Helping Kids, Families and Adults move from Avoidance to Confidence by Overcoming Anxiety!
Specialized therapy for:
School Phobia School Avoidance
School Refusal Emetophobia
Agoraphobia Social Anxiety
Obsessive Compulsive disorder
We provide evidence-based assessment and treatment in person in Colts Neck, NJ and virtually throughout New Jersey to help children, teens, and adults move forward with confidence.
Specialized Therapy & Support
Children and Teen Counseling
Helping Kids and Teens Move Forward with Confidence
At Hays Health & Wellness, we specialize in helping children and adolescents who are struggling with anxiety, OCD, school avoidance, Emetophobia and related challenges.
When a young person feels overwhelmed by worry, intrusive thoughts, or avoidance, it can impact school, friendships, family life, and confidence.
Our team provides evidence-based counseling for children and teens, focused on helping young people develop the skills they need to face fears, manage emotions, and gradually build resilience.
We work closely with both parents and schools when appropriate, because lasting progress often happens when the adults around a child are working from the same plan.
Counseling for Adults
Evidence-Based Treatment for Anxiety, OCD, and Fear-Driven Avoidance
At Hays Health & Wellness, we work with adults who feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or avoidance that limit their lives. Whether it’s social situations, travel, health fears, or performance pressure, anxiety can quietly shrink the world around you.
Our clinicians specialize in evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders and OCD, helping adults gradually rebuild confidence and reclaim the parts of life anxiety has pushed aside.
Our goal is not simply to help you feel better in the moment, but to help you develop the skills and resilience needed to face fears and move forward with confidence.
Parent Coaching
Helping Parents Support Their Child with Confidence
When a child struggles with anxiety, OCD, Emetophobia or school avoidance, parents often find themselves unsure of what will help and what may unintentionally make the problem worse. Parent coaching at Hays Health & Wellness focuses on helping parents understand the patterns that maintain anxiety and learning practical strategies to support their child’s progress.
Our clinicians work collaboratively with parents to develop clear, consistent evidence based approaches that encourage resilience while reducing cycles of reassurance, avoidance, and conflict. We may incorporate Kazdin Parent Management Training (KPMT) to help parents reinforce positive behavior and reduce oppositional patterns at home.
Why Families Choose
Hays Health & Wellness
Families often come to us after trying therapy that felt supportive but did not create meaningful change. Our clinicians focus on evidence-based treatment for anxiety, OCD, Emetophobia and school avoidance, helping children, teens, and adults take practical steps forward.
What makes our approach different:
School Attendance
We use a specialized approach to school attendance challenges that begins with careful assessment. Our clinicians differentiate between school avoidance, school refusal, and school phobia, evaluating contributing factors such as social anxiety, perfectionism, performance anxiety related to learning challenges, and phobic responses to school. This allows us to create a comprehensive plan that addresses the underlying concerns at home, in treatment, and in collaboration with the school.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
At Hays Health & Wellness, our clinicians specialize in the assessment and treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related conditions. We use evidence-based approaches including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help individuals change their relationship with intrusive thoughts and reduce compulsive behaviors. Our goal is to help clients regain confidence and freedom from the patterns that OCD creates.
Families and Parent Coaching
At Hays Health & Wellness, parent and family coaching helps caregivers better understand how anxiety, OCD, and behavioral challenges develop and how to respond effectively. Our clinicians provide guidance in ERP-informed parenting strategies, Kazdin Parent Management Training (KPMT) techniques, and developing a stress-enhancing mindset that helps families support resilience and growth. When parents and families feel more confident in how they respond, children, teens and even adults are more likely to make meaningful progress.
School Consulting & Speaking
Where Mental Health and Education Work Together for Student Success
We partner with schools to build trauma and anxiety informed frameworks that foster success. Our evidence-based approach integrates clinical expertise with practical strategies to help entire school communities cultivate lasting resilience and success in the classroom.
• Addressing school avoidance, school refusal, and school phobia
• Supporting students with ADHD and executive functioning challenges
• Developing classroom strategies that reduce anxiety while promoting learning
• Strengthening collaboration between families, schools, and treatment providers
• Understanding and responding to OCD in the school environment
This highly anticipated resource is forthcoming. Join our list to be the first to know about the launch and gain early access to clinical tools.
Featured Upcoming Book: Solving The School Attendance Crisis
School attendance isn’t just a morning battle—it’s a growing crisis that can derail a child’s future if left unaddressed. Drawing on 15+ years of clinical practice, Solving the School Attendance Crisis walks parents, educators, and mental health professionals step-by-step through evidence-based strategies. Packed with real stories, practical tools, and clear guidance, this book offers a roadmap to help students move from fear and avoidance to resilience and independence.
Partnering with Innovative Mental Health Solutions
I’m proud to serve as a Clinical Advisor to BIA, contributing clinical insight to work designed to help children, adolescents, and families navigate anxiety and related challenges. This advisory role reflects my ongoing commitment to connecting evidence-based treatment with practical tools that make support more accessible for families, schools, and providers.
Building Resilience Through the Right Mindset
We don't need to wait until something is wrong, we can help prepare and prevent concerns.
Education
At Hays Health & Wellness, we emphasize the principles of the growth mindset and the stress-is-enhancing mindset as core foundations for healthy development. Rather than only addressing anxiety when problems arise, our approach helps children, teens, and families learn to view challenges as opportunities to build confidence, resilience, and long-term fotitude.