Educational & Training Backgrounds of our Staff Include
Rutgers University
Montclair State
Seton Hall
Fairleigh Dickinson
Kean University
Monmouth University
California School of Professional Psychology
SAFE PATHS: Sexual Abuse Family Education
Family Violence and Sexual Assault Institute
Rutgers University
Montclair State
Seton Hall
Fairleigh Dickinson
Kean University
Monmouth University
California School of Professional Psychology
SAFE PATHS: Sexual Abuse Family Education
Family Violence and Sexual Assault Institute
Some of Our Amazing Staff.......
Clinical Director
Dr. Maria Salvanto, the owner and founder of The Parent TRAIN, holds three graduate degrees in psychology. She has dedicated her career to supporting children and families and is a qualified diagnostician and performs testing and assessments regularly.
Dr. Maria Salvanto, the owner and founder of The Parent TRAIN, holds three graduate degrees in psychology. She has dedicated her career to supporting children and families and is a qualified diagnostician and performs testing and assessments regularly.
Assistant Clinical Director
Karen Johanning, LPC with an extensive background in diverse settings, is one of our senior clinicians. She oversees the intern program at the office while maintaining her own caseload of adolescents and young adults.
Karen Johanning, LPC with an extensive background in diverse settings, is one of our senior clinicians. She oversees the intern program at the office while maintaining her own caseload of adolescents and young adults.
Senior Clinician
Liz VanderValk, LPC, has been with the office for over 12 years. She is passionate about working with families and runs a free parenting support group weekly. Her training includes working with children and adults on the autism spectrum and performing assessments and reports for diagnostics.
Liz VanderValk, LPC, has been with the office for over 12 years. She is passionate about working with families and runs a free parenting support group weekly. Her training includes working with children and adults on the autism spectrum and performing assessments and reports for diagnostics.
Senior Clinician
Michelle Rivkin, LPC, has been with the team for over 10 years. In addition to her training in domestic violence and marriage therapies, she is a behavioral specialist trained in ABA therapy, emphasizing DTT and VB techniques in working with autism spectrum disorders.
Michelle Rivkin, LPC, has been with the team for over 10 years. In addition to her training in domestic violence and marriage therapies, she is a behavioral specialist trained in ABA therapy, emphasizing DTT and VB techniques in working with autism spectrum disorders.
Senior Clinician
Megan Narciso, LCSW, started her journey toward full licensure with our agency. She now possesses over 10 years of experience advocating for children's well-being and is proficient in CBT and behavioral approaches.
Megan Narciso, LCSW, started her journey toward full licensure with our agency. She now possesses over 10 years of experience advocating for children's well-being and is proficient in CBT and behavioral approaches.
Senior Clinician
Lisa Justice, LCSW, has a wide range of experiences over the last 12 years in the field. This includes working with addiction, inpatient care, and
crisis intervention.
Lisa Justice, LCSW, has a wide range of experiences over the last 12 years in the field. This includes working with addiction, inpatient care, and
crisis intervention.
Our medical team for prescribing
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Dr. Malini Bhatia is a psychiatrist with over 50 years of experience, specializing in mental health care. She diagnoses and treats conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, personality disorders, insomnia, ADD, and more. While she works with all age groups, her primary focus is on evaluating and prescribing treatment for children and adolescents.
Anne Huelbig, is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who brings our team her expertise in working with depression, ADHD, and anxiety disorders in children. |
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Associate Clinicians
Ryan Garner, LAC, began his journey with The Parent Train as an intern and is currently completing his full licensure with us. He specializes in treating anxiety and depression, along with identity issues.
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Katie VanderValk, LAC, is completing her full licensure at The Parent TRAIN, where she has gained enormous experience over the last four years. Her training involves working with adolescents as they navigate developmental stages, focusing on those coping with anxiety and depression.
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Krista Sangiacomo, LAC, began her journey with us as an intern and has since gained valuable experience working with our youngest clients over the past two years. She specializes in addressing anxiety and depression and provides support to children facing family dynamic issues.
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Christie Calamito, LAC, has worked for several years at The Parent TRAIN while also holding a position at Graystone Psychiatric Hospital. Over the past 12 years, she has expanded her previous training in substance abuse to include working with children and families.
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Robyn Trezza, LAC has been gaining experience first as an intern and now as an associate for the last 4 years at The Parent Train. She has proven to be skilled in working with pre-teens and teenagers on anxiety, blended family issues, and depression.
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Hailey Arbus-Panella, LAC is one of our dynamic and well experienced clinicians, working with us for over 6 years. Not only does she have the education and now experience in the field, but her understanding of the special education system has proven valuable to us.
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Our Speech and Language Team
20+ experience
Experts in ASD
20+ experience
Experts in ASD
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Danyela Williams, SLP, and Scott Shanksy, SLP, have extensive experience in language services in schools and privately. One of Danyela's areas of expertise includes supporting children with social language skills thorough training in the pragmatics of language. Scott works with our youngest clients from assessments to weekly therapy to improve speech and language skills.
They both are passionate about supporting children through their developmental milestones in the areas of communication. |
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Our Occupational Therapist
Hannah Ververs OTR/L is an exceptional pediatric occupational therapist dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of the children she works with. She supports emotional regulation skills, assists with sensory integration, and works on both fine and gross motor skills, all with passion and professionalism. |
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