STUDENT ASSISTANCE COUNSELOR

What is a Student Assistance Counselor?

Student Assistance Counseling is talking confidentially with a professional counselor to discuss problems and develop healthy and effective coping strategies together.

Examples of problems might include:

*anger issues *alcohol and other drugs use
*depression *suicidal thoughts
*relationship issues *stress
*bullying *eating disorders
*school-related issues *cutting and other self-injury behaviors
*and ANY other issues having an effect on you.

Student Assistance Counselors are certified with advanced training and experience in the field of substance abuse and mental health. Mrs. Romeo is our Student Assistance Counselor and she provides support for our students daily.   Prevention, intervention, support and instructional services for students in the district are provided through our Student Assistance Counselor.  Mrs. Romeo offers assistance to students troubled by familial, emotional, social, legal, physical, sexual, or substance abuse problems.

Mrs. Romeo is available to provide confidential counseling and referral services for at risk students and their parents.  The ultimate goal is to empower students to assist in the development and maintenance of a positive school climate.   Mrs. Romeo often works to link students and their families with community resources to provide for needs requiring specialized services.

Mrs. Romeo has worked in public education since 2000.  Her education includes the following:

Master’s in Educational Leadership from Saint Peter’s University 

Master of Arts in Teaching from MaryGrove College 

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Education from Monmouth University 

Substance Awareness Coordinator Certification from Montclair State University

She has been a member of The Loss Coalition for 15 years.  Mrs. Romeo proudly accepted the Governor’s Educator Services Professional of the year award in the Spring of 2022.  She is currently the Key Club advisor and volunteers to run the Pokemon club.  

Confidentiality:

All conversations with the Student Assistance Coordinator is confidential except if there is concern of immediate harm to self or others, there is suspected or reported abuse/neglect or concern about harassment, intimidation and/or bullying (HIB).

You can contact Ms. Romeo 

973.764.5799      

kromeo@vtsd.com

District Clinician

Our newly instituted District Clinicians are making a positive impact with our students and families both in and outside the classroom. We are developing and implementing a new program to help our students and community overcome some of their biggest challenges surrounding mental, social and emotional health of students.Our District Clinicians offer additional solutions to students, teachers, and families by providing a wide-range of onsite services. 

Mr. Demsak is a Licensed Professional Counselor. He has a masters degree in school counseling and also has a Ed.S. in Professional Counseling from Seton Hall University. Mr Demsak has also obtained a Drug & Alcohol Counseling certificate from Rutgers. Mr.Demsak has just recently started his dissertation to fulfill the  completion of his Psy.d program at California Southern University.

A main philosophy of Mr.Demsak’s is bringing forth a humanistic approach when working with students and their families. Mr.Demsak’s theoretical orientations include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. 

Mrs. Fontana is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who graduated with a Masters Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University in 2011. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst following board certification from Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology in 2013. She has over 10 years of professional experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families primarily within a school setting.  Mrs. Fontana also has extensive experience in working with individuals with developmental delays, learning disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Mrs. Fontana takes on a holistic, client centered approach. She utilizes therapeutic techniques including Cognitive Behavior Therapy, mindfulness, de-escalation strategies and behavior modification programs to assist clients in coping with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, school refusal, self-esteem issues and adjustment to difficult life transitions.

Examples of the District Clinician’s services may include:

• Individual and family counseling

• Skill-building groups including social skills, conflict resolution, mindfulness, anger management, and stress management

• Educational workshops for faculty and parents

• Direct in-class support for students and teachers as needed

• Collaboration with the school personnel and outpatient resources

• Partnerships with child study teams and school counselors 

• Community outreach to engage youth and families

• Case management and care coordination

• After school recreation and summer programs 

• Transitional programs to assist students with school and grade level changes

Confidentiality:

All conversations with our District Clinician’s are confidential except if there is concern of immediate harm to self or others, there is suspected or reported abuse/neglect or concern about harassment, intimidation and/or bullying (HIB).

You can contact :

Mr. Demsak
ddemsak@vtsd.com
973.764.5902 

Mrs. Fontana
lfontana@vtsd.com
973.764.3468