Meet the Team

Lisa Marcelino, PhD, LMFT (she/her)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Specialties: trauma/PTSD, couples/relationships, teenagers

I’m Dr. Lisa, and I help clients heal from difficult experiences. I have a passion for helping those who feel stuck. The effects of trauma, depression, and anxiety deeply impact our self-esteem and relationships with others. This can leave you feeling lost in life.

Working with me means searching for your authentic self and rebuilding your self-esteem. Sessions with me include breaking cycles of dysfunction and creating healthier patterns. On this journey of self-reflection, you will learn coping skills, discover your strengths, and realize your potential.

I have a BA in Psychology, BA in Sociology, and MA in Psychological Services from Kean University. I completed my PhD in Psychology from Walden University. Most recently, I received my Marriage and Family Therapy Professional Diploma from Kean University. I have additional experience working with:

• Domestic violence
• Sexual abuse
• Traumatic social experiences
• Body image
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

I offer a judgement-free, safe space to share your concerns and thoughts. My sessions include: 

• Improved understanding of trauma and mental health
• Development of coping skills
• Reflections on your relationships
• Focus on solutions and goals

Outside of the office, I enjoy exercising, spending time outdoors, making arts and crafts projects, spending time with friends and family, and reading great books.  

I offer telehealth and in-person sessions to clients in New Jersey. I am here to help you to live your best life and be the most fulfilled version of yourself. If you’re ready to find your voice, let’s get started.

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Jaunai Staton, BBA (she/her)
Marriage and Family Therapy Intern

Specialties: couples/relationships, families, trauma

I’m Jaunai and I help clients improve their relationships. I’m passionate about helping others establish, maintain, and build on the relationships in their lives. Whether it’s with your partner, children, or friends, relationships are challenging.

You may feel invalidated and misunderstood by people in your life. If you’ve experienced trauma, loss of trust, or grief, you’ll notice that your relationships are affected, too. You’ve tried to make things better but nothing seems to work. You might feel lost and confused about the future of your relationships. Perhaps your self-esteem is at an all-time low.

Working with me means finding stability and harmony in your relationships. Sessions with me include exploring the painful or unpleasant experiences in your relationships, as well as finding ways to heal. Together, we can:

• Find your strengths
• Build self-esteem
• Learn new communication skills
• Better understand you, your partner, and your relationship

I graduated from Berkeley College with a BBA. Currently, I am enrolled in Syracuse University’s Marriage and Family Therapy Master’s program. My therapy approach is integrative and dependent upon your unique needs, as there is no “one size fits all” with therapy. Modalities I use include Solution Focused, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Outside of work, I enjoy writing, creating content, and spending quality time with family and friends.

I offer telehealth and in-person sessions to clients in NJ. If you’re ready to find balance and healing in your relationships, I’m here to guide you.

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Melody Smith, LAC (she/her)
Licensed Associate Counselor

Specialties: disordered eating, anxiety, body image

I’m Melody and I help clients create a life they love. I have a passion for helping women make the changes necessary to work towards a more fulfilled self.

Life can be beautiful yet messy. Emotional, physical, relational, and professional stressors can leave you feeling overwhelmed and emotionally drained. Perhaps you feel disconnected from yourself and others. You feel dissatisfied with your body and food. Or perhaps you feel held back by the past. You find yourself in a cycle of unhealthy habits. You’ve been so busy caring for others that you end up ignoring your own health. We’ve all been there.

Working with me means focusing on how to care for you so that you can blossom into the best version of yourself. By caring for yourself, you can heal from your past and find new ways to navigate your present. You no longer need to be at war with yourself. Sessions with me offer a safe space where you can prioritize yourself and reclaim your well-being.

I graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a BA in Psychology with a focus on mental health. I have my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. I have additional experience working with:

• Eating Disorders
• Trauma
• Relationship Issues
• Grief/Loss

I provide a calm, nonjudgmental space for my clients. My sessions include:

• Holistic therapy, with mind-body approaches
• Skills and self-care strategies for managing stressful life circumstances
• Exploring patterns that influence your relationships and beliefs about yourself
• Building trust and deeper insight into self

In addition, I’m a certified yoga instructor. I enjoy guiding others as they learn to express and strengthen themselves through movement. In my free time, I enjoy being outside in nature, meditating, and spending quality time with family and friends. I offer telehealth and in-person sessions to clients in NJ. Together we will work to create an authentically empowered life.

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Lauren Stein Grossbach, LMFT (she/her)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
& Director

Specialties: couples/relationships, teenagers, parent coaching

I’m Lauren, and I’m a relationship therapist. I have a passion for helping others improve the relationships in their lives. Life revolves around the patterns we create and maintain in our relationships with others. Working with me means outlining the patterns in your life that aren’t serving you. Sessions with me include exploring your relationship boundaries, communication styles, individual strengths, and more.

I graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. I then completed my Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fairfield University. I have additional experience treating:

• Divorce, remarriage, and blended families
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Anxiety and panic
• Grief

I provide a nonjudgmental, safe space for my clients. My sessions include:

• Ways to improve communication with others
• Understanding patterns of behavior
• Mindfulness-based approaches
• Self-regulation interventions for children and teens

In my free time, I’m watching reruns of The Office, spending time at the Jersey Shore, and relaxing at home with my husband and two cats. I serve as Vice President on the New Jersey Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (NJAMFT) Executive Board.

I founded Mindful Connections Counseling to help couples, families, and individuals in Middlesex, Union, Somerset, and Monmouth county. I am proud to now offer telehealth services for people all over New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida.

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Contact us to schedule an appointment.