Team
Gregory J. Coram, PsyD, PMHNP
Dr. Coram is a licensed psychologist who prescribes under an APN license. These two specialties offer an individual a holistic focus of treatment from therapy to medication management. This approach is enhanced by utilizing evidence-based treatments in medicine. With the daily advancement in psychiatry and psychology, he believes that it is essential to know the literature and attend educational meetings to enhance medical knowledge. He held an academic position and has published in the fields of psychology and medicine. In addition, he is a NJ registered provider offering Medical Marijuana evaluations.
Dr. Coram is board certified in Medical Psychology and completed a Master Psychopharmacology Program with Neuroscience Education Institute. He treat adults with a range of psychiatric disorders, especially bipolar, depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and psychotic disorders.
He has been in practice for over 35 years and works collaboratively with each person. He believes that success in treatment is based upon a trusting relationship between a prescriber and the individual in treatment.
Samantha Dicken, PMHNP
Samantha is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 9 years of nursing experience with a passion for helping others along their journey of mental and physical wellness. Samantha offers an empathetic, compassionate approach embedded in the foundation of nursing practice integrated with evidence-based clinical psychiatry/behavioral science to create a quality, individualized experience for clients.
She values cultivating a provider/client relationship founded upon respect and collaborative goal-setting at a pace that is comfortable, yet progressive for each client. Samantha offers psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and psychotherapy to patients who are exhibiting concerns regarding anxiety disorders, mood disorders (i.e. depressive and bipolar disorders), ADHD, trauma and stressor-related disorders, substance use disorders, sleep disorders, and more. Samantha desires that every client feels truly heard, and will ensure that their concerns are addressed with kindness and consideration.
Tony Dicken, PMHNP
Tony is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who has years of experience working with individuals with mental illness and related disorders. He has expertise in identifying and treating generalized and social anxiety disorders, mood disorders such as major depression and bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, substance abuse disorders, psychotic disorders, and other psychiatric disorders. Tony has had experience in numerous types of settings such as: outpatient mental health services, voluntary inpatient mental health services, inpatient detoxification, and involuntary inpatient services for those who are the most severely and acutely ill. He is also an adjunct professor for a local university’s undergraduate nursing program.
Tony offers stigma-free mental health treatment and provides a safe space for all, including those within the LGBTQ community. Individuals with a history of substance abuse are treated with the same level of compassion and respect as any other client as we work together towards long-term sobriety and continue to, or begin to, address any underlying mental illness.
Through active listening and empathizing, Tony is able to achieve a genuine understanding of his client’s struggles and anticipate subsequent needs. This allows for the creation of a client-centered treatment plan that is entirely derived from a collaborative decision-making process in which the client is educated and guided towards choosing the best treatment option that fits their individual needs. Tony strives to be the pivotal catalyst in his clients’ lives that sets the trajectory for an improved quality of life and ultimately, just feeling better.
Marie Garon, PMHNP
Marie is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of nursing experience, including extensive experience working with adults 60+, and a passion for helping others. She offers a compassionate and empathetic approach to create a warm environment where her clients can be open and honest. Marie is dedicated to creating personalized, holistic treatment plans based on her individual client’s needs. She strives to provide consistent support and effective guidance and her ultimate goal is to motivate her clients so they can attain their goals.
She provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management and psychotherapy for adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, dementia and associated emotional and behavioral issues, grief, obsessive compulsive disorder, relationship issues, life transitions, insomnia, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia.
Yaa Opare-Afari, PMHNP
Yaa is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of nursing experience in the psychiatric field ranging from child and adult inpatient care to community mental health crisis stabilization and substance abuse treatment.
Her focus is on the treatment of mood disorders, trauma, psychotic disorders, substance abuse and chronic mental illness through psychiatric assessment, medication management and psychotherapeutic intervention. She believes in creating an individualized plan of care that values client involvement, interprofessional collaboration and evidenced-based practice with the goal for her clients is to feel empowered to treat their illness through supportive education in a stigma free environment.
A client can expect their initial visit to include a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, determination of treatment goals and education about diagnosis and available treatment options.
Yaa has the pleasure of working alongside many skilled and experienced clinicians and is happy to collaborate and coordinate care with them when appropriate to meet the clients’ needs.
Jackson Pokres, PMHNP
As a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Jackson is deeply committed to providing compassionate,client-centered care in a safe and supportive environment. Jackson’s aim is to create a warm, welcoming space where clients feel comfortable and supported—free from judgment—so that they can take an active role in their mental health journey. Together, he will develop personalized treatment plans that align with each client’s unique needs, preferences, and goals.
Jackson’s approach is grounded in prioritizing safety and strict HIPAA compliance to ensure confidentiality and trust throughout the treatment process. Jackson believes in collaborating closely with clients; treating them as active partners in their own care. The primary focus is on psychiatric medication management, but talk therapy strategies, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing, are always incorporated into appointments.
Jackson’s clinical training, academic background, and close network of experienced psychiatric mentors allows him to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including severe and persistent mental illness, ensuring that all individuals receive the highest standard of care.
Christine Schruntek, PMHNP
Christine is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 28 years of experience. She treats each client with care, providing evaluations and medication monitoring for those diagnosed with bipolar disorder, ADHD, depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders. Christine remains up to date with the latest psychopharmacology to provide the best treatment to each client.
Christine has also served as a mentor for student for the past 20 years
Courtney Wuss, APN
Courtney is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in mental health. She has 20 years of experience in the field of behavioral healthcare. Courtney provides efficient medication management, treating adults with a wide range of psychiatric diagnoses including ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders. She takes the time to guide her clients every step of the way to implement methods to help them develop new attitudes towards the most complex matters encountered in life.
Jace Arliss, LCSW, LCADC
Jace graduated from Monmouth University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and continued at Monmouth University where he completed his Master’s in Social Work with a concentration in Clinical Practice with Children and Families in 2014. He has been practicing consistently since then, while earning his LCSW, and LCADC in 2016. Jace specializes in the treatment of PTSD and complex trauma and was trained in EMDR by the EMDR Institute in 2019. He has worked in a non-profit community mental health setting with the adult mental health population, as well as individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders.
Jace partners and collaborates with clients in an effort to accept and manage difficulties as they arise in our daily lives. Jace demonstrates empathy, compassion, and kindness towards others in a non-judgmental, safe, and protected environment. In addition to EMDR he utilizes techniques consistent with Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
Jace received his Supervisory Certificate in 2020 and supervises LSW’s for their terminal license as well as CADC interns.
Heather McCooey, LCSW, LCADC
Heather McCooey is a New Jersey Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor and Certified Clinical Supervisor, who specializes in treatment of individuals, groups, couples and families. She has experience working with adults with a variety of acute and chronic behavioral health issues such as- anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol use disorders, and mood disorders.
Ms. McCooey attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development and Sociology from Boston College. She then obtained a Masters of Social Work from Monmouth University, specializing in clinical practice with families and addiction studies. Ms. McCooey has significant clinical experience in both inpatient and intensive outpatient settings, providing clinical treatment to adults with substance abuse issues, chronic mental illness and acute emotional distress. Ms. McCooey provides individual, family and group counseling to adults using cognitive behavioral, motivational and person centered therapies. She offers a thoughtful, down to earth and humorous demeanor and perspective in working with her clients and feels grateful to be a part of their journey towards self-improvement and change.
In addition to working in direct clinical practice, Ms. McCooey provides clinical supervision to counselors working towards their professional licensure in addiction and mental health services. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.
Amy Tarr, LCSW
Amy Tarr is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with extensive experience working with clients in crisis situations, in-patient psychiatric hospitalization settings and out-patient mental health. Amy utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy and is a client centered therapist. Amy recognizes each person is on their own journey and works with the client to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.
Amy holds her bachelor degree in Psychology with a minor in Gerontology. Prior to pursuing her Master’s degree in Social Work, Amy worked extensively with individuals diagnosed with various forms of dementia and provides support, and education to their families as a Dementia Care Professional of America, through the Alzheimer’s Association.
For the past 12 years Amy has worked in both out-patient and in-patient settings providing clinical treatment to individuals who are experiencing issues related to mental health. Amy works to build rapport with her clients and has an easy-going demeanor to help the client feel at ease and work towards their goals. Amy has three children, who keep her on her toes as well as knowledgeable in issues surrounding the youth of today.