About Us
Meet The Team That Provides Mental Health Services To Those in the Greatest Need
Lauren Aravich
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Lauren has been a Registered Nurse for 20 years. She worked primarily in the hospital setting in the ER where she gained experience in the mental health crisis setting. She later went back to school for her Bachelors in Nursing graduating Summa Cum Laude from New Jersey City University, then continuing on for her School Nurse Certification.
Lauren worked several years at a private non-profit school for children with disabilities, which had a very strong therapeutic component. It was at that time she decided to go back to school to be a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner(PMHNP).
She successfully completed Monmouth University's PMHNP program and became Board Certified, all while working on an inpatient psychiatric unit and raising 6 children with the help of her amazing husband. When not working she enjoys going camping with her family and friends.
Mary De Sane is a graduate of Monmouth University School of Nursing magna cum laude with a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing. Mary is a member of Sigma Theta Tau and has received a number of awards including Nurse educator of the Year by the NJ society of Psychiatric Nursing.
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For over 15 years Mary has practiced in adult psychiatric nursing in an intensive outpatient setting. She specializes in mood disorders, anxiety, adjustment disorders, PTSD and post-menopausal depression to name a few.
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Her holistic philosophy drives her practice recognizing that your mental health is important to your entire well -being. Mary partners with you as the client to maintain and sustain quality of life.
Mary DeSane
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Christina Borghese
Licensed Professional Counselor
Christina graduated with her Master's of Science Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Monmouth University. Christina is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) National Certified Counselor(NCC) and is a Certified Clinical Supervisor for new clinicians in the field. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a concentration in counseling from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania where she also ran cross country and track. She has been providing mental health services for over five years and has experience with various populations from adolescence to adulthood. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer and believes strongly in the holistic approach to wellness.
Christina is an empathetic, non-judgmental and relatable counselor who strongly believes that everyone and anyone can benefit from counseling. She understands that it takes courage and strength to make that initial call to engage in mental health services. Her goal is to establish a strong therapeutic relationship with her clients to best assist them with their personal goals and promote growth and healing. The evidenced based practices that she utilizes the most in her sessions are cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), person-centered therapy, solution-focused therapy, and she uses several mindfulness-based practices approaches. She has vast experience with issues in areas of anxiety, depression, life transitions, trauma, alcohol and substance use and abuse, self-esteem, interpersonal relationship, family conflict, and so much more. She truly supports her clients and their overall well-being. When not working, Christina enjoys going to the gym, reading, country music concerts, and any time spent with her husband, two cats, and her friends and family.
Lynda has been a Registered Nurse for nine years, and she has worked in the healthcare industry for over 25 years. After receiving her bachelor’s in biology from Rutgers University she returned to school to become a Registered Nurse, and then her School Nurse Certification from Monmouth University.
She has worked as a school nurse for over eight years at a private school for children with multiple disabilities. Lynda has worked with the school psychiatrist and social workers to provide holistic, individualized, and supportive care to the students. Her experience working with children who have mental health challenges propelled her to return to school to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner (PMHNP). Lynda completed Monmouth University’s PMHNP program, received the Academic Excellence Award, and became Board-Certified.
Lynda enjoys spending time with her four children, traveling to new places, doing outdoor activities, and getting together with friends.
Lynda Megill
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
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Allison Santero
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Allison is a highly experienced LCSW with a background in medical social work and psychotherapy. She has worked with adolescents, teens, and adults with a wide range of diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, autism, and bipolar disorder. With her medical background, Allison takes a well-rounded approach to treating the whole person. She is passionate about helping people reach their full potential and achieve their maximum level of functioning.
Dr. Morgan Bardall has a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Rutgers University. Morgan prior to working at A Peaceful Mind MHS, he has worked at Ship to Shore Counseling and also has a private practice at NormalPsych PC. His doctoral research focused on psychotropics, side effects, and fall prevention. In school, he interned at Rutgers Behavioral Health’s Center of Excellence as part of the Opiate Workforce Expansion Program grant under the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). He also interned at Ship to Shore Counseling, Jersey City Medical Center’s child/adolescent outpatient and partial hospitalization programs. Morgan graduated from UMDNJ’s accelerated BSN program in 2013. Prior to his doctorate, he worked at Jersey City Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center’s inpatient committed and voluntary psychiatric units as a registered nurse. Morgan was also previously a nurse homecare case manager. Prior to nursing school, Morgan earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Montclair State. He returned to nursing school after an internship at Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s Rosa Pavilion after developing a passion for working with psychiatric patients. He has successfully worked with serious, persistent mental illness in children, adults and seniors.
Dr.Morgan Bardall
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner