behavioral health

Dawn Conover, LCSW, holds a Master's of Social Work from Rutgers University and a certificate in Gerontology, focusing on the needs of older adults. With extensive experience in inpatient, outpatient, private practice, and home-based settings, she has developed a versatile skill set, including several years as a licensed intake coordinator. Currently at CHEMED, Dawn conducts intake assessments for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, ensuring clients feel heard, comfortable, and supported. Passionate about helping individuals navigate their challenges, she excels at guiding clients to the most effective treatment path. Dawn's client-centered approach is rooted in empathy, with a focus on providing compassionate care tailored to each person's unique needs.

Yaakov Friedman is dually licensed as a Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor. With his extensive training and experience, he enjoys working with individuals, families, and groups facing challenges such as addiction, co-occurring disorders, and serious mental health challenges. While every Clients goals are different, Yaakov's goals remain the same, treat everyone with respect, kindness, and care.

Steven Ovadia, LCSW, earned his degree in social work from Long Island University in 2015, with a concentration in Addictions and Substance Abuse. From the onset of his professional career, he was interested in trauma, specifically complex trauma. He was quickly introduced to the work of Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk and "The Body Keeps the Score". He attended a few trainings given by Dr. Van Der Kolk, where he was introduced to the concept of Parts Work and Internal Family Systems in treating complex trauma with individuals. His areas of experience include treating anxiety based on trauma, as well as treating PTSD and related symptoms, using a Person-Centered approach in which a client's "Self" can lead the client to become who they really are, internally.

Irene Paoni, LCSW, LCADC, CCS has been practicing as a licensed clinical social worker since 2005, and concurrently as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor since 2007. Since 2006, Irene has additionally served as both a social work and substance use disorder clinical supervisor/administrator in her various work settings.
Irene has joined the Chemed Behavioral Health team since 2002, and is passionate about the FQHC model which offers comprehensive health care to the community. In addition to psychotherapy and supervision tasks, Irene participates in the Behavioral Health Consulting Program at Chemed. This program is designed to provide mental health support in real time to patients who present to the other departments with mental health symptoms and stressors. Irene often coordinates with Chemed's expert Psychiatry team which is a tremendous and important resource to Chemed's patients and the community.
Irene has also represented Chemed on the LACADA (Local Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse), Ocean county since 2023.
Irene is humbled and fascinated by the human capacity for healing, growth and evolution. She considers it a great honor and privilege to work at Chemed and to serve our patients towards growth and change, as well as in accepting reality, while living life with dignity, integrity, and hope.

Shira Speiser, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, has a Masters in Social Science Administration from Case Western Reserve University. For more than 30 years, she counsels adults, individually and couples in individual treatment. Additionally, she has conducted numerous parenting programs to address behavioral and social-emotional issues in order to promote positive relationships, health functioning and to reduce stress and tension within the home. She has worked with small and large groups on conflict resolution, problem solving, peer mediation, self-esteem, and support groups for children whose parents are divorced and women's wellness groups. In addition, she is trained in crisis intervention to address trauma, such as abuse, death of a loved one, illness or suicide ideation. Shira is a licensed IFS and EMDR practitioner, helping people with trauma and other related conditions. Additionally, Shira has extensive training and experience working with women who have infertility, pregnancy loss, postpartum depression and related symptoms.

Racheli Spiegel, LCSW, has experience working with adults, helping them successfully navigate and overcome life challenges. She has received advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and works to integrate these models within her psychodynamic, relational approach to therapy. Racheli has been part of Chemed since 2015 and currently serves primarily as a DBT group facilitator and supervisor to other clinicians.

Tamara Steele LSW, graduated from Wurzweiler School of Social work, with a certification in trauma-informed care. With a focus on adolescents, young adults and couples, Tamara utilizes an integrative approach, rooted in her training in Dialectal-Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT) and EFT (Emotionally-Focused Therapy for couples). Specializing in attachment and relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and OCD, Tamara is passionate about providing an empathic, individualized, and evidence-based treatment approach to help her clients improve their quality of life and achieve their goals.

Dr. Yitzchok Tannenbaum, DSW, LCSW, is a therapist in CHEMED and maintains a private practice. He received both his Masters and Doctorate degrees in Social Work through Long Island University. Dr. Tannenbaum works with children, adolescents, adults and couples, and uses CBT and ACT with a psychodynamic orientation. He has trained in IFS as well as some other modalities such as DBT and Psychodrama, and tailors a unique therapy plan for each individual with a focus on attachment and transference. He treats anxiety, depression, and social skills, and provides dating and parenting advice.

Leah Teitelbaum is a skilled therapist with over 10 years of experience, specializing in anxiety and depression for preteens, teens, and young adults (ages 10-30). A graduate of the University of Southern California, she is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Leah has worked in schools and the Children's System of Care before joining CHEMED. Her approach blends insight-oriented psychodynamic work with practical, skills-based techniques, utilizing CBT, DBT, and parts work to address emotional intensity linked to childhood experiences. Leah is dedicated to helping clients heal and build resilience for lasting change.

Genendi Halberstam, LSW graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Master of Social Work degree and received advanced training in CBT from the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She approaches each client from a strengths-based perspective and is committed to providing evidence-based treatment to promote their overall well-being and improve their quality of life. With a passion for continuous learning and development of her clinical skills, Genendi is currently pursuing her doctorate in psychology. 

Chana Friedman is a psychotherapist who treats adolescents, young adults, and adults. At CHEMED, she sees those who struggle with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma, and relationship conflict. Chana approaches therapy by helping her clients identify their roadblocks and navigate them. Her goal is to empower clients to develop insight and skills so that they can eventually become their own therapists. She has clinical training in various modalities, including IFS, CBT, and ACT. Chana also uses attachment and psychodynamic approaches to better understand her clients and their relationships.

Shabsi Sorscher, a licensed social worker and certified solution-focused therapist, employs solution-focused therapy (SFT), a strength-based and client-centered approach. He collaborates with clients to identify their strengths and assists them in envisioning and actualizing their preferred future. Shabsi works with children and adults facing diverse presenting problems, particularly focusing on couples and families, helping them collaborate to enhance their dynamic.

Shea Singer is a Licensed Social Worker who earned his degree from the prestigious Wurzweiler School of Social Work. He brings a strong academic foundation and a passion for empowering individuals to his client-centered practice. Specializing in working with men, teens, and children, Shea addresses challenges related to identity, emotional expression, relationships, and life transitions. His humanistic approach emphasizes empathy, authenticity, and collaboration, creating a safe space for clients to explore vulnerability and build resilience. Shea is dedicated to helping every individual feel heard, respected, and supported on their journey toward personal growth and well-being.

Usher Gruenstein, LCSW, is an LIU graduate specializing in complex trauma, panic disorder, anxiety, OCD, and emotional regulation. He is extensively trained in psychodynamic therapy and completed intensive interpersonal process group training at the Sacramento Center for Psychotherapy. Usher is additionally trained in EMDR, IFS, Somatic Interventions, DBT, and CBT, allowing him to tailor treatment to each client’s needs. He integrates these modalities to foster deep insight, emotional healing, and lasting change. 

Dina Eisen, LSW, is a licensed social worker with a master’s degree from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She brings clinical experience working with children facing behavioral and emotional challenges, as well as young adults and adults in outpatient settings. Dina specializes in supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, and a variety of mood and stress-related concerns. Her warm, authentic, and collaborative style allows clients to feel understood and supported as they navigate life’s challenges. Guided by psychodynamic principles and complemented by behavioral techniques, Dina tailors treatment to each client’s unique needs to foster meaningful growth.