HIRING for Outpatient Therapists in Parsippany, NJ
Outpatient Therapist
Step Up Family Services is seeking a clinically licensed therapist (LCSW or LPC) to join our growing outpatient counseling team for a varied caseload of children through adults. Part time -full time caseloads available and hours are flexible based on your availability. Experience in working with children and adolescents is necessary. Days, evening and weekend hours available. Not required to get your own referrals.
Therapist may provide both in person sessions and Telehealth sessions.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $50.00 - $65.00 per hour
Expected hours: 10 – 20 per week
Benefits:
Flexible schedule
Paid time off
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Parsippany, NJ 07054
Please click here to APPLY
Family Court and the Unethical Practices
What secrets are family courts hiding???
Dr. David Timpanaro, CEO of Step Up Family Services connects with Catherine Jones to discuss Family Court. Dr. Timpanaro has been involved in this area of the field for over two decades.
It starts in a courtroom with no cameras, no public transcripts, and no clear accountability. But, behind those closed doors, a quiet pattern is repeating itself. According to Dr. David Timpanaro, the CEO of Step Up Family Services in New Jersey, in recent years, mothers are losing custody, and “experts” are profiting. And children? Well, they’re caught in the middle of it all. Welcome to family court.
Please read and share if it hits for you:
Behind Closed Doors: What Family Court Doesn’t Want You to See
It starts in a courtroom with no cameras, no public transcripts, and no clear accountability. But, behind those closed doors, a quiet pattern is repeating itself. According to Dr. David Timpanaro, the CEO of Step Up Family Services in New Jersey, in recent years, mothers are losing custody, and “experts” are profiting. And children? Well, they’re caught in the middle of it all. Welcome to family court.
A System Built on Silence
Timpanaro says he’s been in the family court trenches for decades, as a professional working within the system. He holds a PhD in multidisciplinary human services, with a focus on what he calls “practices around children and families.” His job is to create what he describes as “a wraparound plan to ensure the success of that child and family,” pulling together court systems, therapists, schools, and psychiatrists who, he explains, often don’t communicate at all. But the courts are not working as planned. And he says that what he has seen from inside that system is deeply troubling.
“You have children and families that have court involvement, psychiatry involvement, psychology involvement, school and IEP involvement, private therapist involvement, and none of these entities talk to each other,” he says.
In fact, he says he has noticed a concerning and recurring issue in the past decade: the courts have turned against mothers. And that breakdown opens the door for unethical practices, often hurting the very people the system is designed to protect. What may seem shocking to the public is just routine in the family court world, he says. One example is a case unfolding in Jesup, Georgia, where a child has been removed from her mother’s home completely, without due process.
“It’s not unusual,” Timpanaro says.
Experts Without Oversight
Timpanaro believes real change must include transparency, retraining, and oversight. Because the stakes are too high. “These professionals thrive in a system that’s fractured,” he says.
“They can manipulate things, and there’s almost no oversight. Judges rely too heavily on their word, even when those so-called experts are acting unethically. That’s dangerous.”
The emotional toll runs deep, not only for the parents caught in the system, but for the children whose futures hang in the balance.
“When I entered family court, I believed it was about truth and justice. I quickly learned it was about business transactions,” Tina Swithin, founder of the advocacy organization One Mom’s Battle, writes. “To the system, your life is another case file, another hearing, another line on the docket. It is inhumane and calloused. … Expecting justice or fairness in family court is like searching for an avocado in a hardware store.”
The Rise of the Pink Sign Protest
Still, there is hope. Across the country, concerned mothers and other victims of family court are stepping out of the shadows. They’re showing up with hot pink signs and undeniable stories.
“There’s hope in that,” he says. “Once people start pulling back the curtain, it’s hard to unsee what’s really going on.”
The signs are part of a growing national, grassroots movement to bring awareness to the country’s family court system. Recently featured on the WPLG’s World News segment, the hot pink sign movement started with a handful of mothers demanding visibility and has since grown into a national symbol of protest and survival.
The Pink Signs That Say Everything
From front yards in Georgia to sidewalks in California, the hot pink signs with children’s photos are raising awareness, one family court case at a time. Much like the pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness, these signs are turning a spotlight on a crisis that has long remained hidden for years. Each sign carries the message that something is deeply wrong inside the nation’s family court system.
Timpanaro and a growing network of advocates believe these signs will awaken the public to the need for urgent reform. They see them as the start of a national reckoning. The hot pink signs force the country to ask a long-overdue question: what happens when the system meant to protect families becomes the one that tears them apart?
Collaborating for successful ABA and Mental Health goals!
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.
Wraparound The World!
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.
While at the 2025 National Wraparound Conference, I was given the opportunity to present how hashtag#wraparound reduces hashtag#recidivism and can reduce workload through shared responsibilities. Please see my slides by scanning this QR Code.
How Wraparound Treatment Plans Support You & Your Providers
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.
What is a Wraparound Treatment Plan?
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.
Key Benefits of a Wraparound Treatment Plan for You and Your Family
Here’s how this collaborative approach can make a real difference in your or your child’s life:
Whole-Person Care
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.
Care That Fits You
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.
Everyone is on the Same Page
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.
Creative Problem-Solving
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.
Clear Roles, Better Results
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.
Get Compassionate Care and Collaborative Support in Brick and Parsippany, NJ
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.
ABA Therapy for Kids: Changing the Approach to Autism Support
Supporting a child with autism can be a challenging journey, often filled with choices that promise progress. ABA therapy stands out for its lasting impact. It gives children essential skills that promote progress and open up new possibilities for families.
It’s not just about teaching behaviors; it’s about empowering kids to connect, communicate, and take meaningful steps forward.
Let’s dive into how ABA therapy is transforming autism treatment, offering you and your child a way forward with support, confidence, and the tools to make a difference.
Understanding ABA Therapy
ABA therapy, short for applied behavior analysis, is an evidence-based behavioral approach used for individuals with autism and other developmental disorders. The core principle is that rewarding certain behaviors encourages children to repeat them.
ABA therapy encourages children to repeat positive behaviors by rewarding them. Behaviors that aren’t reinforced gradually lessen, leading to meaningful, positive changes over time.
Parents often play an integral role in this process. They work alongside therapists, learning methods to reinforce positive behavior at home and in everyday situations. Through consistent practice, many children see significant improvements over time.
What are the Benefits of ABA Therapy for Children?
The advantages of ABA therapy for children with ASD are vast. Here are some of the most notable ways it can help are:
Improved Social Skills: ABA therapy helps children develop social skills by teaching them how to interact with others, make friends, and engage in appropriate behaviors.
Enhanced Communication: Many children with autism struggle with communication, whether it’s verbal or non-verbal.
ABA therapy uses techniques such as visual aids and positive reinforcement to help children learn how to communicate effectively.
Reduced Challenging Behaviors: ABA therapy focuses on modifying challenging behaviors by identifying the triggers and replacing them with more appropriate responses.
This can help reduce meltdowns, tantrums, and other disruptive behaviors.
Increases Independence: ABA therapy helps children develop the skills they need to be more independent by breaking down complex skills into smaller, more manageable steps.
This can include self-care tasks like dressing and brushing teeth and academic skills like reading and writing.
Promotes Generalization: A key focus of applied behavior analysis is generalization, which involves teaching skills across different environments and with various people.
This approach helps children use the skills they’ve learned in real-life situations and interact effectively with different individuals.
Involves Parents and Care Providers: ABA therapy involves parents and caregivers in the treatment process, providing them with the tools and strategies to support their child's progress at home.
Evidence-Based: Applied behavior analysis has been scientifically proven effective in treating autism.
This assurance gives parents and caregivers confidence in offering their child a highly reliable treatment.
Comprehensive ABA Therapy for Children in Parsippany, NJ
At Step Up Family Services, we are dedicated to helping children with ASD and other developmental challenges reach their full potential through ABA therapy. Our program is thoughtfully designed to provide the comprehensive, compassionate support your child deserves.
We invite you to explore our community-based ABA services in Brick, New Jersey, and at our offices on New Road in Parsippany. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your child’s growth and development.
