Neurodiversity Affirming Therapist in Middlesex, NJ

My name is Janine Kelly and I am a neurodivergent psychotherapist. As much as I enjoy spending time with my husband and playing with our son, I look forward to the last hour of the night when I can relax and do absolutely nothing if I choose to. It's funny how the little things we used to take for granted in the past mean so much now.

Family is extremely important to me. I enjoy doing things together, whether it's going to the park, out to dinner, the beach, or traveling, etc.., though I do need some time to recover. At home, I enjoy watching TV shows, documentaries, or movies (mostly crime-related) and playing board games. I also enjoy learning new things for my profession and personal life.

My passion lies in supporting neurodivergent individuals of all ages. Throughout my childhood, I struggled academically, had anxiety, and had my own traumatic experiences. I was the quiet one who observed everything and kept all my thoughts and feelings to myself. I didn’t learn until later in life that I was neurodivergent. In my practice, I help neurodivergent individuals of all ages feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings. I teach my clients how to advocate for their needs. I help elevate their self-esteem and teach them skills to help manage their anxiety. I help neurodivergent individuals heal from the traumatic experiences they may have had due to their differences.

The postpartum period was one of the most challenging periods in my life. As much as I like to be prepared for everything by reading and planning things ahead of time (hello, anxiety!), nothing helped prepare me for it. Of course, I tried to do everything on my own because "I'm a mother and should be able to handle everything" (So not true!). In my practice, I support neurodivergent parents during pregnancy and the postpartum period to help them manage the stressors, the unexpected, and the unknowns of parenthood, as well as its effects on their relationships. I provide parents with a safe space to freely speak about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, as the struggles of parenthood are often not spoken about. I help parents heal from the trauma that they may have experienced during pregnancy and/or the postpartum period. I give parents hope and help them see that things will get better and they will get through this.

My Credentials

• Master of Social Work from Kean University (MSW)

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

• Approved Clinical Supervisor with the New Jersey Board of Social Work Examiners

• Registered Play Therapist - Supervisor™ (RPT-S™)

• Completed Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Certificate Course and Perinatal Mental Health Advanced Psychotherapy Certificate Training - Pursuing certification though Postpartum Support International (pending examination)

• Certified AutPlay Therapy Provider

• EMDR Certified Therapist (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

• Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT)

• Evergreen Certified CBT Clinician (CBT-C)

• Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) Certified

• Focus System Certified

• Certified Child & Adolescent Trauma Professional (CATP)

• Certified Clinical ADHD Professional (ADHD-CCSP)

• Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS)

• Certified Child & Adolescent Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP-CA)

• Trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

• Sandtray Therapy Specialist

• Immigration Mental Health Evaluations Specialist

• Trained in CPRT (Child-Parent Relationship Therapy)

• Trained in Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

• Trained in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Tapping

Professional Memberships

• Association for Play Therapy

• EMDR International Association

• National Association of Social Workers