Professional & Trustworthy Staff of Therapists

Upon completing her degree, she was employed as a child study team member and school counselor/special education departments for the Little Silver, Rumson and Middletown School Districts. Julie founded her practice, Brighter Living, LLC in 2008 as a solo practitioner, working with adolescents and teens struggling with anxiety and depression. Since 2008, the practice has expanded to service a wider range of clientele. In addition to Julie maintaining her practice, she has nine associate clinicians who have expertise in multiple areas. Brighter Living offers counseling services for individuals, families and groups.

She has worked with children ages 10 and up who are struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, family conflict and academic difficulties. She promotes change through solution focused, family systems and cognitive behavioral therapy. Jesse has now become an associate of Brighter Living, LLC to expand her focus and work in the private sector.

 As an associate of Brighter Living LLC, Allison looks forward to expanding her work with children, adolescents and young adults in the private sector. Allison utilizes individual and family therapy, in combination with evidence-based treatment modalities, to address symptoms of mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, grief, addiction and relational problems. Allison is also a New Jersey certified clinical supervisor.

In addition to her experience in the field of educational counseling, Marisa has worked for over 15 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice.  She specializes in working with children, adolescents and young adults with issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship and social stressors, life transitions, grief/loss, attention/behavioral issues, emotional regulation and family changes. She utilizes a strengths based approach and works with her clients to set and achieve attainable goals. Treatment modalities include solution-focused, problem-solving, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Marisa strives to provide a supportive and safe environment for all clients to express their feelings and develop healthy behaviors and adaptive coping skills.

Marisa holds both her 2oo-hour Yoga Teacher Certification and 95-hour Children’s Certification in Yoga and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.  She incorporates her training into her practice to provide clients with tools for managing and coping with life stressors including relaxation techniques, meditation and breath work. 

Marisa has a mini Australian Labradoodle named Annie and she is now a registered pet therapy dog! 

Tony is excited about applying the skills he learned in his many years of service to Monmouth County and has been an associate of Brighter Living, LLC for the past 3 years. Tony utilizes an eclectic approach, predominantly relying on client centered and solution focused strategies that encourages a collaborative relationship between patient and therapist. Offering a warm and supportive environment to foster growth and positive change. His specialty remains working with children and a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, school and family issues.

Roni graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy from Long Island University and continued her studies to achieve a Master’s degree in Art Therapy from George Washington University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from The Catholic University of America.

Enza is a licensed Social Worker and certified as a School Social worker. She started at Brighter Living in 2022 and has 12 years experience as a social worker in the public school system. Enza specializes in assisting children, adolescents, and young adults with academic and social related stressors, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, grief/loss, relationship and family conflict, including working through stages and effects of a divorce. She has experience in working collaboratively with families and school counselors to create effective school based action plans and strategies. In addition, to working with adolescents she also provides support to those who are experiencing relationship and marriage challenges or in the process of a divorce.

Enza’s overall counseling approach with individuals, couples and families is strength and solution based with a focus on cognitive behavioral therapy, utilizing effective communication, understanding and conquering one’s thoughts and emotions and building confidence and self-worth.

Having joined our team earlier this year, Laura works with all ages from young children to adults dealing with adjustment issues (e.g. school, family, work, grief) to anxiety and depression to name a few. While most of her

experience lies in emergency psychiatric services, she is accustomed to working with schools, parents, and other treatment providers in order to provide the best care. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and is also working toward her ACS in order to provide clinical supervision to other therapists. Laura’s priority is to help clients reach their therapeutic goals in order to create lasting positive change and to improve their overall quality of life.

 Brooke received her BA in Psychology from Bucknell University and her Masters in Counseling from Seton Hall University. Prior to Brighter Living, Brooke worked as a school counselor for 11 years and also taught as an adjunct professor for NYU’s Masters in Counseling program. 

Having  worked as a school counselor, as well as experience with adult IOP, Brooke has experience in helping individuals and families with varying levels of mood disorders, grief, trauma, crisis, family dynamics , relationship issues, anxiety and depression. She believes in working collaboratively with schools , families and/or other support systems to ensure there is wrap around support on a client’s journey. Brooke uses an integrative and eclectic approach to treating her clients, as she doesn’t believe there is a one size fits all. Her approach includes cognitive behavioral  therapy, family systems and mindfulness based interventions, while maintaining a compassionate, empathetic and safe setting for her clients.   

Rachel’s clinical experience includes working with adolescents, adults and families experiencing challenges including anxiety, depression, addiction, interpersonal relationship struggles, LGBTQ issues, grief and overall life transitions. 

Rachel meets her clients where they are at, by integrating evidenced based practices such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She believes in providing a client-centered and strengths based approach, with a relaxed and personalized style. She finds that the success of therapy comes from forming a transparent relationship between the client and therapist, as well as an individualized treatment approach for each of her clients. Rachel strives to provide a comfortable, safe and supportive environment to help her clients to identify and overcome obstacles that are preventing them from living the life they desire. 

 My primary area of expertise is general psychiatry. I also have become extremely interested in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of Bipolar Disorder, as well as mood and anxiety disorders. I have an in-depth knowledge of psychotropic medication, specifically in the recent advances in combination, augmentation, and supplementation strategies, including the use of light therapies and vitamin supplements as well as biological additives.