Meet Our Staff



Melissa von der Heide, MA, LMFT, Executive Director – Ms. von der Heide has a Masters degree with studies in Behavioral Sciences, concentrating in Psychological Services from Kean University. Ms. von der Heide has an additional professional diploma in Marriage and Family Therapy from Kean University. Ms. von der Heide has extensive experience working with children. She has also published on the topic of helping parents establish literacy through play. In 2010, Ms. von der Heide entered training to become a Parent Child Interactive Therapy Trainer. She also has many years of experience working with families who are grieving and children who have been victims of sexual abuse. Ms. von der Heide joined CFS in January 2007. 

Alicia James - Alicia James is a Ph.D. student in the Counseling and Family Therapy Program at Drexel University. Prior to attending Drexel University, she attended Chestnut Hill College School of Graduate Studies and holds a Master of Science in Clinical and Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy, and she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Rutgers University. A CASE internship at Rutgers University helped to develop her interest in working with older adults and learning about their narratives. As a certified dementia practitioner, she has worked with aging populations in outpatient behavioral health and at long-term care facilities. As a doctoral student and research fellow at Drexel University, she conducted research at an Attachment and Emotions research laboratory, in addition to receiving clinical training at the Center for Family Intervention Science under the supervision and mentorship of Dr. Guy Diamond in Attachment-based Family Therapy (ABFT). Her recent research interests are in adverse childhood environments (ACEs), family stress and parenting, ethno-racial risk and resilience, and racism-related stress. She is grounded in intersectional theoretical framings, child and family development, in addition to aging research/gerodiversity, and collaborative healthcare.

Amanda Methner is MA, LAMFT - Ms. Methner completed her Master’s Program at Kean University in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program. She has worked with children and adults, including those with special needs. She has worked in supportive and primary roles in these settings. Ms. Methner is able to serve clients in Somerset County

Geanie Rizzo, MA., Ed.S., LPC . - Ms. Rizzo is a licensed professional counselor with an MA in Counseling from the College of New Jersey. After practicing for six years she went back to the College of New Jersey for a Ed.S. post graduate degree in Marriage and Family therapy. She has worked as a family therapist at CFS for over ten years. Prior to coming to CFS she worked a supervisor at Middle Earth in Somerville.



Krystin Eckert, MA, LMFT - Ms. Eckert has a Master's degree in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy from the College of New Jersey. Ms. Eckert is currently working towards becoming a registered play therapist and incorporates play therapy with family therapy when needed. Prior to working at CFS she facilitated SMART Recovery groups for individuals recovering from addictive behaviors. From 2005 to 2010, Ms. Eckert worked with children with autism and their families at the Somerset Hills Learning Institute. At SHLI she helped parents implement behavior plans, as well as helping plan instruction and treatment goals. Ms. Eckert joined CFS in April 2014.



Jennifer Spuckes, MA, ACS, LPC - Ms. Spuckes has a Master's degree in clinical Bilingual Counseling, School Counseling and soon to be Educational Leadership. She holds a Clinical Supervisor and Professional Counselors license in the state of New Jersey. Ms. Spuckes has experience working with teenagers, with 15 years of experience in the school system. Working with issues such as anxiety, school refusal, depression, substance use, eating disorders, and sexual abuse both in inpatient and outpatient settings, Ms. Spuckes has a broad range of expertise. Mrs. Spuckes joined Contextual Family Services in 2003. She is available to work in Warren County



Ryan Jahnke, MA, LPC - Mr. Jahnke was a Behavioral Assistant at Contextual Family Services from May 2017 to May 2018. In May 2018, he received a Masters degree in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy from the College of New Jersey. He is a Licensed Associate Counselor. Mr. Jahnke has years of experience working at Carrier Clinic with clients of all ages. Through his education and experience Mr. Jahnke has done extensive work in anger management, communication and family interaction. He is available to work with families or youth in Somerset County.



Ms. Lisa Marcelino, MA, PhD - Ms.Marcelino has a Masters in Behavioral Sciences with a specialization in Psychological Services from Kean University, and a PhD in Psychology with a specialization in Educational Psychology, Neurological Disorders and Disabilities. Lisa completed her Professional Diploma in Marriage and Family Therapy at Kean University. Ms. Marcelino has also served as an adjunct psychology professor at Kean University since 2011. Ms. Marcelino has been providing in-home ABA services to children and adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder since 2004. Additionally, Lisa has written and published articles on topics such as self-efficacy, self-esteem, resilience, mental health awareness and advocacy. Lisa has extensive experience working with individuals who have mental health diagnoses, substance abuse issues, special needs and disabilities, histories of domestic violence, depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, and sexual abuse. Ms. Marcelino is available to serve clients in Somerset County.



Anita Bonsu, BA - Ms. Bonsu is a Kean University graduate. As an undergrad, she majored in psychology. While at Kean, Ms. Bonsu performed independent research looking at the perception of sexual orientation and rating of personality among Black males. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Kean University. Ms. Bonsu has worked with children from infancy through adolesence for more than ten years as a caregiver and as a substitute teache. Ms. Bonsu will be working as Behavioral Assistant and will cover Somerset County.



Christine Sullivan, M.Ed., LAC, DRCC - Mrs. Sullivan is a school counselor with fourteen years of experience working with children and families in the school setting. She is also a Licensed Associate Counselor, a Disaster Response Crisis Counselor, and a member of the Traumatic Loss Coalition for Hunterdon County. She holds a masters degree in School Counseling. She is able to provide individual therapy. She is available to serve clients in Hunterdon and Warren Counties.



Anne Biber, MA, LAC - Ms. Biber is a licensed associate counselor with an MA in School Counseling from Rider University. She has been a school counselor at Hunterdon Central High School in Flemington for ten years and is skilled in mindfulness, social and emotional learning. She also assists in establishing a positive emotional culture in the school community. Ms. Biber has worked with individuals and families in the areas of communication, bullying, motivation, and resilience. She is available to serve Somerset and Hunterdon Counties.



Mickey Coakley - Mickey Coakley is starting her 13th year as a school psychologist in the public. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and will earn her post-master's Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S) in Marriage and Family Therapy in December. Ms. Coakley has extensive experience working with children and adolescents pre-K through 12th grade with a range of issues including autism, anxiety, depression, school-refusal, and oppositional defiance. She is available to work in Hunterdon County



Jenalyn Rembish - Jenalyn Rembish is certified as a BA. She is currently a master’s student in the Marriage, Couple and Family Therapy in Counseling program at The College of New Jersey. She plans to graduate by May 2021 and is working towards an LMFT and LPC. She has previously worked with youth in a partial hospitalization setting. She has worked with youth extensively in supporting roles through day care and community centers




CFS Board of Directors