Where Special Concerns
Deserve Special Care
83 Summit Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Hackensack, NJ 07601
19 Spear Road, Route 17 North
Ramsey, New Jersey 07446
Ramsey, New Jersey 07446
481 Hackensack Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Hackensack, NJ 07601
One Bridge Plaza
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
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Contact STA
For a convenient appointment and location near you:
Call Us : 201-488-6678
EMAIL : stadocs@hotmail.com
Call Us : 201-488-6678
EMAIL : stadocs@hotmail.com
Assistant Director
Dr. Christopher Barker
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The question I am most often asked is “does it ever get discouraging to listen to so many problems all day?” My answer reflects my basic philosophy toward working with people. Not everyone who enters my door is suffering from severe distress: sometimes we all need some guidance and a place to get our thoughts together. If, on the other hand, a person’s problems are severe, I have the skills and patience to hear them and provide therapy which will encourage growth. My fundamental belief is that we all seek to grow, and when we consult a therapist, it is in order to become who we are born to be. That spirit of “becoming” is what fuels my optimism and faith in the people I work with, and listening to the way they may have drifted or been forced from that path is never discouraging. I know they want to find that path again, and they want my assistance in regaining it.
I received a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in assessment from Radford University, a Clinical Psychology Master of Arts from the New School for Social Research, and a Ph.D. from Seton Hall University. My experience began long before I finished my degrees. I was a peer counselor in college and friends began coming to me with their problems as a teen, which originally sparked my interest in the field of psychology.
My training was in Clinical Psychology, with a specialty in Child Clinical Psychology and I am a licensed psychologist in New Jersey. I was raised with an immersion in my family’s Native American heritage and have always been an advocate for cultural awareness and diversity, especially in my work and practice. I have done extensive research and have presented papers on suicidal behavior as it relates to culture, and organized a panel discussion of multicultural perspectives on children in crisis for the New Jersey Psychological Association.
I have worked in hospitals, mental health centers and universities in New York, New Jersey and Virginia, and taught Psychology and Forensic Psychology courses at a University for seven years prior to my current position here at Specialized Therapy Associates (STA). I was attracted to STA’s team approach and the diverse training and innovative treatment models of my colleagues. Joining the STA team has given me the greatest opportunity to work with children and families I have had so far in my career, which has, in turn, enhanced my knowledge and skills.
On a personal note, all three of my children are adopted, two of them from overseas, and all have some degree of special education needs, which has made me more aware of the problems faced by special needs children and the educational and medical resources that are available, with which many other parents may not be familiar. I am an enthusiastic advocate for these resources, and continue to invest my time in researching the latest developments in the laws and resources available to families.
My therapy services have been diverse. I have worked with individuals who have been chronically hospitalized and were in need of readjustment to the community, as well as with children, couples, and groups in both inpatient and outpatient facilities. I have addressed issues such as anger management, chronic and acute trauma, anxiety disorders (including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in both children and adults), a wide range of phobias, and depression. My experience working with cases of Bipolar Disorder, Childhood-Onset Bipolar Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism and abused and neglected children reflect my work with children and young adults.
I have also worked with the emotional aspects of a number of medical disorders, substance abuse treatment and maintenance, and alternative lifestyle arrangements, which include gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and dominant/submissive relationships. An area of special interest to me is the work-related stress police officers and Emergency Medical Service personnel face on a daily basis. I have been consulted by local police departments, probation and parole officers, and I am a provider for the Cop2Cop referral network serving New York and New Jersey.
I utilize cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, guided imagery and relaxation training, motivational interviewing, Dialectic Behavior Therapy, and skills training for parents with children who have severe behavior problems. I am currently developing specialized therapy groups, experiential workshops, and coaching programs.
