Who We Are | Mindful Solutions NJ LLC

Who We Are

Mindful Solutions NJ, LLC founder and CEO, Susan Taylor, LCSW, holds an MSW in clinical social work with a specialization in Trauma Treatment for children and adults. She is an EMDRIA approved certified EMDR therapist with extensive training in childhood trauma. Susan is trained in KAP (Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy) and is currently in certification training for IFS (Internal Family Systems). Susan has received extensive ongoing specialized training with internationally respected educators/authors such as: Brian Weiss, MD.; Ana Gomez, MC, LPC; Sandra Paulsen, Ph.D.; Dr. Dan Siegel; Carolyn Settle, MSW, LCSW, Eliana Gil, Ph.D., and Tony Robbins. Susan's mental health counseling practice has a focus on the treatment of trauma, with a great deal of experience working with sexual assault survivors, child abuse survivors, and interpersonal trauma survivors. She has significant clinical knowledge in the treatment of adults, adolescents and children with complex trauma, secondary trauma, dissociative disorders as well as depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Susan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fordham University in Manhattan, NY. Susan is a member of NASW (National Association of Social Workers), DRCC (Disaster Response Crisis Counselors), AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts), and EMDR International Association. Susan has 38 years of experience as a successful entrepreneur and is devoted to using that experience to bring effective mental health services to as many individuals as possible. Susan continues to provide clinical supervision to all agency associate counselors.

Andrea holds a Master's in Mental Health Counseling with an Art Therapy specialization from Caldwell University. Andrea has over 7 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics with differing backgrounds, circumstances and diagnoses throughout her career. Andrea has a passion for helping those living with depression, anxiety, and difficulty adjusting to life changes and trauma. She has worked in multiple settings including psychiatric and behavioral group homes in Ocean County, out-patient and in-community care. In those settings she has gained extensive experience with those in domestic violence situations, chronic mental illness, and adults in in-patient psychiatric hospitalization. As an art therapist, Andrea believes in the use of art as a means of expressing one's needs, assisting in telling one's story, as well as being used as a form of coping and healing.

I believe in having a safe space in this world, but I'm aware that not everyone has that. It's my mission to help create that safe space, assist in individual growth, and be able to provide alternatives when talking just isn't enough.

Kasey holds a Master's degree in clinical mental health from Georgian Court University and is a national certified counselor (NCC). She has years of experience working with adolescents, as she was a high school teacher for 12 years before entering the counseling field and as an intern counselor at an agency focused on providing mental health services to adolescents. She works with all age groups, with a person-centered approach. Kasey has experience treating clients with substance abuse, depression, anxiety and general stress related conditions.

My goal is to give my clients a safe place to feel heard and understood. I look forward to collaborating with my clients in identifying their challenges and working alongside them to meet their treatment goals.

Kristi Katuran holds a Master's degree in Social Work from Temple University. She is a Licensed Social Worker who has received extensive training in Hypnotherapy. She studied Integral Hypnotherapy™ at the Hypnotherapy Academy of America in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is one of the only state licensed Hypnotherapy schools in the United States. She earned her certification as a Clinical and Medical Support Hypnotherapist with a specialty in Natal, Inter-Life and Past-Life Regression Therapy. Her training and education rank amongst the top 5% of hypnotherapists in the United States. She is a fellow of the International Board of Hypnotherapists (IBH).

Most issues are resolved and goals are reached in 3-6 sessions. She can aid in a variety of issues including: Children & Teen Issues, Fears & Phobias, Goal Achievement, Healthy Lifestyle, Motivation, Past Life Exploration, Self -Esteem, Smoking Cessation, Stress Reduction, Unwanted Habits and Weight Management.

I am passionate about showing you the power of your subconscious mind! Together, we can re-educate your subconscious mind to adopt new higher quality beliefs. Once your limiting beliefs are changed, your life is changed. You hold the power, let me help guide you on this healing journey!

Sarah is a Licensed Associate Counselor and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor who specializes in trauma as well as addiction. She has experience working with PTSD, abuse, anxiety, depression, substance use, codependency and other relationship issues. She has worked within partial care, in-home and outpatient settings with both adolescents as well as adults on an individual and group basis for about ten years. Sarah earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at Brandeis University, her Master's Degree in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and her Professional Counselor Graduate Certificate at Georgian Court University. Sarah is trained in EMDR, a powerful, structured modality that requires less talking than traditional talk therapy and helps rewire the brain to improve thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Sarah uses this technique with people with adverse life experiences as well as individuals that feel they have a positive life history but cannot seem to change certain cognitive, emotional or behavioral patterns. She can assist those coping with phobia or traumas, those who would like help managing emotions or addiction triggers, those who would like to decrease urges, and those who would like to confront things that they tend to avoid. Combining EMDR with traditional talk therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness practices and cognitive behavioral techniques, Sarah can support you in gaining insight, conquering habits, coping with symptoms and managing everyday life stressors.

My goal is to collaborate with each client in an individualized, nonjudgmental way and to create a safe environment that is optimal for change. I am passionate about counseling and am dedicated to meeting people where they are at in order to help get them to where they want to go. I look forward to being a part of your journey.

Tessa holds a Master's degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Stockton University. Tessa enjoys working with children and adolescents, as well as adults. Tessa has interned with Mindful Solutions NJ, in addition to interning with a specialty care day program that intensely focuses on a child's behavior and emotional personality. While there, Tessa received specialized education on how to interact with both children and their parents to help alter a child's maladaptive behavior and achieve positive goals as a team. Tessa is also certified in Trauma Focused-CBT and is passionate about helping her clients to work through the past and present by creating a safe and trusting atmosphere.

I look forward to working side by side with my clients to help guide them to achieve their goals both inside and outside of the therapeutic relationship.

Carissa graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice and MA in mental health counseling with continued education in addictions from Kean University. She has been in the field since 2017 and continues to learn and grow in many areas of mental health counseling and addictions counseling. Her treatment is very individualized, but her skills focus mainly on EMDR, CBT, DBT, MI and solution focused. Carissa clearly enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults from all walks of life.

My goal from the moment you walk in is to provide a welcoming, nonjudgmental, and safe space for you. Feeling heard, validated, and shown compassion are some of the most powerful tools in session. We will work collaboratively towards accomplishing the goals most important to you. You are the guide to your own life, and I am there to walk beside you in your journey. I look forward to meeting you and navigating through this process together. I know that the first step can be hard, but you deserve to live a life you are happy with.

Jessica holds a Master's degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Stockton University. Jessica's journey as a mental health professional began with a strong belief in unconditional positive regard. She is dedicated to providing compassionate support and guidance to individuals seeking emotional well-being. Her true passion lies in helping children, adolescents, and adults rediscover their life purpose along with navigating their presenting concerns using a collaborative and holistic approach. Jessica is consistent in demonstrating loyalty, empathy, and trust and believes in utilizing talk therapy, with a person-centered approach to help her clients cope with distress.

As a mental health counselor, it is my desire to provide my clients with unconditional positive regard, along with a comfortable environment to feel understood and heard.

Donna is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of New Jersey. Donna attended Georgian Court College and has an undergraduate degree in Special Education. She has a master’s degree in social work from Monmouth University with a concentration in clinical practice with families and children. Donna works primarily with individuals who are struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. Donna has experience providing individual, couples, and group therapy with varying diagnoses including anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, grief, and trauma. Donna believes that utilizing a client-centered empowerment approach along with cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and dialectical behavioral therapy allows every individual to find their path.

I aspire to work alongside each individual as they navigate their journey. I believe each person has the ability to harness their strengths and to find success.

Josh has his Master's in Clinical Social Work from Rutgers University with a specialization in interpersonal trauma and violence. Josh also has a passion for working with adolescents. During his internship at a local public high school, he recognized the importance of emotional and social health as well as the academic health of our youth. Josh's experience serving in the military has given him an insider's view of the mental health challenges our service men and women are facing.

My goal, for all my clients, is to provide a safe space without judgement while working toward any goals we may establish.

Steven holds a Master's Degree in Social Work with a clinical concentration from Stockton University in addition to a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Health Education. He received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and approaches therapy with an eclectic, strengths-based perspective to meet the client where they are currently to improve their quality of life. Steven has years of experience working in the community mental health sector where he gained exposure to multiple populations as well as extensive knowledge of community resources and made valuable connections across Ocean County. He has worked with a range of individuals that suffer from depression, anxiety, ADHD, mood and personality disorders, and other issues such as sexuality, gender, identity, and career/job coaching. Steven enjoys working with adolescents and young adults to help foster a bright future for society.

I am passionate about helping others and love to work with individuals that are motivated to be the best versions of themselves. I will work with you to identify strengths, needs, and goals in order to challenge maladaptive thought processes and coping skills, in addition to changing behaviors as a whole. If you've made the decision to seek change, you've already taken care of the hardest step!

Ariana has her Master's level in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Stockton University. Ariana has previous experience at the Stockton Wellness Center working with adults and adolescents experiencing significant anxiety, trauma, and stress related disorders. Ariana uses a combination of strengths based, person-centered, and cognitive-behavioral approaches in counseling to help clients progress towards their established goals. She believes in encouraging clients to make healthier empowering choices to help them achieve a reduction in stress related symptoms and to have a more positive and fulfilling daily experience.

My approach to counseling comes from my experience and the growing body of supportive literature that the therapeutic relationship a counselor forms with each client can be the most powerful tool for helping clients change. I will provide each client with the empathy, compassion, and authenticity that they need to create lasting changes in their lives.

One of the most critical elements of effective counseling is establishing a strong connection with your therapist. At Mindful Solutions NJ, we understand that each individual’s path to healing is unique and requires a personalized approach. That’s why we offer a free initial phone consultation to help you find the right fit before committing to any fees or a long-term therapeutic relationship.

During this no-cost consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your reasons for seeking therapy and learn about the qualifications, training, and counseling style of our therapists. We believe in the inherent ability of every person to heal and thrive, and we are honored to support you on your journey toward a fulfilling life.

Contact Mindful Solutions NJ today at (732) 281-2060 to schedule your free 30-minute phone consultation and take the first step toward a meaningful therapeutic partnership.

About Us

Kasey Lardieri

Kristi Katuran

Sarah Jasak

Tessa Jones

Carissa McDonald

Jessica Chiarello

Donna Fontana

Josh Gallagher

Devon Dorso

Steven Ashmont

Ariana Maggio

Ginny