Outpatient Counseling Services

Helping you process and heal from traumatic experiences.

Addressing a range of mental health issues with expert care.

Providing support and strategies to manage and overcome these challenges.

Strengthening family dynamics and improving communication

Supporting you through the grieving process

Offering a safe space to heal from past abuse

Staci completed her Master's in Social Work from Fordham University in 2004 and has over 20 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has extensive experience working with children, families, and adults across various mental and behavioral health needs.
Staci is responsible for supervising all clinical providers within Step Up Family Services and is the director of our outpatient program. She is passionate about reaching more people and improving their lives through our outpatient services.

Stacey is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor in New Jersey. With over 10 years of experience, Stacey specializes in working with school-age children (K-12) and family counseling. 
She addresses issues related to school/work avoidance, Specific Learning Disabilities, ADHD, emotional dysregulation, behavioral difficulties, trauma, anxiety, interpersonal conflict, and substance abuse. Her treatment style is client-centered, solution-focused, and strength/skill-building, utilizing an integrative approach that includes CBT, TF-CBT, MI, and the ARC model.

Maitri Patel is an outpatient clinician with a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Rutgers University and a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from Kean University. She has her LAMFT and is working towards her LMFT. Maitri has six years of experience as an in-home clinician and has worked as a crisis intervention specialist and grief counselor. 
She enjoys making a positive difference in people's lives and believes everyone should live a fulfilled life. Maitri works with children with unique needs and loves spending time with family and friends.

Nancy is a Licensed Social Worker with advanced certifications in yoga therapy. She focuses on helping clients heal, learn healthy coping skills, and find confidence during life transitions. Nancy specializes in working with adults dealing with depression, anxiety, midlife issues, and relationship challenges. She is a mother, grandmother, wife, yoga therapist, and author of "PRESENT: The Art of Living Boldly in the Second Half of Life."

Jacqueline is a Licensed Social Worker who completed her Master's at Rutgers University. She graduated summa cum laude with her Bachelor's in Sociology with a minor in Women & Gender Studies. Jacqueline enjoys working with adolescents and adults and is passionate about serving women, girls, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. She creates a warm, non-judgmental environment for clients to work through challenges and become their most authentic selves.

My name is Hope Nunez, and I am Puerto Rican and Dominican. I’ve earned my Master’s in Clinical Social Work (MSW) from Rutgers University, where I have developed a strong foundation in clinical practice and advocacy. I provide general mental health therapy, play therapy, suicide prevention and coping skills, and I’ve worked as a behavioral technician, gaining valuable experience supporting children on the autism spectrum. There is a gap in services for those with an Autism or Developmental diagnosis with a need for mental health services. With my experience with ABA services, I can fill that needed gap. As a Licensed Social Worker, my goal is to provide resources and be a compassionate advocate for those in need. I am especially interested in becoming certified in play therapy and continuing to expand my knowledge and skills within the field of social work.

Saila is a licensed clinical social worker. She has a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Montclair University and received her master's degree in Social Work from Rutger's University. Saila specializes in working with children, adolescents, young adults and families. She is committed to creating a supportive and collaborative environment that fosters growth and healing. Saila utilizes evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Structural Family Therapy, to address a range of emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges.

Saila's work is grounded in the belief that everyone has the potential to heal and grow, no matter where they come from or what challenges they face. She strives to work with people from all walks of life, embracing diverse perspectives and experiences, fostering an environment of mutual respect, understanding, and collaboration.

I am a Licensed Associate Counselor practicing in New Jersey, with specialized training in EMDR.

With over 13 years of experience providing in-home counseling to children and families, I bring a wealth of knowledge and compassion to my practice. As a mother of four, I understand the complexities of family dynamics and parenting. My experience includes working with clients who have faced significant traumatic events, as well as those dealing with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship issues, co-parenting challenges, family conflicts, postpartum concerns, and stress management. I believe in meeting clients where they are and working collaboratively to address their life concerns.

I am Marina Keryakous, LSW. I am a licensed social worker in the state of New Jersey with a background in behavioral health, with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). My focus has been working with the Autism population, as a mental health and behavioral therapist. 

I am excited to be working at StepUp and intend to continue making a fundamental impact on the lives of those we serve. I have spent several years working as a behavior technician and with great mentorship, am now working towards my certification to become a behavior analyst. I am passionate about bridging the gap between mental and behavioral health by applying principles of social work. 

I have pursued this field due to my nature of always being concerned with the social issues that plague our society. I am also a big behavior nerd and love the role the ABA field plays as a science. My goal is to use behavioral principles to create real support. In my free time, I enjoy traveling and exploring new places.

• Horizon BCBS NJ

• CIGNA

• Aetna: Out of Network