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About
Ira Hays, LCSW
Ira Hays is a compassionate and accomplished Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a diverse and distinguished career spanning various facets of mental health and education. With a deep commitment to improving the lives of individuals struggling with anxiety disorders, particularly school phobia and OCD, he has become a respected authority in his field.
As the Program Director at Center For Wellness, a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), Mr. Hays oversees a dynamic team of clinicians and therapists, ensuring the delivery of evidence-based treatments to individuals seeking support for their mental health challenges. His leadership and dedication have been instrumental in transforming the lives of countless patients on their path to recovery. In addition to his role as a program director,
Mr. Hays is the founder and owner of a thriving private practice Hays Health and Wellness. Here, he provides personalized, client-centered therapy for individuals seeking help with a variety of disorders including emetophobia, agoraphobia, obsessive compulsive disorder and is one of the leading experts in school phobia on the east coast of the United States. Mr. Hays has created a novel approach to both the assessment and treatment of school phobia.
Mr. Hays is a sought-after presenter at which he shares his insights on anxiety disorders, effective treatment modalities, and the latest advancements in the field of mental health. Recognized for his expertise, Mr. Hays serves as an Adjunct Professor at Monmouth university, where he imparts his knowledge and passion for mental health to the next generation of therapists.
Committed to giving back to his community and the mental health profession, Mr. Hays is a true go-giver. He actively engages in charitable initiatives and volunteers his time and expertise to support local schools and mental health organizations. His expertise lies in the treatment of anxiety disorders, with a particular focus on school phobia, emetophobia and OCD. His empathetic approach, combined with evidence-based interventions, like CBT, DBT, KPMT and ERP, empowers his clients to overcome the challenges they face and live fulfilling live
Recent Podcasts
I'm thrilled to share some of the recent conversations I've had on various podcasts, where I’ve had the opportunity to explore topics I’m deeply passionate about. Whether it's discussing the transformative power of ERP, sharing insights from my experience as a social worker and educator, or diving into strategies for motivating young people, each conversation has been a chance to connect, reflect, and inspire.
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These podcasts offer a glimpse into my work with the Center for Wellness IOP, my efforts to mentor new clinicians, and my mission to empower families, schools, and communities. I hope you find these episodes as engaging and enlightening as I did while recording them.
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Take a listen below, and let’s continue the conversation!
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2023 CPC Speaks Podcast “School Phobia with Guest Ira Hays”
2023 The Unfiltered By G'Ade “School Phobia”
2023 Scaling Therapy Practice, Season 2 episode 3 “Niche”
2023 The Mental Health Break Podcast with Nafisa Sekandari, Psy.D.”How to Adress Anxiety With Children”
2024 The Protective Factor Episode 3 “Navigating OCD for parents and Families.”
2024 Fear Less Episode 26 “Overcoming School Phobia and Building Resiliency.”
2024 The Talking Cure Episode 16"School Phobia and Improving Education Through a Growth Mindset”
2024 Fear Less Epsode 50 “The Power of the Growth Mindset for Anxiety”
Professional Develoment Experience
Resent Professional Presentations
2017 Monmouth County Children’s Inter-Agency Coordinating Council (CIACC), “Presentation and Discussion Panel on the Treatment of School Avoidance”
2018 ASAP-NJ Monmouth County Chapter, “Re-evaluating the treatment of anxiety in young people in the school setting”
2021 New Jersey system of Care, Monmouth Cares, “The Diagnosis and Treatment of School Phobia”
2021 Manalapan Englishtown public schools, “The Diagnosis and Treatment of School Phobia”
2022 Reynolds Middles school, “The Diagnosis and Treatment of School Phobia”
2022 Lacey Township public school, “The Diagnosis and Treatment of School Phobia”
2022 Princeton High School, “Introduction to a Trauma-Informed School”
2022 Toms River North High School, “The Diagnosis and Treatment of School Phobia”
2022 Grice Middle school, “Effective Parenting Techniques for the Oppositional Child”
2022 Monmouth University, “Introduction to Assessment and Treatment of OCD”
2022 Chatham High School, “Clinical Implication of a Trauma-Informed School Model”
2022 Essex County ASAP, “Understanding the Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2022 Southern Regional High school, “The Assessment and Treatment of school Phobia”
2022 Springfield Public schools, “The Assessment and Treatment of school Phobia”
2022 Howard County Health Department Maryland, “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2022 Somerset County ASAP, “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2022 Somerset County office of youth services, “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2023 Wayne Valley High School, “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2023 Bridgewater-Raritan School district, “Introduction to a Trauma Informed School” and
“Clinical implications of a Trauma Informed School model”
2023 Somerset County School Counselors Association. "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2023 Chatham High School, “Introduction to Assessment and Treatment of OCD"
2023 Monmouth County School Partnership for Wellness, "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2023 NJASAP "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2023 Regional Achieve Academy "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2023 Manasquan School District ""The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia" and "Clinical implications of a Trauma Informed School model"
2023 Monmouth County CMO "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia" 2023 Marlboro High School "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2023 Thrive Works NJ "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2023 Monmouth Regional High School "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia" 2023 Old Bridge School District "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2023 Upper Freehold Regional School District "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2023 Monmouth County SCA “Introduction to Assessment and Treatment of OCD”
2023 Marlboro School District "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2023 Old Bridge Carl Sandburg Middle School “Preparing for a Trauma Informed School”
2023 Woodbridge High School Freshman class “An introduction to Mental Health”
2023 NJ School Counselors association Conference "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2023 South Brunswick School District, "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia" and “Introduction to Assessment and Treatment of OCD"
2023 The Recovery Center USA panelist “Trauma-Informed Interactions Webinar”
2023 Henry Hudson Regional Board of Ed., "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2023 Middlesex County ASAP, "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2023 Center For Wellness Virtual Event, “Supporting Students with School Phobia over the Holiday Break
2024 Rumson School District, "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2024 Old bridge Salk Middle School, “Preparing for a Trauma Informed School.”
2024 Morris County School District, "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2024 Redbank High School and the Source, “Introduction to Assessment and Treatment of OCD" 2
024 Monmouth County Division Vocational Schools, "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2024 Holmdel Schools, “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2024 Chatham school, “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2024 Monmouth Count CIACC Keynote, “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia" 2024 Kenilworth Schools, “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2024 Center For Wellness, “Supporting Students with School Phobia over the Spring Break”
2024 Turnbridge and CFW, “Levels of Care Training
2024 Summit Wellness Symposium, “Working with School Phobic and Anxious Children and adolescents”
2024 NJ4S Union, "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2024 Monmouth County Bio Tech School Students, An Introduction to mental health and growth mindset.
2024 Monmouth County Bio Tech School Parents, Parenting for the Growth Mindset”
2024 NJ4S Mercer County, "The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia"
2024 Old Bridge Elementary schools, “Preparing for a Trauma Informed School.”
2024 Center For Wellness “School Phobia: Planning for a Successful Summer Webinar
2024 NJ4S Essex County “School Phobia for parents and educators.”
2024 NJ4S Essex County “Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2024 North Brunswick Schools “A Comprehensive Overview of the Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2024 Chatham Schools k-12 “Preparing for a Trauma Informed School”
2024 Rutgers University behavioral Health and NJ4S Middlesex “The Assessment and Treatment of school Phobia”
2024 Old Bridge School District “Understanding Adolescent Anxiety and Educating With A Growth Mindset”
2024 Redbank Regional High School District “Educating With a Growth Mindset”
2024 Professional Learning and Curriculum Department Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 “ A comprehensive Guide to the Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia
2024 Middlesex County SAC Team “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2024 Ellie Mental Health “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2024 Edison School District “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2024 Monmouth County Director’s “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2024 Sayreville Public School “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2024 Edison Township Parent presentation “The Parents Guide to School Anxiety and Attendance Concerns”
2024 Marlboro Township Schools “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2024 Freehold Township School District “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”
2024 North Plainfield School District “The Assessment and Treatment of School Phobia”