Our Professional Staff
Our professional staff includes board certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrists, a neuropsychologist, specialized psychotherapists, behavior and executive function skills specialists, and learning consultants.
Nanda Muthusawmy, MD
Born and raised in New Jersey, Nanda Muthusawmy, MD, is a Board Certified Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of ADHD, mood regulation disorders, behavior disorders, depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders, and OCD and Tic Disorders.
Dr. Muthusawmy provides diagnostic psychiatric evaluations, prescribes appropriate medications where appropriate, but strongly believes in the power of psychotherapy to bring about positive change for the children, adolescents, and adults she treats.
Dr. Muthusawmy attended Rutgers Medical School, where she received her medical degree and then completed her adult psychiatry residency training. She was then accepted to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she completed her Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship and additionally participated in its Division of Tics, OCD, and Related Disorders specialty clinic.
Merritt Hubsher, MD
Merritt Hubsher, MD is the medical director of ADHD, Mood & Behavior Center. He is a Board Certified Child, Adolescent and Adult psychiatrist, and expert in the diagnosis and treatment of both childhood and adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADD, ADHD). He specializes in the treatment of all child and adolescent emotional, behavioral, social and academic disorders. He possesses an expertise in the treatment of mood disorders in children, adolescents and adults, (such as Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety and OCD Disorders), behavior disorders (such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder), as well as Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Dr. Hubsher received his medical degree from SUNY-Downstate Medical Center in New York. He received his residency training in Psychiatry at New York University Medical Center, where he also completed his fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Hubsher has been in practice since 1987, promoting effective treatment for children, adolescents and adults.
Dr. Hubsher has appeared on television and radio, has been quoted in numerous newspaper articles, has lectured all over the State of New Jersey to school teachers, guidance counselors, therapists and parent groups as well as other psychiatrists, and regularly consults with pediatricians, family practices, primary care and specialist physicians, teaching the hallmarks of childhood mental health, behavioral and academic conditions, in order to increase awareness and thereby help children to receive the help from which they can so greatly benefit.
In December 2018, Dr. Hubsher was voted the #1 Favorite Kids’ Doc out of all pediatric doctors, in all specialties, in all of New Jersey.
Michelle Cicala, PMHNP-BC
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, with experience treating children, adolescents, families and adults in a variety of settings, including inpatient, intensive outpatient/partial hospitalization and at ADHD, Mood & Behavior Center’s multidisciplinary outpatient treatment center. She believes in developing a therapeutic relationship with her patients, and enhancing strengths, balance and coping skills, through the use of appropriate psychotropic medications and therapeutic strategies, that can lead to greater emotional regulation, a sense of wellbeing and success in accomplishing desired goals.
Joshua Shifrin, PhD, ABSNP, NCSP
Dr. Joshua Shifrin received his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Clark University in Worcerster, Massachusetts. Dr. Shifrin then attended Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts where he earned his Masters of Science in educational psychology and his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in school psychology. After working for approximately five years as a licensed school psychologist, Dr. Shifrin continued his studies at Florida State University where he earned his PhD in the American Psychological Association (APA) Accredited combined school psychology and counseling psychology program. Dr. Shifrin completed his APA accredited internship at the Andrus Children’s Center in Yonkers, NY. Dr. Shifrin is a licensed psychologist in New Jersey and New York, as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of School Neuropsychology, and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. Dr. Shifrin specializes in conducting pediatric/school neuropsychological evaluations.
Kaitlyn Arent, LPC, ACS
Kaitlyn is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor in New Jersey whose clinical specialties include working with adolescents, and adults who are struggling with anxiety, mood disorders, as well as personality disorders. Kaitlyn has extensive experience working with clients and families who are in crisis, and believes in a creating a therapeutic relationship from honesty, a judgement free environment, and viewing every client from a strength-based perspective.
Kaitlyn has practiced in numerous clinical settings including Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment, substance abuse as well as a private practice setting. Kaitlyn received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology and education and her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University at Albany.
Mike Shugrue, LCSW
Michael Shugrue is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) at the ADHD, Mood and Behavior Center, where he specializes in treating children, adolescents, and their families. Michael joined the center in 2005 and provides individual, group, and family therapy. He is also a regular speaker at conferences and events addressing parents and educational audiences on a wide range of topics from dealing with ADHD to fostering self-esteem in special needs children.
Michael received his Masters of Social Work (MSW) from Columbia University in New York. Prior to joining the ADHD, Mood and Behavior Center, Michael spent 3 years at the Institute for Behavioral Health Services at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey. From 2000 to 2002, Michael worked at and helped develop “Project Destiny”, a unique and highly successful Oakland, California-based full service, ‘wrap-around’ program. There, Michael both provided counseling and supportive services to high risk families in economically challenged neighborhoods as well as participated in the development, direction and team management of the burgeoning, grant supported ‘wrap around’ program. In addition to direct client work, Michael also has extensive experience working with juvenile justice, educational, and hospital/health service systems.