The people of Chaitanya Counseling Services

Dr Norquist utilizes an eclectic treatment approach (body-oriented, cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, attachment-focused, or spiritually-focused) based on the needs and desires of each individual client.

BARBARA GIZ, LCSW, MSW, earned her Master's Degree in Social Work (with honors) from Fordham University in 1991. She is a bi-lingual N.J. Licensed Clinical Social Worker, providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents and adults for over 15 years. These services include individual, family and couples therapy (in English or in Spanish). She has extensive expertise in trauma cases including sexual abuse, loss and death, divorce, and accident cases. These clients often suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and/or Anxiety Disorders and the treatment includes cognitive/behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, and supportive therapy. Ms. Giz provided crisis counseling to survivors of the World Trade Center disaster. She also has experience in working with children who suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity and provides parenting skills training to parents. In addition, Ms. Giz has a "Field Work Instructor Certification" supervising M.S.W. student interns from various universities, including NYU, Fordham University and Rutgers University. She is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

MEREDITH LIPPMAN, Psy.D. earned her doctoral degree from Georgia School of Professional Psychology in 2005. She is a licensed clinical psychologist with experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families that struggle with a wide range of issues, including neglect, abuse (emotional, physical, sexual), domestic violence, depression, anxiety/stress, mood instability, relationship difficulties, divorce/custody issues, anger management, social skills, and parenting difficulties. She uses an active and collaborative cognitive-behavioral approach to provide short-term solution-focused psychotherapy, as well as long-term treatment if deemed appropriate. Dr. Lippman also has extensive experience conducting psychological and forensic evaluations with children and adults. She provides diagnostic services, including psychological testing, to address various referrals, including emotional and behavioral issues, intellectual functioning, and forensic issues (abuse/neglect, violence risk, and parental fitness). She has also received training as an expert witness and has provided expert witness testimony in family court.

EMMY MCBRIDE, LCSW, MSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with over ten years of experience as a therapist. She received her master's degree from Fordham University. She completed positive-graduate training at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy in New York City. She understands psychotherapy as an opportunity for individuals to work through their problems in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. She actively helps clients to process their emotional conflicts and access their inner strength to overcome them. Her extensive experience includes addressing such issues as anxiety, stress, panic disorder, depression, self-esteem and autonomy, grief and loss, co-dependency, substance abuse, relationships and eating issues. Emmy has a special interest in working with adults facing the many difficulties and stressors of parenting children with developmental/special needs. She believes that through psychotherapy individuals can achieve their goals and become spiritually and emotionally balanced.

LANI SOMMER-PADILLA, LCSW, MSW, is a New Jersey state licensed psychotherapist specializing in individual, couples and family psychotherapy. She is a graduate of New York University School of Social Work, and has completed two years of post-gradate training at the Ackerman Institute for the Family. Among her areas of expertise is the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, school refusal, parenting adolescents, and marital and family relationship issues. Working collaboratively with clients to build on their strengths, her treatment approach is to provide the tools, support and practical feedback to help clients resolve current problems and long-standing patterns.