Kasey Connelly, Office Manager

officemanager.reliefsolutions@gmail.com

We are a practice of professional psychotherapists who specialize in different areas including depression, anxiety, marital issues, relationship problems, family issues, grief, substance use, eating disorders, academic problems, issues surrounding chronic medical illness, OCD and other problems. Services are commonly provided on an individual basis, but marriage/couples counseling, family counseling and group therapy is also offered.

Christopher Robinson founded Relief and Solutions Counseling Center in 2005.  
Our therapists use treatment interventions depending on the needs of our clients including CBT, psychodynamic, play therapy and family systems approaches to psychotherapy. Our offices provide a warm, safe space that is offers easy access to those living in Bergen and Hudson Counties and the surrounding areas.
We offer day time, evening and weekend appointments All Major Insurance Plans are accepted. We also accept payment on a private pay basis and sliding scale. Contact us today at 201-666-2400 to get started! We look forward to working with you.

Francyne Mireku, LSW

     Francyne is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the state of NJ with over 8 years of professional experience. She obtained a Bachelors of Arts degree in Social Work with a minor in Criminal Justice from Seton Hall University. She continued her education at Seton Hall and obtained her Masters of Social Work degree (MSW). During her clinical experience, Francyne has provided individual and group therapy to a culturally diverse population. It was through this experience that she discovered her passion and calling in working with individuals suffering from trauma, depression and anxiety.

     Francyne has experience with crisis intervention; serving people with Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), ADHD, children/adults with special needs, self-image and self-esteem issues and victims of child abuse and neglect. She is well-versed in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Crisis Intervention, Problem Solving, Solution Focused, and Task Centered treatment modalities.

     Francyne utilizes a client-centered approach helping clients to navigate the flow of services as she provides the support they need. Her professional philosophy promotes the belief that all individuals possess the potential to improve and the courage to seek growth through vulnerability, hard work and dedication. She believes her clients can ultimately accomplish all the life goals they desire. (telehealth only)

Kassandra Mitchum, LSW, LMSW.

 Kathy Waehler, LCSW

     As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a Certified School Social Worker and belonging to the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW), Kathy's strengths are reflected in her efforts to help her clients improve their effectiveness with planning, reaction and decision-making concerning the circumstances of their lives. Employing a variety of treatment methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Kathy celebrates each person's uniqueness.
     Graduating from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. with a degree in Sociology and receiving her Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Illinois in Chicago, Kathy has experience counseling individuals, couples and families. She has also led parenting groups, ran interpersonal skills groups, worked with child study teams and served on community service boards. Kathy has worked with children, adolescents and adults challenged with attention deficit problems, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, bipolar disorder, relationship problems, stress, grief, job issues, school problems, adjustment disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has a warm sense of humor and is grateful that people allow her to gain insight into their lives so that she may be able to serve them. (Practicing in Westwood)

Maryanne Van Note, LMFT, LCSW
      Maryanne is both an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) and an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) in New Jersey. She is certified by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists as a supervisor and is certified by the state of New Jersey as a Clinical Social Work Supervisor. She received her MSW (Masters Degree in Social Work) from Rutgers University School of Social Work. In her many years of experience as a mental health practitioner, she has worked as a counselor and family liaison for the Jersey City Public Schools. She has worked at the Women's Project of Christ Hospital, the Seton Center for Mental Health in Jersey City, as well as at Bayonne Community Mental Health Center. She has developed skills and experience in working with a varied, multicultural clientele and working with individuals with serious mental health issues.

      Maryanne's professional expertise includes working with adults in individual, couples or family modalities. Her clinical areas of focus include helping clients cope with Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Bereavement/Grief, Domestic Violence, physical, verbal and/or sexual abuse, Bipolar Disorder and parenting issues. She is strongly committed to professional development and adding to her knowledge base of mental health issues and treatment techniques. Toward this end, she prioritizes attending at least four continuing education conferences per year. In practice, she assists her clients in navigating the messiness that life issues can sometimes bring. She helps people "sort it out in order to figure it out" so they can eventually find peace. (telehealth only)

Ida Payero, Administrative Assistant 

relief.solutions192@gmail.com

Danielle Tomlinson, LAMFT

    Danielle is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT) in New Jersey. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Campbell University and her Master’s in Marriage, Family and Individual Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in North Carolina. She works with couples, individuals, families and groups. Her areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, identity development, eating disorders and relationship challenges. Danielle tailors her approach to the needs and goals of each, individual client, pulling from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Solution-Focused approaches when working with individuals. When working with couples, she is trained through Level 2 in The Gottman Method of Couple’s Therapy. She also offers Christian Counseling.

    Danielle aims to come alongside each client, meeting them wherever they are at in life with a holistic (body, mind, spirit) view of health. She embraces opportunities to utilize humor in therapy, even helping others to be able to laugh at themselves at times. Because sometimes you feel better after a good laugh and sometimes after a good cry. She is working on learning to sew, improving her baking skills and is an avid reader and (in her spare time) loves to explore New York City. 

​​Call Us:  (201) 666-2400

Christopher Robinson, LCSW

     Chris is an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) in New Jersey and New York and has his ACSW (Academy of Certified Social Workers) national certification. He received his Masters degree in Social Work (MSW) from Rutgers University in 1992 and has been practicing in the field ever since. He is a certified field instructor for graduate school interns and is a certified clinical social work supervisor. He is the owner of Relief & Solutions Counseling Center and typically is involved in the intake process, assuring that individuals coming in for help are matched up with the therapist who is the "right fit" for them, according to their needs, preferences and availability. He is also the father of two sons and a daughter in their 20's.

     His professional experience includes providing inpatient medical, sub-acute and psychiatric social work services, home care, nursing homes, working with AIDS patients, crisis intervention for individuals who might require involuntary commitment and working as an adjunct professor at both Yeshiva and Stony Brook Universities' graduate schools of social work, teaching Psychopathology. Additionally, he works part time at St. Peter's Prep H.S. in Jersey City as their school social worker. He currently provides counseling to adults and adolescents, working with individuals and couples. He provides Christian counseling, has expertise in treating people with depression, various types of anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, occupational problems, substance abuse, individuals with emotional problems related to medical issues, bipolar disorder and family issues. (Practicing in Westwood & Jersey City)

Meet the Therapists 

Sarah Manges, LCSW
     Sarah graduated from the School of Social Services at Fordham University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of New Jersey.  Social work is a second career for Sarah. She spent more than twenty years as a writer and editor. She specialized in the areas of marriage and family therapy, and was a ghost writer for numerous, prominent authors, including one on The New York Times best seller list.   

     Sarah currently works with individuals and couples. She works to help them make sense of their experiences and explore new possibilities for leading more satisfying and authentic lives. While at Integrity House she discovered a passion for working with people with trauma and substance abuse issues, helping them work through their unmanageability to get to a place where they have peace and a sense of control over their lives. (Practicing in Westwood)

Deborah Stymest, LCSW
      Deborah graduated from Rutgers University with a Master’s in Social Work. Prior to that, she graduated from Thomas Edison State College with a Bachelor’s in Psychology.  She is dedicated to continual learning and professional development. Currently, she is pursuing further advanced training at the NJ Institute for Psychoanalytic Training in Teaneck.  Prior to becoming an LSW, Deborah had a successful career conducting research with patients living with chronic and acute diseases.  Through this work, she gained a deep understanding of how to communicate with and motivate people whose lives have been changed by unexpected difficulties. 

      This background inspired Deborah to work more closely with people experiencing difficult and unexpected life experiences in order to help them move away from ways of living that are less helpful and move toward greater happiness and fulfillment.
Deborah works with her clients by respecting their experience and perspective to help them feel “seen, heard and understood.”  A trusting alliance develops, and the client has the freedom to share emotions, experiences and challenges.  Within the safety of this unique relationship people can begin living each day with greater growth and joy. (telehealth only) 

About Us

Kimberly Lesser, LSW
      Kim is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in New Jersey. She obtained her BA in Psychology at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey. She went on to get her Masters in Social Work (MSW) there also. Kim had a first career in her family jewelry business for almost 20 years. Eventually, she decided to follow her true passion and went back to school to become a social worker.

      Kim’s experience includes serving adolescents and adults from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, both in individual and group settings. She has worked in supportive housing agencies, residential group homes, as a home clinician and as a parent coach. Kim specializes in working with people who are suffering from anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, and relationships issues. Kim is certified-Level One in  the Gottman Method for couple's counseling. She works from a philosophy that the most important relationship each person has is with themselves. Using a strength-based approach, Kim creates a therapeutic safe space for her clients. She collaborates with them to find and pursue solutions that best meet their individual needs. (Practicing in Westwood) 

Michelle Mendelson, LSW

    Michelle is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the state of New Jersey.  She is currently working towards her clinical licensure. She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from NYU. Michelle spent the first 10 years of her career working with adults, couples and children in outpatient clinical settings, community case management and providing counseling services within the public school setting. She has a wide range of experience working with individuals of all ages struggling with anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, trauma, and marital conflict. Michelle took a break from social work to assist her husband run a small business and focus on raising her children.  She returns to the field of clinical social work with a passion to grow and develop her expertise in providing the best care for her clients.

    Her more recent experience includes providing supervision for social work interns and working in a private practice setting.  Michelle works with a client focused and strength based approach to her therapy.  She utilizes her strong clinical skills to create a treatment plan based on the individual needs of her clients within a warm, supportive environment. She is Certified in EMDR therapy and as a Gottman workshop leader.  

Terry Nelson, LSW

    Terry is a graduate of the Nathan Weiss School of Social Work at Kean University and is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the state of New Jersey. Social Work is a second career for Terry.  He previously enjoyed a career in public education as a classroom teacher of foreign languages and special education, specializing in French and Spanish. Terry also served for some time as a vice principal. During his time in education, he worked successfully with adolescents with learning disabilities including those on the autism spectrum. Terry also worked in Paris, France for the French Cultural Service as a translator and performing voice over work for sound and light presentations which were presented globally in museums throughout the world including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. You can still hear his work there today at certain exhibits.

    Terry worked as a counselor at Offenders’ Aid and Restoration in Newark, N.J.  His focus was post incarceration, supporting each client as they faced new challenges addressing their individual emotional needs in new and unfamiliar environments.  He was part of a Social Work team in a dual diagnosis department, working in a hospital based psychiatric setting. He ran groups and provided individual counseling to help patients begin restructuring their lives. Terry is an avid supporter of 12 Step programs including Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families. He works with adolescents and adults as they learn to change their life’s narrative. His focus is on helping people overcome their limitations and attain their desired sense of who they want to become.   (Practicing in Westwood.)

      Kassandra is an LSW (Licensed Social Worker)  in New Jersey and an LMSW (Licensed Masters Social Worker) in New York. She obtained her BS in Community Mental Health with a minor in Substance Use and her MSW (Masters in Social Work) from Ramapo College of New Jersey.

      Kassandra has been working in the social services field since 2002. During that time, Kassandra has worked with adolescents and adults from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, both in individual and group settings. She has worked in inpatient and outpatient counseling centers, NJ/NY corrections system and residential group homes.

      Kassandra is trained in crisis intervention, CPR/1st aid, and as a DHS/ACS Mandated Reporter. She specializes in working with people who are suffering from substance use, mental health issues (anxiety, depression, mood disorders), trauma, victims of domestic violence, families with active ACS (Association for Child Services) and DCP&P (Division of Child Protection & Permanency) cases, and Intellectual Disabilities.

      Kassandra is experienced in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Crisis Intervention, Problem Solving, and Trauma-Informed treatment.

      Kassandra’s personal approach to therapy is mindfulness of individual differences in thinking and behavior, as well as cultural and ethnic diversity; treating each person with dignity and respect to promote their capacity and opportunity to address their own needs and improve their personal situations.
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Sharia Triche, LSW

     Sharia Triche is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in New Jersey as well as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in New York State. She obtained both her BSW and MSW (Master of Social Work) degrees from Syracuse University. Sharia is a New Jersey resident, but born and raised in Syracuse, New York. She has approximately 10 years of experience in education, foster care and adoption, as well as experience working with at-risk youth. Sharia specializes in work with children, teens and young-adults who may be experiencing symptoms associated with ADHD, anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant behaviors and family systems stressors. She also specializes in crisis intervention and parenting and relationship issues.

     Sharia is trained in CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused/Brief Therapy and ABA therapy. She has a strong belief in meeting her clients “where they are at” and working together to find solutions to the issues which bring them into therapy in the first place. She utilizes a strength-based approach, as well as mindfulness and meditation to guide individuals and families towards a healthier mind and better functioning overall in life. Sharia believes that therapy is a partnership between client and therapist and that together they will work towards positive and effective solutions. (telehealth only)