Staff
Rose Celia Rosato, MA, LPC
OWNER/PSYCHOTHERAPIST
.png)
2011-2012 The National Association of Professional Women - Woman of the year
Mental Health Counselor Best of 2021 - Midland Park
Women of Distinction - Honors Edition - 2022
2023 Board Member Helen Rehr Center for Social Work Practice
Honored Member of Nationwide Registries
2023 Best of Midland Park Awards - Mental Health Counselor
Welcome to Balance and Thrive.I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. With 35 years of experience in the mental health field as a counselor and psychotherapist, I have maintained a well-established practice in Bergen County for 30 years. I am highly experienced in individual, group and family counseling and psychotherapy in addition to workshops, lectures, program development and administration.
I have worked in a variety of community and private agencies with diverse populations and services. I have written a template for psychotherapy titled the Thriving Model Workshop ™©.
My areas of experience include depression, anxiety, women’s issues, trauma, life transition, adolescent issues, family issues, addiction, gifted population, eating disorders and more. My approach is empathetic, evidence based, and client centered. Based on my client’s needs, I integrate one or more of the many modalities I am trained in to provide focused and highly effective treatment. I continuously train and learn. While I am well trained to work with many disorders, I specialize in trauma, gifted populations, anxiety, and depression. I weave psychoeducation, which includes the latest social science and neurobiology advances, into my treatment to help clients have a firm understanding of their treatment.
In 2011 I expanded my practice and created Balance and Thrive, a center established to provide premier mental health services. I have carefully chosen qualified, experienced, and compassionate professionals who understand the importance of mental health providers prioritizing their own emotional and physical health and are dedicated to continual professional development. The therapists each have their own area of expertise which increases the Center’s knowledge base. This enhances the quality of clinical treatment and allows us to provide a team approach to treatment when needed. I am passionate about equality, self-compassion, empowerment, and genuine connectedness to the world.
Providers
Kelsey Bisson
LCSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of NJ with 10 years of experience working closely with individuals, groups, and families. I specialize with adults across the lifespan with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and the effects of aging and illness on individuals and families. I have specialized training in treating our older adult population and their caregivers.
I use a combination of CBT, DBT, insight oriented and solution focused therapy to help individuals improve their lives. I have a strong belief in an individual’s right to self-determination and will help guide my clients to discover and achieve their own personal goals. With a strong commitment to assisting my clients overcome adversity and feel positive about themselves I guide them to create a healthy and satisfying life they will feel proud of.
Amanda Malanga, MS, LPC, NCC, ACS
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I have practiced in a variety of clinical settings including community mental health centers, residential placements, and family homes.
I hold Approved Clinical Supervisor Certification and have experience working in schools. I treat children and adolescents, collaborate with parents, and offer strategies to improve parent-child and sibling relationships.
My areas of experience include treating depression, anxiety and trauma, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, attachment issues and social skills difficulties. I use an integrative approach to treatment, tailoring therapeutic services to the specific developmental and interpersonal needs. Specialized treatment techniques include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused CBT. I am also an advanced trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach.
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Luis Martinez LPC
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
I am a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), experienced in working with children, adolescents, and families in clinical, family home, and school settings. I have a passion and dedication for helping children, adolescents, and families to address complex difficulties, problems, or conflicts to improve their quality of life.
Having worked with culturally diverse individuals coping with a variety of clinical and interpersonal needs, my experience, in both clinical and school settings, has helped me to become skilled in addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, bullying, school-related/academic concerns, behavioral difficulties, interpersonal difficulties, low self-esteem, ADHD, and other clinical concerns.
Fluent in English and Spanish, I enjoy working with clients of various age groups and cultural backgrounds. I make it a priority to support clients in identifying, developing, and utilizing resources to address difficulties in their lives. I believe in creating a nurturing and safe environment to help develop and maintain a healthy client/therapist relationship. I have an integrative approach attuned to the needs of the client. Specialized treatment techniques include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Trauma Informed Practices.
Tara Walsh
LPC, LCADC, ACS
PSYCHOTHERAPIST/
CLINICAL ALCOHOL
AND DRUG COUNSELOR
My name is Tara, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor with over 10 years of experience working in the mental health field in various settings and with diverse populations.
With a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Ramapo College and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Montclair State University, I first began working as a Behavioral Assistant with children and then in a partial care and residential program for individuals with severe mental illness. After completing my clinical internship hours in counseling for individuals with substance use disorders, I developed great passion for working with this population and have spent most of my career treating adults with co-occurring disorders in both outpatient and inpatient settings. I also have experience with individual, group, family, and couples counseling. My areas of expertise include addiction, mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, psychosis/severe mental illness, attachment, adjustment, behavioral, identity and esteem issues. Additionally, I have experience with racial and cultural justice and marginalized communities.
I strive to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for my clients. The most important part of therapy is the therapeutic relationship and environment–feeling safe, supported, and validated is essential for personal growth and healing. I adapt and tailor treatment to the needs of the individuals and provide therapeutic interventions that work best for them.
My treatment modalities include Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Humanistic/Client-centered Counseling. I enjoy using humor when appropriate, incorporating mindfulness and other holistic approaches, and providing psychoeducation, which helps clients understand information as it relates to their needs. I utilize the biopsychosocial model, which looks at biological, psychological, and social factors.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about me and my therapeutic approach. I will be grateful to work alongside you to help you achieve your goals.
Administrative Staff
Victoria L.
Motkowski
I come to Balance and Thrive with a BA in Education, 30 years’ experience in sales, account management, and marketing, where I engaged warmly with clients, anticipated their needs, and delivered positive results. During the pandemic my interest in wellness and mental health grew as I was able to help others in meaningful ways and self-reflect on what is important in life.
I am most passionate about wellness, physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health. I look forward to collaborating with referral sources and educating them about our unique services at Balance and Thrive.
When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family, friends, and puppies, take barre and spin classes, cook healthy meals, and foster rescue dogs. I am always looking for ways to create balance and thrive in my life, and it is my goal to help others do the same.
OUTREACH
COORDINATOR
Kimberly Perez
OFFICE
MANAGER
I have worked in the medical field for over 31 years in various capacities, also working with diverse patient populations. I have many years of supervisory and management experience. My passion is helping others and being available to answer any questions or concerns you may have. I look forward to establishing a good rapport and making your experience with me a positive one.