Co-President: Alexis Menken

The creator of The Conscious Motherhood Experience, Alexis E. Menken, Ph.D. Is a Clinical Psychologist with more than twenty years of experience focusing on reproductive mental health. She is on the Advisory Council for Postpartum Support International and has been their NJ Coordinator for eighteen years. She has served on Governor Codey’s task force for Postpartum Depression, sits on the NJ Maternal Mortality Review Committee, and is on the board of The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health. Dr. Menken co-founded the NJ Chapter for Postpartum Support International and is currently serving as their co-president. Dr. Menken is the author of Perinatal and Postpartum Mood Disorders: Perspectives and Treatment Guide for the Health Care Practitioner, Stone & Menken, Springer, 2008.  Dr. Menken is in private practice in Montclair, NJ

Co-President: Deana Stevens

Deana Stevens, PsyD is a NJ Licensed Psychologist with specialties in substance abuse treatment and reproductive mental health. She is a certified Gottman Bringing Baby Home Educator and has completed advanced training through Postpartum Support International. In her practice, she provides help for growing families around issues of fertility, loss, pregnancy and parenting.

Co-VP: Linda Klempner

Linda Klempner, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist in N.Y. and N.J., began Women’s Health Counseling & Psychotherapy in Teaneck over thirty years ago. Having served on the Board of Depression After Delivery and Postpartum Support International, she is currently Postpartum Support International-Advisory Council Chair.  Co-founder of the PSI-New Jersey Chapter, she currently serves as PSI-NJ Vice President and is on the Partnership for Maternal & Child Health of N.J.’s Regional Education Committee.  Dr. Klempner has written, taught and appeared on television regarding women’s reproductive health issues and maternal mental health and has served on the faculty of several postgraduate psychoanalytic institutes.  She is a winner of the Stars of RESOLVE award.

Co-VP: Dyana Thompson

Dyana Thompson PMHNP-BC, is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who co-founded and manages The Perinatal Mental Health Program at the Valley Health System. She is responsible for the growth and development of the program, provides trainings, develops protocols and provides therapy and medication management. She is trained in advanced perinatal psychopharmacology through Postpartum Support International. Dyana sits on the Case Review Team of the Fetal Infant Mortality Review Program, and the combined Community Action Team and Perinatal Bereavement Committee Meeting with The Northern NJ Partnership of Maternal Child Health. She is a trained Perinatal, Neonatal, and Pediatric Bereavement Coordinator through Resolve Through Sharing (RTS). Dyana was nominated and a finalist for March of Dimes Nurse of the Year.

Treasurer: Rachel Shmutz

Rachel Shmuts DO is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, where she serves as the Vice Chair of Education of the Department of Psychiatry. Her clinical specialty is women’s mental health, where she primarily works with women and their partners providing psychoeducation and care for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She also does private consultations for transcranial magnetic stimulation. She is a mother to three little girls and is a primary support for her extended family in the South Jersey area.

CLC: Mollie Busino

Mollie Busino , LCSW is Director of Mindful Power LLC, a group psychotherapy practice located in Hoboken NJ. Mollie specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a large focus on Female Reproductive Health, including Fertility Counseling and Perinatal Mood Disorders. In addition, she facilitates Postpartum Support and Infertility Support for the community. Mollie utilizes an approach that integrates her expertise in CBT, RECBT, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness, and EFT.

Secretary: Robin Muskal

Robin Muskal has a Doctorate in clinical psychology and is a licensed counselor. She  has trained and worked as a psychotherapist, body worker and energy practitioner for  25 years. Robin works with the perinatal and postpartum population as an adjunct  wellness practitioner. She is an advocate for whole person and whole family care.  Robin helps patients build a strong network of community support. Utilizing a  meaningful set of interventions and techniques, such as meditation, yoga, mindfulness  and cognitive behavioral strategies Robin, will assist with transitions, balance of mood,  attachment and bonding, birth trauma, and empowerment towards self-integrity and  healing. Currently, Robin has added traumatic grief and loss as an area of specialty.  Robin served on the Board of Postpartum Support International for many years, and is  now serving on the board of PSI-NJ Chapter. Robin has an office in the Morristown NJ  area.

Membership: Stephanie M. Swasey

Stephanie M. Swasey is PSI-NJ’s Membership Chair. She is responsible for the recognition and welcoming of new members and guests. Stephanie organizes and hosts special events for meeting and greeting prospective members or guests. Another primary responsibility of membership is for Stephanie to reach out to existing members. She also hosts events for members, raising awareness of the value of their membership and retaining existing members. As the membership committee chair, she also issues surveys and learns about the needs, issues and desires of members and the NJ chapter.

Stephanie is an active participant in PSI-NJ’s Advocacy committee working to promote awareness, prevention, and treatment of mental health issues. She is currently working toward a Certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) through PSI. Stephanie also has a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Rutgers University which has led to a career as a pharmaceutical research and development scientist.

Communications: Jacqueline Ansbrow-Goldberg

Jacqueline “Jackie” Ansbrow-Goldberg, LSW, RYT is a therapist and yoga instructor  at Lotus Blossom Psychotherapy. She has an active approach and utilizes CBT, EMDR and psychodynamic therapy. She utilizes mindfulness tools, including mediation and relaxing breathing techniques, to cultivate the mind body connection.  Specialty areas include women’s mental health, traumatic birth experiences, perinatal loss and bereavement. She offers support groups for Postpartum Anxiety and Depression.

Training & Development: Gerry Viggiani

Geraldine “Gerry” Viggiani, LCSW, LCADC, PMH-C Geraldine founded Lotus Blossom Psychotherapy. Along with her team, Lotus Blossom offers a place for women to feel supported on their journey toward wellness and personal healing.  With specialties ranging from trauma to addiction to Perinatal Mood Disorders – particularly traumatic birth experiences – Geraldine’s approach to treatment modalities is eclectic, and includes EMDR, Brainspotting, and trauma and compassioned focused therapies.  She is also highly trained and certified in perinatal mood disorders.  Geraldine supervises other social workers, lectures on birth trauma, is a regular writing contributor to Bella Magazine’s Mind and Body Section.  She sits on the Board of PSI-NJ as Chair of the Education and Training Committee, Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurial Think Tank for Women Foundation.

Advocacy: Katie McGowan

Katie McGowan, Ed.M, is PSI-NJ’s Advocacy Chair.  She is a graduate of Rutgers University with degrees in Psychology and Education.  She is currently working toward a Certification in Perinatal Mental Health through PSI, where she combines her love of education with a passion for supporting women. As founder and facilitator of Beyond the Baby Blues, a peer-to-peer support group for mothers experiencing perinatal mood disorders, she helps women in their journey through motherhood. She experienced pregnancy loss, traumatic births, was a NICU mom, and a perinatal mood disorder survivor.  Katie is a proud wife and Mommy to two beautiful children.

Scholarships: Susan Esserman

Fundraising: Emily Haberman

Emily Haberman, LCSW, is currently the Upper School Counselor at Gill St. Bernard’s School in Peapack-Gladstone, NJ.  After experiencing Postpartum Anxiety following the birth of her first child, she developed a personal and professional interest in understanding Perinatal Mood Disorders.  Emily has completed certificate training in perinatal and maternal mental health from Postpartum Support International and worked as a therapist in private practice supporting new and expecting moms until taking time off for the birth of her second child.