About Us
We are located in New Brunswick, NJ, conveniently near Rutgers University, St. Peters University Hospital, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
Meet our providers
Our staff specialize in assessment and rehabilitation in the context of neurological disease or injury. The interdisciplinary team consists of neuropsychology, speech language pathology, counseling, cognitive rehabilitation and social work providers. We provide comprehensive assessments and treatment to improve quality of life. Treatment can focus on adjustment to injury/disease and management of cognitive, emotional and behavioral changes. We also provide services to caregivers or family members with caregiver burnout.
Our Team
Alison Tverdov, Psy.D., ABPP-CN
Dr. Alison Tverdov is a board certified clinical neuropsychologist who earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from La Salle University. Her pre-doctoral clinical internship was completed at the Department of Veterans Affairs Hudson Valley Health Care System where she conducted neuropsychological evaluations and treated veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorders. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Bancroft NeuroRehab where she provided neuropsychological services to individuals with moderate to severe brain injury. Following fellowship she was the clinical leader for the rehabilitation interdisciplinary team overseeing the residential neuropsychology services and providing outpatient psychotherapy and testing to individuals with various neurological conditions.
In addition to private practice, she also works as a site rater at Advanced Clinical Institute in Neptune, NJ where she conducts evaluations for Alzheimer’s disease patients and their caregivers enrolled in a clinical trial.
She maintains clinical interest in caregiver burden and supports. She published her research entitled, “Family needs at a post-acute rehabilitation setting and suggestions for supports,” in the Brain Injury journal.
Dr. Tverdov also serves as the chair of the Education Committee for the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN). She is a PSYPACT participating provider.
Brianna Malinowski, Psy.D.
Dr. Brianna Malinowski is a licensed clinical neuropsychologist who earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology, with a specialization in neuropsychology, from Widener University. During her time at Widener, she participated in practicum placements in school psychology, residential care, and at Cooper University Hospital’s neuropsychology department. She completed pre-doctoral internships at a private neuropsychology practice as well as the neuropsychology department at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating from Widener, she completed her two-year postdoctoral fellowship in neuropsychology at Forensic Psychology and Neuropsychology Services where she conducted both clinical and forensic evaluations for pediatric, adult and older adult populations.
Dr. Malinowski earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from The College of New Jersey, where she graduated with the highest honors. She has a passion for friendly and thorough patient care. She enjoys working closely with each patient to make an accurate diagnosis in order to provide the most effective recommendations. She looks forward to working with you and your loved ones in a comfortable atmosphere to evaluate your unique strengths, weaknesses, and needs through in-depth neuropsychological testing.
Jennifer Girgenti, MS, CCC-SLP CBIS
Jennifer Girgenti is a licensed speech-language pathologist who earned her Masters Degree in speech-language pathology from Long Island University in 2004. She worked with adults with developmental disabilities at United Cerebral Palsy in NY for twelve years. Following her work with that agency, she earned a position at Bancroft Neurorehab providing speech, language, and cognitive rehabilitation therapy to adults with traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Jennifer maintains clinical interest in improving speech, language, and executive functioning skills to facilitate functional communication and independence for those with whom she works. She provides speech evaluations, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation services.
Mary Speiser, LCSW
Mary Speiser is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned her Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University in 1994, with a focus on clinical work with children and families. Since that time her practice has expanded to include a geriatric population, serving both older individuals and their families, parents and families of youth and young adults with disabilities, and adults struggling to cope with stress. Mary has worked in both residential and community mental health centers, often providing services in the home, and in nursing and medical facilities. She is a clinical supervisor and provided clinical growth and training of social workers and counselors, behaviorists and mentors working in the community and OP settings. She served as program director for youth and adult partial care programs. Mary’s background is extensive and consists of many different areas of social work, with specific interest in the unique emotional challenges that exist in the context of caregiving, aging, managing chronic health conditions, and parenting children/adults with disabilities. Mary is certified to train in the Nurtured Heart Approach and the ARC approach to treatment of complex trauma. Mary is also a member of the NASW, and is a current board member and past president of the NJ Prader Willi Syndrome Association. She holds several certifications including a Clinical Supervision Certification, SIFI Certificate to supervise interns and is a Certified Financial Social Worker. She has advanced experience in Mindfulness and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction.
Michelle Rutigliano, LCSW
Michelle Rutigliano is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned her Master of Social Work degree from Hunter College School of Social Work in 1995. She majored in Gerontology and Group Work. Her social work career has spanned over 25 years and has been exclusively focused on assisting families coping with memory loss and physical illness. Michelle was the Caregiver Services Coordinator at the Community Agency for Senior Citizens, Staten Island’s premier senior citizen organization. She provided individual counseling to family caregivers, ran support groups, and hosted educational seminars on Advance Directives, financial planning, and the aging process. Michelle transitioned to working in hospice in 2008 where she has been providing supportive counseling to both patients and caregivers to facilitate greater acceptance of the terminal diagnosis. She received the New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NJHPCO) Social Worker of the Year award in 2014 for her commitment to her patients and families, and her creative approach to helping enhance the quality of life of those she served. Michelle is certified through NASW to engage in Advanced Care Planning conversations in New Jersey. Michelle has a strong desire to help clients and families prepare emotionally and practically for their future. She has a clinical interest in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Motivational Interviewing techniques.
Raissa Novik,
LPC NCC
Raissa Novik is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology in 2009. She also achieved designation as a National Certified Counselor. Her supervised clinical training includes an externship at the child and adolescent psychiatric department of Monmouth Medical Center and an internship at Adult and Pediatric and Neuropsychology of Staten Island where she participated in the administration of neuropsychological assessments. Upon the completion of her internship Raissa transitioned in the company to the role of psychometrician and cognitive therapist. After her work in private practice she earned a position as a cognitive rehabilitation therapist for Bancroft NeuroRehab, a New Jersey based non-profit organization providing rehabilitation services to individuals with acquired brain injuries. As a cognitive rehabilitation therapist she developed cognitive remediation programs for individuals with acquired brain injuries and conducted weekly psychotherapy sessions targeting behavior management and emotion regulation. Raissa uses a variety of evidenced based approaches to support the needs of her clients with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She maintains clinical interest in cognitive remediation therapy, helping individuals to refine areas of functioning such as executive functioning (e.g., attention, planning, and organization) in the hopes of improving one’s well being. Psychotherapy interests include emotion regulation, depression, anxiety, and coping with difficult life events.