Alvin has earned his master’s degree in Christian Counseling and substance abuse through Grand Canyon University and a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). Alvin has been married for 27 years and has 4 children and 11 grandchildren! Alvin is a retired vet with 26 years of service and is a Retired Social Worker who worked with substance abuse and working with teen boys to young adults within the State of NJ. At Mending Hearts, Alvin provides counseling for individuals, couples, and families of diverse backgrounds. He is also trained to provide Christian counseling.

Alvin loves helping others find their purpose using a variety of frameworks including biblical principles and scripture upon request. His favorite quote is “When God gives you the dream, the only person who can stop your dream is you”! Live on purpose.

Alvin is the founder of Dare 2 be a Dreamer program for youth and young adults ages 13-18 which was inspired, and birth based on his life story. Alvin also is a mentor for the Pythagoreans growing and developing young boys ages 7 to 18 personally, socially, physically, and spiritually.

Life can be messy and at times we all struggle with how to put the pieces together in a way that allows us to truly thrive. Lia is a counselor who will come alongside you as you sort out, address, and improve the various issues life throws your way. She is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) who works with individuals and couples create a life in which they feel more competent and capable in navigating our internal and external struggles.

In addition to a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rider University, she has experience in working with clients who wrestle with depression, anxiety, substance use, and self-esteem issues in both individual and group settings. Using a holistic approach that incorporates mindfulness and cognitive behavioral and humanistic approaches, Lia creates a space to help each person feel seen and heard, find new ways to cope, support growth and change, and create a life that is fulfilling and purposeful.

Lee Fowler, Licensed Social Worker in the State of NJ with 16 years’ experience in various positions, working with Women, Children and Families. Lee has a profound respect and passion for meaningful and effective social work. It allows her the opportunity to advocate, empower, provide guidance and be a support. Lee’s goals are to develop an organization to promote empowerment, support and encouragement for women who are going through life changing events, specifically in the areas of trauma, domestic violence and sexual assault, helping them to “Be the Hero of your own story”.

Lee’s daily reflection “I walk in my purpose of promoting Hope and Integrity with the spirit of Excellence” and a favorite quote” I admire people who choose to shine even after all the storms they’ve been through” .
Lee earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Kean University and a Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University. She also holds a specialized certification in Violence Against Women from Rutgers University.

Lee’s personal pleasures include spending time with family, her relationship with God, music, dancing, reading and spending time with her pug. CJ

“Faith is Trusting God even when you don’t understand his plan”

Angel Windham is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Clinical Social Worker. Angel prefers for her clients to refer to her as Ms. Angel due to her mostly working with children, adolescents and young adults. Angel does have experience working with clients of all ages and has worked over the past 15 years in various treatment settings. Angel is trained to meet her clients where they are and help them to achieve their goals and get unstuck. Angel has various resources in her toolkit and frequently uses play therapy techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy and relies on the strength-based theory to point out to clients just how resilient they are.

Angel is a wife and mother of two sons. Angel is a believer in Jesus Christ and works with her clients to incorporate prayer and daily Bible reading as ways to cope. Angel does meet with clients who are not of the Christian faith as well who are dealing with grief, depression and anxiety. Lastly, Angel earned her Bachelors of Arts degree from Lincoln University in PA, her Masters in Social Work from Kean University and is currently a Doctoral candidate at Capella University due to earn her Doctorate in Social Work in 2021. Angel is motivated to work with you and her personal motto is “Today I take action.”

Netesha is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) who has 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families. She obtained her Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Kean University, followed by a Master of Social Work Degree from Rutgers University.

Throughout the years, Netesha has provided services to children who have suffered from behavioral disabilities, conduct disorders, bullying, grief, loss, anger management, child abuse and neglect, anxiety, addiction, and substance abuse.

She is a faithful follower of Christ who is committed to using God’s gifts and anointing, along with her clinical knowledge, skills, and experiences towards advancing the lives of children, individuals, and families. Netesha takes great joy and pleasure watching people grow and progress beyond their life challenges and stressors.

Margarita is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) who began her career long before completing her MA in Counseling at Cairn University. After receiving her BA in Special Education from the University of Puerto Rico, she spent thirty years helping students of all ages overcome adversity, trauma, as well as their disabilities. While serving in that capacity, Margarita often took on the role of counselor, mentor, mediator, mother, and of course, educator. During her time at Cairn University. Margarita consistently excelled as a leader in the classroom and as a dedicated and empathetic therapist during her clinical experiences.

A wife of thirty years and mother of two adult children, Margarita has also served in leadership of her church’s Marriage Ministry, conducting seminars on maintaining healthy marriages using biblical foundations. Margarita is also a certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator, a program to build strong marriages and healthy relationships. A native Spanish speaker with an understanding of various Latin cultures, her bilingual abilities have allowed her to reach a wide range of communities in need of counseling. While counseling her clients, Margarita aims to utilize her extensive body of experience with the ultimate goal of addressing the clients’ individual needs, experiences, and strengths. Margarita provides Christian or secular individual counseling for teens and adults as well as couples counseling.

Before transitioning to counseling Valerie had a successful 42 year career in another helping profession as an RN. Valerie received her BSN from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC. After feeling the call to counseling, Valerie enrolled in Cairn University’s master’s in counseling program. Her goal is to provide counseling that is clinically and theoretically sound while being informed, empowered, and supported by a Biblical and theological foundation. Valerie has a heart for and is uniquely gifted by her personal narrative to minister to those who have been impacted by emotional, physical, and sexual trauma.

Deeply passionate about saving marriages, Valerie is on a mission to be an instrument of restoration, reconciliation, and hope to couples. Married for 39 years, Valerie and her husband Frank are the parents of three adult children and grandparents to three girls with a grandson on the way. Valerie is the author of a Christian blog http://throughthestorm.us

Becky Hacking is a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) who graduated from Cairn University with a MS in Counseling. She has walked alongside those dealing with depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. Becky works to implement a plan that works for the individual so that they can better manage their journey in life. Becky has a passion for those whose parents are in full time ministry, young adults, hurting marriages, and struggling parents

Becky cherishes spending time with her husband of 34 years, their five adult children, two daughters-in-law and four grandchildren. She enjoys watching English Premier League soccer, going to the beach, adventuring, and drinking good coffee.

Rhonda is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT) who holds a Master in Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with Distinction from Capella University and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Rhonda enjoys working with her clients and assisting them with revitalizing hope in their lives and using their resources to overcome the struggles of life including but not limited to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, and marital distress. Rhonda’s clients include families, couples, teens, and elementary-age children.

Rhonda is married to her husband of 37 years and is so blessed to have three adult children and two grandchildren that she loves dearly. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, attended church through the years, and cherishes her Christian values.

Sharon comes to Mending Hearts Family Counseling with years of experience as a teacher on a secondary educational level in a technical school and a volunteer with various organizations whose main focus is intimate violence abuse. These experiences were the schoolmasters that, unknowing to her, put her on the path to the field of counseling. Strangers would come up to her and begin sharing their personal problems and she would help them reach the best possible solutions. She has a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University. Sharon incorporates various methods of therapy in her counseling sessions based on the needs of her clients, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Emotional Behavior Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. She believes strongly in the institution of marriage and the family system, helping her client become their best self, and overcome and heal from past hurts. In addition, Sharon incorporates her strong faith in God in her counseling therapy. She will introduce these practices only if the client requests them.

Tears Hall is a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor and Licensed Associate Counselor. Tears has experience working with Individuals, groups, families, adults, young adults and adolescents in various treatment setting for over 6 years whom presented with issues such as, but not limited to: Family conflict, Substance Abuse, Depression, Anxiety, Self –Esteem, and adjustments in life. Tears is humbly grateful to have the opportunity to walk alongside clients as they journey through life’s challenges as well as triumphs. Tears has extensive training and experience in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Grief Counseling, Anger management, and Effective Communication skills just to name a few. Tears also challenges and supports clients as they “Do the Work” to become the best version of themselves.

Tears is family oriented, a believer in Jesus Christ. Tears is active in her church and in the Arts. Tears encourages as well as implements clients to build positive support systems, prayer and spiritual uplifting in their lives. Tears meets with and has had clients of the Christian faith as those who are not. Tears displays the same non-judgmental care, concern, energy and effort to all whom she meets with. Tears earned her Bachelors of Arts degree and her Masters in Counseling at Kean University, and continues to take every opportunity to learn and improve her skill sets. Tears is excited to work with you as you journey through this season and believes we are to “Live, Laugh, Love”.

Nancy Mayes is beginning her counseling career at Mending Hearts. She comes with many life experiences that has led her to believe that anyone can overcome any obstacle that would attempt to hinder them from their potential. Her strong faith in Jesus Christ has been the catalyst for overcoming many obstacles in her own life and has empowered her to recognize the value of coming alongside others to encourage them in their own journey.

Nancy is richly blessed with a wonderful husband, six children and two grand-children. She homeschools her younger three children and actively serves in her church.

Rev. Myers has been an Associate Minister at Heard AME Church in Roselle New Jersey since 2003, where Rev. Dietra C. Bell is the pastor. There she functions as coordinator of the Health Ministry and morning Bible Class teacher. Rev. Myers was ordained a Local Deacon in 2001 and Local Elder in 2003. She has held active membership in the AME Women in Ministry since its beginning serving as Worship Leader for the New Brunswick Presiding Elder District and most recently for the New Jersey Annual Conference.

Rev. Myers has attended New York City Community College, graduating in 1980 with an Associate Degree in Nursing and has worked as a registered nurse in Behavioral Health and Health Administration for most of her nursing career. Rev. Myers attended Pillar College, graduating in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Counseling, Biblical (currently Missio) Seminary graduating in 2018 with a Master’s in Ministry and graduated from Pillar College with a Master’s in Counseling. Rev. Myers holds certificates of completion since 2016, for two units of CPE towards board certification for chaplaincy. She is the (now)single mother of two adult ladies who enjoy serving other professionally in fields of healthcare and insurance. Rev. Myers loves to read, sing, sew, swim and play the piano. Her favorite scripture is Isaiah 41:10, her favorite song is Great is Thy Faithfulness and she relies on God for everything.