SOBA NJ - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- CADC Intern, CCM
- Client Care Coordinator
Jacob is a Primary Therapist at SOBA New Jersey's Outpatient Treatment Center. Having received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Rowan University, he went on to pursue a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work at Rutgers University. Jacob then went on to become a New Jersey Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) Intern.
Growing up I never liked rote memorization. As a physician I have never liked the arbitrary labeling and "pigeon holing of patients." My name is Jeffrey A. Berman, M.D., DFASAM. My practice has been dedicated to Addiction Medicine and Addiction Psychiatry and for the past 8 years, I've been the Chief Medical Officer for SOBA New Jersey. A life-long practice in Addiction Medicine started for me shortly after becoming one of the first physicians certified by American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) in 1988. Dedication to mission was instilled in me by rigorous medical training and 22+ years as an Army Reservist. I didn't realize how these two parts of my life would be so intertwined.
Job Titles:
- CADC Intern Client Care Coordinator
- Recovery Technician
Job Titles:
- CCS Clinical Coordinator
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Joshua is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) in the state of New Jersey. He graduated from Rutgers University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Philosophy and a graduate degree in Clinical Social Work. Additionally, he earned a certificate in addiction counseling through completion of the Rutgers Addiction Certificate Training (ACT) program through the Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work. Since graduating, he has completed training in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and is working towards certification.
Job Titles:
- CADC Intern
- LSW Primary Therapist
Magaly is a Primary Therapist at SOBA New Jersey's Outpatient Facility. Magaly graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Certificate in Multicultural Competence. She then obtained her Master of Social Work degree with a specialization in Clinical Social Work from the same university. While in this graduate program, she also received certifications in addiction counseling and gambling counseling. Magaly is now a New Jersey Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) Intern. She has also become trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy through a credit provider approved by the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).
Melissa is a Primary Therapist for Outpatient services at SOBA New Jersey. Having received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Rutgers University, she then went on to pursue her Master's degree in Social Work at Rutgers University. Melissa currently holds a license as a Social Worker (LSW), and working towards her Clinical Social Worker license (LCSW) as well as Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor license (LCADC).
Melissa has a history of working in the substance abuse and addictions field, as well as co-occurring disorders. She started her career at SOBA New Jersey as an intern, where she had served in different areas of the agency including outpatient and detox. After this Melissa worked at another substance use facility as a therapist working closely with DCP&P, drug court and probation. Melissa has also had experience working with mental health during her time working as a therapist at Princeton House. Here she ran groups which specialized in DBT, provided individual counseling, as well as family therapy. After this, she returned to SOBA as a primary therapist where she works in a field, she is most passionate about, addictions and recovery.
Melissa practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches, Motivational interviewing techniques (MI) as well as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Melissa is passionate about helping and supporting people work on themselves and helping them find that they have the power to make their lives better.
In her free time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, working out and plant care.
Job Titles:
- CADC Intern Inpatient Chemical
- Counselor at SOBA
- Rajveer Kaur CADC Intern
Rajveer is a dedicated counselor at SOBA's inpatient chemical dependency treatment program, specializing in substance abuse counseling and co-occurring disorders. With a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Rutgers University and a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bellevue University, Rajveer brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her practice.
Job Titles:
- CADC Intern Inpatient Clinician
- Counselor With SOBA
- Robert Sena CADC Intern
Rob is a counselor with SOBA's inpatient chemical dependency treatment programs. Rob holds degrees in Psychology and Management from Rutgers University - New Brunswick and Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The College of New Jersey. Rob also has a background in holistic medicine and somatic bodywork, holding degrees from The Northeast School of Botanical Medicine and David Winston's Center for Herbal Studies. Rob is a certified Yoga instructor and Meditation instructor through AAAi/ISMA. Through these various roles, Rob has gained experience working with a wide range of individuals and health concerns. Rob is currently pursuing a specialized license in drug and alcohol counseling and working toward completing his licensed professional counseling certification. Besides working as a clinician Rob has done research in alternative medicine and therapeutics for addiction, publishing articles for Natural Awakenings holistic health magazine.
Samantha is the Clinical Director for Inpatient and Outpatient services at SOBA New Jersey. Having received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from William Paterson University, she went on to pursue her Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Kean University. Samantha currently holds licenses as a Professional Counselor (LPC), Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) Clinical Certified Supervisor (CCS), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) and is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC).
SOBA NJ's sober living options are one of many features that set us apart as a leader in addiction treatment. We own multiple sober living facilities for clients in distinct stages of recovery, which follow our three-phase approach to addiction treatment.
Traditionally, sober living is a supportive housing option for those in recovery that combines the freedom of a standard rental agreement with the accountability of living in a 100% drug and alcohol-free space. For example, clients in SOBA NJ's PHP, IOP, or outpatient programs often stay in our sober living apartments to make their daily commute to treatment more convenient.
Those in our medical detox or residential treatment programs will reside in a living space with more supervision. If you start with a higher level of care and move down to a lower level of care, your sober living placement will change as you progress in treatment.