The 90-Second Rule: How Neuroscience Teaches Us to Let Go of Emotions
#MentalHealthAwareness #CopingSkills #EmotionalResilience #MindsetShift #90SecondRule

#MentalHealthAwareness #CopingSkills #EmotionalResilience #MindsetShift #90SecondRule

Book an appointment today with Marie Alice Stout, LSW, LCADC.
About Me
I have nearly a decade of experience working in the field of substance use, mental health, and peer support, having begun my career as a Recovery Specialist. I hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Fordham University and am both a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) and Licensed Social Worker (LSW). In addition, I am certified in Mindfulness, C-DBT (Cognitive Dialectical Behavior Therapy), and Telehealth Counseling.
My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and action-oriented. I aim to help each individual uncover their potential, overcome fears, and navigate life’s challenges through a blend of evidence-based techniques and supportive guidance. Together, we will create a personalized action plan to strengthen coping skills, communication, emotional regulation, and self-advocacy.
I believe that therapy is not just about healing—it’s about growth. Whether you’re working through addiction, mental health concerns, difficult relationships, or a negative self-image, I provide a safe and non-judgmental space to help you develop insight, resilience, and tools for lasting change. My mission is to help you move forward with confidence and reclaim your inner strength.
Book your appointment with Marie Alice, today!
🧩 Is Your Child’s School Meeting Their Needs?
If your child is on the autism spectrum or requires ABA services and their school just isn’t providing the support they deserve, Step Up Family Services is here to help.
🌟 We offer individualized, Center-Based ABA therapy & autism support designed to unlock every child’s potential—right in Brick, NJ and Parsippany, NJ, during the day.
👪 Because your child’s future shouldn’t be defined by limitations, but by possibility.
📍 Visit ABA Learning Center Information to learn more and schedule a consultation today!
📸 Tag us, follow us, and share with families who need to know they have options. #StepUpFamilyServices #ABAtherapy #AutismSupport #BrickNJ #ParsippanyNJ #SpecialNeedsCare #MorrisCounty #OceanCounty #School #Education

The Power of Wraparound Collaboration: Transforming Mental Health and ABA Services
At Step Up Family Services, we believe that healing and growth don’t happen in isolation—they happen through connection. That’s why we champion the wraparound model: a collaborative, family-centered approach that brings together a team of professionals, caregivers, and community supports to create a unified plan for each individual’s success.
What Is Wraparound Collaboration?
Wraparound collaboration is more than just a buzzword—it’s a structured, holistic approach to care. Originally developed to support children with complex emotional and behavioral needs, the wraparound model ensures that all service providers—mental health therapists, ABA specialists, educators, and family members—work together toward shared goals 1.
At the heart of this model is a dedicated care coordinator who ensures communication flows smoothly between all parties. This person helps align strategies, track progress, and adjust plans as needed, ensuring that the individual’s needs remain front and center.
Why It Matters in Mental Health and ABA Services
Mental health and ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) services often intersect, especially for children and adolescents with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or trauma-related challenges. Without collaboration, these services can become fragmented—leading to confusion, inconsistent strategies, and missed opportunities for progress.
Here’s how wraparound collaboration makes a difference:
Consistency Across Environments: When ABA therapists and mental health counselors share insights and strategies, children receive consistent support at home, in school, and in therapy sessions.
Family Empowerment: Families are not just passive recipients of care—they’re active members of the team. Wraparound planning ensures their voices are heard and their strengths are leveraged.
Faster, More Sustainable Progress: Unified goals and coordinated interventions reduce redundancy and accelerate growth.
Crisis Prevention and Response: With a team in place, families have a built-in support network ready to respond to challenges before they escalate.
Real Impact, Real Stories
At Step Up Family Services, we’ve seen firsthand how wraparound collaboration transforms lives. Whether it’s a child learning to regulate emotions more effectively or a family finally feeling supported and understood, the outcomes speak for themselves.
One parent shared:
“My daughter currently receives services through Step Up and we could not be happier. They have gone above and beyond and consistently exceed our expectations. My team is amazing and I cannot thank them enough for their continued support.”
Our Commitment to Holistic, Family-Centered Care
With locations in Brick and Parsippany, NJ, our team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), licensed therapists, and care coordinators are dedicated to providing personalized, wraparound support. Whether through in-home ABA therapy, outpatient counseling, or diagnostic services, we’re here to walk alongside you—every step of the way.
Ready to experience the difference of wraparound care?
Contact us today to learn how we can build a support team tailored to your family’s needs.

This conference was really eye-opening, Jay and the Wraparound the World crew are the foundation of all human service. (mentalhealth, behavioralhealth, psychiatricservices, schools) WRAPAROUND we are at a pivotal moment in where we can continue down the path of closing JDCs through wraparound or revert back to case management and increase recidivism again.
It is time to be proactive instead of reactive. The wraparound model is more than what is presented. It is the designed base for the NewJersey children's system of Care, but it should be incorporated in all mentalhealth and BehavioralHealth treatment. it's time to fix our JuvenileJustice & CriminalJustice systems. Autism ABA SubstanceAbuse
it was an honor to present with Ken McGill at the20255 National Wraparound Conference.
Dr. David Timpanaro- Presenting
While at the 2025 National Wraparound Conference, I was given the opportunity to present how hashtagwraparound reduces hashtagrecidivism and can reduce workload through shared responsibilities. Please see my slides by scanning this QR Code.

When you're supporting a child or loved one through therapy, whether outpatient counseling or a more intensive program, you shouldn't have to do it alone, nor should your care team. The best outcomes happen when everyone involved works together toward the same goals. That’s the power of Wraparound Treatment and collaboration in therapy.
Families, providers, therapists, and specialists all have a voice. Everyone brings their perspective, and together, those insights shape a wraparound treatment plan that reflects the client’s needs, strengths, and future goals.
Let’s talk about why this team-based approach is so effective, how it creates stronger relationships between providers and families, and how it gives every client the support and consistency they need.
Originally developed to support children and families, the wraparound model creates a structure where a dedicated point person coordinates a team of professionals across different areas of expertise. Instead of working in silos, providers can share insights, distribute responsibilities, and build a treatment plan that fits the client's full picture—not just a single issue.
Even when different organizations use different terms, such as “client” instead of “family,” the idea remains the same: a collaborative plan makes care more effective. This approach is especially important in fields like behavioral health, criminal justice, substance use support, hospice care, and case management, where needs often overlap.
Here’s how this collaborative approach can make a real difference in your or your child’s life:
A wraparound plan considers your or your child’s physical, emotional, and social needs—not just one part of the situation.
By focusing on the full picture, your team can spot challenges that might go unnoticed. This kind of care helps you move forward more completely and lastingly.
No two people are alike; your treatment plan shouldn’t be either. A collaborative plan builds your or your child’s care around unique strengths, challenges, and goals.
Different professionals come together to ensure your plan fits your life, making you more likely to stay engaged and feel supported.
When you or your child’s providers communicate and work together, you don’t have to worry about mixed messages or repeating yourself.
A wraparound plan keeps everyone in sync, helping your care move forward more smoothly and effectively.
When people with different training and perspectives come together, you benefit from more ideas, strategies, and ways to solve problems.
This can be especially helpful if your needs are complex or difficult to manage with traditional approaches.
In a wraparound plan, every provider knows their role and takes responsibility for it. That means less confusion, better follow-through, and more efficient and effective care.
At Step Up Family Services, we believe that strong collaboration leads to strong outcomes. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your child, or a loved one, you deserve a plan that supports every part of life and a team that walks beside you, not ahead of you. With offices in Brick and Parsippany, NJ, we offer center-based and in-home services designed to meet your needs with care and respect. Contact us today.