Meet Our Staff
	Laura Lustig, Ph.D., L.M.F.T., President and founder of NLC,  is a licensed psychologist and marriage and family therapist in practice for over 30 years. Her specialization includes working with young children and their families, as well as with families who have loved ones dealing with chronic mental handicaps. Dr. Lustig provides consultation to therapists, groups and organizations. She is a noted educator, author and speaker.
	Selbe Potter Ruggiero, L.C.S.W.,is the clinical director and supervisor at the New Learning Therapy Center and has been in practice for over 20 years providing clinical psychotherapy and counseling to individuals, couples and families. She utilizes an integrated approach to treatment which includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral modification techniques. Selbe specializes in life coaching, personal change strategy, conflict resolution and interpersonal relationship management as well as spiritual exploration and mind-body connection. She is an adjunct professor at Columbia University and teaches a course on Alternative Therapies in the Helping Profession.
	Victoria Katz, M.A., L.M.F.T. is the Director of Social Skills Programming at The New Learning Therapy Center. Her practice consists of working with individuals, children and families. She has extensive experience in therapeutic and social coaching for children. Mrs. Katz works with parents with children who have attention deficits and other learning disabilities. She has developed a highly acclaimed program in coaching children ages 7-15 in a wide variety of social issues including social anxiety, managing interpersonal relationships, conflict resolution and problem solving. Mrs. Katz is also an adjunct professor in the Psychology Department at Sacred Heart University where she teaches courses on children with learning disabilities.
	Franklin Tuchols, LCSW is a social worker licensed in Connecticut and New York. Frank is a clinical member of The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. Frank has over thirty years of experience in providing therapy to individuals, couples, children and families. A former clergyman, Frank specializes in assisting those who have experienced a significant loss in their life or who are living with a life threatening or chronic illness. Frank also is experienced in working with same sex individuals and couples and issues of sexual identity.
	Peggy-Sue Forster, M.A., LMFT, is a graduate of the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Fairfield University, trained mediator and associate member of the AAMFT.  A former nursery school director/head teacher and youth counselor with a B.A. in Early Childhood /Elementary Education (Summa Cum Laude) from American University, she brings a developmental perspective to her work with families and children that fosters healthy self-esteem, effective parenting, and builds on the unique strengths of each family which may be challenged during difficult life transitions.  She helps individuals/ couples to identify and change behavioral patterns that may be limiting intimacy and life satisfaction.
	Susan E. Kotulsky, MA, LMFT ,MA.,received her Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fairfield University and her B.S. degree from Fordham University. Susan works with individuals, children, couples and families to help them achieve their therapuetic goals and more satisfying relationships. Susan comes from a background of corporate human resources management and has spent years developing leaders and being a culture change agent. Her work as a therapist has focused on substance abuse, grief/loss issues, parenting issues and couple's therapy. She is Family Therapist and group faciliator at a inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation center. Susan is an Associate Member of The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.
	Janet Brown Mendell, MA, MFT, received her masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fairfield University and her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University. In an effort to create the most potential for meaningful, positive change and personal growth, Janet helps clients to articulate and then work toward clear, measurable therapeutic goals, in a safe, planful and nurturing environment. With a focus on enhancing interpersonal and life skills, and increasing overall satisfaction, she seeks to help individuals, children and adolescents, couples and families navigate a myriad of issues including: parenting, marriage, divorce, remarriage, blending step families, peer relationships, family conflict, life transitions, adjustment and mood disorders, as well as grief and loss. An associate member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, prior to becoming a therapist, Janet was a marketing communications professional and is the author of the upcoming self-published childrens book: From Yucky to Lucky: A Step Family Tale.
	Jennifer Welch, MSW, received her Masters in Clinical Social Work from Fordham University and her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Sacred Heart University (Magna Cum Laude). Her expertise includes working with individuals, children, and families on anxiety, depression, fried, loss, and conflict resolution. Jennifer draws on years of experience as a domestic violence and sexual assault advocate, including exposure to post-traumatic stress disorder and utilizing parental education for the path of well-being. In addition, Jennifer promotes policy to increase awareness, resources, and advocates for families whose lives have been affected by violence. As a therapist, she creates a warm and caring environment that promotes growth, dignity and self worth. Jennifer is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and UN Women.
	Sharon McCormick, MA, MFT, received her graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fairfield University and her BA in Psychology from Binghamton University. Sharon's approach to working with individuals of all ages, couples and families is focused on maintaining an empathetic, client-centered and respectful therapeutic environment with much attention paid to the collaborative development of practical and sustainable solutions in support of the client's goals. She has expertise in working with clients coping with parenting and couples issues, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. As a provider of group therapy for patients and their families at a short-term acute mental health hospital, Sharon is skilled in various degrees of mental health treatment. Sharon is an associate member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.
	Sara Hess, PsyD, specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy with children, adolescents and their families. Her experience includes providing evidence-based treatments to address complex psychological and psychosocial issues. Dr. Hess has worked with children and adolescents with various emotional and behavioral disorders (e.g., Depression, Anxiety, and ADHD), and with parents providing parent training and behavioral management skills. She has extensive experience in school-based mental health and has participated in the development of mental health programs in schools and provided consultation and education to educators and parents in various school systems. As such, Dr. Hess is skilled at working with children with school-related problems. Additionally, Dr. Hess has specialized research and clinical experience in bullying prevention having worked on a NIH funded research project aimed at developing an intervention to reduce bullying behaviors.