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James has specialized in the mental health and substance abuse treatment field for over eighteen years. He has seen first-hand how establishing a good therapeutic relationship throughout the counseling process makes treatment a successful experience. Through various strategies and techniques that are evidenced based, patients have been able to raise their own insights and gain a healthier sense of self.  As a result, patients have been able to develop and establish positive coping skills to assist with combating their own self-defeating behaviors associated with anxiety, depression and addiction.

In addition, James is an approved provider able to conduct assessments for individuals who have been found guilty of driving under the Influence (DUI) in New Jersey and surrounding states. If you have completed your required 12 or 48 hour classes or have been identified as a Multiple Offender, he is authorized to complete your evaluation and provide the mandatory treatment needed to comply with your IDRC requirements.

Of particular interest to Camden County Probationers, James is a preferred provider for drug and alcohol assessment and anger management classes. He understands how important it is to have your evaluations completed and forwarded to your Probation Officer especially when this is the last task a client needs done before completing probation. All reports are completed and faxed within 24 hours from the clients initial meeting.

Types of Therapy: 

Gestalt, Mindfulness-Based (MBCT), Person-Centered and Family Systems

Modalities:

Individuals, Couples and Groups

Specialties:      

Substance Use, Dual Diagnosis, Mood Disorders, Early Intervention (EI), Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Strength-Based and Rational Emotive Behavior (REBT)

Pat has been working with helping families to lead healthier lives by offering programs such as:

• Active Parenting,
• Active Parenting for Teens, and
• Cooperative Parenting and Divorce.

She also helps partners and families heal from the effects of Trauma and Sexual Addiction. Pat believes that, hope can be regained, lives can be rebuilt, and meaningful change can be created within a caring environment.

Kevin is a licensed clinical social worker who provides individual, couples, family, and group counseling.

He has counseled and advocated for people with substance abuse related concerns and those who suffer from various mental health diagnoses, such as depression, anxiety, and Bipolar Disorder, etc., for more than 25 years.

Additionally, Kevin has worked with both adolescents and adults, addressed men’s and women’s issues, and works within a holistic approach. He uses an empathetic client-centered model that “meets the person where they are”. Kevin believes in providing a safe and nonjudgmental atmosphere for people to mend, increase their strengths, and evolve to be the person they choose.

He has been in private practice at The Starting Point, Inc. for more than 10 years and accepts a variety of insurances.

Lisa is a licensed psychologist who works with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages.  She recognizes that at times anyone can experience anxiety and/or depression as they navigate through life’s challenges, whether it is struggles with school or career, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, or coping with illness, trauma, loss, and aging. These challenges can sometimes lead to detrimental behavioral changes, especially for children and adolescents. In an atmosphere of collaboration and empathy, Dr. Farkas aims to help clients find joy in their lives, using a variety of empirically based treatment techniques.  She employs psycho-education to help clients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that create barriers to their own happiness and fulfillment. She firmly believes that most issues can be addressed in a short-term therapy model when both the client and therapist are motivated to affect change.

Gary has over 25 years of experience managing and providing various mental health and addiction services. He has been responsible for the coordination of reentry services for individuals returning to the community from correctional settings and State/County psychiatric hospitals. These services include the supervision of individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness, substance abuse disorders, Megan’s Law, domestic violence and other criminal offenses.

In private practice Gary utilizes a client-centered, evidenced-based approach to provide services. Gary works with individuals, families, and groups to address the negative impact addiction can have on these systems. He utilizes interventions such as (CBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, motivational interviewing, and brief solution-focused interventions. Gary provides training on various topics such as trauma and addiction, stages of change, medication assisted treatment and anger management. His work is guided by the belief that each day brings with it new opportunities of hope and redemption.

Martha has worked as a school counselor since 1994, primarily at the middle school level, along with some high school experience. Prior to that she was an elementary school teacher for five years. Martha has recently retired from public education after serving 33 years. Martha is a licensed professional counselor. She is also the mother of four children.

As a therapist with a school counseling background, Martha’s approach to counseling is client centered and reality based. Focusing on setting achievable goals and initiating common sense strategies serve her clients well. Helping clients make behavioral change and/or becoming more balanced in attitude and emotion is the basis of Martha’s counseling style.

Martha specializes in working with school-aged children, adolescents, and young adults. Areas of expertise include:

• Academic struggles
• Anger Management
• Behavior concerns
• Family conflict
• Family relationships
• Focus/Attention issues (ADHD)
• Organizational skills
• Peer conflict
• Peer relationships
• School & general anxiety
• Social integration
• School refusal/disengagement
• Self-esteem concerns
• Stress (school related stress/time management)  

Martha hopes she can help her clients better manage personal, peer, school and life situations. She wants to help clients make sense out of how they approach and respond to conflict, stress, relationships, and life in general, especially as they navigate their growing years.

Janice is a psychotherapist and an eclectic individual with a broad range of experience. She believes that during the cycles of ones life – as part of the human condition – individuals are presented with challenges and conflict. At times, one can get “stuck“.

Using a team approach, Janice and her clients work together in a dedicated partnership to work through distress and conflict. Janice has years of clinical experience and is continuously updating her skills.  She is comfortable with all age groups. She specializes in trauma therapy, mood disorders, conduct disorders (with adolescents), and runs both groups and workshops. Janice believes that utilizing these tools and modalities foster change and personal development.

Throughout her career, Janice has found that conflict, turmoil and personal distress respond positively to the application of various clinical modalities.