Chair: Kara Kushnir
Kara Kushnir is a psychotherapist/LCSW, licensed in NJ, PA, FL and SC. As a clinician she founded A Work of Heart Counseling & Wellness in Bergen County, where she and her team focus on the needs of families – including new parents – navigating a variety of life challenges ranging from perinatal mental health conditions, to NICU stays, infant loss or stillbirth, termination for medical reasons, and parenting children with disabilities. Kara’s journey into perinatal mental health and obtaining her PMH-C was inspired not only by her work with families but also by her own personal experiences with perinatal mental health struggles. She specializes in supporting trauma survivors, individuals with anxiety and OCD, and families of children with disabilities. Kara is dedicated to advocating for and educating others about the needs of new parents navigating mental health conditions related to childbirth and parenting.
Vice Chair: Kristy Champignon 
Kristy is a NJ and NY licensed counselor with over 15 years experience working in the mental health community and the founder of Meadowlark Counseling, Supervision, & Consultation. Since the birth of her son and her own experiences as a first time mom, Kristy has acquired additional training and certification in perinatal mental health with the mission and belief that all parents deserve the compassion and support of a village. Kristy is a passionate speaker and advocate educating her community on various mental health topics and stigma reduction. Kristy’s goal is to help moms and dads cherish and care for the person they become in parenthood.
PMHA-POC Chair: Shanita Alvarez-Crawley
Shanita Alvarez-Crawley, LSW (She/Her/Hers) is a Social Work Manager at AtlantiCare Women’s and Children’s Services. She provides mental health and support services across the healthcare system to perinatal and postpartum patients during the pregnancy and up to one year after birth. She also works with women prior to pregnancy and provides substance use support services. As the Social Work manager, She also oversees the operational and day to day activities of the Safe Beginnings Program at AtlantiCare that provides in home medical and social service support to pregnant women and their infants up to one year of life. She is trained in PMH and will be seeking PMH-C certification. Shanita has worked in the field of social services for 17 years and has experience in trauma, grief, and loss. Her background is extensive in preventing child abuse and neglect and supporting families that have experiences incidents of abuse and neglect.
Community Outreach and Engagement: Deborah Flam
Deborah Flam, M.A., LAC, PMH-C, is a perinatal and reproductive therapist in N.J. and P.A. She has experience in providing psychotherapy to those struggling with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, infertility, pregnancy and infant loss, and she works with sexual abuse survivors in their childbearing years. Deborah has training in EMDR therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, Compassionate Bereavement Care from the MISS Foundation, and trauma-informed care for survivors of sexual abuse. In addition, she has her Perinatal Mental Health Certification from PSI. Since 2021, Deborah has been facilitating a perinatal support group for PSI, a primary infertility support group for Yesh Tikva, and has been a PSI NJ support coordinator. Deborah is passionate about helping others and ensuring that all birthing people and families have access to mental health support and quality healthcare.
Fundraising and Development: Lauren Brinez
Lauren Brinez, MS, LPC, is a licensed psychotherapist in both NJ and Florida, and the founder of Better Wellness Professional Counseling in Tinton Falls, NJ. Lauren has served in the community through various experiences with children, families, and individual adults through crisis intervention and stabilization for children, PHP/IOP, the crisis department in the ER, inpatient hospitalization and now private practice. Lauren is a huge advocate for women and families and has a passion in working with the perinatal/postpartum community. Lauren wishes to help raise awareness to the community in her efforts as the Fundraising Chair in order to create more compassion and understanding for such a vulnerable community.
Communications Chair: Emily Reach
Emily brings over 15 years of experience in creative direction and communications, specializing in digital and social strategy, to her role at Postpartum Support International. Her career has been marked by her commitment to working for brands that educate, inspire, and empower women.
Currently at L’Oreal, Emily has also held key positions at other renowned companies such as Seventeen Magazine, Victoria’s Secret, Cosmopolitan.com and Ralph Lauren. Through all of her roles, she honed her expertise in marketing communications targeted toward women from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating her ability to craft impactful messages that resonate across various platforms.
However, it was Emily’s personal postpartum journey that ignited her passion for supporting women during the period following birth. Having navigated her own challenges with birth trauma, perinatal anxiety, insomnia, and depression, Emily understands firsthand the importance of mental health awareness and support during this vulnerable time.
Now, as a part of the PSI team, Emily’s goal is to turn her personal pain into purpose, channeling her experiences into advocacy efforts that make a tangible difference in the lives of women and to help create a community where women and families feel empowered to seek help and support.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Emily is a proud wife and mother to her daughter. She values time spent in nature, finding solace and rejuvenation in the outdoors.
Advocacy Chair: Janine Cook
Janine Cook, MA, LPC, TF-CBT, PMH-C is a New Jersey licensed professional counselor with in over 17 years working in community based mental health programs. For the past 15 years, Janine has been employed by The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, working in adoption, child welfare and maternal health services. Janine is certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and has experience working with children and adults who have experienced various forms of trauma.
Janine became passionate about maternal mental health services after witnessing so many parents and caregivers struggle with connections to resources and quality mental health care that is affordable and obtainable. Janine received her PMH-C in July of 2022 and has been a strong advocate for the development of more maternal mental health services within the non-profit agency where she works and the community where she lives. Janine is excited to take on the role of Advocacy Chair and to continue to work for more services within the State of New Jersey. Janine is a mother to three boys, her youngest just turning one-year old. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her children and family.
Membership Chair: Stephanie Swasey
Stephanie is a dedicated student midwife and full-spectrum doula who is committed to supporting individuals through their reproductive journey, regardless of the path or outcome. She is actively pursuing her Certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) to deepen her understanding of perinatal mental health. Stephanie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Rutgers University, which led her to a career in pharmaceutical research and development.
In her role as Membership Chair, Stephanie warmly welcomes prospective and new members. She organizes and hosts special events, providing opportunities for connection and mutual support. Through her efforts, Stephanie showcases how the chapter effectively assists families throughout New Jersey.
Social Media: Juliana Fondacaro
Juliana offers two decades of knowledge and experience in public relations and social media. Her past clients have been featured in/on: The New York Times, The TODAY Show, Rolling Stone, The Rachael Ray Show, The Huffington Post and NY Live, just to name a few.
With experience working for large PR & marketing agencies, and extensive work in the nonprofit sector, Juliana believes in the strength of small businesses, the impact that brands and campaigns can have on society, and in women who are breaking the glass ceiling every day.
Juliana currently resides in Bergen County with her high school sweetheart and their 2 children. Aside from being a mom and running her own business, Juliana is passionate about wellness and an avid ice hockey fan, having played all of her life!
Secretary: Erin Smith
Erin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Perinatal Mental Health Certified Therapist (PMH-C) at A Work of Heart Counseling in Bergen County NJ where she provides therapy to women experiencing PMADs, Postpartum OCD, Birth trauma, still birth, infant and neonatal loss and couples navigating their relationship as new parents. Erin’s own experience with PMADS sparked her interest and desire to give back and help women struggling in the perinatal period which led her to PSI. Erin received her PMH-C in February 2021 and has been passionate about helping parents navigate all that the perinatal and postpartum period entail. Erin is very excited to be involved with PSI NJ Board and is grateful to be able to continue to support new moms, parents and families.
CLC: Mei Zhao
Mei Zhao, MPH is the Program Assistant and Adjunct Faculty in the Public Health Department working in an academic environment. With over 15 years working in Public Health, she brings experiences of managing grant funded, health related programs. She is certified in Mental Health First Aid and is completing training/certification in Perinatal Mental Health. She is passionate to help more moms and parents to make a smooth transition to their parenthood, and create a happy family! As Chapter CLC, Mei is happy to be a bridge to better connect the NJ chapter with PSI.
Treasurer: Alicia Giglio
Alicia Giglio, MS, LPC, NCC is a New Jersey licensed professional counselor with 10 years of experience working in the mental health field. Alicia has experience working in outpatient and hospital settings. She is the owner of Healing in Motion LLC, a private practice in Monmouth County which specializes in trauma, eating disorders, and family dynamics. Alicia is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as Internal Family Systems (IFS).
Alicia found an interest in maternal mental health services after providing treatment for many individuals and families struggling to obtain the resources and support that they needed. She is in the process of receiving her PMH-C. She is passionate about education and advocacy work to improve her clinical skills and client care. In her free time she enjoys being active, spending time with friends and family, and baking.
Education and Training: Kayla Ogletree
Kayla Ogletree, MSW, LSW is a Manager, Psychotherapist and soon to be Site Director in August 2024, at Resolution Counseling Center in Jersey City, NJ. Kayla’s professional career spans over a decade, with majority of her experience supporting families and children. In 2014- 2019, She was a Senior Service Coordinator in the New Jersey Early Intervention System, where she learned about her passion of supporting moms who are pregnant and postpartum. After giving birth to her own daughter in 2018, Kayla’s passion for Maternal Mental Health grew even more. Kayla loves to educate others to help them make more informed decisions and become knowledgeable about resources to help them live a better life, especially in the perinatal period.
As a Psychotherapist at her current practice, Kayla specializes in working with the Perinatal population on a specialized Perinatal Team. Kayla works with individual clients and couples that are pregnant, postpartum, clients grieving after child loss, and those experiencing infertility challenges. Additionally, Kayla is working towards obtaining her PMH-C. It is particularly important to her to support Perinatal Clients and Clients experiencing infertility in the BIPOC community. Kayla believes the more informed and educated a person is, it helps individuals make better choices for their care and assists them with advocating for themselves. This also contributes to breaking down certain barriers for the BIPOC community. Kayla is thrilled to be the Education and Training Chair for PSI-NJ to work towards expanding access and education.
