Executive Leadership

 Dr. Brian Legg, received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. During this time, he completed advanced training in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and conducted psychological assessments. Dr. Legg is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of New Jersey.

With over twelve years of experience in the field of mental health, Dr. Legg has had training in a variety of settings, including outpatient and inpatient levels of care. He completed his Pre-Doctoral practicum and internship training at Friends Behavioral Hospital, Philadelphia.  Dr. Legg provided psychological services to children, adolescents, and adults in an acute inpatient hospital setting. Furthermore, he has experience providing individual, group, family therapy and various psychological assessments.   

Dr. Legg works with individuals of all ages.  His clinical interests are with couples therapy as well as psycho-diagnostic evaluation.  

Contact Dr. Legg:  201-606-2592 or blegg@psychcenters.org 

Joseph Retik is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of New Jersey in addition,  he is certified as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.  He has a Master's Degree in counseling from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Joseph has experience with providing individual therapy to adults and adolescents who have anxiety and depression. 

Joseph has extensive experience in working with individuals struggling through grief and loss as well as substance abuse obstacles.  Modalities include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Humanistic, Client Centered Therapy, Hypnosis, meditation/relaxation, progressive muscle relaxation, and other approaches that are effective with clients of all ages. He is a member of the American Counseling Association and American Psychotherapy Association. In addition, Retik is a Board Certified Professional Counselor from the American Board of Professional Counselors and holds a certification as a National Board Certified Clinical Hynotherapist. Also, he is a Certified Tobacco Cessation Treatment Specialist. Retik is bilingual and speaks fluent Spanish. 

With over 25 years of experience, Joseph is passionate and confident as a counselor/psychotherapist with integrating mindfulness-based approaches into effective therapy.

Contact Joseph: 201-606-2592

Elizabeth Cotoia is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor.  She received her bachelor’s from Temple University, master’s from Saint Elizabeth University and post-master’s certificate in alcohol and drug counseling from Montclair State University.

She has extensive experience working in outpatient mental health counseling and with college-aged students working on achieving their educational goals.  The basis of Elizabeth’s theoretical orientation is client-centered.  She believes a strong therapeutic alliance is essential in the counseling relationship and can help facilitate change.  She also incorporates CBT and SFBT techniques into her practice and believes having tangible items to work on in between sessions is important in achieving therapeutic goals.

Elizabeth Cotoia’s specialties are working with individuals with anxiety, depression and grief issues.  Additionally, she enjoys working with individuals who are entering therapy for the first time.  She likes to help ease their anxiety and dispel any preconceived myths they have about the counseling process.

Contact Elizabeth: 201-606-2592

Carina Garcia-Torrado is a therapist who works with many types of clients to achieve their personal goals. Carina believes that everyone’s reasons for seeking therapy are unique. 

For Carina, therapy is a collaborative effort and as your therapist she can help you build the road to get you where you want to be. Garcia-Torrado feels that taking care of your mental health is as normal as getting a physical at your doctor. She hopes that the space you both create is comfortable for you to share your feelings, safe enough to practice the skills learned in session and realize that change is possible.

Carina enjoys working with individual clients, couples, and families. She is bilingual and bicultural and can relate to clients who are first-generation and come from multigenerational backgrounds.  She is also a fluent Spanish speaker. Garcia-Torrado's concentration and passion is working with those who have been diagnosed with ADHD as adults and the challenges they face. 

Carina is a member of the Phi Alpha Honor Society and the National Association of Social Workers. In addition, she serves as an adjunct professor in the School of Communication and Media at Montclair State University. She received her undergraduate degree at Montclair State University and her Masters degree in the School of Social Work at Rutgers University. 

Contact Carina at 201-606-2592

Alison has earned an MS in Clinical Mental Heath Counseling from Capella University, a CACREP accredited program, and is an active member of the Chi Sigma Iota National Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, the American Counseling Association, as well as the New Jersey Counseling Association. 

She is proud to be a new member of the Psych Center family as she begins her journey as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. 

Alison is open to working with individuals, couples, and families of all ages and ethnicities. She has a strong appreciation for diverse populations, and acknowledges that each client is unique, and has different needs, values, and worldviews. She believes that counseling sessions need to be tailored to each unique individual, couple, or family, for the best therapeutic outcome. 

Alison has experience in treating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and she has a deep understanding in working with children who have behavioral issues, and have difficulty in regulating their emotions. 

Alison’s theoretical approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Behavioral Therapy, and she has a deep understanding of Gestalt Therapy. Her approach to counseling sessions includes empathy, compassion, respect, and skillful listening.

Contact Alison 201-606-2592

Thomas Larson received his BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1977 and his Masters in Social Work from Loyola of Chicago in 1984. He has four post-masters certificates from the Silver School at NYU in:

Forensic Mental Health
Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
Psychotherapy and Addictions
Spirituality and Social Work

He has achieved a certification in gambling addiction (May 2021) from Rutgers University, as well as a certification in trauma treatment (September 2022) through the New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

Thomas is interested in treating depression and anxiety. He also has an interest in treating survivors of sexual abuse. He enjoys and welcomes treating the LGBTQ+ community. Thomas works with individuals and couples in a psychodynamic modality.

Contact Thomas: 973-587-8040

 Leyla has been a professional therapist for over 15 years and has experience in diverse clinical settings.  Her passion has been to help my clients overcome their issues in order to create themselves and live their fullest and most amazing lives. 

She believes that as human beings, when we experience trauma or stress, we often find ourselves without the tools to manage those difficult situations. She helps her  clients (children, adults and families) work through those experiences, address their feelings and empower themselves to create their best lives in a safe, understanding, culturally sensitive and 

gender-inclusive space. 

Leyla feels that there is no one single approach to therapy, it is a highly individualized experience.  She has been trained in a wide range of modalities. In addition, she serves clients in both English and Spanish. 

Leyla's educational background includes a Master of Arts in Counseling and Clinical Psychology and Master of Education in Counseling and Clinical Psychology from Columbia University Teachers College.

Contact Leyla: 201-606-2592

 Sarah is interning at The Psych Center as she completes her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Montclair State University. She holds a 3.9 GPA, which has earned her acceptance into the Chi Sigma Iota, the Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society International. Sarah is part of the LGBTQ+ community and practices under an anti-racist and multicultural framework, with an added focus on fat liberation, and body neutrality and acceptance. As the child of an immigrant parent, Sarah embodies a bicultural identity and can empathize with clients who share similar family experiences and backgrounds. Having held executive-level positions, her previous experience equips her to assist clients at every stage of their professional journeys. She is an avid practitioner of yoga and meditation, and brings these modalities into her healing work. Sarah is a dog mom to her 4-year-old rescue pup Max, and is currently training him to become a therapy dog. She looks forward to helping her clients process trauma and life's difficulties, helping them on a path toward reaching their goals, strengthening self-love, and building healthy communication and coping skills. 

Contact Sarah : 201-606-2592

 Julieta is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling at Seton Hall University. As a therapist in training, she is dedicated to improving an individual's well-being and psychosocial functioning by offering a supportive, warm and nonjudgmental environment. She seeks to engage clients in ways that promote and respect their individuality, allowing them to be their most authentic selves. Julieta believes in advocating for success and equity for a vast array of diverse clients in her position as an agent of change. She has a passion to help clients achieve their full potential and accomplish their goals through approaches that encourage positive change. 

Contact Julieta: 201-606-2592

  Grace is a master's student at Seton Hall University. Grace believes in the intrinsic value of each individual. She is committed to working with clients to create a warm and nonjudgmental space where clients can express themselves openly and authentically. She hopes this allows for a safe space to explore thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to foster self-compassion and promote well-being. Through a collaborative process, Grace empowers clients in taking an active role in their journey and actualizing their potential. She believes in an integrative approach as each client has unique needs. She works to create a safe and affirming space that celebrates diversity and is committed to advocating for positive change inside and outside of counseling. Grace has three years of experience working with children as a special education aide. She is open to working with children, adults, and couples with varying needs. 

Contact Grace: 201-606-2592

Sierra is currently attending Montclair State University to obtain her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She also received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Psychiatric Rehabilitation in a dual degree program from Kean University and Rutgers School of Health Professions as well as a minor in American Sign Language from Kean University.

She has served adult clients aged 18 and up, specifically those with severe and persistent mental illnesses, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and co-occurring disorders. Sierra has experience facilitating group counseling in community based settings.

Sierra believes that taking care of your emotional wellness is just as important as taking care of your physical health. She is committed to provide a culturally competent and confidential therapeutic experience for clients of all ages and backgrounds. Sierra wants to support her clients in overcoming their experiences, confronting their emotions, and motivating themselves to live their best lives in a supportive, welcoming, culturally competent, and gender-inclusive environment.

Contact Sierra: 201-606-2592

Emily Ehrmann is a therapist in training completing clinical hours at Montclair State University. She earned her bachelor’s at Montclair State University in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She aims to create a safe space where everyone feels comfortable and welcome. She believes that the therapeutic relationship and process should always be collaborative, with the client having full autonomy. She works with clients using a person-centered and cognitive behavioral theoretical orientation while understanding that clients cannot be treated with a one size fits all approach. She views her clients as multifaceted individuals who should be understood from a multicultural lens. 

Contact Emily: 201-606-2592