Counseling Program
Adult Counseling
Rena Essrog, Director of Programs and Clinical Services
856-424-1333 • ressrog@jfcsbc.org
The counseling and psychotherapy services provided by Jewish Family and Children's Service of Southern New Jersey are provided by licensed, experienced professionals who are equipped with the tools and resources to help individuals to lead independent and fulfilled lives. Individual, couple and family therapy is available at convenient times at affordable fees. Sliding scale fees are available based on income. Third party insurances, including Magellan, Aetna, Medicare and other third party health care providers, are accepted.
The Child and Adolescent Program
Hillary Domers, Director Child and Adolescent Program
856-424-1333 • hdomers@jfedsnj.org
The Child and Adolescent Program of Jewish Family and Children's Service of Southern New Jersey provides children and adolescents, ages 2 through 18, with support and coping skills to achieve emotional health and improved functioning through individual and family counseling. Play therapy with toys provides opportunities for younger children, who often are unable to communicate verbally, to express their feelings. Outreach programming is also provided for parents, teachers and children at area schools, synagogue pre-schools and other groups. The Child and Adolescent Program is funded in part by a generous grant from the Raymond and Gertrude R. Saltzman Foundation.
Know the Warning Signs of Depression in Children!
- Spends a lot of time alone in his or her room
- Losing touch with friends or changing circle of friends
- Missing school or not doing school work
- Change in eating habits - eating too little or too much
- Appears irritable or constantly angry, taking out anger on the family
- Change in sleeping habits - sleep disturbance may show up as all-night television watching, difficulty in getting up for school, or sleeping during the day
- Seems apathetic
- Physical symptoms, such as chronic headache or stomach-ache
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Talks about suicide
Jewish Family Life Education (JFLE) and Support Groups
Lisa Weissbach, JFLE Coordinaor
856-778-7775 • lweissbachefrat@jfcsbc.org
The Jewish Family Life Education Program of Jewish Family and Children's Service of Southern New Jersey provides a wide variety of ongoing short-term support groups and educational programs to assist individuals who need help while going through transitions and stressful times and to deal with problems that arise during the course of normal living. Group facilitators provide support and coping skills to help group members deal with special challenges, as well as opportunities to share experiences and gain confidence.
Groups, ranging from 6 to 12 weeks in length, constantly change, so the listings below represent only a partial sampling of what is available. Please check our calendar on the Jewish Federation website at www.jfedsnj.org or call 856-424-1333 or 856-778-7775 for updated information. Fees are required for most groups, but can be waived under special circumstances. On a larger scale, community conferences are presented on topics of interest to families and professionals.
Some of our group offerings include:
- Separation / Divorce
- Adult and Teen Anger Management
- Stress Management
- Domestic Abuse
- Caregivers Support
- Widows/Widowers / New Beginnings
- Back to Work / Job Support Networking Group
- Adults Who Have Lost a Parent
- Positive Body Image
This program is generously funded by Joe and Iva Samost
Domestic Abuse (Project S.A.R.A.H.)
Lisa Weissbach-Efrat, Domestic Abuse Program Coordinator
856-778-7775 • lweissbachefrat@jfcsbc.org
Domestic abuse occurs in Jewish homes with the same degree of frequency as it does in the rest of the population, and on average, Jewish women remain in abusive relationships seven years longer than the population at large. To raise awareness of this fact, Jewish Family and Children's Service of Southern New Jersey launched its Domestic Abuse Awareness Program, Project S.A.R.A.H. (Stop Abusive Relationships at Home) in the fall of 2004. The program provides multi-faceted services that include counseling, support groups, resource information and other forms of volunteer assistance to support individuals who are victims of domestic abuse and their families. Services are available to people of all denominations, but the purpose of Project S.A.R.A.H. is to raise awareness of the prevalence of domestic abuse in Jewish homes.
The Domestic Abuse Coordinator oversees the program, and conducts sensitivity awareness training programs at local synagogues and organizations. Samost JFCS volunteers have distributed thousands of brochures to synagogues and retail businesses frequented by both Jewish and non-Jewish women. An outreach program is also underway at area schools, synagogues and parent organizations to promote healthy dating relationships and to raise awareness of the dangers of abusive teen relationships and sexual harassment.
The mission of Project S.A.R.A.H. is to provide support services to victims of abuse regardless of race, religion, enthnicity or ability to pay. Anyone who feels they need services can call 856-778-7775 and ask for Sarah. All calls are strictly confidential.
Vocational Services
The Vocational Program of Jewish Family and Children's Service of Southern New Jersey helps displaced and downsized individuals find appropriate jobs. Services include a free Back to Work Support Group, which addresses the practical and emotional aspects of conducting a job search. Topics include interviewing techniques, networking, resume writing, and coping skills to deal with emotional issues that arise while being unemployed. A free monthly Networking Group provides ongoing support for approximately 80 unemployed individuals, encouraging them to help one another by sharing job leads and contacts for potential employment.
Short-term vocational counseling is also available for individuals who attend one of the two groups to assist them with emotional and practical issues involved with finding and keeping a job.