Our MissionFounded in 1999, the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey (formerly the Latino Psychological Association of New Jersey) is committed to addressing the mental health needs of Latinos by supporting mental health professionals through the advancement of training, treatment, research, and mentorship, and by advocating for the well-being of the Latino community. Our HistoryOn November 17, 1999, the one and only Latino Psychological Association of New Jersey (LPANJ) was founded by professors and alumni from Montclair State University. On this auspicious occasion, the past president of the New Jersey Psychological Association (NJPA), Dr. Rosalind Dorlen, helped celebrate the inauguration of LPANJ, an organization expected to have a tremendous impact on the quality of psychological services for Latinos in the state. Since 1999 the organization has expanded to include mental health professionals from throughout New Jersey. In 2017 we changed our name to the Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey to honor our members’ various professional backgrounds. We welcome all mental health professionals to apply for membership. Past Presidents: 1999-2001 Robert McCormick, PhD JD (deceased), Director Center for Child Advocacy and Policy, professor at Montclair State University, and private practice Montclair, NJ 2001-2004 Milton Fuentes, PsyD, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University and post-doctoral studies at Yale University and Columbia University. Professor at Montclair State University 2005 - Jonathan Pastor, PsyD, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University, Psychologist at Counseling and Resource Center at Princeton University, and private practice in Princeton, NJ 2006 - Lysandra Perez-Strumolo, PhD, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of Faculty Resource Center at Ramapo College. 2007- Sueli S. Petry, PhD, Seton Hall University, licensed psychologist and family therapist, faculty/supervisor Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care and The Multicultural Family Institute, and private practice, Highland Park, NJ. 2008 - Jacqueline Flores, MA, Kean University—Program Coordinator Project S.T.O.P. (Specialized Treatment and Offense Prevention) Hoboken University Medical Center, Hoboken, NJ 2009 - Sonia Wadhwani, MA, Fairleigh Dickinson University—Progam Coordinator of El Puente Program, Hoboken University Medical Center, Hoboken, NJ 2010 - Lorna Myers, PhD, City University of New York Graduate Center, - Director of Clinical Neuropsychology Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group, Associate Director of Epilepsy Life Links 2011- Aileen Torres, PhD, Carlos Albizu University, Associate Director of Clinical Services at Youth Consultation Services (YCS), East Orange, NJ 2012 - Silvia L. Mazzula, PhD, Columbia University, Assistant Professor John Jay College of Criminal Justice, NY 2013-14 – Emmanuel Mercedes, PhD, Seton Hall University – Psychologist Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, NY. 2015-16 - Daniel Cruz, PhD, Seton Hall University - Psychologist, Associate Professor 2017 - Aileen Torres, PhD, Carlos Albizu University, Associate Director of Clinical Services at Youth Consultation Services (YCS), East Orange, NJ 2018 - Milton Fuentes, PsyD, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University and post-doctoral studies at Yale University and Columbia University, Professor, Montclair State University 2019 - Ricardo Martinez, PhD, Fordham University - Clinical Psychologist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Bloomfield Vet Center 2020 - Jesselly De La Cruz, DSW, Rutgers University - Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Executive Director for the Latino Action Network Foundation 2021 - Melissa Rivera Marano, PsyD, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University, MRM Psychological Testing and Clinical Services (Private Practice), Adjunct Professor, Rutgers University 2022 - Azara Santiago Rivera, PhD., Professor and Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at Felician University |