Our Therapists

Director

Dr. David Helfgott holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Yeshiva University, NY. Dr. Helfgott initially worked with Veterans, victims of traumatic brain injury, and individuals suffering with dementia, in various hospitals in New York. After working with children in an inner-city outpatient clinic of East Orange Hospital in New Jersey (now Carewell Health), he shifted his focus to private practice. He received training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy under senior psychoanalysts affiliated with the Academy of Contemporary and Applied Psychoanalysis (ACAP), Livingston, NJ, and the Center for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis of New Jersey (CPPNJ). In 2013, he launched Insight Psychological Group to extend his unique vision of psychotherapy, bring more like-minded practitioners together, and offer better access to quality psychological care to more individuals searching for answers. He is a member of the American Psychological Association and the New Jersey Psychological Association.

Groups Coordinator

Cynthia Velasquez is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who received her Masters in Psychology from Kean University. Cynthia works with individuals and families who struggle with a variety of issues related to depression, anxiety, high risk behavior, addiction, trauma, and grief. Prior to joining IPG, she worked as a clinician and group coordinator at High Focus Centers’ Partial Hospital and Intensive Outpatient Programs, helping adolescents and adults learn coping skills, grounding techniques, and effective communications skills to manage their symptoms before they could move to a lower risk treatment environment. Cynthia is a compassionate and engaging therapist who strives to provide the highest quality treatment which empowers individuals to achieve their utmost potential.

At IPG Cynthia also serves as Groups Coordinator.

Dr. Katherine Homa is a postdoctoral fellow at Insight Psychological Group.  She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.  Her academic and clinical training has been grounded in the use of evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral practices, which focus on the relationship among factors such as thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and how they impact daily functioning.  Additionally, Dr. Homa is well-versed in implementing other treatment modalities, such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy, in order to provide a comprehensive treatment approach.  She has experience working in outpatient and inpatient treatment settings, substance use organizations, partial care programs, as well as conducting psychological evaluations in children, adolescents, and adults in order to provide greater diagnostic clarity.  Dr. Homa views therapy as a collaborative process wherein the relationship is based on working toward a mutual goal while placing emphasis on the importance of an individual’s autonomy.

Clinical Supervisor

With many years of experience in the mental health field including Director at the Carrier Clinic, Belle Meade, and Lead Social Worker and Clinical Supervisor at Hackensack University Medical Center. Freda Martin specializes in medical psychology, assisting people to enjoy their lives regardless of their medical limitations. Ms. Martin uses an eclectic approach, including cognitive behavioral therapy techniques (CBT), to help people make positive changes in how their thoughts and feelings impact behavior patterns. These techniques, either in individual or group therapy, help people resolve issues that may interfere with daily functioning and enjoyment, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and bereavement.  Freda’s style involves forming a partnership with her patients while working on positive reframing of how they view their world.

Khalilah is Licensed Social Worker who received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Montclair State University and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of New Haven. Her expertise includes working with individuals (children, teens and adults) with depression, anxiety, trauma, mood disorders, work/life issues, and ADHD.  Khalilah has worked with a diverse set of populations prior to joining IPG, including at community mental health clinics, with primary school students, and with formerly incarcerated individuals. Khalilah has a warm and friendly approach that focuses on the importance of the therapeutic relationship and creating a safe space for clients to share their experiences. She approaches counseling from a strengths-based and psychodynamic lens, and integrates cognitive behavioral and trauma-focused perspectives as well. She collaborates with each client to identify their goals and emphasizes utilizing mindfulness techniques to cope through life’s challenges.

Sara Shapiro is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master’s degree in Social Work, with a concentration in Family dynamics, from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Sara’s professional style when working with individuals, couples, families and groups is supportive, empathic and non-judgemental. She incorporates a strength based, client-centered approach with her clients. Sara utilizes multiple treatment modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, solution focused therapy, motivational interviewing and systems theory. Sara’s experience includes working with a diverse population including children and families involved in custody disputes, individuals with dementia and their caregivers, and people grieving the loss of a loved one. Sara’s currently treats clients presenting with anxiety, depression, parenting issues, trauma, grief, relationship issues, executive functioning difficulty, life transitions, intergenerational issues, fertility journeys and caregiver stress. Sara values creating a safe space to empower her clients as they navigate their personal life journeys.

Joseph (“Joe”) earned his Masters degree in Social Work from Long Island University. He works with teens and adults. Joseph’s therapeutic approach is to help clients attain a fulfilling and healthy emotional life by learning how to respond to life’s stressors in a healthy way.  This is accomplished over time by creating a supportive, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship, in which Joseph helps his clients develop a bird’s eye view of their current responses to life’s stressors.  In addition, Joseph utilizes aspects of a person-centered approach in addition to elements of CBT and DBT to support his clients work towards their goals. Joseph has experience working in outpatient, intensive outpatient as well as inpatient facilities supporting clients with co-occurring mental and behavioral health disorders.

Samantha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor who received her Master’s degree from Rutgers University. Samantha has experience working with adolescents, families, and adults, both individually and in group, in a variety of different mental health settings including inpatient and intensive outpatient (IOP). Prior to working at IPG Samantha worked within the Children’s System of Care in both crisis response and case management as well various intensive outpatient programs for both adolescents and adults with substance use challenges. Samantha has a holistic approach to treatment and draws from an eclectic therapeutic background including Motivational interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and strengths-based therapy.  Samantha also currently works in a co-occurring Intensive Outpatient Program. 

Hadas Mavashev is a Licensed Social Worker and an English/Hebrew bilingual therapist. Hadas earned her B.S.W from Sapir Academic College in Israel, and her Master’s in Social Work from Montclair State University, with a specialization in children, adolescents, and families. Prior to joining IPG, Hadas worked in a variety of settings, including school, substance abuse, intensive in-patient, and outpatient programs, as well as a youth probation officer for teens at risk. Hadas uses an eclectic approach to therapy for addressing her clients’ needs such as through Strength Based interventions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Her belief is that people who face various challenges in their lives can recover and experience a high sense of self-worth, satisfaction, and productivity when a holistic approach is being tailored to their overall needs.

Kelly Peck is a Licensed Social Worker who treats children, teens and adults. She earned her Master’s Degree at Seton Hall University and comes to Insight having most recently worked with youth facing emotional and behavioral challenges at a residential treatment center in central New Jersey. In therapy, Ms. Peck seeks to create a space for people of all ages and backgrounds to feel safe, connected and heard. Ms. Peck blends different modalities when working with clients which include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.

Rayna Choquette (she/her) is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) who earned her Master’s degree from Rutgers University. She works with individuals and families through many issues related to depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, and grief.  She is also trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation skills. Prior to joining IPG, Rayna worked with adults in a wide variety of settings, including residential intensive support with community support services, psychiatric inpatient units, and behavioral health outpatient services. She also worked with children in providing individual and group counseling to elementary students classified with emotional and behavioral challenges. With a deep respect for the therapeutic relationship, she practices through trauma informed and anti-oppressive lenses, ever mindful of the unique individual’s personal strengths and right to self-determination.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Attachment-based Therapy influence her therapeutic approaches.  She is currently a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Karolyn Estevez is a Licensed Social Worker who received her Master’s Degree from Rutgers University School of Social Work.  She treats clients across the lifespan with a particular focus on adolescents and young adults coping with anxiety, depression, trauma history, relational and life stage adjustment issues. In addition to her work at IPG, she also works at a therapeutic day school for children and adolescents providing intensive psychotherapy. Her previous settings included, crisis management in the emergency room, outpatient therapy, and school-based therapy. Karolyn conducts therapy from a strength-based approach, utilizing different treatment modalities and techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused, Mindfulness and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Her therapeutic approach is collaborative as she aims to create a safe and supportive environment that helps empower her clients to navigate their life experiences.

Senior Practice Administrator

Melissa Servedio is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of New Jersey.  In addition to Practice Manager, Ms. Servedio is also the Intake Coordinator for IPG. Clinically, Ms. Servedio treats adults and teens struggling with a variety of disorders including anxiety, school refusal, depression, adjustment related difficulties, family stressors, and relationship struggles. Ms. Servedio received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Kean University with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health.  Prior to arriving at IPG, Ms. Servedio worked in a school based program, providing individual, group, and family counseling to middle and high school students and their families, helping teens transition from high school to college, as well as facilitating grief support groups for children. She has also worked at telephone and online crisis and sexual assault hotlines.  Ms. Servedio uses a variety of techniques and theories when working with clients, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialetical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

Clinical Supervisor

Olga Elkind is a licensed clinical social worker, bilingual in English and Russian, with an eclectic approach to working with clients. She works with teenagers, young adults, and adults on a range of issues including life changes, depression, fear, trauma, and anxiety. Ms. Elkind holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from NYU’s Silver School of Social Work, is a Certified Rape Crisis Advocate, a court appointed Article 81 Guardian in the State of New York and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. As an active supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, she empowers all individuals to explore and be comfortable with themselves. Ms. Elkind also enjoys helping women and men who are experiencing prenatal or postnatal depression and anxiety.

Anna Tivade is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) who earned her Master’s degree in Social Work at Rutgers University. Anna works with adults, families, couples, and teens with various mental health issues such as parenting challenges, divorce, family conflict, anxiety, depression, end of life and grief, and faith and spirituality. Anna has a holistic background that contributes to her integrative therapeutic approach which includes Bowen Family Systems, CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, and the Gottman Method. Before working with IPG, Anna facilitated mutual support groups and spoke on podcast shows and conferences on the topic of Parental Alienation. She also facilitated therapy groups in intensive outpatient (IOP) and partial hospitalization programs (PHP), worked with children and families as an IIC (Intensive In-Community services) and did traditional psychotherapy in private practice. She is a member of National Association of Social Workers-NJ (NASW-NJ), Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), and Association of Family Conciliation Courts (AFCC).

Trucly Hernandez is a Licensed Social Worker who received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Simmons University and her Bachelor’s degree in Family Child Studies from Montclair State University. Trucly gained clinical training in providing therapy to patients and families at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in Hackensack, NJ and at Family Intervention Services in Paterson, NJ. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with depression, anxiety, and trauma. Trucly also has experience working with new mothers providing perinatal therapy,  and she continues her education on evidence-based practice for perinatal mood disorders. She is skilled in cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and play therapy. Prior to joining IPG, Trucly provided therapy in private practice and supportive case management for individuals and families experiencing homelessness through her work at The Salvation Army. Her therapeutic approach is collaborative and strength-based and she strives to create a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment where clients can work towards their identified goals.

Clinical Supervisor

Alexia Arntz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master’s Degree from Kean University. With a background and undergraduate degree in art, Ms. Arntz’s incorporates creativity and freedom of expression in treating clients struggling with depression, anxiety, and bereavement. Ms. Arntz also works with clients in managing stress, working through relationship and parenting issues, and improving communication skills. She provides psychotherapy for adults as well as children and adolescents, incorporating Solution-Focused therapies with Psychodynamic Theory. Her clinical experience includes supportive counseling and psychotherapy in nonprofit agencies and counseling centers, as well as facilitating grief support groups in hospital settings. Ms. Arntz is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the New Jersey Association of Women Therapists (NJAWT).

Brett Vasquez is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who received her Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to turning to private practice at IPG where she currently provides counseling to children, adolescents, and adults, she was a school counselor for ten years, gaining invaluable experience understanding the unique challenges faced by families in the preschool through high school years in terms of separation anxiety, school phobias, and various other school-related stressors. Ms. Vasquez uses a variety of therapy techniques in her work, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), treating anxiety, depression, behavioral issues in children, and family conflict. She also specializes in OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Ms. Vasquez has been trained through the IOCDF’s Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) and utilizes Exposure and Response Prevention in her treatment.

Olivia Schutz is a Licensed Associate Counselor and National Certified Counselor who earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fairleigh Dickinson University and her Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from The College of New Jersey. Olivia works with adults, adolescents, and children experiencing anxiety and depressive disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, life transitions, substance abuse, grief and parenting struggles. Olivia has previous experience working with clients both in outpatient, as well as a partial hospitalization settings, conducting both group and individual therapy. She utilizes a Cognitive-Behavioral, Dialectical-Behavioral and Person-Centered approach to process and teach individualized coping skills to clients so they feel heard and validated, and can successfully reach their therapeutic goals. 

Christina Pallotta is a compassionate, dedicated, Licensed Social Worker with a vast knowledge of human behavior, wellness and mental health. A Certified Health and Nutrition specialist, Ms. Pallotta spent many years in the field of nutrition and holistic health. She then obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Simmons University in Massachusetts, and has since worked in a variety of community mental health and elementary school settings. She currently treats children and adults who are struggling with depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, trauma, relationship challenges, stress, and parenting issues. Christina utilizes psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), narrative therapy and solution focused therapy techniques in her work with clients. She uses a client-centered and collaborative approach in order to create a safe and welcoming space for clients to explore any and all of their experiences.

Laura Kearney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She works from a strengths-based approach and draws from her knowledge of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), positive parenting, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Her work is informed by her past positions held at county mental health agencies, private practice, school-based counseling, a youth crisis support line, and assertive community treatment programs. Ms. Kearney currently provides counseling to teens and their families, adults, and couples. She works collaboratively with her clients to empower them to gain the coping skills and confidence to manage concerns related to depression, anxiety, work/life balance, relationship stressors, parenting, adjustment to transitions in life, caregiving, loss, and trauma.

Bridget Reilly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s Degree from New York University. Bridget trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies in New York, NY, where she provided counseling to individuals across a range of issues, including identity, anxiety, depression and conflict.  With several years of experience in a hospital intensive care unit, she also developed expertise in crisis intervention and trauma, having supported individuals and families through life’s toughest decisions. She obtained a Post-Master’s Certificate in Palliative & End-of-Life Care from NYU and specializes in grief/bereavement as well as chronic and/or terminal illness. In therapy, Bridget values the client’s self-determination and collaboration, fostering an empathic and non-judgmental environment through a strengths-based perspective. She believes in the power of the therapeutic process to enact change and gain insight to one’s self.

Julie Goetz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of New Jersey who earned her Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University.  Julie is a warm and nurturing mental health professional who provides a safe, supportive, culturally sensitive, non-judgmental environment where teens, adults and families feel comfortable to explore issues and find solutions to the challenges they are facing. Julie uses a variety of psychotherapy modalities to provide strength-based, individualized care uniquely tailored to her client’s needs. She has experience working in both inpatient and outpatient mental health settings and has worked with clients of all ages with symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, adjustment difficulties and substance abuse.

Tina Pisani is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who earned her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Caldwell University. Tina is also a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and treats adults, children, couples, and families. Her therapeutic approach includes a variety of techniques which include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Multicultural Relational Theory, and mindfulness. Tina’s wide-ranging past experiences include working with children in schools, with women who have a history of trauma, and with clients who are dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, eating disorders, woman’s issues, post traumatic stress, and self harm.