Kristy Centrelli Fernand, MSW, LCSW : Therapist for teens and families

About Me 

My practice is devoted to helping individuals shift out of stuck behavioral patterns, make changes to improve the relationships in their lives, heal from traumatic experiences and learn to love themselves. I love the work that I do as a therapist for teens, children, and adults. Each and every therapeutic relationship is meaningful to me, and there is nothing that feels better than seeing my patients begin to heal, show symptom reduction, and move forward with their lives.

Training & Background

• Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work:

  New York University - Graduate School of Social Work, NY, NY

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in both NJ and NY

• New Jersey State Certified School Social Worker

• SIFI Certification (Supervisor in Field Instruction) 2-year Program: 

  Fordham University - Graduate School of Social Work, Bronxx, NY

• Trinitas Hospital, Child/Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatric Unit, Elizabeth NJ.  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Intensive short-term therapy with children ages 4 to 18, diagnoses included cognitive, behavioral and emotional disorders, Bipolar, Depression, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Aspergers
• Facilitator of groups for ADHD, Social Skills, Anger Management, Parenting and Play Therapy

• Union County Child Advocacy Center – Crisis Intervention Specialist with Families and Victims of Sexual Abuse
• Crisis counseling, referrals, evaluations, and/or treatment subsequent to a child’s disclosure of sexual abuse to the police
• Collaborate with Prosecutor’s Office for continuity of care between legal interventions and psychiatric treatment

• St. Joseph's Hospital, Adult Outpatient Mental Health Unit,  – Adult Therapist, Paterson, NJ

• Individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy
• Variety of diagnoses included eating disorders, personality disorders, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia

• Davis House Residential Facility, Youth Consultation Services – Child Therapist, Newark, NJ

• Trauma-based play therapy with child victims of severe neglect, sexual and physical abuse, ages 5 to 10
• Initial evaluations, weekly individual, family and group psychotherapy sessions

Post Graduate Studies

• NJ Child Abuse Training Institute, Child Sexual Abuse Case Consultation

• Advanced Training & Consultation in Trauma and Sexual Abuse Treatment with Marsha Heiman, Ph.D. - 2 year Program
• Sponsored by The New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect

• Certified Supervisor in Field Instruction (SIFI) to Bachelor & Master’s level Social Work students

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): Advanced Training & Clinical Training with Esther Deblinger, Ph.D. -2 year Program
• Sponsored by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and the NJ CARES Institute at UMDNJ-SOM

• Online Training Course for Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, http://tfcbt.musc.edu/ 

• Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Certification - PESI Online Institute