Debra L. Kress, L.C.S.W., Psy.D.

Dr. Debra Kress is a psychotherapist as well as a  clinical social worker who specializes in the treatment of children,  adolescents, young adults,  adults, and families.   She graduated from  American  University in Washington, DC, with honors where she received B.A. in  Psychology and a certificate in education. She obtained her Masters in  Clinical Social Work from New York University.  Dr. Kress received her  doctoral degree from The George Washington University where she  graduated with high honors.  She completed her residency at the  University of Pennsylvania where she worked at Pennsylvania Hospital and  participated in seminars at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. 

Dr. Kress has more than 25 years of clinical  experience working in both urban and suburban environments including  child and adult outpatient facilities, child and adult inpatient  facilities, hospitals, clinics, cancer facilities, emergency rooms,  substance abuse facilities, group homes, day treatment centers, public  and private schools, and group practice.  She has experience in  conducting psychological evaluations and testing along with  comprehensive educational testing for learning and psychological  disorders.  In addition, Dr. Kress has worked with eating disorders and  has provided evaluations for individuals undergoing weight loss surgery.  

Dr. Kress practices child and adult individual  therapy, family therapy, and play therapy, and she provides parent  guidance sessions along with school consultations.  She has lead  numerous seminars on topics such as parenting, social skills for  children and adolescents, bipolar disorder in children, attachment  disorders and how to handle bullying.  She also supervises and teaches  other psychologists and mental health professionals. 

Dr. Kress's   psychotherapeutic treatment approach is  flexible according to the patient's needs and incorporates  psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.  In addition,  she has had specialized training in play therapy and in running social  skills groups. 

To benefit children and adolescent patients, she  works closely with school staff including administrators, school  psychologists and social workers, and teachers.  She also attends many  child study team meetings along with other school meetings as an  advocate for the child.  When necessary, Dr. Kress works with  physicians, including psychiatrists and pediatricians, to coordinate  treatment.  She will collaborate with speech therapists, occupational  therapists, learning specialists and nutritionists to help provide her  patients with a comprehensive treatment plan. 

Dr. Kress is available for sessions in person and also for phone sessions and correspondence via email. 

Professional Affiliations:

American Psychological Association
 New Jersey Psychological Association
 National Association of Social Workers
 National Alliance on Mental Illness
 New Jersey Society for Clinical Social Workers