2010 Educational Program Schedule

2nd Thursday - 7:15pm

To view our current schedule of all group meetings, click here.

Educational programs include a specific topic that a mental health professional (MD, Nurse practitioner, LCSW/social worker, Psychologist, LPC/Licensed Professional Counselor, etc.) shares their knowledge and skills about. While many programs directly relate to depression and bipolar disorder, at times, other programs are made available that may indirectly relate to mood disorders i.e. Healthy Relationships, Compassionate Treatment of Mental Illness, etc. Other educationals may include other various speakers or organizational programs as well as panels and/or movies followed by discussions. All educational lectures are followed by a question and answer period or discussion.

Educationals begin at 7:15 pm and the speaker typically starts at 7:30 pm. Persons can view and take free literature. No latecomer policy is in effect for these meetings. Persons are requested to wear a name tag with their first name only so that no one is a stranger. A bag is passed at the end of the meeting for voluntary monetary donations. Typically, people will donate $1 - $2, all the funds helping to defray our costs. Educational meetings are typically over no later than 9:00 pm. If you wish to obtain information about previous lectures or provide input on future lectures or to just find out more information or for inclement weather cancellations, call (973) 647-8082 .

A public thank you goes out to all DBSA Succasunna speakers who donate their time to help to educate the group and the community at large.



January 14, 2010
Recipes for Blues Busting – Natural Approaches to Find the Sun Behind the Clouds
Judith Gisser, MS, CNS (Board Certified Nutrition Specialist) and CWC (Certified Wellness Coach)                                                                             www.judithgisser.com

Judith Gisser is a Board Certified Nutritionist Specialist, Certified Wellness Coach, Wellness Program Developer, Speaker and Author of the Eat Right…Live Well Workbook.  She holds an MS in Human Nutrition, completed a graduate program at the Herbal Therapeutics School of Botanical Medicine and is a member of the American College of Nutrition.  Judith is also the co-founder of Lifestyles of the Healthy Heart, LLC., a unique combination of individualized consultation and group wellness coaching to effect long term health and joy in living.    Her approach involves identifying imbalances in the body and teaching clients simple daily practices to restore optimal function which often results in profound improvement in energy, mood and overall wellbeing.  More information can be found about Judith and her work at www.judithgisser.com .

February 11, 2010
A Family Valentine: Communication for Improving Relationships
Michelle Zechner, MSW, LSW, CPRP (Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner)

Michelle Zechner, MSW, LSW, CPRP is a mental health practitioner who has focused her career on helping people with psychiatric disabilities and their families for the past 15 years.  She has worked in a variety of settings and currently is an Instructor at UMDNJ – SHRP, Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation where she primarily consults with a state psychiatric hospital on the implementation of evidence-based practices.  She also teaches undergraduate course at the department.  Michelle has presented locally and nationally at a number of venues on topics ranging from wellness and recovery to health promotion strategies for people living with psychiatric illnesses.  She is an active NAMI Mercer member, and believes that all people diagnosed with mental illness can and do recover.

March 11, 2010
All You Want to Know about Anxiety Disorders
Francine Rosenberg, Psy.D.                                                                www.morrispsych.com/biorosenberg.htm

Francine Rosenberg, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist who practices cognitive-behavior therapy with children, adolescents and adults, through individual, family and group therapy.  Her specialties include but are not limited to stress, depression, adjustment problems, parenting issues, anxiety disorders, behavioral disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and relationship problems.  Dr. Rosenberg has broad experience and extensive expertise from her work with chronic psychiatric patients at Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital, Fair Oaks Hospital, and for years providing therapeutic services to children and adolescents in the Behavioral Health Services department at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. As a member of the medical staff of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, she also had the responsibility of providing psychoeducational programming to the staff as well as to members of the community of Newark.  When Dr. Rosenberg is not in the field she is lecturing to both public and professional groups on a variety of topics including depression, stress management, social skills, conflict resolution, parenting adolescents, anxiety disorders and behavior management of children.  She maintains membership in The New Jersey Psychological Association and is currently the President of the Morris County Psychological Association.

April 8, 2010
Legal Ease while Living with Mental Health Challenges Panel

Social Security Disability  - Barbara Comerford, Esq.    
                                                                                          
Psychiatric Advanced Directives – Vivian Sanks-King   

Your Legal Rights in a Criminal Context – Melody Merola

Barbara Comerford, an attorney in practice in NJ, has concentrated her law practice in the area of Disability law, with an emphasis on ERISA and individual long term disability insurance, Social Security Disability and State Government Disability Pensions for the past 23 years after making a determination that this was the type of law she wanted to focus on. Ms. Comerford is the founding Chair and remains Co-Chair of the Social Security Committee for the Bergen County Bar Association.  She is a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives and has been a sustaining member of the American Association for Justice.  Ms. Comerford served as an attorney advisor for the Bergen County Division of Disability Services with respect to the issue of County compliance with the American with Disabilities Act.  She holds membership with the American Bar Association and many other Bar Associations throughout New Jersey.  Ms. Comerford has sat on a number of Boards including the Northeast New Jersey Legal Services Board.  She even co-authored a Physician Manual and wrote the chapter on "Proving Disability" in relation to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  When Ms. Comerford is not in her office working, she is out in the community volunteering her time by educating the community by providing through lectures and/or writing papers on various health and disability related topics.  Over time she has been the recipient of many prestigious awards recognizing her for her time and efforts.  More information can be found at www.tristatedisabilitylaw.com.

Vivian Sanks-King, an attorney, is the former Vice-President of Legal Management at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in NJ.  She now has a private practice dealing with Healthcare Law and has knowledge and skills in Psychiatric Advance Directives.

Melody Merola, an attorney, is the Fist Assistant Deputy Public Defender in Bergen County with the Office of Public Defenders.  She is also the Chair of the Mental Health Law Committee for the Bergen County Bar Association.  Her scope of practice includes working with persons who have mental illness who have become part of the legal justice system.

May 13, 2010
In a Good Place – Now What?  Relapse Prevention from Depression and Substance Abuse
Carolee A. Kallmann, MA, LPC, LCADC, ICADC

Carolee A.Kallmann, MA, is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC) currently practicing in Morristown. Because Ms. Kallmann likes to be on the cutting edge of evidence-based treatment, she has extensive training in many modalities including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Schematherapy.  Ms. Kallmann is also a member of SSTAR (Society for Sex Therapy and Research).  She has EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) certification and much experience in trauma work.  Much of her therapy is influenced by a Mindfulness based approach, having been trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction with Jon Kabat-Zinn.  In fact, she appeared in a special Newsweek issue (“The New Science of Mind & Body) in September 2004, that issue featuring Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.  A major interest of Ms. Kallmann’s is in the neuroplasticity of the brain and treatments that can help integrate all areas of the brain.  She is the author of Nicotine: An Addictive Substance, Brain Reward & Reinforcement Evidence.  Ms. Kallmann has worked in various capacities at UMDNJ, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Daytop Village, and Morristown Memorial Hospital.  Holding two licenses, one in counseling psychology and the other in addictions, Ms. Kallmann is eminently qualified to work with dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders.


June 10, 2010
Dismantling the Stigma of Mental Illness – A Personal Story of Acceptance , Coping Mechanisms, & Flourishment
Janine Crowley Haynes, Author & Speaker

“My Kind of Crazy: Living in a Bipolar World” for sale at reduced rate ($10.70) along with Book Signing

Janine Crowley Haynes, author of My Kind of Crazy: Living in a Bipolar World is not a doctor, celebrity or prize-winning author who can use mental illness as a platform. She is a wife, mother, and self-acknowledged crazy person living with bipolar disorder for over 15 years. She notes that she is only one in 5.7 million adult Americans who suffer from a mental illness in a given year. Despite those numbers, she acknowledges that the stigma of mental illness still remains. Ms. Haynes' book focuses on the human experience of living with a mental illness.  Her book is not one of a depressing nature. In fact, she injects humor into the serious subject of mental illness and works to dismantle the shame and isolation that a person with a similar illness might experience. In addition to writing her memoir, she speaks at local colleges and volunteers at the same psychiatric hospital in which she was a patient. Ms. Haynes will join us to share her enlightening experience which will include dismantling the stigma, acceptance, coping mechanisms, and how she has found a way to have a positive approach in light of the challenges. My Kind of Crazy: Living in a Bipolar World just received its first book award.  It was chosen as Honorable Mention in the Writer's Digest 17th Annual International Self-Published Book Awards in the Inspirational category. Her book will be available for purchase (cash only) at a discounted price of $10.00 plus tax ($10.70) or it can be purchased on Amazon.com.

July 8, 2010
Finding Supports & Navigating the School System when your Child has Mental Health Challenges
Marilyn Gaesser, APRN (Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse)

Marilyn Gaesser, APRN is certified by the American Nurses Association and NJ to prescribe as a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist, also being certified as a clinical aroma therapist trying to use essentials oils as an adjunct within her practice.  Her specialties within her private practice located in Parsippany include adolescents, adults, and geriatrics for therapy and medication management.  Ms. Gaesser has been working as a psychiatric nurse since 1990 – she has worked as a staff nurse at St. Clare's Hospital’s Adult Involuntary Unit followed by the Eating Disorder Unit.  While working on the Eating Disorders Unit, she achieved her Master's Degree, then working to prescribe at St. Clare's nursing home program followed by St. Clare’s Partial Hospitalization program.  Even last year, she worked for a company called Mentor doing medication management for children ages 8 - 18 who are in foster care.  When Ms. Gaesser is not practicing in the field, she has taught as an adjunct professor in psychiatry at William Paterson University and is currently an adjunct professor at Rutgers University in the preceptor program.  She maintains membership in the American Nursing Association, Society for Psychiatric Nurses in NJ, and the Nursing Honor Society - Sigma Theta Tau.  Outside of her profession, she has 4 children, the two youngest having bipolar disorder, having been diagnosed around 13 years old.  She has much personal experience living with kids who have bipolar disorder and on a professional as well as personal level getting them through the school system whether through in-district our out-of-district placement.

August 12, 2010
Could it be Borderline Personality Disorder - Symptoms and Treatment (including DBT)
Douglas S. Baum, LCSW                                           www.morrispsych.com/biobaum.htm

Douglas S. Baum, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice with the Morris Psychological Group, PA, in Parsippany.  Mr. Baum’s practice includes individual, marital and family therapy with adults and adolescents, with his specialties including (but not limited to) Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Depression and Anxiety, as well as a variety of other issues.  He is a Diplomate in Clinical Social Work and is a former staff psychotherapist at both UMDNJ and St. Clare's Hospital.  Currently, Mr. Baum also assists DBSA Succasunna as their professional advisor, with his roles including attendance at monthly board meetings, assistance to the Board of Trustees, and contact with local professionals.

September 9, 2010
No lecture due to holiday

October 14, 2010
Complimentary Alternative Medical Treatments for Mood Disorders
Clifford Taylor, MD

Clifford Taylor, M.D. is an adult and adolescent psychiatrist practicing in Morristown.   Areas of special interest for him include the treatment of bipolar and bipolar spectrum disorders, refractory anxiety and depressive disorders, couples therapy and family therapy.  Formats of treatment that Dr. Taylor utilizes in his practice include: psychoeducation, pharmacotherapy integrative medicine using herbs, nutrients, vitamins, nootropics, hormones, and mind-body practices.  Forms of therapy that he is skilled in and utilizes include:  supportive therapy, interpersonal therapy, insight oriented therapy, behavior therapy, cognitive/behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness based therapy, hypnotherapy, phototherapy, cranial stimulation therapy and sex therapy.  Dr. Taylor is an attending psychiatrist at Morristown Memorial Hospital and maintains membership in the Silvan Tomkins Institute for Psychotherapy Training and Research as well as the International Society for Bipolar Disorders.  “If you Think you have Seasonal Affective Disorder” was also authored by him in 1998.

November 11, 2010
Modern Integrative Treatment Approaches - Medications, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and More . . . .
Edward Ratush, MD                                                                          www.recovermd.com

Edward Ratush, M.D. is a psychiatrist practicing in NY and NJ.  His current specialties by which he offers comprehensive integrative and complementary based treatment include: Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders such as panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Arousal Disorders such as insomnia, fatigue, and shift work, Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, and Alcohol and Substance Abuse Disorders.   He acknowledges side effects being a leading cause of why many people stop effective treatment with medications thereby working on developing a program for treatment of medication induced side effects so that the severity of any side effect can be reduced. Dr. Ratush is one of a few psychiatrists in the US pioneering the use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), the first FDA approved magnet treatment for Major Depression. He refers to TMS as the "no pain ECT" and envisions TMS revolutionizing Depression treatment.  In addition to successfully utilizing TMS he is a dedicated collaborator for the advancement of technology assisted treatments for psychological and neurological conditions.  Dr. Ratush is a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, a Diplomate of American Board of Addiction Medicine and a Voluntary Faculty member in Morristown Memorial Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry.  He is the Medical Director for the Center for Great Expectations, a non-profit residential treatment center for pregnant homeless adolescents, and addicted women in early recovery hoping to be reunited with their children.  More information can be found about Dr. Ratush or his work at www.recovermd.com

December 9, 2010
A Community Effort – Changing Perceptions about Mental Health
Celina Gray, Executive Director of the Governor’s Council on Mental Health

Celina Gray, Executive Director of the Governor’s Council on Mental Health, has done most of her work in non-profit, with a focus in the fields of entertainment and community health care.   She started her non-profit career at a small theater company in New York, subsequently working on independent film projects and documentaries.   The theater and film-projects were based on true events and human interest stories, fueling her interest in issues that face our communities.  She went on to do public relations, marketing, and fund development for the March of Dimes and then North Hudson Community Action Corporation (NHCAC), the largest Federally Qualified Health Center in New Jersey, where she advanced the effort to bring quality health care to the underserved and underinsured.  Prior to heading up the stigma council, she oversaw the launch of a major advertising campaign for VNA of Central Jersey.  Celina Gray remains passionate about creating healthy communities.  Her commitment has been reflected in her work as a member of the New Jersey Primary Care Association State Marketing Board, the Home Care Association of New Jersey Marketing Task Force, as Health Center Advocacy Coordinator for the National Association of Community Health Centers, and in her participation in endeavors such as the American Cancer Society Jersey City Initiative and the Monmouth Cancer Coalition.  Ms. Gray sits on a number of committees and task force projects including the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs PTSD Task Force, the Monmouth County Education Initiative Committee, the Monmouth University Coming Home Project, the Division of Mental Health Services Task Force for the Integration of Primary and Mental Health Care and the Department of Child and Behavioral Health Service Youth Development Council.  She is grateful for having been given the opportunity to join the Council’s effort to combat stigma and raise mental health awareness through respect, understanding, and change.