Jaclyn Friedman-Lombardo, PhD
Director
Group Co-leader: Understanding Self and Others (Grad Students), and Health Issues Group
Let’s Talk Counselor: Tuesday 3-4:30 pm
Education:
BA, Colgate University in Hamilton, New York in May 1994 (major in Psychology and minors in Education and Asian Studies); MA in School Psychology, December 1996 and PhD in School Psychology, December 1998, The University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island.
Relevant Experience:
Director, Counseling & Psychological Services, Montclair State University, 2003-present. Staff Psychologist, Counseling & Psychological Services, Montclair State University, 1999-2003. APA-approved clinical internship at South Shore Mental Health, Quincy, MA, 1998-1999.
Professional Interests:
Multicultural issues, relationship and family problems, group psychotherapy, consultation, crisis intervention, supervision/training, substance use/abuse, LGBTQIA+ community, students with disabilities.
Melissa Shuman Zarin, PhD
Associate Director
Group Co-leader: Understanding Self and Others (Monday), Meaning After Loss, and Koru Mindfulness
Let’s Talk Counselor: Friday 1-2:30 pm
Education:
BA, Kenyon College in May 1990 (major in Drama and Psychology); MA and Ed.M. in Psychological Counseling in 1995 at Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Fordham University in 2001. Dr. Zarin is a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and coordinates the Mental Health First Aid Program with Dr. Uy.
Relevant Experience:
Prior to coming to MSU, Dr. Zarin spent 10 years at Stevens Institute of Technology specializing in college mental health, outreach and prevention, and training and supervision. She started in 2012 as a staff psychologist and in 2014 became a Supervising Psychologist, and the Coordinator of the Peer Education program. In 2016, she was promoted to Assistant Director and Coordinator of Outreach and Prevention.
Professional Interests:
Mindfulness, Women’s Issues, Grief and Loss, Outreach and Training, Supervision, and Suicide Prevention.
Tiffany Ciprian, LCSW
Staff Clinician, Coordinator of Outreach and Prevention
Group Co-leader: Koru Mindfulness and CAPS Mental Health Ambassadors
Education:
Ms. Ciprian earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Barnard College (2007) and her Master of Social Work Degree from Columbia University (2009).
Relevant Experience:
Prior to joining CAPS, Ms. Ciprian served as the Associate Director of Counseling and Wellness at New York Institute of Technology College (NYIT) in NYC for 6 years. During her time at NYIT she provided individual counseling, crisis intervention and mental health consultations. She also served as the advisor to the Campus’s Peer Health Education team and managed the department’s outreach programming. Prior to her time at NYIT, Ms. Ciprian worked at the NYC Department of Health SBIRT Clinics (2009-2015). Ms. Ciprian provided both direct counseling and clinical oversight of the SBIRT Clinic’s behavioral health team.
Professional Interests:
Multicultural counseling, wellness, identity, cross-cultural issues, working with international students and underserved populations, consultation and outreach, loss and grief.
Ivonne De Pascual, LPC
Staff Clinician
Group Co-leader: Meaning After Loss, Connecting Across Cultures and Becoming You
Let’s Talk Counselor: Monday 1-2:30 pm
Education:
BA Rutgers University, 2005 (major in Psychology) MA in Counseling in 2010, Montclair State University.
Relevant Experience:
Ms. De Pascual is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) in the State of NJ. She has over 24 years of experience in higher education. She served as an EOF Counselor at Essex County College (ECC) from 2008 until her appointment as a Staff Clinician at Montclair State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services. She also facilitated incarcerated re-entry groups at ECC from 2005 to 2013. She has been a clinician in private practice since 2013 where she works with a wide variety of mental health concerns. She is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist. She recently became certified in Souldrama and is pursuing her certification in Psychodrama. Ella habla español.
Professional Interests:
Positive Psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, grief and loss, interpersonal relationships, self-esteem, group work, Souldrama, Psychodrama, anxiety, depression, LGBTQIA+ community, overcoming trauma and childhood issues, emotional regulation, procrastination, working with minorities and ESL students, first generation college students, immigration/acculturation challenges, and supporting students in their academic journey by providing a safe space to help them reach their potential at a personal, academic, and professional level.
Nancy Friedman, PsyD
Staff Psychologist
Group Co-leader: Health Issues Group, Managing Moods and Relationships, and Understanding Self and Others (Thursday)
Let’s Talk Counselor: Tuesday 11 am-12:30 pm
Education:
Dr. Friedman earned a bachelor’s degree in American History from Harvard University (1989) and a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP), Rutgers University (1998).
Relevant Experience:
Before coming to CAPS in February 2000, Dr. Friedman completed an APA-approved pre-doctoral internship at Elizabeth General Medical Center (now Trinitas Hospital) in Elizabeth, NJ. Prior to completing her doctorate, Dr. Friedman trained at Douglass College Counseling Center (Rutgers University), Lenox Hill Hospital (New York), and the Metropolitan Center for Mental Health (New York).
Professional Interests:
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), group psychotherapy, the psychological impact of chronic health issues, adjustment to/experience of college among non-traditional students, and GLBTQ+ issues.
Charisma Jackson, LCSW
Staff Clinician, Group Therapy Coordinator
Group Co-leader: Understanding Self and Others and First Gen
Let’s Talk Counselor: Thursday 3-4:30 pm
Education:
Ms. Jackson received her Bachelor’s degree in both Communication and Sociology from Rutgers University and earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University. Ms. Jackson is also a certified school social worker, certified in non-violent crisis intervention and holds a Seminar Training in Field Instruction certification from Fordham University.
Relevant Experience:
Prior to joining CAPS, Ms. Jackson served as a personal counselor at Bloomfield College’s Wellness Center. During her time at Bloomfield College, she provided individual counseling, crisis intervention and outreach services. Prior to her time in higher education, Ms. Jackson spent over 15 years providing outreach, counseling and referral services while working in various community and school settings. She has a wide range of experience working with diverse populations including at-risk youth, underserved families, and special education.
Professional Interests:
LGBTQIA + issues, women issues, life transitions, cross cultural issues, first generation college students, intergenerational trauma, underserved populations, relationship and family issues, group psychotherapy and community outreach.
Sharon McNulty, LPC, NCC, ACS, DRCC, CCTP
Staff Clinician
Group Co-leader: Understanding Self and Others, Transcending Trauma Through Yoga and Transitions
Let’s Talk Counselor: Thursday 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Education:
BS, University of Scranton, Major: Psychology Minor: Health and Human Services. Scranton, PA, M.Ed., University of Delaware in College Counseling/ Student Personnel Administration, Newark, DE, M.A. Ed., St. Peter’s University in Teaching, Jersey City, NJ.
Relevant Experience:
Prior to coming to MSU CAPS, Ms. McNulty has served initially as a clinician, and then as the Counseling Center Director or Acting Director for five New Jersey colleges/universities. She has certifications as a Licensed Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. In addition, Ms. McNulty is also certified as a Disaster Response Certified Counselor, and a Clinical Certified Trauma Professional. She has served as an adjunct professor for a Counseling Psychology master’s program and has supervised master’s interns. Ms. McNulty has dedicated her career to her passion for the development and empowerment of diverse college students.
Professional Interests:
College Student Development, Surviving Domestic, Sexual Violence and/or Trauma, Cultural Humility, Outreach, Women’s Issues, Student-Athletes, LGBTQ+ Issues, Anxiety, Depression, Relationships
Deirdre Narcisse, PsyD
Staff Psychologist
Group Co-leader: Understanding Self and Others (Grad Students), Becoming You and Beyond Surviving; Survivors of Suicide Attempts (SOSA)
Education:
Dr. Narcisse earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Barnard College, Columbia University. Dr. Narcisse obtained a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and later her PsyD from Rutgers University, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology.
Relevant Experience:
Dr. Narcisse completed her pre-doctoral internship at North Central Bronx Hospital working with patients who were admitted to an Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. For a number of years, Dr. Narcisse worked at North Central Bronx Hospital’s Center for Healthy Living (Wellness and Substance Abuse Clinic). Dr. Narcisse has been a member of Montclair State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) team since 2000.
Professional Interests:
Mood disorders, substance use, wellness, grief and cross-cultural counseling
Elvira Rudner, M.D.
Staff Psychiatrist
Education:
Dr. Elvira Rudner is Board Certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Finance from Pace University in addition to bachelor’s in science from Columbia University. She received her medical degree from University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ, presently known as Rutgers Medical School, Newark.
Relevant Experience:
Dr. Rudner completed her Psychiatry Residency training at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. She has subsequently worked as a Psych ER attending at the University Hospital in Newark and served as a clinical instructor within Rutgers’ Medical School Psychiatry Department. In addition to CAPS, Dr. Rudner practices psychopharmacology and psychotherapy in her private practice in Ridgewood, NJ.
Professional Interests:
Dr. Rudner specializes in mood disorders and anxiety, PTSD and trauma-related disorders, and attention deficit disorders.
Jennifer Strollo, PsyD
Staff Psychologist
Education:
Dr. Strollo earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan (1995) and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology(2000), renamed Alliant International University. Dr. Strollo’s dissertation and area of interest are in understanding and treating adolescent suicide.
Relevant Experience:
Dr. Strollo has been a professor at MSU since 2008, in both the graduate and undergraduate psychology departments as well as taught and supervised at her doctoral college. She has provided long-term psychotherapy to students referred from MSU in her private practice in Montclair. Prior to teaching and providing therapy, Dr. Strollo was the Training Director at Berkeley Mental Health in California, where she hired and trained interns and staff at a large culturally diverse clinic.
Professional Interests:
Dr. Strollo serves on the board of the Essex-Union County Association of Psychologists (EUCAP) which supports NJPA and APA in its mission, purpose and programs. As a member of the training board, she takes part in dynamic meetings with local clinicians who have expertise in the field of psychology, while also providing continuing education credit for psychologists.
Jude M. Uy, PhD, RYT
Staff Psychologist, Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Group Co-leader: Managing Moods and Relationships, Koru Mindfulness and Beyond Surviving; Survivors of Suicide Attempts (SOSA)
Education:
Dr. Uy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Purchase College, SUNY, where he majored in Psychology. He completed a Master of Arts degree in Psychology from Hunter College, CUNY, and received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. In addition, he completed Yoga Teacher Training, 200 level. Dr. Uy is a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and coordinates the Mental Health First Aid Program with Dr. Zarin.
Relevant Experience:
Prior to joining the CAPS team at Montclair State, Dr. Uy served as a Staff Psychologist at Seton Hall University’s Counseling and Psychological Services for over three years. Past experiences include teaching at Fairleigh Dickinson University, St. Peter’s University and Seton Hall University. Dr. Uy completed an APA approved pre-doctoral internship at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, NJ, with rotations in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, School Wellness Consulting and Treatment of Sex Offenders. Dr. Uy has served as the former Board President for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s New Jersey Chapter and currently serves as the Chapter’s Clinical Advisor.
Professional Interests:
Dialectical and Cognitive Behavior Therapies, Mindfulness, OCD, depression, anger, addictions, men’s issues, sexuality, identity, self-injurious behaviors and emotion regulation.
Sudha M. Wadhwani, PsyD
Staff Psychologist, Coordinator of Equity, Inclusion, and Community Initiatives
Group Co-leader: Mosaic Women and Connecting Across Cultures
Let’s Talk Counselor: Wednesday 11 am-12:30 pm
Education:
Dr. Wadhwani holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rutgers University (1991) and a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from The Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP), Rutgers University (2000).
Relevant Experience:
Dr. Wadhwani is a NJ Licensed Psychologist who joined the CAPS team in 2006, after working as Multicultural Outreach Coordinator at Mount Holyoke College Counseling Center for 6 years prior. She has served as co-chair of the New Jersey Psychological Association (NJPA) Diversity Committee; NJPA Diversity Delegate; and as a founding Steering Committee member and member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the National Association for University and College Counseling Center Outreach (AUCCCO). Dr. Wadhwani was recently awarded an Inclusive Excellence Award by the Montclair State University Office for Social Justice and Diversity (OSJD) for her commitment to promoting social justice initiatives, in addition to several Red Ribbon awards for building collaborations on campus. She has a passion for developing and implementing outreach, prevention, and community programs for underserved populations in order to improve racial health disparities and increase access to care. She coordinates the Let’s Talk program, Sister to Sister, Agents of Change, and facilitates Mosaic Women and Connecting Across Cultures drop-in groups.
Dr. Wadhwani completed an APA-approved pre-doctoral internship at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst – University Health Services Mental Health Unit and obtained post-doctoral training at Cambridge Health Alliance Asian Mental Health Clinic, Harvard Medical School. Her dissertation research focused on the needs and help-seeking behavior of South Asian college students, a topic on which she has written a book chapter, as well as other publications and presentations. She also has previous experience working as a Diversity Consultant at Romney Associates, as Assistant Director of Community Outreach Services at Alternatives, Inc., and in private practice.
Professional Interests:
Women of Color, BIPOC college students, international students, marginalized identity groups, intersectionality, immigration/acculturation issues, LGBTQIA+ student and coming out issues across cultures, grief/loss, anxiety disorders, creating collaborations with MSU campus partners and supporting MSU students in reaching their personal, academic, and professional goals.
Lisa Westreich, LCSW, RYT
Referral Services Coordinator, Case Manager
Group Co-leader: Breaking the Cycle: Exploring Family Substance Use, Transcending Trauma Through Yoga and Koru Mindfulness
Let’s Talk Counselor: Monday 3-4:30 pm
Education:
Ms. Westreich holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University. In addition, she completed Yoga Teacher Training, 200 level.
Relevant Experience:
Prior to joining CAPS, Ms. Westreich provided counseling and referral services in various settings to the elderly, pregnant/parenting teenagers, people with AIDS and those struggling with substance abuse.
Professional Interests:
LGBTQIA+ issues, body image issues, use of meditation and spirituality in treatment, cross-cultural issues in seeking mental health services, recovery utilizing 12 Step models, end of life issues, grief and loss, and coping strategies.
Khabir Williams, LCSW, LCADC
Staff Clinician, Coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drug Program
Group Co-leader: Dropping Knowledge: Conversations Amongst Men, First Gen and Breaking the Cycle: Exploring Family Substance Use
Let’s Talk Counselor: Wednesday 3-4:30 pm
Education:
Mr. Williams holds a Masters Degree from Rutgers University in Clinical Social Work with an Addiction Counselor Training Certification.
Relevant Experience:
In addition to the CAPS team at Montclair State University, Mr. Williams also serves his community through his private practice based in Newark, NJ. Past experiences include serving as a co-occurring mental health clinician at several mental health agencies in Newark, East Orange, New Brunswick and within private practice.
Professional Interests:
Mr. Williams has clinical experience working with diverse populations from differing cultures, ethnicities and social-economic backgrounds. Experience includes but is not limited to trauma, anxiety, depression, men’s issues, first generation college students, adjustment challenges, couples and family conflicts, acute mental health challenges, personality disorders, child/adolescent/young adult behavioral modification, mentoring and substance misuse.
Diane McKernan
Administrative Assistant
Jackie Konopka
Administrative Assistant