Meet Our Team

Our Team

 The Creating Change staff is comprised of Clinical Therapists and supportive staff, who continue to develop and implement comprehensive and innovative treatment. Our therapists aim to produce long lasting and permanent changes in individuals’ lives. Below you will find our in-community clinicians as well as our in-office clinicians.

For more information, kindly view our "Where to Start" page, our FAQs, or contact us!

GLORIA CORREA, LCSW

CEO, Clinical Director, & Clinician

Gloria Correa is a compassionate and visionary leader serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Creating Change Counseling Center, a prominent non-profit mental health agency dedicated to transforming lives in the counties of Morris, Passaic, and Bergen. Gloria’s dedication to enhancing individual and community well-being is deeply rooted in her three-decade career and her firsthand encounters with populations affected by mental health challenges throughout both her personal and professional journey.


Raised in Paterson, NJ, Gloria experienced firsthand the complex realities of inner-city life and its profound impact on family dynamics and mental health. Her early exposure to the challenges faced by individuals and families in underserved communities fueled her passion for mental health advocacy, social justice, and systemic change.


After earning her Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University, Gloria began her career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), gaining invaluable insights into the barriers that individuals face when seeking mental health support. Recognizing the urgent need for innovative, accessible, and culturally responsive mental health services, she transitioned into leadership roles, strategically shaping mental health organizations to better serve diverse populations.


As the CEO of Creating Change Counseling Center, Gloria has implemented a forward-thinking, holistic approach to mental health care; one that is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and deeply rooted in community needs. Under her leadership, the agency has expanded its reach, breaking down barriers to mental health services and working to destigmatize mental illness through education, advocacy, and compassionate care.


Gloria’s leadership style is characterized by empathy, inclusivity, and a tireless commitment to building a nurturing environment for both clients and staff. She is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, regularly engaging with community leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to drive systemic change in the mental health landscape. Her unique ability to bridge lived experience with clinical expertise and policy engagement has positioned Creating Change Counseling Center as a trusted and transformative presence in the mental health landscape.


In-Office Clinicians

If you are interested in therapeutic services from any of the in-office clinicians below, call us at 862.803.9262 or kindly view our "First Steps" page for more information.

Gloria Correa

LCSW

Clinician and Clinical Director


Gloria Correa is a compassionate and highly skilled Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 28 years of experience providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents, adults, and families. She specializes in trauma-informed care, with advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), both evidence-based approaches proven effective for individuals impacted by trauma.


Gloria is also trained in Structural Family Therapy (SFT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for domestic violence, and Play Therapy, offering clients a variety of tools to navigate complex emotional and behavioral challenges. She incorporates Sand Tray Therapy to help clients—particularly children—express and process emotions in a non-verbal, creative manner.


With a deep commitment to supporting neurodiverse individuals, Gloria holds training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a well-established therapeutic approach often used with individuals with autism. Additionally, she is trained in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), a relationship-based model designed to restore attachment and functioning in young children and their caregivers.


Fluent in both English and Spanish, Gloria provides culturally responsive care that meets clients where they are. She is passionate about helping clients overcome the effects of trauma, strengthen family dynamics, and build the coping skills needed for long-term emotional well-being.

Gloria is known for her warm and adaptive therapeutic style, tailoring each session to the unique needs of her clients with empathy, respect, and clinical insight.

Suzanne Deshchidn

MFA, MA, LCSW

Suzanne Deshchidn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of New Jersey and a graduate of Rutgers University. She brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and creative insight to her therapeutic work, holding an MFA in Poetry from the Solstice Creative Writing Program and a Master’s degree in Creativity Studies from Union Institute & University.

With a strong foundation in the neurological underpinnings of creativity theory, Suzanne excels at helping clients set realistic, achievable goals while fostering resilience and a strong sense of self. Her therapeutic approach is strengths-based and person-centered, integrating both evidence-based practices and creative modalities to promote healing and emotional growth.


Suzanne is also certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to assist individuals experiencing homelessness in applying for Social Security benefits, further extending her advocacy and case management skills to vulnerable populations.

She works effectively with young adults, children, and families, offering compassionate, individualized care that honors each client’s unique journey and potential.


In-Community Clinicians (IIC)

If you are interested in in-home therapeutic services from our

in-community clinicians, kindly view our "First Steps" page to contact PerformCare directly.

John Villada

LSW

Clinician and Clinical Supervisor


John Villada is a dedicated bilingual clinician with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University. Fluent in both Spanish and English, John has provided therapeutic services across a range of settings, including short-term crisis intervention through the Family Crisis Intervention Unit and long-term support in the Family Stabilization Program. His clinical experience includes individual therapy for youth and family therapy for children, adolescents, and their parents.



In addition to his work as a therapist, John serves as the Clinical Supervisor at Creating Change Counseling Center, where he provides guidance, mentorship, and oversight to fellow clinicians. His leadership supports a collaborative and ethically sound clinical environment, ensuring high-quality care across the agency.


John’s background also includes extensive community outreach and family advocacy within school systems and partner agencies. He is trained in Trauma-Focused Therapy, Substance Abuse Treatment, and Family Therapy. He also specializes in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), an evidence-based model designed to improve the relationship between a child and their caregiver, particularly for children from birth to five years old who have experienced trauma. His work with CPP addresses contextual factors impacting the caregiver-child bond and promotes healthy cognitive, behavioral, and social development.

John’s empathetic approach, combined with his clinical knowledge and supervisory experience, makes him a valuable asset to both the families he serves and the professional team at Creating Change.

Katie Zurita Solis

LSW

Clinician & Behavioral Assistants Supervisor


Katie is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Ramapo College of New Jersey. Bilingual in Spanish and English, Katie brings a culturally sensitive, trauma-informed approach to her work with children, adolescents, and families.


Katie currently serves as both a clinician and the Behavioral Assistants Supervisor at Creating Change, where she provides guidance and oversight to the agency’s Behavioral Assistant team. Her leadership ensures high-quality, strength-based support services are delivered with professionalism and compassion.


Her early professional experience includes internships at Oasis, a Safe Haven for Women and Children, and The Center for Drug and Alcohol Resources, where she supported the Strengthening Families program. After completing her undergraduate degree, Katie spent five months in Mexico teaching English to children in grades one through eight and earned a teaching certificate from the Mexican government.


Katie has experience working with children and youth facing a variety of challenges, including depression, anxiety, behavioral difficulties, and autism spectrum disorders. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, and art therapy techniques. She is also trained in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), a relationship-based model designed to strengthen caregiver-child attachment and promote cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning in children from birth to five years old.



With a warm and engaging style, Katie uses empathy, active listening, and evidence-based practices to help families build resilience, foster healing, and develop lifelong coping strategies.





Natalia Londono

LSW

Clinician


Natalia is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the state of New Jersey, fluent in both Spanish and English. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University and a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University, with a concentration in clinical practice. Natalia is trained in a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), the Nurtured Heart Approach, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy.


Natalia has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and families on issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, anger management, emotional regulation, social skills deficits, ADHD, self-injury, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), and PTSD. She also brings a strong foundation in child-centered play therapy, parent coaching, and mindfulness-based interventions, as well as support for school-related and behavioral challenges.


As a former first responder, Natalia has developed a strong background in crisis response and intervention. Her unique experience includes active participation in IEP teams, addressing immigration-related concerns, and providing comprehensive case management to youth and families in high-stress environments. Her calm presence, ability to build rapid rapport, and holistic, individualized approach allow her to meet families where they are, empowering them to move toward healing and long-term success. 


Latifah Green

LSW

Clinician


Latifah Green is a Licensed Social Worker, advocate, counselor, and speaker with over 14 years of experience supporting youth, adolescents, and families through diverse mental health challenges. Her expertise includes addressing the social, behavioral, environmental, economic, and medical factors that influence mental well-being, with a particular focus on trauma-informed care and implicit bias. She brings more than eight years of experience in hospice care, deepening her understanding of grief, loss, and emotional resilience.


Latifah holds a degree in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University and earned her Master’s in Social Work from Ramapo College of New Jersey. She is trained in facilitating and co-facilitating mental health and substance use group therapy at the outpatient level and is passionate about creating safe, affirming environments that reduce chronic stress and promote healing.



A strong advocate for holistic wellness, Latifah emphasizes the importance of self-care and mindfulness as essential components of therapy. Her compassionate, client-centered approach fosters personal growth and strengthens the foundation for healthy individuals, families, and communities.





In-Community Behavioral Assistants (BA)

Ruby Latorre

BA

Case Manager & Certified Behavioral Assistant


Ruby Latorre holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Pennsylvania State University. With over five years of experience as a Certified Behavioral Assistant at Creating Change Counseling Center, Ruby has demonstrated a deep passion for supporting youth of all ages and their families through compassionate, strength-based care.


In her dual role as Case Manager, Ruby provides coordinated support and guidance to ensure each family receives the resources and services they need to thrive. She is trained in the Wraparound approach; a collaborative, holistic model that brings together family members, service providers, and community resources to develop personalized care plans tailored to each family's unique needs and goals.


Ruby is also actively involved in her community, giving back by coaching youth soccer for a local recreational team. Her commitment to youth extends beyond her professional role, as she uses sports to help build confidence, teamwork, and resilience in children.

She also brings a strong sense of discipline, leadership, and commitment to her work, shaped in part by her service in the New Jersey National Guard, where she fulfilled responsibilities including monthly drills and annual summer training.



For referrals or additional information, Ruby can be reached at creatingchangellc@gmail.com.



Monika McCarthy

BA

Behavioral Assistant


Monika holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work (MSW) at Rutgers University, specializing in the clinical track with a focus on Children, Youth, and Families.



She brings five years of experience in case management, supporting youth and families facing homelessness, and working with children and adolescents navigating various emotional and behavioral challenges. Monika has extensive experience with survivors of domestic violence and individuals affected by substance use and mental health disorders.

Her strengths also include building collaborative partnerships with school districts and community organizations to help create positive, sustainable outcomes for the families and youth she serves.