At the Parent TRAIN, we are passionate about the transformative power of collaboration in making a real difference in people's lives! Our devoted team of licensed professionals can join forces when needed to deliver personalized, proven therapy that genuinely makes an impact.​
Training-Resources-Awareness-Information-Networking
Our Team.
Educational & Training Backgrounds of our Staff Include
Rutgers University
Montclair State
Seton Hall
Fairleigh Dickinson
Kean University
Monmouth University
California School of Professional Psychology
SAFE PATHS: Sexual Abuse Family Education
Family Violence and Sexual Assault Institute
It's important to recognize that no therapist possesses the expertise to address every issue effectively. That's why we have a collaborative team!
Dr. Maria Salvanto
Founder & Clinical Director:
the owner and founder of The Parent TRAIN, holds three graduate degrees in psychology. She has dedicated her career to supporting children and families and is a qualified diagnostician and performs testing and assessments regularly.
Michelle Berger, LPC
Senior Clinician:
has been a dedicated member of our team for over 10 years. She is trained in domestic violence and marriage therapies and specializes in behavior analysis. Her expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy focuses on using Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and Verbal Behavior (VB) techniques to support individuals on the autism spectrum.
Karen Johanning, LPC
Assistant Clinical Director:
is a senior clinician with a diverse background in various clinical settings. She oversees the intern program at our office while maintaining a caseload of adolescents and young adults, providing mentorship and guidance to upcoming professionals.
Services for All
Therapy across the lifespan
involves a range of approaches tailored to different life stages, from childhood to older adulthood, addressing age-specific issues and transitions. This can include child-focused therapies like play therapy, interventions for adolescents and adults dealing with specific problems, and approaches for older adults focusing on issues like retirement and life transitions.
Liz VanderValk, LPC
Senior Clinician:
a valued member of our team for over 12 years. She leads a free weekly parenting support group, providing a vital resource for parents. Her extensive training includes working with children and adults on the autism spectrum, as well as conducting assessments and diagnostic reports.
Megan Narciso, LCSW
Senior Clinician:
​She began her path to full licensure with our agency, bringing dedication and heart to every step. With over a decade of experience championing children's well-being, she offers deep expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and evidence-based behavioral interventions.
Lisa Justice, LCSW
Senior Clinician:
A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who offers over 12 years of experience supporting individuals and families through life’s most challenging moments. Her background includes addiction recovery, inpatient psychiatric care, and crisis intervention—giving her a deep understanding of how stress, trauma, and transitions affect the whole family.
Jay Murray, LCSW
Senior Clinician:
A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and families through life’s complexities. His extensive background spans a variety of clinical settings, allowing him to bring depth, perspective, and adaptability to his work. Jay specializes in working with older teens and adults, focusing on relationships & family dynamics.
Nuha Matari, LPC
Senior Clinician:
A Licensed Professional Counselor who has been a dedicated and compassionate member of our team for well over 8 years now. With over 20 years of experience as an educator, counselor and mental health professional, she supports adolescents, individuals, and families with compassion, insight, and culturally competent care.
Individual/Family/Couples
Many of our staff are trained in conducting family sessions, as well as couples counseling. We can provide services across the lifespan.
Hailey Panella, LPC
Senior Clinician:
Hailey is a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a school counselor. She fosters meaningful growth through compassionate, client-centered care. With over six years of experience and a background in school counseling, she brings valuable insight, collaboration, and developmental expertise to every setting. Her dual perspective allows her to support individuals across a wide range of life stages..
Amanda Stadler, LCSW
Senior Clinician:
As a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), she specializes in providing compassionate therapy and support to children and families facing a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges. She focuses on creating a safe, nurturing environment where young individuals can develop healthy coping skills, improve communication within the family unit, and thrive.
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Dr. Malini Bhatia is a psychiatrist with over 50 years of experience, specializing in mental health care. She diagnoses and treats conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, personality disorders, insomnia, ADD, and more. While she works with all age groups, her primary focus is on evaluating and prescribing treatment for children and adolescents.
Anne Huelbig, is a psychiatric nurse practitioner who brings our team her expertise in working with depression, ADHD, and anxiety disorders in children.
Medical Team
Associate Therapists
Christie Calamito,
LCDAC, LAC
Ryan Garner
LAC
Marco Pelosi
LAC
Katie VanderValk
LAC
Robyn Trezza
LAC
Speech & Language
(including social skills)
Danyela Williams, SLP Scott Shansky, SLP
Together, they bring a wealth of experience from both school-based and private language services. Danyela specializes in social communication through targeted support in the pragmatics of language. Scott focuses on early childhood speech and language development, guiding our youngest clients from initial assessments through ongoing therapy. Each shares a deep commitment to supporting children as they grow through key developmental milestones in speech, language, and social interaction.
Nutrition Supports
(with our registered dietician)
Jane Oneill, RD
Jane is a caring dietitian who helps families feel confident and supported in meeting nutrition needs. She works with autistic children who struggle with picky eating, guides teens through restrictive eating patterns, and supports families adjusting to new gastrointestinal or allergy diagnoses. With warmth and cultural sensitivity, Jane turns complex nutrition challenges into simple, practical routines that build lasting healthy habits.
Occupational Therapy
(including sensory integration)
Hannah Ververs, OTR-L
Hannah is a compassionate and highly skilled pediatric occupational therapist who brings both expertise and heart to her work with children. She specializes in supporting emotional regulation, sensory integration, and the development of fine and gross motor skills. Hannah’s dedication shines through in every session, helping children build confidence, coordination, and resilience in ways that truly make a difference.