Janel Morey-Sassano, MSW, LCSW

Maternal Mental Health Clinical Team Lead
EMDR Certified Therapist

Audubon Office

Janel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of New Jersey. She earned both her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and her Masters Degree in Social Work from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey with a concentration in children and families. Janel spent the first part of her career doing individual, family and group counseling with adults and children in outpatient behavioral health programs, school systems, hospitals and family service agencies.

As a maternal mental health specialist, Janel has completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Postpartum Depression and also had the opportunity to work directly under the direction of Karen Kleiman, a renowned expert in the field of Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders, in her practice, The Postpartum Stress Center.

Janel is additionally an EMDR Certified Therapist. EMDR is a powerful and cutting edge approach to treating trauma. This incredibly powerful and evidence-based approach is very effective in treating many issues that arise for mothers, including birth trauma and postpartum depression and anxiety. Janel utilizes this approach to help women release negative beliefs and past experiences that interfere with their transition into motherhood and to help them fully embrace their identity as mothers and individuals.  This profound method when combined with practices rooted in Mindfulness  creates life changing shifts in the women that work with Janel.

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.

 -Viktor E. Frankl

Janel often encourages clients to engage in group work which can be impactful in eliminating the isolation and identity issues which often accompany the transition to motherhood.  Janel has seen many clients make great progress and healing through skill building group work utilizing Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness techniques. These techniques focus on accepting and embracing the whole self, the whole experience, the greatness and the imperfection.  Janel’s current ongoing groups and workshops include Mommy Matters and Mindful Moms, which are offered throughout the year.

Born and raised in Illinois, Janel currently resides in Gloucester County with her husband and adopted daughter, Gabrielle.  She has a special place in her heart for families in every stage of the parenting journey.  Prior to becoming a therapist, in what feels like a past life, Janel enjoyed a career in the performing arts and still enjoys dancing, art and music of all kinds.  Janel also has a passion for cooking, reading and traveling.