"Our approach is simple, effective, and built around connection — and it begins with our signature 3‑Step Support Journey, designed to guide every client from their first call to lasting progress."
Step Up Family Mental Health Support Services . Every journey begins one step at a time.
At Step Up Family Services, we believe that meaningful healing starts with feeling safe, supported, and truly heard. Families across New Jersey trust our team because we provide immediate access to compassionate mental health support services without the long wait times that often prevent people from getting help when they need it most. Our approach is simple, effective, and built around connection — and it begins with our signature 3‑Step Support Journey, designed to guide every client from their first call to lasting progress.
The 3‑Step Support Journey for Mental Health Support Services
1️⃣ Welcome & Stability Session
Your journey begins with a warm, supportive session focused on safety, grounding, and immediate stabilization. Clients meet with an experienced professional who listens closely, understands their needs, and provides tools they can use right away.
2️⃣ Personalized Care Plan Session
In step two, we work together to build a care plan that reflects your goals, your voice, and your unique circumstances. This collaborative session empowers clients and families to take an active role in shaping their path forward.
3️⃣ Progress & Hope Session
The final step celebrates growth and strengthens your support system. We review improvements, identify what feels easier, and highlight the progress you’ve made. Clients also receive premium resources to continue building confidence and resilience.
At Step Up Family Services, healing begins with safety, trust, and hope. Our no‑waitlist model ensures that children, teens, and adults can access care quickly, with experienced therapists who are among the most sought‑after in New Jersey.
📍 StepUpFamilyServices.com | 973‑298‑0763
Step Up Family Services supports you with the help and structure you need.
The 3‑Step Support Journey for mental health support services
A compassionate pathway for new clients and families:
2️⃣ Personalized Care Plan Session – Your goals. Your voice. Your journey.
3️⃣ Progress & Hope Session – Celebrate growth and strengthen your support system.
💚 Healing begins with safety, trust, and hope.
Immediate access. Compassionate care. No waitlist.
📍 StepUpFamilyServices.com | 973‑298‑0763
"Step Up Family Services is proud to announce the expansion of our mental health and ABA therapy programs in Brick, New Jersey — a move designed to increase access, reduce wait times, and better serve children, teens, adults, and families across Ocean and Monmouth Counties."
📝 OPEN ENROLLMENT:
Step Up Family Services Expands Behavioral Health & ABA Services in Brick, NJ
Step Up Family Services Announces Major Expansion at 74 Brick Blvd., Brick NJ
Step Up Family Services is proud to announce the expansion of our mental health and ABA therapy programs in Brick, New Jersey — a move designed to increase access, reduce wait times, and better serve children, teens, adults, and families across Ocean and Monmouth Counties.
With growing community need and a commitment to providing high‑quality, compassionate care, Step Up is expanding into two dedicated suites at our Brick location:
🌿 Outpatient Mental Health Counseling Now Open at Suite #114 — No Waitlist, Open Enrollment
Our new Outpatient Counseling Center at 74 Brick Blvd., Suite #114 is officially open and accepting new clients with NO WAITLIST.
We provide comprehensive mental health services for:
General Mental Health
Trauma Therapy
Family Counseling
Children & Adolescents
Depression & Anxiety
Behavioral & Emotional Challenges
Parenting Support
Stress, Adjustment, and Life Transitions
Our licensed clinicians offer evidence‑based, client‑centered care in a welcoming, supportive environment. Whether an individual with specialized treatment needs or family seeking ongoing therapy, short‑term support, Step Up is ready to help — without delays.
🧩 ABA Therapy Expands Into Larger Suite #120 — Open Enrollment & No Waitlist
Due to increased demand and our commitment to providing high‑quality Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, Step Up Family Services is expanding ABA operations into a larger, dedicated space at 74 Brick Blvd., Suite #120.
This expansion allows us to offer:
Open Enrollment
No Waitlist
Larger therapy rooms
More 1:1 and small‑group learning areas
Enhanced parent training and support
Increased capacity for early learners, school‑aged children, and teens
Families can access individualized ABA treatment plans, BCBA‑led programming, and a collaborative, family‑centered approach — all without the long delays common in the region.
💙 Our Commitment to the Community
Step Up Family Services continues to grow because families trust our mission:
to provide accessible, high‑quality behavioral health and ABA services that empower children, strengthen families, and support long‑term success.
With expanded space, increased staffing, and immediate availability, we’re proud to serve the Brick community with the care and responsiveness families deserve.
"There’s a growing belief that teenagers “deserve privacy” on their phones and social media. It sounds respectful and modern—but in reality, it can leave young people exposed to dangers they are not developmentally equipped to handle alone."
*Why Parents Must Stay Involved in Their Teen’s Social Media and Phone Use*
There’s a growing belief that teenagers “deserve privacy” on their phones and social media. It sounds respectful and modern—but in reality, it can leave young people exposed to dangers they are not developmentally equipped to handle alone.
The digital world is not neutral. It is full of adults who deliberately target teens because they know exactly how to manipulate them. And when parents step back under the banner of “privacy,” teens are left to navigate predators, scammers, and high‑pressure social situations with no safety net.
Parents (me included) — your teen’s phone is not a private world. It’s a doorway.
And on the other side are scammers, predators, and adults who know exactly how to manipulate kids.
Scammers message teens on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok — then switch to text to pressure them. They send inappropriate photos, push teens to respond, and then flip to threats and extortion. This is a scripted tactic used worldwide.
Some teens become so overwhelmed with shame and fear that they feel trapped and hopeless. No child should ever carry that alone. This is why monitoring isn’t “controlling.” It’s protection. Know their apps. Check their messages. Keep accounts private. Stay involved.
And if your teen has been targeted — or even came close — therapy can be life‑changing. It gives them a safe space to talk, helps them understand manipulation, rebuilds confidence, and process fear or embarrassment in a healthy way. It also helps parents learn how to support without judgment.
Social media companies won’t protect our kids.
Law enforcement often can’t.
Parents must.
Stay present. Stay aware. Stay connected.
Your involvement could be the difference between panic and safety.
"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.”
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?
"CBT is a structured, goal-oriented type of therapy that focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and actions."
At Step Up Family Services, we believe every child deserves the tools to thrive. One of the most effective tools we use to support emotional growth and mental wellness is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—a proven, practical approach that helps children and teens understand and manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
What Is CBT?
CBT is a structured, goal-oriented type of therapy that focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and actions. It helps children recognize unhelpful thinking patterns and replace them with healthier, more positive ones.
For example, a child who often thinks, “I’m not good at anything,” may learn to challenge that thought and replace it with, “I’m still learning, and I’ve improved a lot.”
How CBT Supports Children and Teens
CBT is especially effective for children and adolescents dealing with:
Anxiety
Depression
ADHD
Behavioral challenges
Low self-esteem
Trauma or grief
Through age-appropriate techniques like role-playing, journaling, and interactive activities, CBT empowers young people to:
Build confidence
Improve emotional regulation
Strengthen problem-solving skills
Develop healthier relationships
What to Expect in CBT Sessions
CBT sessions are collaborative and engaging. Therapists work closely with children and their families to set goals and track progress. Parents are often included in the process to reinforce skills at home and support long-term success.
Why CBT Works
CBT is backed by decades of research and is considered a gold standard in mental health treatment. It’s effective, short-term, and adaptable to each child’s unique needs.
At Step Up Family Services, our licensed therapists use CBT to help children not just cope—but grow. Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, behavior issues, or just needs extra support, CBT can be a powerful step forward.
"Step Up Family Services thrives on a wraparound model of care, which means every team member—whether a therapist, behavior analyst, or care coordinator—is part of a unified support system"
At Step Up Family Services, the workplace isn’t just where you clock in—it’s where you grow, connect, and make a lasting impact. From the moment you join the team, you become part of a mission-driven community that’s deeply committed to empowering families and transforming lives through compassionate care and collaboration.
A Culture of Collaboration and Care
Step Up Family Services thrives on a wraparound model of care, which means every team member—whether a therapist, behavior analyst, or care coordinator—is part of a unified support system. This collaborative approach ensures that services are consistent, family-centered, and tailored to each individual’s needs [1]. Employees work together across disciplines, creating a dynamic and supportive environment where ideas are shared freely and progress is celebrated collectively.
Empowerment Through Purpose
The organization’s mission is clear: to support and empower children and families through personalized, high-quality services. Staff members are not just employees—they’re advocates, mentors, and change-makers. Whether providing in-home ABA therapy, outpatient counseling, or diagnostic services, every role contributes to a larger purpose of healing and growth [2].
Leadership That Inspires
Led by Dr. David Timpanaro and a team of seasoned professionals, Step Up Family Services is built on a foundation of experience, empathy, and excellence. The leadership team brings decades of expertise in psychology, behavior analysis, and social work, fostering a culture where professional development and personal growth are encouraged [3].
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Core
Step Up Family Services is deeply committed to creating an inclusive environment where every staff member is valued for their skills and contributions. The organization actively supports diversity across race, nationality, gender, sexuality, and religion, ensuring that everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered [3].
Real Impact, Real Stories
The positive energy at Step Up Family Services is reflected in the heartfelt testimonials from families and clients. 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” [2].
Why It’s More Than Just a Job
Working at Step Up Family Services means being part of a team that’s passionate about making a difference. It’s a place where your voice matters, your skills are nurtured, and your work has real meaning. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to grow in a supportive, mission-driven environment, Step Up offers a path to fulfillment and purpose.
"Wraparound collaboration is more than just a buzzword—it’s a structured, holistic approach to care."
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.
"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 New Jersey children's system of Care, but it should be incorporated in all mental health and behavioral health treatment."
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.
"Children with poor emotional regulation often act out. They may have disruptive behaviors because they have not learned a better way to express their feelings."
When a child struggles to manage their emotions, it affects the entire family. Simple, everyday situations become stressful.
Parents searching for a path forward, one that offers real solutions, often find Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.
ABA provides practical tools, not just theories. It is a structured, scientific approach designed to improve a child'sbehavioral health by teaching new skills and reducing challenging behaviors.
This therapy helps create lasting, positive change for children and their families.
What Is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis is a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior. It operates on the principle: Positive behaviors can be taught and encouraged using reinforcement.
While it is well-known for its effectiveness with children who are on the Autism Spectrum, its principles also successfully support children with other developmental and behavioral disorders, like ADHD.
ABA, Emotional Regulation, and Positive Behavioral Health
To understand how ABA works, it's important to first understand two main concepts.
Behavioral health is the direct link between our actions and our overall mental well-being. It includes our habits and our ability to manage daily life.
Emotional regulation is the ability to control our responses to feelings like frustration or disappointment.
Children with poor emotional regulation often act out. They may have disruptive behaviors because they have not learned a better way to express their feelings.
ABA therapy directly addresses this by teaching children to identify and communicate their emotions. It also examines the "ABCs" of behavior:
Antecedent: What happens right before the behavior?
Behavior: The action itself.
Consequence: What happens immediately after the behavior?
By understanding this pattern, a therapist can identify the cause of a behavior. Then, they can teach the child a better way to respond.
For example, if a child screams to escape a difficult task, the therapist can teach them to ask for a break instead. Ultimately, this process replaces a challenging behavior with a useful skill.
Many of these strategies are core to the programs at ourABA learning center.
Building a Toolbox of Positive Coping Skills
ABA therapy proactively builds a foundation of skills that support long-term behavioral health. It helps children develop a toolbox of strategies they can use when they feel overwhelmed.
By mastering these skills through positive reinforcement, children gain confidence and a sense of control. This empowerment is central to their well-being and helps them interact more successfully.
Examples of these skill-building blocks include:
Communication Skills. Teaching a child to ask for what they need, whether it's a toy, a hug, or help.
Social Skills. Practicing how to take turns in a game, share with a friend, or make eye contact.
Daily Living Skills. Building independence through routines like brushing teeth, getting dressed, or cleaning up.
Tolerating "No". Learning to accept not getting something they want without having a meltdown.
Following Instructions. Breaking down multistep directions into single, manageable steps.
Problem-Solving Skills. Learning to identify a problem and think of potential solutions.
Support Your Child's Emotional Growth
Your child's growth is a process of building one skill upon another. ABA therapy provides a clear, structured framework to guide that process and support their behavioral health.
You do not have to figure this out alone. Our team of licensed professionals is dedicated to creating personalized plans that foster real change.
We provide the tools and support your family needs to move forward with confidence.
Disclaimer: The content in this blog is provided as general information only and should not be taken as professional advice. All content is offered with no guarantees or warranties, and the blog does not substitute for professional consultation or service. Always consult a professional before making any decisions based on the content of this blog.
"Step Up Family Services for your Mental and Behavioral Health No waiting Assessments for your needs!"
Step Up Family Services for your Mental and Behavioral Health Assessment needs!Step Up Family Services for your Mental and Behavioral Health No waiting Assessments for your needs!
