Dedicated Experts, Compassionate Care

Dr. Akhtar Hossain, a board-certified psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience, specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry while providing comprehensive mental health services to patients of all ages. He completed his fellowship training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) and Columbia University, and his residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, establishing a robust foundation in psychiatric care.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Hossain has held directorship positions at various mental health facilities, where he has supervised numerous psychiatrists and Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs). His expertise encompasses treating a wide range of serious mental illnesses, including major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, ADHD, autistic spectrum disorder, and substance use disorders.

Recognized for his contributions to the field, Dr. Hossain received the Psychiatrist of the Year Award from the Somerset County Board of Trustees. He is a proud member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Psychiatric Association, reflecting his commitment to professional excellence.

Dr. Hossain prioritizes patient convenience, offering both in-person and virtual sessions tailored to individual needs. A proponent of evidence-based medicine, he integrates psychotherapy into his practice, emphasizing its critical role in mental health treatment. His philosophy centers on accurate diagnosis, recognizing the unique nature of each client’s symptoms. As a professional practitioner and a parent, Dr. Hossain employs a compassionate, family-oriented approach, fostering trust and collaboration to empower clients in their mental health journey.

With an impressive career spanning over 17 years, Adeena Jacobson has established herself as a dedicated and highly skilled Licensed Behavior Analyst. Adeena specializes in analyzing behaviors and implementing interventions to transform negative behaviors into functionally and socially appropriate actions. Utilizing a variety of scientifically proven methodologies, she has consistently achieved remarkable results in her practice.

Adeena holds a Master’s degree in both Special Education and General Education. Her extensive academic background equips her with the knowledge and skills necessary to address a wide range of behavioral and educational challenges.

For 8+ years, Adeena has been an integral part of an evaluation team, assessing children aged 2 to 21 across 42 school districts. Her comprehensive evaluations have provided critical insights into the developmental, cognitive, and emotional needs of children, guiding effective intervention strategies. Adeena has provided one-on-one cognitive behavioral therapy to children diagnosed with various conditions, including, learning disabilities, emotional disorders, oppositional defiant behavior, autism, cognitive delays and mental disorders.

Adeena’s dedication to her field is evident in her unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of the children and families she serves. By applying evidence-based practices and continuously staying abreast of the latest research and techniques in behavior analysis, she ensures that her clients receive the highest standard of care.

Adeena Jacobson is passionate about empowering children to reach their full potential through effective behavior analysis and intervention. She believes that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed and is committed to making a positive, lasting impact on their lives.

Jeffrey Decker is a distinguished leader in the behavioral health field, celebrated for his expertise in cultivating teams and organizations dedicated to delivering exceptional care to clients and families. With over 14 years of experience, Jeffrey has made significant contributions to both inpatient and outpatient treatment centers across the northeast region of the United States.

Jeffrey’s extensive career in behavioral health began as a direct caregiver, providing hands-on support to individuals in need. His dedication and exceptional skills quickly propelled him into leadership roles, where he has since guided numerous treatment centers towards achieving higher standards of care and operational excellence. Jeffrey received his Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from Boston College where he was mentored by some of the most prominent leaders in the healthcare space.

As a thought leader, Jeffrey Decker is dedicated to advancing the conversation around mental health. He emphasizes the importance of accessible, person-centered care and works tirelessly to ensure that mental health services are within reach for all who need them. His community advocacy efforts focus on breaking down barriers to care and promoting a comprehensive approach to mental health and recovery.

Jeffrey’s mission is to empower individuals and families to achieve better mental health and well-being by fostering a healthy community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. As the proud father of two young children, his efforts to increase awareness, educate families, and promote connectedness are top priorities for Jeffrey as he continues to help and serve others.

Juliette D’Ambrosio, LPC, NCC, brings a diverse range of experiences in the behavioral health arena to the Portum community. Previous roles in both management and direct care provide Juliette with the necessary skills to reach clients with a well-rounded, open-minded approach to mental wellness. These various roles have allowed Juliette to create behavioral health curriculum and interventions for children and adolescents that are sensitive to society’s evolving need for mental health and addiction-based treatments. A life-long athlete, Juliette also incorporates the benefits of physical activity into her behavioral health care.

For nearly a decade, Juliette has served child, adolescent and adult acute psychiatric populations as a psychotherapist, intake coordinator and staff educator. She has also overseen agency-wide initiatives for performance improvement and compliance matters in leadership roles. Additionally, Juliette is a psychiatric crisis screener, providing emergency assessments and referrals for clients in need of critical mental health resources in the State of New Jersey. Most passionately, Juliette is an ally and advocate for disenfranchised populations and works tirelessly to resolve stigma for the betterment of mental wellness resources.

Patricia Cody, PMHNP-BC, is a dedicated Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 30 years of clinical experience. She earned her Master’s degree from Chamberlain University and is committed to evidence-based, collaborative care and patient advocacy.
With a strong background in behavioral health and case management, Patricia has worked extensively with children and adolescents at Hunterdon Behavioral Health and Doylestown Hospital. She embraces a holistic approach to care, addressing the psychosocial, physical, spiritual, and mental well-being of her patients. A lifelong learner, she continuously seeks to expand her expertise to provide the highest quality treatment.

Passionate about adolescent mental health, Patricia strives to promote wellness and support optimal patient outcomes. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, hiking, and spending time with her grown children.

Gabrielle is a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) in New Jersey and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Montclair State University. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University.

Passionate about the healing power of music in therapy, Gabrielle uses evidence-based interventions to empower, support, and connect with clients. She has diverse clinical experience working with adolescents and adults in psychiatric and substance use treatment, as well as hospice care, older adults, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and pediatric medical/oncology patients.

As a master’s-level intern, Gabrielle takes a trauma-informed, holistic approach to wellness, integrating person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychoeducation.

In her free time, she enjoys writing music, watching true crime shows, and exploring new restaurants with her husband.

Barbara Koziel, LCSW, LCADC brings a compassionate, client-centered approach to her work with individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Barbara has extensive experience working in crisis settings, as well as in inpatient and outpatient treatment centers. She specializes in supporting clients with co-occurring disorders, helping them navigate complex needs with empathy and care.

Barbara earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University and has remained committed to using evidence-based practices while also incorporating a holistic perspective into her clinical work. She believes in meeting clients where they are-building trust through collaboration, and tailoring treatment to each individual’s unique circumstances and goals.

Passionate about empowering individuals on their path to recovery, Barbara continues to advocate for integrated care that honors both mental health and substance use recovery as essential parts of well-being. A Hunterdon County native, in her off hours Barbara enjoys spending time outdoors and with her family.

Sabrina Candido, MSW, LSW, holds a Master’s in Social Work from Capella University and is a Licensed Social Worker dedicated to fostering a safe, supportive environment for children, teens, young adults, and families facing emotional and behavioral challenges.

With expertise in case management, crisis intervention, and inpatient care, Sabrina combines clinical insight with practical experience. She specializes in helping young adults manage anxiety, depression, school stress, and behavioral issues, guiding them to build resilience, develop coping strategies, and enhance family connections.

Grounded in empathy and collaboration, Sabrina tailors her approach to each client’s unique needs, empowering them to achieve meaningful, lasting change with respect for their individual journey.

Diana Fransis, RDN, is a registered dietitian and the founder of Wellness From Within, LLC. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from Rutgers University and completed her dietetic internship at UMDNJ (now Rutgers). As a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a certified lifestyle coach through the Diabetes Prevention Program, Diana brings over 11 years of experience, including four years focused on eating disorders and behavior change.

At Portum Behavioral Health, Diana guides clients in healing their relationship with food through evidence-based nutrition therapy, fostering recovery and overall well-being. She is deeply committed to nutrition education, balanced eating, and empowering individuals to nourish their bodies without fear or restriction.

Residing in Whitehouse Station, NJ, with her husband and three children, Diana enjoys developing and sharing nutritious recipes that inspire a healthy and enjoyable approach to food.

Cheryl Nogan is a 500-hour Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) with over 25 years of experience teaching yoga. With a background in Special Education, she is also certified in Adaptive Yoga and Somatic Yoga. Throughout her career, Cheryl has worked with a diverse range of individuals, including professional football players, high school and college athletes, senior citizens, and individuals with disabilities.

Her expertise in meditation therapy has been recognized by the U.S. Army for supporting disabled veterans and has also been recommended for postpartum mothers. Cheryl is passionate about making yoga accessible to all, helping her students build strength, resilience, and mindfulness through personalized practice.

Trina Mertz is a dedicated professional serving as the Site Manager at Portum Behavioral Health. With a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan, where she majored in Biopsycology, Cognition and Neuroscience, Trina possesses a solid educational foundation in the field. Driven by her commitment to mental health well-being and the desire to make a positive impact, Trina transitioned purposefully from her previous healthcare roles to specialize in mental health care.

With a genuine passion for mental health advocacy and a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of others, she brings warmth, friendliness, and enthusiasm to her role. With a keen understanding of the challenges individuals and families face in the realm of mental health, Trina is dedicated to creating meaningful and lasting positive changes in their lives at Portum Behavioral Health.

In her free time, Trina finds joy in outdoor activities, reading, exercise, and takes pleasure in cooking and baking. Above all, she cherishes moments spent with her family.