Catherine is currently pursuing her Master of Arts degree in Counseling at Northwestern University a CACREP-accredited program. Because of the number of youths who are facing challenges related to mental health problems, Catherine is working towards a Child and Adolescent Specialization at Northwestern. Catherine’s approach incorporates elements of person-centered counseling, psychodynamic counseling, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients reach their goals.

Tuba is pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Montclair State University. She uses evidence-based techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, to help clients navigate through the challenges of different stages of their lives, including depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, and aging. Recognizing that every client is unique, Tuba believes in a person-centered approach to counseling, tailoring sessions to each individual’s needs.

Jahadah has a passion of working in the mental health field and her long-term goal is to become a licensed therapist. She has worked with non-profit organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and has also spent time working with individuals with mental health challenges in group homes. These experiences have allowed Jahadah to develop skills in providing support and care for individuals who need it most.

Jahadah is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment for all clients, where they feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings. She is excited to continue learning from experienced professionals in the field and eager to apply her knowledge to help those in need.

Our Team

Mary Kindig

Nina Kaufmans

Patrick Foran

Tina LeMar

Melissa Garaffa

Seema Dhindaw

Cathy Brown

Elena Primost

Allyson Hern

Anthony Martino

Melissa Amico

Amber Scalera

Interns

Catherine Shapiro

Tuba Masood

Jahadah Murphy

Liza Iznyuk